Synthesized music, sound and light system

• US 5,461,188 A
• Filed: 03/07/1994
• Issued: 10/24/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 03/07/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Marcello S. Drago
• Original Assignee: Marcello S. Drago
• Inventors: Leon, Alexander, Franco, Kenneth J., Drago, Marcello S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Witkowski, Stanley J.
• Application Number:
  US08/206,324
• Time in Patent Office: 596 Days
• Field of Search: 84/600, 84/644, 84/670, 84/718, 84/743, 84/464 R, 84/464 A, 84/477 R, 84/478, 36/137, 362/103
• US Class Current: 84/600
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 3/00 Footwear characterised by the shape or the use
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 3/34 with electrical or electronic arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 3/50 with sound or music sources
• CPC Class Codes: A63J 17/00 Apparatus for performing colour-music
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 39/09 in which the lamp is fed by pulses automatic circuit devices built into or on the incandescent lamp H01K1/625; vehicle winking devices B60Q1/38
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/12 by detecting audible sound
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/40 Control techniques providing energy savings, e.g. smart controller or presence detection

Abstract

A synthesized music, sound and light system (10) that is incorporated into articles of clothing (60) such as a pair of shoes. The system (10) when activated, allows a multiplicity of lights (32) to illuminate in synchrony with the rhythmic beat of either an internal or an external music or sound program that is heard through an audio transducer (26). When the system (10) is incorporated into a pair of shoes, a person can perform a dance routine or other form of expression in compliment with the selected music and light program. To enhance the utility of the invention, the system includes three user operated controls: a music program select switch (S1) that allows the selection of musical light programs, a control that allows the speed of the lights and rhythmic beat of the selected program to be increased or decreased, and a control that allows setting the volume of the sound.

Claims

1. A synthesized music, sound and light system comprising:

a) a program control circuit comprising;

(1) a system clock having means for producing a time base pulse, and

(2) a program memory circuit having means for storing in shared memory locations;

(a) at least one sound program and

(b) at least one light program wherein said program memory circuit, upon receiving the time base pulse, sequences said program memory circuit and thereafter produces, sound control signals derived from the sound program and light control signals derived from the light program,

b) a sound generating circuit having means for receiving and processing the sound control signals from said program control circuit and thereafter producing sound signals in accordance with the sound program,

c) an audio processing circuit having means for receiving and processing the sound signals from said sound generating circuit and thereafter producing audio transducer drive signals that operate at least one audio transducer from where the sound is heard,

d) a light control circuit having means for processing and receiving the light control signals from said program control circuit and thereafter producing light drive signals in accordance with the light program, and

e) a voltage or current drive circuit having means for receiving and processing the light drive signals from said light control circuit and thereafter producing light activating signals that sequentially energize a multiplicity of light sources in synchrony with the cadence of the sounds emitted from said at least one audio transducer.

2. The system as specified in claim 1 wherein said sound generating circuit is designed with a variety of selectable synthesized sounds that simulate musical instruments.

3. The system as specified in claim 1 wherein said audio processing circuit further comprises a variable resistor/switch that allows a user to turn said system ON, OFF and control the volume of the sound.

4. The system as specified in claim 1 wherein said audio transducer comprises a ceramic resonator.

5. The system as specified in claim 1 wherein said audio transducer comprises a piezo electric resonator.

6. The system as specified in claim 1 wherein said light sources comprise incandescent lamps.

7. The system as specified in claim 1 wherein said light sources comprise light emitting diodes (LEDs).

8. The system as specified in claim 1 wherein said light sources comprise electroluminescent panels.

9. The system as specified in claim 1 wherein said light sources comprise fiber optic bundles having their light emitting ends aesthetically dispersed and attached to the article of clothing and illuminated by at least one light source located at the base of said fiber optic bundle.

10. The system as specified in claim 1 wherein said system clock further comprises a control that allows a user to control the variable time base or speed of the light sources and the sound.

11. The system as specified in claim 1 wherein said program memory circuit is comprised of a one-time-programmable device.

12. The system as specified in claim 1 wherein said system further comprises a reprogramming circuit means for allowing the editing or changing of the sounds program and the light program.

13. The system as specified in claim 12 wherein said program memory circuit is reprogrammable and comprises an electrically-erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM).

14. The system as specified in claim 12 wherein said reprogramming circuit means comprises:

a) a programming means controlled by a user that when activated produces programming signals,

b) a program interface circuit that receives and processes the reprogramming means and thereafter produces;

(1) a clock interface signal that is applied to said system clock and that allows a user to control the operation of said system clock, and

(2) a program memory interface signal that is applied to said program memory circuit and that allows a memory circuit that allows a user to step into and modify memory locations.

15. The system as specified in claim 1 further comprising:

a) a microphone, and

b) a light organ circuit having an input connected to said microphone and an output connected to said program memory circuit and said light control circuit, with said light organ circuit having means for producing a sound disabling signal that disables said sound program and simultaneously produces either a light trigger signal that controls and triggers said light control circuit directly or a signal that sequences the memory circuit with the light program and light control signals thereof being active, whereupon, said light control circuit produces a light trigger signal that is applied to said voltage or current drive circuit from where the light activating signals are produced in synchrony with the ambient audible sounds detected by said microphone.

16. The system as specified in claim 15 wherein said microphone is comprised of said audio transducer used in a pick-up mode.

17. The system as specified in claim 1 wherein said program control circuit comprises:

a) a system clock having means for producing a time base signal,

b) a central processing unit (CPU) having means for receiving and processing the time base signal from said system clock and thereafter producing the sound control signals applied to said sound generating circuit and the light control signal applied to said light control circuit,

c) a user interface circuit having means for producing an interface signal that is applied to said CPU, where said user interface circuit includes a series of switches or a keypad from where the user can select and enter into said CPU a sound and light program for processing by said CPU and,

d) a program memory circuit connected to said CPU and that;

(1) operates said CPU,

(2) scans the programs of said user interface circuit, and

(3) contains program data pertaining to sound and light pattern generation.

18. The system as specified in claim 17 further comprising an external program source having means for producing an external program signal that is applied to said CPU, where said external program source allows said CPU to be downloaded with a selectable library of sound and light generating programs.

19. The system as specified in claim 1 wherein said system is applicable for use on at least one article of clothing.

20. The system as specified in claim 19 wherein said article of clothing comprises a pair of shoes.

21. The system as specified in claim 19 wherein said system operates with a first article of clothing and at least a second, separate article of clothing wherein:

a) said first article of clothing incorporates a first said system that further comprises a data-link transmitting circuit having means for producing and transmitting, via a transmitting means, a master control signal corresponding to the synchronous sound and light being produced by said first system, and

b) said second article of clothing incorporates a second said system further comprising a data-link receiving and synchronizing circuit having means for receiving and processing the master control signal and thereafter synchronizing said program control circuit of the said second system in said second article of clothing to operate said light sources and produce sound through said audio transducer in synchrony with the light sources and sound being produced by the first said system in said first article of clothing.

22. The system as specified in claim 21 wherein said transmitting means comprises radio waves.

23. The system as specified in claim 21 wherein said transmitting means comprises an infrared link.

24. The system as specified in claim 21 wherein said transmitting means comprises fiber optics.

25. The system as specified in claim 19 wherein said system operates with a first article of clothing and at least a second, separate article of clothing wherein:

a) said first article of clothing incorporates a first said system that further comprises a data-link transmitting circuit having means for producing and transmitting, via a transmitting means, a full data transmission signal corresponding to the synchronous sound program and light program being executed by said first system, and

b) said second article of clothing incorporates a second said system further comprising a data-link receiving and synchronizing circuit having means for decoding, separating and processing the full data transmission signal and thereafter producing sound and light signals that drive said audio transducer and light sources in said second article of clothing in synchrony with the light sources and sound being produced by the first said system in said first article of clothing.

26. The system as specified in claim 25 wherein said transmitting means comprises radio waves.

27. The system as specified in claim 25 wherein said transmitting means comprises an infrared link.

28. The system as specified in claim 25 wherein said transmitting means comprises fiber optics.

29. The system as specified in claim 21 wherein all articles of clothing are capable of operating as second articles of clothing.

30. The system as specified in claim 25 wherein all articles of clothing are capable of operating as second articles of clothing.

31. The system as specified in claim 1 where all the circuits and functions are incorporated into at least one integrated circuit.

32. A synthesized music, sound and light system comprising:

a) a system clock having means for producing a time base signal,

b) a program memory circuit having means for receiving and processing the time base signal that sequences the program memory circuit and thereafter produces sound control signals and light control signals,

c) a sound generating circuit having means for receiving and processing the sound control signals from said program memory circuit and thereafter producing sound signals,

d) an audio processing circuit having means for receiving and processing the sound signals from said sound generating circuit and thereafter producing an audio transducer drive signals that operate at least one audio transducer from where the sound is heard, with said audio processing circuit further having a control that allows a user to turn the system ON, OFF and control the volume of the sound,

e) a light control circuit having means for processing and receiving the light control signal from said program memory circuit and thereafter producing light drive signals,

f) a voltage or current drive circuit having means for receiving and processing the light drive signals from said light control circuit and thereafter producing light activating signals that sequentially energize a multiplicity of light sources in synchrony with the cadence of the sounds emitted from said at least one audio transducer, and

g) a control located in said system clock that allows a user to control the speed of the light sources and the sound.