Simulation based on audio signals

• US 9,393,490 B2
• Filed: 04/14/2014
• Issued: 07/19/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 04/14/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Cerqueira, Alexandre G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lim, Seng H
• Application Number:
  US14/252,068
• Publication Number:
  US 20150290533A1
• Time in Patent Office: 827 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/215 comprising means for detecting acoustic signals, e.g. using a microphone
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/28 responding to control signals received from the game device for affecting ambient conditions, e.g. for vibrating players' seats, activating scent dispensers or affecting temperature or light controlling the output signals based on the game progress A63F13/50

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention disclose an apparatus, a method, and a computer program product for coordinating sensations of sound and gas flow based on audio signals. An apparatus comprises a controller circuit which is in communication with a gas blowing unit and a speaker. The controller circuit is operatively connected to an audio source of an entertainment device, and is configured to a) receive an audio input, b) amplify a portion of a peak that is above a pre-determined threshold, and c) send a signal that activates the gas blowing unit.

A method and computer program product where a computer receives an audio input. The computer determines that the amplitude of a portion of the audio input exceeds a pre-determined threshold. In response, the computer amplifies the determined amplitude, and sets the speed for a fan based on the audio input.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a controller circuit, in communication with a gas blowing unit and a speaker, the controller circuit is operatively connected to an audio source of an entertainment device, and is configured to a) receive an audio input from the audio source, b) amplify a portion of a peak of the audio input that is above a pre-determined threshold, and c) send a signal that activates the gas blowing unit based on the amplified portion of the peak, such that the activation of the gas blowing unit results in a flow of gas of a first speed detectable by a user of the entertainment device.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the gas blowing unit includes at least one of the following:

a fan, an air compressor with apparatus to produce a gas flow, or a gas tank with apparatus to produce a gas flow.

3. The apparatus of claim 1,

wherein the controller circuit is further configured to send a signal to the gas blowing unit based on an unamplified portion of the peak of the audio input, such that the gas blowing unit changes the flow of gas to a second speed that is lower than the first speed.

4. The apparatus of claim 1,

wherein the controller circuit is further configured to send the amplified portion of the peak to the speaker, the speaker issuing a sound representative of the audio input in response to receiving the amplified portion of the peak.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the controller circuit is further configured to increase a level of amplification of the amplified portion of the peak based, at least in part, on a sound level generated by the gas blowing unit.

6. The apparatus of claim 4,

wherein the controller circuit is further configured to synchronize the signal to the gas blowing unit with the sound issued from the speaker to simulate a gas speed sensation.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the controller circuit is further configured to cease amplifying the portion of the peak of the audio input if the portion of the peak is at or is below a pre-determined threshold.

8. A method for coordinating sensations of sound and gas flow based on audio input, the method comprising the steps of:

a computer receiving an audio input from an audio source, wherein the audio input includes an amplitude;

the computer determining that the amplitude of a portion of the audio input exceeds a pre-determined threshold and, in response;

the computer amplifying the determined amplitude of the portion of the audio input that is above the pre-determined threshold; and

the computer setting a speed for at least one fan gas blowing unit to a first value, wherein the first value is based, at least in part, on the amplified amplitude of the portion of the audio input.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the computer receiving the audio input comprises:

the computer receiving the audio input from the audio source, including at least one of;

an analog audio cable or wire, a wired digital connection, a wireless digital connection, or a second speaker transmitting an audio signal through air.

10. The method of claim 8, further comprising the step of:

the computer determining that the first value for the speed of the at least one gas blowing unit is at a maximum value, not based on the amplified amplitude of the portion of the audio input.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein the step of the computer amplifying the determined amplitude of the portion of the audio input that is above the pre-determined threshold, further comprises the step of:

the computer transmitting the amplified amplitude of the audio input to at least one speaker.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising the steps of:

the computer determining that the amplitude of a portion of the audio input is at or below the pre-determined threshold and, in response;

the computer ceasing to amplify the determined amplitude of the portion of the audio input that is at or below the pre-determined threshold;

the computer setting the speed for the at least one gas blowing unit to a second value, wherein the second value is less than the first value; and

the computer ceasing the transmission of the audio input to the at least one speaker.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising the step of:

the computer determining that the second value for the speed for the at least one gas blowing unit is zero.

14. The method of claim 11, further comprising the step of:

the computer synchronizing the transmission of the amplified amplitude of the portion of the audio input to the at least one speaker with setting the speed for the at least one gas blowing unit to the first value, wherein the transmission of the amplified amplitude of the portion of the audio input to the at least one speaker, and setting the speed for the at least one gas blowing unit to the first value are coordinated to simulate speed sensation using gas displacement.

15. A computer program product for coordinating sensations of sound and gas flow based on audio input, the computer program product comprising:

a computer readable storage medium and program instructions stored on the computer readable storage medium, the program instructions comprising;

program instructions to receive an audio input from an audio source, wherein the audio input includes an amplitude;

program instructions to determine that the amplitude of a portion of the audio input exceeds a pre-determined threshold and, in response;

program instructions to amplify the determined amplitude of the portion of the audio input that is above the pre-determined threshold; and

program instructions to set a speed for at least one gas blowing unit to a first value, wherein the first value is based, at least in part, on the amplified amplitude of the portion of the audio input.

16. The computer program product of claim 15, wherein program instructions to receive the audio input comprises:

program instructions to receive the audio input from the audio source, including at least one of;

an analog audio cable or wire, a wired digital connection, a wireless digital connection, or a second speaker transmitting an audio signal through air.

17. The computer program product of claim 15, further comprising the step of:

program instructions to determine that the first value for the speed of the at least one gas blowing unit is at a maximum value, not based on the amplified amplitude of the portion of the audio input.

18. The computer program product of claim 15, wherein the step of program instructions to amplify the determined amplitude of the portion of the audio input that is above the pre-determined threshold, further comprises the step of:

program instructions to transmit the amplified amplitude of the audio input to at least one speaker.

19. The computer program product of claim 18, further comprising the steps of:

program instructions to determine that the amplitude of a portion of the audio input is at or below the pre-determined threshold and, in response;

program instructions to cease to amplify the determined amplitude of the portion of the audio input that is at or below the pre-determined threshold;

program instructions to set the speed for the at least one gas blowing unit to a second value, wherein the second value is less than the first value; and

program instructions to cease the transmission of the audio input to the at least one speaker.

20. The computer program product of claim 19, further comprising the step of:

program instructions to determine that the second value for the speed for the at least one gas blowing unit is zero.