Multiple plug-in programmable sensory device system

• US 5,485,068 A
• Filed: 03/14/1994
• Issued: 01/16/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Michael Vaught
• Original Assignee: Michael Vaught
• Inventors: Vaught, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Ro, Bentsu
• Application Number:
  US08/209,309
• Time in Patent Office: 673 Days
• Field of Search: 318/567, 318/568.1, 248/915, 315/209 R, 315/210, 315/211, 362/124, 362/125, 362/257, 362/806, 362/808, 428/542.2, 446/242, 446/243, 446/297
• US Class Current: 318/568.1
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 2033/0827 illuminated
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 33/0809 involving motion
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 33/0818 specially adapted for emitting sound
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 248/915 with ornamentation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/806 Ornamental or decorative

Abstract

A control housing for operating in sequence a variety of remote, plug-in decorative sensory devices such as a Christmas ornamental closure which opens to a scene and other electromechanical ornaments, includes a power supply, audio amplifier, speakers, interface for the devices and a socket for interchangeable program modules which may be changed without tools by a user of the system.

Claims

1. A multiple programmable sensory device system comprising:

a housing,

a circuit,

plug means mounted on said housing for temporarily connecting to said circuit a plurality of electrically operated sensory effect devices having predetermined electrical requirements for operating said sensory effect devices for providing sensory effects, power supply means mounted on said housing and connected to said circuit, for providing electrical power for operating said sensory effect devices and said circuit,

a microprocessor module connected to said circuit for directing operation of said sensory effect devices in a sequence, and

an audio amplifier connected to said circuit for receiving preprogrammed sounds ordered by said microprocessor module,

said microprocessor module being a first microprocessor module and comprising durable connector means adapted for temporarily connecting said microprocessor module to said circuit, and a cover over said first module for gripping by a user for connecting and disconnecting said module from said circuit without tools,

durable connector means on said housing for receiving said durable connector means on said first module, said durable connector means on said housing being electrically wired to said circuit for connecting of said first microprocessor module to said circuit.

2. The multiple programmable sensory device system described in claim 1, further comprising:

a second microprocessor module on said housing, connected to said plug means for operating said sensory effect devices, and

means, connected to said circuit, for preventing said second microprocessor module from operating said sensory effect devices when said first microprocessor module is connected to said circuit.

3. The multiple programmable sensory device system described in claim 1, further comprising:

at least one of said sensory effect devices comprising electromechanical means for providing said sensory effects, being attached to said plug means.

4. The multiple programmable sensory device system described in claim 3, further comprising:

at least one of said sensory effect devices being a box comprising an electromechanical operating lid being attached to said plug means, and

at least one of said sensory effect devices being an electromechanically operated ball being attached to said plug means.

5. The multiple programmable sensory device system described in claim 3, further comprising:

at least one of said sensory effect devices comprising light means for providing said sensory effects being attached to said plug means.

6. The multiple programmable sensory device system described in claim 1, further comprising:

a speaker on said housing, connected to said audio amplifier.

7. The multiple programmable sensory device system described in claim 6, further comprising:

a second microprocessor module having a different program than said first microprocessor module, for directing operation of said sensory devices and of preprogrammed sounds, being adapted for replacing said first microprocessor module by removable connection to said circuit by a user without tools.

8. A multiple programmable sensory device system comprising:

a housing,

a circuit,

plug means mounted on said housing for temporarily connecting to said circuit a plurality of electrically operated sensory effect devices having predetermined electrical requirements for operating said sensory effect devices for providing sensory effects,

power supply means mounted on said housing and connected to said circuit, for providing electrical power for operating said sensory effect devices and said circuit,

a microprocessor module connected to said Circuit, for directing operation of said sensory effect devices in a sequence, and

an audio amplifier connected to said circuit for receiving preprogrammed sounds ordered by said microprocessor module,

said plug means comprising a first plug and a second plug,

said microprocessor module being programmed for directing play of a first discrete sound segment through said amplifier when directing via said first plug, operation of a sensory effect device, and said microprocessor module being programmed for directing play of a second discrete sound segment through said amplifier when directing via said second plug, operation of a sensory effect device.

9. A multiple programmable sensory device system comprising:

a housing,

a circuit,

plug means mounted on said housing for temporarily connecting to said circuit a plurality of electrically operated sensory effect devices having predetermined electrical requirements for operating said sensory effect devices for providing sensory effects,

power supply means mounted on said housing and connected to said circuit, for providing electrical power for operating said sensory effect devices and said circuit,

a microprocessor module connected to said circuit, for directing operation of said sensory effect devices in a sequence, and

an audio amplifier connected to said circuit for receiving preprogrammed sounds ordered by said microprocessor module,

said plug means comprising a first plug and a second plug,

said audio amplifier being a stereo amplifier comprising a first audio channel and a second audio channel,

a first speaker on said housing,

a second speaker on said housing, said first and second speakers being connected to said first and second channels of said amplifier and oriented on said housing for left and right stereo separation,

said microprocessor module being programmed for directing play of sound through said first channel when directing via said first plug, operation of a sensory effect device, and

said microprocessor module being programmed for directing play of sound through said second channel when directing via said second plug, operation of a sensory effect device.

10. In a multiple programmable sensory device system, the combination comprising:

a controller housing,

a circuit,

plug means mounted on said controller housing for temporarily connecting to said circuit a plurality of electrically operated sensory effect devices having predetermined electrical requirements for operating said devices for providing sensory effects,

power supply means mounted on said controller housing and connected to said circuit, for providing electrical power for operating said sensory effect devices and said circuit,

a microprocessor module in said housing connected to said circuit, for directing operation of said sensory effect devices in a sequence,

an audio amplifier connected to said circuit for receiving preprogrammed sounds ordered by said microprocessor module, and

at least one electrically operated sensory effect device having predetermined electrical requirements for operating said device for producing sensory effects, said sensory effect device comprising;

an ornamental closure comprising a container portion, a cover,

means mounting said cover for movement from a closed position covering at least a portion of said container portion to an open position exposing said portion of said container portion, a scene stored in a first position within said container portion,

means mounting said scene for movement from said first position to a second position, exposed for viewing when said cover is in said open position, means for moving said cover to said open position to open said closure and expose said scene to view and means for moving said scene from said stored first position to said exposed second position;

said controller housing being spaced from said container portion,

said microprocessor module in said housing comprising electronic programming means for directing operation of operating said means for moving said cover, and

a flexible signal conducting line between said ornamental closure and said controller housing, connected to said electronic programming means and to said means for moving said cover for operating said means for moving said cover.

11. In the multiple programmable sensory device system of claim 10, the combination further comprising:

said ornamental closure being one of a plurality of like closures in said system, said system including electrical connecting means between said controller housing and said plurality of closures,

said controller housing including means for sequentially operating each ornamental closure.