U.S. patent application number 10/655487 was filed with the patent office on 2005-06-09 for action seating.
This patent application is currently assigned to MONSTER, LLC. Invention is credited to Lee, Noel.
Application Number | 20050122067 10/655487 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34633088 |
Filed Date | 2005-06-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050122067 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lee, Noel |
June 9, 2005 |
Action seating
Abstract
Action seating receives a wireless signal from source equipment
and integrated control and generation of motion. The wireless
signal is derived from audio and/or visual presentations including
music, television, movies, training systems, video games, and the
like. The wireless signal may be provided using an Infra Red (IR)
link, Radio Frequency (RF) link, or signal superimposed on home
power wiring to transmit a signal from the source equipment to the
action seating. The integrated control may control, for example,
absolute or relative levels of motion. In one embodiment, a
concealable control panel deploys from an armrest, which control
panel may include a display providing control parameter
information.
Inventors: |
Lee, Noel; (Las Vegas,
NV) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LaRiviere, Grubman & Payne, LLP
P.O. Box 3140
Monterey
CA
93942
US
|
Assignee: |
MONSTER, LLC
Las Vegas
NV
|
Family ID: |
34633088 |
Appl. No.: |
10/655487 |
Filed: |
September 3, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
318/16 ; 297/29;
340/4.62 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47C 7/72 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
318/016 ;
340/825.29; 297/029 |
International
Class: |
A47D 001/02 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A system for providing motion to seating, comprising: at least
one seating; a receiver for receiving a wireless signal and
generating an input signal; a signal processor for converting the
input signal into at least one transducer signal; and at least one
transducer for receiving the at least one transducer signal and
providing motion to the seating, which motion is responsive to the
transducer signal.
2. The system of claim 1 wherein the transducer signal comprises at
least one low level transducer signal and at least one high level
transducer signal, and wherein the system further includes at least
one amplifier for amplifying the low level transducer signal to
generate the high level transducer signal.
3. The system of claim 1 further including a control center for
controlling parameters of the motion generated by the
transducers.
4. The system of claim 3 wherein the control center includes at
least one control panel with at least one control.
5. The system of claim 3 wherein the control center includes
controls for adjusting at least one level of the transducer
signal.
6. The system of claim 5 wherein the controls are further adapted
to independently adjust at least two frequency bands in the
transducer signal.
7. The system of claim 3 wherein the control center includes at
least one display for displaying information regarding the control
of the parameters.
8. The system of claim 1 wherein the wireless signal is an Infra
Red (IR) signal.
9. The system of claim 1 wherein the wireless signal is a Radio
Frequency (RF) signal.
10. The system of claim 1 wherein the wireless signal is a carrier
by home power wiring.
11. The system of claim 1 wherein the wireless signal is associated
with a movie.
12. The system of claim 1 wherein the wireless signal is associated
with music.
13. The system of claim 1 wherein the wireless signal is associated
with a game.
14. The system of claim 1 including a transmitter for receiving a
source signal from at least one member of a group consisting of a
television, a stereo, an audio amplifier, an audio/video amplifier,
and a game set, converting the source signal into the wireless
signal, and transmitting the wireless signal to the receiver.
15. Seating for providing a sensation of motion to accompany audio
and/or visual entertainment, comprising: a transmitter for
converting a signal indicative of the sensation of motion into a
wireless signal and transmitting the wireless signal; a receiver
for receiving the wireless signal and for converting the wireless
signal into at least one low level transducer signal; at least one
amplifier for converting the low level transducer signal into a
high level transducer signal; and a transducer for converting the
high level transducer signal into motion of the seating.
16. A method for providing a sensation of motion, comprising:
receiving a wireless signal; processing the wireless signal to
generate at least one transducer signal; and powering at least one
transducer with the transducer signal, wherein the at least one
transducer mechanically cooperates with a seating surface.
17. The method of claim 16 further including transmitting the
wireless signal from an audio system.
18. The method of claim 16 further including transmitting the
wireless signal from an audio-video system
19. The method of claim 16 further including transmitting the
wireless signal from a game system
20. The method of claim 16 further including adjusting the
frequency coloring of the transducer signal.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a system for providing a
sense of motion and more particularly to seating including
transducers for generating seating motion, and a wireless link to a
signal source.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] Many enhancements to the audio and audio visual
entertainment experience have become available in recent years.
Dolby Surround Sound provides five or more independent sound tracks
to create a theater like experience for home movie viewing. The
Stereo Retrieval System (SRS) developed by Arnold Klayman takes
advantage to psycho-acoustic effects to create an impression of
fuller three dimensional sound for a listener based on the manner
in which the human brain interprets sound. Additionally, sub-woofer
channels may be provided to create high power, low frequency
signals which are both heard, and felt, thereby enhancing the
entertainment experience.
[0003] Some efforts have been made to integrate transducers
directly into seating to provide a more direct low frequency motion
experience. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,314,403 issued May 24,
1994 for "Apparatus for the enhancement of the enjoyment of the
extremely low frequency component of music, " teaches a motion
device for enhancing enjoyment of electronically reproduced music.
The '403 patent describes a chair with liquid-filled bladders
coupled to transducers such as electromagnetic driver assemblies
responsive to audio-frequency electrical signals. Other devices
such as the Bass Shaker made by AURA Sound, 2335 Alaska Ave, El
Segundo, Calif. 90245 or the Buttkicker.RTM. shacker, made by The
Guitammer Company Inc., Post Office Box 82, Westerville, Ohio
43086, are adapted to mount on existing seating to reproduce the
"feeling" of many natural and man-made sounds, such as earthquakes,
thunderstorms, rocket launches, waves, explosions, tornadoes,
volcanoes, dinosaurs, sound effects, all styles of music, and the
like.
[0004] Although existing devices have provided some degree of
enhanced motion experience, they have failed to provide an
integrated system. Such existing devices require running wires from
an audio source to the device. In many cases, it is inconvenient or
unattractive to run such wiring. Also, the lack of an integrated
control for such devices results in degraded ergonomics and
detracts from the appeal to a user. What is therefore needed is an
integrated wireless action seating providing motion to accompany
the audio or audio visual entertainment experience.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
[0005] The present invention addresses the above and other needs by
providing action seating receiving a wireless signal from source
equipment. In response to the wireless signal, the action seating
generates motion associated with audio and/or visual presentations
including music, television, movies, training systems, video games,
and the like. The wireless signal may be provided over an Infra Red
(IR) link, Radio Frequency (RF) link, or signal superimposed on
home power wiring, to transmit a signal from the source equipment
to the action seating. The action seating may further include an
integrated control for controlling, for example, levels of motion.
In one embodiment, a concealable control panel deploys from an
armrest, which control panel may include a display providing
control parameter values.
[0006] In one embodiment, the action seating of the present
invention includes at least one seating, a receiver for receiving a
wireless signal and generating an input signal, a signal processor
for converting the input signal into at least one transducer
signal, and at least one transducer for receiving the at least one
transducer signal and providing motion to the seating responsive to
the transducer signal. A preferable range of frequencies for the
motion of the seating is between 5 Hz and 400 Hz, and the signal
processor may include electrical circuits to filter (e.g., band
pass filtering) the input signal to obtain the preferred frequency
range. The signal processor may further color the transducer signal
to emphasize a portion of the frequency range, for example a lower
portion of the frequency range may receive greater emphasis than a
higher portion of the frequency range. The action seating may
further include one or more amplifiers for amplifying a low level
transducer signal to generate a high level transducer signal for
powering the transducer(s). Such amplifiers are generally know as
power amplifiers. The action seating may also include a control
center having a control panel and at least one control for
controlling motion parameters, for example, the level of the motion
created by the transducer(s). The control center may further
include a display for displaying control parameter information, or
alternatively or selectively, displaying various motion parameters
such as the spectral content of the transducer signal(s). The
wireless signal may be provided to the action seating over an Infra
Red (IR) link, a Radio Frequency (RF) link, or by transmitting the
wireless signal over home power wiring. A transmitter may be
adapted for receiving a source signal originating from at least one
member of a group consisting of a television, a stereo, an audio
amplifier, an audio/video amplifier, a game set, and the like,
converting the source signal into a wireless signal, and
transmitting the wireless signal to the receiver. The source signal
may further be extracted from a power amplifier speaker level
output. Such action seating may provide motion to a listen and/or
viewer to enhance an entertainment experience, or to a game player
to enhance the game playing experience. The present invention may
also provide a more realistic training experience. The present
invention advantageously provides a wireless link between a source
and the action seating, thereby eliminating cumbersome and visually
displeasing cables, and provides an integrated control panel to
eliminate the unattractive appearance of add-on controls.
[0007] The present invention further includes a method for
providing a sensation of motion, comprising wirelessly receiving a
wireless signal, processing the wireless signal to generate at
least one transducer signal, and powering at least one transducer
with the transducer signal, wherein the at least one transducer
mechanically cooperates with a seating surface. The present
invention may include deriving the wireless signal from an audio
system, an audio-video system, a game system, or the like. The
present invention may further include adjusting the spectral
content, using for example a graphic equalizer, of the transducer
signal.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] The above and other aspects, features and advantages of the
present invention will be more apparent from the following more
particular description thereof, presented in conjunction with the
following drawings wherein:
[0009] FIG. 1 shows an overview of action seating in wireless
cooperation with a source device;
[0010] FIG. 2 depicts components of an entertainment system
including the action seating;
[0011] FIG. 3 depicts components of a game system including the
action seating;
[0012] FIG. 4A shows a couch suitable for action seating;
[0013] FIG. 4B shows the couch suitable for action seating, with a
control center deployed from an armrest of the couch by rotating
the control panel out of the arm rest;
[0014] FIG. 4C shows the couch suitable for action seating, with a
control center in the armrest of the couch, accessed by rotating an
armrest cover;
[0015] FIG. 5 depicts the control center, which includes a cup
holder, a control panel with controls and a display, and a remote
control holder;
[0016] FIG. 6 shows an example wherein the display presents a
graphic equalizer;
[0017] FIG. 7 shows a second example wherein the display represents
the level of motion and the levels of speakers;
[0018] FIG. 8A depicts a method for providing action seating in
cooperation with an audio or video device; and
[0019] FIG. 8B depicts a method for providing action seating in
cooperation with a game device.
[0020] Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding
components throughout the several views of the drawings.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0021] The following description is of the best mode presently
contemplated for carrying out the invention. This description is
not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the
purpose of describing the general principles of the invention. The
scope of the invention should be determined with reference to the
claims.
[0022] The action seating 10 of the present invention may be used
in cooperation with various source equipment, for example, a
television 14 as shown in FIG. 1, to provide an enhanced experience
to a viewer. A first wireless signal 12a carries a wireless signal
between the television 14 and the action seating 10, thereby
eliminating the need to run cumbersome and visually displeasing
cables.
[0023] A diagram of an example of the components of the action
seating 10 in cooperation with source equipment comprising an
audio-video system 1a, is shown in FIG. 2. The audio-video system
11a comprises an audio-video receiver 16, speakers 36a and 36b, a
sub-woofer 20, a monitor or television 40 and a transmitter 24. The
audio-video receiver 16 processes signals from, for example, a
television antenna, a cable, video tapes, DVD disks, and the like,
and provides speaker signals 38a and 38b to the speakers 36a and
36b, a sub-woofer signal 18 to the sub-woofer 20, video signals 42
to the monitor 40, and a source signal 22 to the transmitter 24.
The video signals may be in the form of video S signals, component
video signals, or the like. The transmitter 24 may alternatively
receive the sub-woofer signal 18, or some other signal available
from the audio-video receiver 16. Also, the audio-video receiver 16
may be replaced by one or more components, for example, a
pre-amplifier, and power amplifier, in which case, the source
signal 22 may originate in the pre-amplifier, a CD player, a DVD
player, or the like. The source signal 22 may also be obtained from
speaker level signals, using a line output converter, a signal
level attenuator, or the like. Further, an action seating 10
receiving a signal derived from any component of the source
equipment is intended to come within the scope of the present
invention.
[0024] Continuing with FIG. 2, the transmitter 24 transmits the
first wireless signal 12a to a receiver/signal processor 26, which
receiver/signal processor 26 is in electrical cooperation with the
action seating 10. The receiver/signal processor 26 may be a single
device, or the receiving function and signal processing function
may be allocated to two or more separate devices. The
receiver/signal processor 26 receives and processes the first
wireless signal 12a to generate a first low level transducer signal
28a and a second low level transducer signal 28b (e.g., line level
signals). A first amplifier 27a and second amplifier 27b receive
the signals 28a and 28b and generate a first high level transduce
signal 29a and a second high level transducer signal 29b
respectively, which signals 29a and 29b are similar to speaker
level signals. The signals 29a and 29b are provided to the first
transducer 30a and second transducer 30b respectively. The
transducers 30a and 30b are mechanically connected by a first
actuator 32a and a second actuator 32b to the first cushion 34a and
the second cushion 34b respectively, and convert the signals 29a
and 29b into mechanical energy, causing motion of the cushions 34a
and 34b.
[0025] The number of transducers included in the action seating may
vary based on the size of the action seating, and on the amount of
motion to be provided, and an action seating with any number of
transducers is intended to come within the scope of the present
invention. The number of low level signals, amplifiers, and high
level transducer signals may also vary. For example, a single low
level transducer signal may be provided to one or more amplifiers,
and the high level transducer signal output by one or more
amplifiers may be provided to one or more transducers. Further,
different magnitudes of signals may be provided to transducers
connected to substantially horizontal and substantially vertical
cushions, and other magnitudes of signals may be provided in side
cushions. The transducers may be connected to cushions by dedicated
mechanical actuators, be mechanically attached to the frame
supporting the cushions, be directly attached to the cushions, or
be inside the cushions. An action seating with any of the above
mentioned combinations is intended to come within the scope of the
present invention.
[0026] The signal processing performed by the receiver/signal
processor 26 to generate the signals 28a and 28b may be controlled
by a control center 46 through a control signal 47. Such control
may include the level of motion (i.e., power provided to the
transducers), relative levels of power to different transducers,
spectral content of power signals provided to different transducers
(i.e., a graphic equalizer), or any other control signal.
[0027] The transmitter 24 is preferably an RF transmitter. RF
transmitters are known in the art, such as the TERK LF-20S Wireless
Stereo Audio and Color Video Transmitter System manufactured by
TERK Technologies; 63 Mall Drive Commack N.Y., and the JENSEN
JV-2400 Wireless Audio/Video Signal Sender manufactured by Jensen
Electronics. Such RF transmitters may be used to wirelessly
transmit signals from source equipment to the action seating, or
the electrical components of such transmitters, or equivalent
circuits, may be incorporated in the action seating.
[0028] A diagram of an example of the components of the action
seating 10 in cooperation with source equipment comprising a game
system 11b, is shown in FIG. 3. The game system may include a game
console 44 which may be any one of a number of commercially
available game consoles. The game console 44 may be connected to a
television or monitor 60 by a television signal 62. The transmitter
24 receives the source signal 22 from the game console 44, and
transmits the wireless signal 12a to the receiver/signal processor
26. In addition to providing motion, the action seating 10 may also
provide a video game control function using a game controller 45
providing a first game controller signal 43a to the control center
46, which signal 43a is forwarded to the receiver/signal processor
26. The receiver/signal processor 26 may then generate a second
wireless signal 12b which is sent to the transmitter 24. The
transmitter 24 may then generate a second game controller signal
43b, which signal 43b is sent to the game console 44, wherein the
signal 43b is functionally equivalent to the signal 43a, but is not
necessarily identical. The wireless signal 12b eliminates the need
for cables running between the action seating 10 and the game
console 44, thereby eliminating cumbersome and visually displeasing
cables between the game player and game console 44. The wireless
signal 12b may alternatively contain control information for audio
or video entertainment.
[0029] An exemplar action seating embodied in an action couch 10a
is shown in FIG. 4A. The action couch 10a may include a control
center 46 deployed from the side of a first armrest 64a as shown in
FIG. 4B, or the action couch 10a may include a control center 46
accessed by rotating an armrest cover 66 of a second armrest 64b as
shown in FIG. 4C. Various other embodiments of hidden or visible
control centers may be utilized with the action seating 10, and
these various embodiments are intended to come within the scope of
the present invention.
[0030] An exemplar control center 46 of the present invention is
shown in FIG. 5. The control center 46 includes a cup holder 48,
the control panel 50 including controls 52 and display 54, and a
remote control holder 56. The control center 46 may further include
receptacles 58 for video game controls or the like. Various
combinations of controls, displays, holders, and receptacles may be
incorporated in the control center 46, and these variations are
contemplated by the present invention. For example, the control
center 46 may include a joy stick for adjusting a sound field, and
the display may cooperate with the joy stick to depict the changes
being made.
[0031] An example of a the display 54 presenting the results of
graphic equalization or frequency coloring is shown in FIG. 6. Such
graphic equalization or frequency coloring may be directed by the
controls 52 (FIG. 5), and may shape the frequencies of the signals
provided to the transducers 30a and 30b (FIGS. 2 and 3). Such
equalization may occur, for example in the amplifiers 27a or 27b
(FIGS. 2 and 3), in a second signal processor integrated into the
action seating, or in a signal processor element of the system 11a
or 11b (FIGS. 2 and 3). The signals may be frequency colored to,
for example, emphasize low frequencies, to achieve a desired
experience. The lowest frequencies provided to the transducers may
preferably be emphasized to have one to ten times greater power
than the highest frequencies, and more preferably emphasized to be
three to seven ten times greater power than the highest
frequencies. Further, a multiplicity of frequency coloring profiles
may be stored and selectable for re-use at a later date. The
display 54 may further display relative levels of emphasis of
motion of the action seating and speaker levels, as shown in FIG.
7.
[0032] An example of a method according to the present invention is
described in FIG. 8A. A source signal is obtained from source
equipment at block 70. A wireless signal is generated from the
source signal, and the wireless signal is wirelessly transmitted to
an action seating at block 72. The signal is received by the action
seating at block 74. A transducer signal is generated from the
wireless signal at block 76. And lastly, a transducer is actuated
by the transducer signal in block 78. The method may also include
obtaining the source signal from audio equipment, audio-video
equipment, or a game system. The method may further comprise
adjusting the spectral content of the transducer signal.
[0033] A second method according to the present invention, and
practiced in cooperation with the first method, is described in
FIG. 8B. A control signal is obtained from a video game control at
block 80. The control signal is converted to a second wireless
signal and wirelessly transmitted at block 82. The second wireless
signal is received at the source equipment at block 84. The second
wireless signal is converted back to the control signal at block
86. And lastly, the control signal is provided to a game console at
block 88. The second method may similarly be exercised to control
various functions of the source equipment using controls
electrically connected to the action seating.
[0034] While the invention herein disclosed has been described by
means of specific embodiments and applications thereof, numerous
modifications and variations could be made thereto by those skilled
in the art without departing from the scope of the invention set
forth in the claims.
[0035] Information as herein shown and described in detail is fully
capable of attaining the above-described object of the invention,
the present preferred embodiment of the invention, and is, thus,
representative of the subject matter which is broadly contemplated
by the present invention. The scope of the present invention fully
encompasses other embodiments which may become obvious to those
skilled in the art, and is to be limited, accordingly, by nothing
other than the appended claims, wherein reference to an element in
the singular is not intended to mean "one and only one" unless
explicitly so stated, but rather "one or more." All structural and
functional equivalents to the elements of the above-described
preferred embodiment and additional embodiments that are known to
those of ordinary skill in the art are hereby expressly
incorporated by reference and are intended to be encompassed by the
present claims.
[0036] Moreover, no requirement exists for a device or method to
address each and every problem sought to be resolved by the present
invention, for such to be encompassed by the present claims.
Furthermore, no element, component, or method step in the present
disclosure is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of
whether the element, component, or method step is explicitly
recited in the claims. However, one skilled in the art should
recognize that various changes and modifications in form and
material details may be made without departing from the spirit and
scope of the inventiveness as set forth in the appended claims. No
claim herein is to be construed under the provisions of 35 U.S.C.
.sctn. 112, sixth paragraph, unless the element is expressly
recited using the phrase "means for."
* * * * *