U.S. patent number 3,845,468 [Application Number 05/296,068] was granted by the patent office on 1974-10-29 for display system for musical tones.
Invention is credited to Robert M. Smith.
United States Patent |
3,845,468 |
Smith |
October 29, 1974 |
DISPLAY SYSTEM FOR MUSICAL TONES
Abstract
An improved electronic system and display panel assembly are
provided which respond to musical tones to produce varying diffused
varicolored light patterns synchronized as to color and intensity
with the musical tones. The display panel assembly to be described
comprises a light diffusing screen, or screens, which enclose a
light panel on which groups of differently colored electric lights
are mounted. Each group comprises lights of a particular color, for
example, and the light of any one or more groups are energized in
response to musical tones in a particular frequency band which is
selected to activate that group, or groups.
Inventors: |
Smith; Robert M. (Santa Monica,
CA) |
Family
ID: |
23140478 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/296,068 |
Filed: |
October 10, 1972 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
84/464R;
340/815.67; 340/815.75 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63J
17/00 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A63J
17/00 (20060101); G08b 005/36 () |
Field of
Search: |
;84/464 ;40/132F
;340/148,366B,261 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Pitts; Harold I.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Jessup & Beecher
Claims
1. An electrical display panel assembly including: a base; a panel
mounted on said base in an upright position to serve as a support
member for the assembly; electrically energized illuminating means
comprising a plurality of differently colored electric lights
mounted on said panel; a first light diffusion screen mounted on
said base in an upright position in generally spaced relationship
with said panel to serve as a front member for the assembly; a
second light diffusion screen mounted on said base between said
panel and said first diffusion screen in generally spaced and
parallel relationship with said panel and with said first diffusion
screen; and electric circuit means including a plurality of
electric channels respectively connected to the lights of different
particular colors, with filter means included in each such channel
to cause the respective channels to respond to electric signals
corresponding to musical tones within different predetermined
frequency ranges, so that the electric lights of different colors
may be energized in response to tones in different frequency
ranges, thereby to create harmonizing diffusion
2. The panel assembly defined in claim 1, in which said first
diffusion screen has a generally arcuate configuration, and has its
ends folded back
3. The panel assembly defined in claim 1, in which said first and
second
4. The display panel assembly defined in claim 1, and which
includes a top member having generally the same configuration as
said base member and extending over the top edges of said panel and
said first and second light
5. The display panel assembly defined in claim 4, and which
includes a pair of rods secured to the top and extending therefrom
at each end of said base, and means securing said base to said
rods, said rods serving as a
6. The display panel assembly defined in claim 1, in which said
rods are
7. An electrical display panel assembly including: electrically
energized illuminating means, and circuit means for selectively
energizing said illuminating means in response to signals in a
predetermined band, said circuit means including: a filter circuit
for producing an output signal in response to signals in said
predetermined frequency band, said output signal having an
amplitude related to the amplitude of such signals in said
frequency band; circuit means for introducing a pulsating
energizing voltage to said illuminating means; a ramp circuit
connected to said circuit means for producing a ramp signal; and a
trigger circuit connected to said filter circuit and to said ramp
circuit for causing said illuminating means to be energized for a
portion of each cycle of said pulsating energizing voltage as
determined by the amplitude of the output
8. The electrical display panel assembly defined in claim 7, in
which said
9. The electrical display panel assembly defined in claim 7, and
which includes a voltage doubler circuit interposed between said
filter circuit
10. The electrical display panel assembly defined in claim 7, in
which said circuit means for introducing a pulsating voltage to
said illuminating
11. The electrical display panel assembly defined in claim 7, in
which said trigger circuit includes a diac and a silicon controlled
rectifier
12. The electrical display panel assembly defined in claim 7, and
which includes a trap circuit connected to said pulsating voltage
circuit means for developing a negative discharge voltage when the
voltage of said
13. The electrical display panel assembly defined in claim 4, in
which said first and second light diffusion screens have an
essentially planar configuration and are removably supported in
said panel assembly in slots
14. The display panel assembly defined in claim 13, and which
includes a third light diffusion screen supported in slots in said
base and top member in essentially spaced and parallel relationship
with the first and
15. The display panel assembly defined in claim 13, and which
includes end panels for the assembly supported in transverse slots
in said base and top
16. The electrical display panel assembly defined in claim 1, in
which said first light diffusion screen comprises a sheer fabric
material supported
17. The display panel assembly defined in claim 1, in which said
electrically energized illuminating means comprises a plurality of
differently colored lights mounted in holes in said panel, and
extending
18. The display panel assembly defined in claim 17, in which said
differently colored lights are arranged in concentric circles, so
that the lights of a particular color extend radilly as spokes from
the center of
19. The display panel defined in claim 1, and which includes
switching means in said circuit means for selectively switching
strings of said
20. The display panel defined in claim 19, in which said light
strings are
21. The display panel defined in claim 1, in which said support
panel is coated with light absorbing material.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Systems have been conceived in the past which attempt to coordinate
colors with sounds, and more specifically to cause differently
colored electric lights to be energized in response to tones of
different predetermined frequencies. The overall effect of such a
display system is a spectacular harmonizing of color illuminations
with musical sounds. Musical tones are converted into corresponding
electrical signals in the systems, and the electrical signals are
selectively filtered so as to control the energization of different
groups of colored lights. In this way, different color illumination
effects are obtained in synchronism with tonal variations of the
music emanating from the particular musical source.
The system and apparatus of the present invention provides in one
embodiment an improved display panel in which a pair of spaced
diffusing screens are used so as to achieve widely dispersed
diffusion color illumination patterns in a minimum of space, and
particularly within a very thin panel width. A feature of the
display of this embodiment if that harsh and sharp outlines are
eliminated, and soft and diffused colored light patterns are
produced within the aforesaid narrow confines.
The system and apparatus of a second embodiment incorporates a
covering of a sheer fabric such as black chiffon which acts as a
second screen and masks the first diffusion screen when the
apparatus is not operating. The chiffon screen also assists in
creating a soft color effect when the apparatus is on. The second
embodiment also incorporates unique mounting for the lamps, as will
be described. A third embodiment is also to be described in which
the light panel is flocked to provide a velvetized effect. The
light strings are interleaved in the third embodiment, as will be
described, and the electronics module is mounted directly in the
unit. The latter embodiment includes rotary switches mounted on the
side of the unit for selectively switching the various light
strings.
The panel assembly of the various embodiments of the invention, as
will be described, is constructed in an improved and simplified
manner, whereby the various components of the panel assembly are
normally held together in a rigid assembled condition, but can be
readily disassembled for replacement of any of the component parts
of the assembly, such as diffusing screens, lights and the
like.
The improved system of the invention also includes unique and
simplified electronic circuitry which causes the lights in the
display panel to be selectively energized in response to different
musical tones, and also which causes the intensity of the
illumination of any group of lights to be dependent upon the
intensity of the tone causing the illumination.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a display panel constructed in
accordance with one embodiment of the invention, and which may
incorporate the concepts of the invention;
FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the screen of the panel
assembly of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 3--3 of
FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram of an appropriate electronic control
system for use in conjunction with the panel assembly of FIGS.
1-3;
FIG. 5 is a perspective view, like FIG. 1 of a second embodiment of
the invention;
FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the assembly of FIG.
5;
FIG. 7 is a plan view of the bottom member of the assembly of FIG.
5;
FIG. 8 is a cross-section taken along the line 8--8 of FIG. 7;
FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of the
invention;
FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective of the embodiment of FIG. 9 on
an enlarged scale;
FIG. 11 is a section taken along the line 11--11 of FIG. 10;
FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of yet another
embodiment;
FIG. 13 is a rear view of the embodiment of FIG. 12 with the rear
panel removed; and
FIG. 14 is a circuit diagram showing how a plurality of strings of
lights, such as are used in the embodiment of FIGS. 12 and 13, may
be selectively switched to different signal channels.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS
The assembly shown in FIGS. 1-3 includes, for example, a top 10
which, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, for example, has channels therein
for receiving a front diffusion screen 12 and an inner diffusion
screen 14, and which has a rear shoulder for receiving a lamp
supporting panel 16. The inner diffusion screen 14 has an
essentially flat planar configuration, and it is supported in an
upright condition in the corresponding groove in the base 10.
The aforesaid components are held in an assembled condition by a
pair of transparent rods 18-20. The rods 20 are formed, for
example, of plexiglass, or any other appropriate transparent
material. It is preferable for the rods 18 and 20 to be transparent
so that they will not create unwanted shadows in the display
produced by the panel.
The front diffusion screen 12 may have, for example, a slightly
arcuate configuration, as shown, and the ends thereof may be folded
back to engage the ends of the light board 16, and form a complete
enclosure for the panel assembly.
A number of electric lamps 24 are mounted on the panel 16 in
predetermined patterns, the lamps 24 being of different colors,
with the lights of each color being included in a corresponding
circuit. For example, the electric leads extending to the panel are
connected to a red, blue, green and yellow group of electric lights
respectively. Therefore, whenever the "red" lead is activated the
corresponding group of red lights are illuminated; whenever the
corresponding "blue" lead is activated, a group of blue lights are
illuminated, and so on. The electric lights of the various groups
may be positioned on the panel 16 in any desired pattern, so as to
create a pleasing and harmonizing diffusion pattern on the exterior
of the diffusion screen 12.
An important feature of the assembly of the present invention is
the inclusion of the two diffusion screens 12 and 14 within the
assembly, the screens being spaced from one another and from the
panel 16. It has been found with such a construction that fully
diffused and pleasing illuminated images may be achieved, without
harsh outlines, or the like, within the narrow confines of the
panel assembly.
The lamp supporting panel 16 is mounted to the rear shoulder of the
base 10 by means of screws, such as the screw 30 (FIG. 3) extending
into blocks 32 on the top. A top 40 is also provided having
generally the same configuration as the base, and the top is held
in place by a pair of screws 36 which are threaded into the upper
ends of the transparent rods 18 and 20. Further blocks 44 are
provided on the underside of the top 40, and the panel 16 is held
in place against the top by screws 48 which may be threaded into
the blocks 44.
It will be appreciated that the assembly thus far described may be
easily opened for replacement purposes, merely by removing the
screws 42 and 30 and the base 10. This permits the screens 12 and
14 to be removed and replaced, if so desired, and it also provides
easy access to the lights 24. However, when the components are
assembled together in the manner described, a rugged and durable
assembly is provided.
The diffusion screens 12 and 14 may be composed, for example, of
transparent styrene, acrylic, glass, or any other appropriate
material on which diffusion designs are formed. For example,
diffusion panels are commercially obtainable, and such panels are
presently being marketed by Carolite, Inc., 22600 South Bonita
Street, Wilmington, California. An appropriate screen for use in
the panel assembly, for example, is the Carolite C-4 prismatic
panel which is formed of polystyrene or acrylic, and which has
embossed prisms of a pyramidal shape. The pyramidal prism of the
said diffusing screen utilizes a precisely designed angle to yield
optimum transmission at high angle of incidence, and effectively
refract light in the direct glare zone. The Carolite C-4 screen is
extruded from light stable polystyrene or acrylic. The Carolite
C-55 polystyrene prismatic panel is also suitable, the latter panel
comprising a pattern consisting of rows of hexagons embossed at
45.degree. angles for extremely sharp definition. The C-55 screen
is extruded from either clear or opalescent light stable
polystyrene. It is evident that other types of diffusion screens
may be used for the panels of the invention.
As mentioned above, each group of electric lights on the board 16
is activated in response to musical tones in predetermined
frequency ranges. The circuit shown in FIG. 4, for example,
corresponds to one particular channel, and, for that purpose,
includes an active filter oscillator circuit 100 which is activated
in response to electric signals from a tape recorder 102, or other
appropriate musical source, and which signals correspond to musical
tones in a predetermined frequency range, corresponding to the
group of lights to be activated by the particular circuit of FIG.
4. It will be understood that other similar circuits are also used
for each of the other groups of lights, each having an active
filter, such as the filter 100, but responding to different
frequency ranges, so that the lights of the display are selectively
illuminated as the musical tones vary from frequency range to
frequency range. l
The tape recorder 102 has a pair of output terminals at which
electrical signals corresponding to the recorded music appear. The
output terminals of the tape recorder are connected to a
potentiometer 104. The wiper of the potentiometer and a lead from
the recorder are connected to the primary winding of an isolation
transformer 103. The secondary of the transformer is connected to a
resistor 106, and the resistor 106 may have a resistance of 4.7
kilo-ohms. The resistor 106 is connected to a feedback capacitor
108 and to a feedback capacitor 110. The capacitor 108 is connected
to the base of an NPN transistor 112 which may, for example, be of
the type designated 2N3391. The collector of the transistor 112 is
connected to the junction of a pair of resistors 114 and 116, and
the emitter is grounded. The resistor 114 may have a resistance of
1 megohm, and the resistor 116 may have a resistance of 3.3
kilo-ohms. The resistor 116 is connected to the positive terminal
of the 22-volt source. The collector is also connected through a
feedback capacitor 118 and through a resistor 120 to a grounded
potentiometer 122. The capacitor 110 is connected to the movable
contact of the potentiometer 122. The resistor 120 may have a
resistance of 2.7 kilo-ohms, and the potentiometer 122 may have a
resistance of 2 kilo-ohms.
The active filter circuit of the transistor 112 may be similar to
the active filter described in an article by J. M. Powell in
Electronic World Magazine for January 1969 at page 39.
The collector of the transistor 112 is also connected to a coupling
capacitor 129 which, in turn, is connected to the cathode of a
diode 130 and to the anode of a diode 132. The cathode of the diode
132 is grounded, the cathode of the diode 130 is connected to a
grounded resistor 134, and the anode of the diode 130 is connected
to the junction of a grounded filter capacitor 136 and a further
resistor 138. The diodes 130 and 132 are connected in a voltage
doubling circuit. The resistor 134 may have a resistance of 330
kilo-ohms, and it provides for rapid decay of the signal passed
through the active filter 100 at the termination of such signal.
The resistor 138 may have a resistance of 39 kilo-ohms.
The resistor 138 is connected to the junction of a diode 140 and a
diac 142 of the type designated MPT20. The device 142 is also
connected through a 270 ohm resistor 144 to the junction of a 2.7
megohm resistor 146 and grounded capacitor 148. The diode 140 is
shunted by a capacitor 150. The junction of the resistors 144 and
146 is connected through a pair of diodes 152 and 154 to a lead
156, the lead 156 being connected through a full-wave bridge
rectifier 155 to the 115-volt alternating current source. The
resistor 146 is connected to a potentiometer 147 which, in turn, is
connected to the lights 24. The potentiometer 147 may have a
resistance of 2 megohms.
The diode 140 is connected to the gate electrode of a silicon
controlled rectifier (SCR) 158, the cathode of which is grounded,
and the anode of which is connected through its group of colored
lights 24 to the lead 156. The lead 156 is connected to a common
trap circuit 160. The circuit 160 includes a diode 162 whose anode
is connected through a resistor 136 of 10 kilo-ohms to the lead 156
and whose cathode is grounded. A 2 microfarad capacitor 164 is
connected to the anode of the diode 162 and to a 560 ohm resistor
166. The resistor 166 is connected to a grounded 10 kilo-ohm
resistor 168 and to the cathode of a diode 170, the anode of which
is connected to the lead 156.
In the operation of the circuit of FIG. 4, whenever the source 102
produces a signal in the range which activates the active filter
100, the active filter produces an output signal which is rectified
in the voltage doubler circuit 129-138, and which appears as a
negative voltage at the right-hand side of the diac 142. The bridge
rectifier 155 produces a pulsating full-wave rectified voltage on
the lead 156, and this voltage produces a current flow through the
lights 24, and through the potentiometer 147 and resistor 146 so as
to cause a ramp voltage to appear across the capacitor 148 for each
pulsating cycle of the full-wave rectified voltage. The ramp
voltage across the capacitor 148 increases in a positive sense, and
when that voltage in combination with the negative voltage of the
voltage doubler circuit exceeds the threshold of diac 142, the diac
142 becomes conductive, thereby causing the SCR 158 to fire and the
lights 24 to be energized.
It will be appreciated that the SCR 158 is fired during each
pulsating cycle of the full-wave rectified voltage on the lead 156,
and the point in each pulsating cycle at which the SCR 158 is fired
is determined by the negative voltage at the right-hand side of the
diac 142. The latter negative voltage, in turn, depends upon the
amplitude of the signal passed by the active filter 100.
By the circuit and system described above, the intensity of the
light 24 is controlled as a function of signal intensity from the
source 102, since as the signal increases in intensity, the control
of the SCR 158 is such that the SCR remains on for greater portions
of each of the pulsating cycles of the full-wave rectified voltage
on the lead 156.
The network 160 provides a common trap circuit for all the
channels, this circuit producing a negative discharge voltage
across the capacitor 146, so that when the capacitor 148 is
discharged when the voltage on the lead 156 drops to zero, a
"suck-out" effect is provided which assures that the ramp capacitor
148 will be completely discharged between each pulsating cycle of
the full-wave rectified voltage on the lead 156.
The embodiment of FIGS. 5-8 includes, for example, a base 210
which, as shown in FIGS. 6-8, for example, has channels therein for
receiving a plurality of front diffusion screens, such as the
screens 214, 215 and 212. The screens 214, 215 and 212 may be
inserted and removed from the assembly, merely by sliding them into
the slot in the base 210 and corresponding slots in the top
240.
The screens 214, 215 and 212 may be used in any combination in the
embodiment of FIGS. 5-8, and any number of screens may be used. A
feature of the embodiment of FIGS. 5-8 is that the screens may be
inserted and removed at will, so as to vary the format of the
display, and various types of diffusion screens may be supplied
with the units. For example, the diffusion screens may have various
designs formed therein such as diamonds, circles, squares,
hexagons, or "cracked ice."
The embodiment of FIGS. 5-8, and as shown in FIG. 6, for example,
includes a lamp supporting panel 216 similar to the light board 16
in the previous embodiment. A pair of transparent rods 218 and 220
formed, for example, of plexiglass, or any other appropriate
transparent material, serve to support the unit in an assembled
condition. The rods are received by studs 236 in the top 240, and
are attached to screws 242 through the base 210. The top is affixed
to the rods by studs 236 which are threaded into the rods. As in
the previous embodiment, it is preferably for the rods 218 and 220
to be transparent so that they will not create unwanted shadows in
the display produced by the panel.
A number of electric lights 224 are mounted on the panel 216 in
predetermined patterns, and, as in the previous embodiment, are of
different colors, with the lights of each color being included in a
corresponding circuit. As before, the electric leads extending to
the panel 216 are connected to red, blue, green and yellow groups
of electric lights respectively, and the operation of the lights
224 on the light panel 216 is the same as in the previous
embodiment.
As in the previous embodiment, the lamp supporting panel 216 is
mounted to the rear shoulder of the base 210 by appropriate screws
which extend into blocks 232 on the underside of the base 210. The
top 240 has generally the same rectangular configuration as the
base, and is held in place by the studs 236 which are threaded into
the upper end of the transparent rods 218 and 220. Further blocks
244 are provided on the top 240, and the light board 216 is also
attached to the latter blocks by screws 248.
The assembly of FIGS. 5-8 also includes side panels 227 which may
also be of the same type of material as the diffusion screens 214,
215 or 212. The latter panels are held in place in transverse slots
in the base 210 and top 240, and are held in the slots by causing
holes in the side panels to engage studs 228 at each end of the
light board 216.
The construction of the embodiment of FIGS. 5-8 permits any number
of diffusion screens to be used up to, for example, three in the
illustrated embodiment, and permits the screens to be replaced by
other screens simply by removing one or the other of the end panels
227, and by sliding the screens 214, 215 and 212 out through the
end of the assembly.
The embodiment shown in FIGS. 9, 10 and 11 includes, for example, a
top strip 94, a bottom strip 60, and a pair of side strips 73 and
71. The strips 94, 60, 73 and 71 may be composed of wood, for
example, or any other appropriate material, and they are fastened
together to form a frame for the assembly, as shown in FIG. 9. A
front diffusing screen 62 is supported in a forward channel 87
which is formed in the inner surfaces of the strips, as shown, for
example, in FIG. 10. The diffusing screen 62 may be of the same
material as the diffusing screens 12 and 14 described above in
conjunction with the embodiment of FIGS. 1-4.
In the embodiment of FIGS. 9, 10 and 11, a sheet of sheer fabric
77, which may be composed, for example, of black chiffon, is
stretched over the front face of the diffusing screen 62. It is
pointed out that the fabric 77 may also be used in conjunction with
the previous embodiments of the invention. The fabric sheet 77
serves to mask the face of the diffusing screen 62, so as to
provide an attractive black, or other colored surface, when the
unit is not operating. Also, the fabric sheet 77 captures reflected
light to provide high contrast, and it assists the diffusing screen
62 in providing a soft color effect when the unit is activated. The
fabric sheet also serves to provide a perfectly flat surface even
if the diffusing screen bows inwardly.
A lamp support panel 64 is supported in a central channel, such as
the channel 85 shown in FIG. 10, and which is formed in the strips
94, 60, 73 and 71. The panel 64 may be formed, for example, of
Masonite, or other appropriate material. The lamp support panel is
drilled, and a plurality of miniature lamps 74 are supported in the
support panel 64 in sockets 76, as shown in FIG. 11. The sockets
are mounted in the holes in the support panel 64 in a simple
press-fit relationship.
The mounting of the lamps 74 on the support panel in the manner
illustrated, and the use of miniature lamps, permits the diffusion
panel 62 to be placed in close proximity with the panel 64, so that
the overall width of the unit is small as compared with the usual
prior art units of the same general type. The surface of the panel
64 may be flocked, or otherwise treated, to capture ambient light
and add to the high contrast and depth of the display. The lamps 74
have different colors, as in the previous embodiment, and are
energized, for example, by appropriate cables designated 79 in FIG.
9.
For optimum aesthetic effects, it has been found that the lamps on
the support panel should be mounted so that the lamps of a
particular color extend as radial spokes from the center of the
display to the outer perimeter. Then when the lamps are
sequentially energized, such as by the circuitry described above,
pleasing effects are created, in which color bands appear under
some circumstances to rotate about the center of the display.
A lamp supporting panel 64 is supported, for example, in a channel
85 which extends around the inner surfaces of the strips 94, 60, 73
and 71. The strip 73 may be removable, for example, so as to permit
access to the interior of the unit, and so as to provide a simple
means whereby the diffusion screen 62 and rear panel 66 may be
slipped out of the unit, thereby to expose the lamps 74 for
replacement purposes. This removal of the screen 62 also permits it
to be replaced with other diffusing screens, if so desired. The
removable strip 73 is held in place, for example, by screws 75, as
shown in FIG. 9.
It is also possible to mount more than one group of color lamps in
a particular display, as shown in the embodiment of FIGS. 12-14. In
this way the various groups may be interleaved with one another,
and the switching effects may control one or the other of a
particular group while the unit is being operated, or both groups,
depending upon the display desired.
In the embodiment of FIGS. 12-14, a multiplicity of differently
colored lamps 190 are supported on a lamp supporting panel 302 in a
design such as shown in FIG. 12. The panel 302 may be flocked to
provide a light absorbing surface so that light reflected from the
diffusing screen 304 may be absorbed. As in the previous
embodiment, the diffusing screen is covered by fabric 306 which
may, for example, be black chiffon. A back panel 308 is provided,
and the panels and screen may be supported in side strips 312, as
in the previous embodiment. The lamp supporting panel 302 may
provide a mirror surface if desired, and the screen 304 may take
the form of a two-way mirror so that a myriad of reflections for
each lamp may be produced.
The electronic circuitry 300 for the unit of FIGS. 12 and 13 may be
mounted inside the casing formed by the side strips 312, as shown
in FIG. 13. Also, an internal switching block 192 (FIG. 14) may be
incorporated into the unit, so as to permit the various strings of
colored lights 190 selectively to be switched into the activating
circuit, or out of the activating circuit, as desired. The
switching block, on the other hand, may be incorporated as a remote
unit, so as to permit the viewer remotely to make his own selection
from time to time. The switching block 192 preferably includes a
plurality of multi-position switches shown in FIG. 13, and
designated schematically in FIG. 14 as 172a-172h, each of which may
be turned from position-to-position to cause a corresponding string
of the colored lights 190 to be connected selectively to each of a
plurality of phase controls included in the electronics 300 and
designated by the respective blocks 174, 176, 178 and 180 in FIG.
14.
The phase controls are connected to corresponding active filters
182, 184, 186 and 188, as shown in FIG. 14, and which also are
included in the electronics 300 of FIG. 13. The active filters and
phase controls of FIG. 14 may have circuitry in the form shown in
FIG. 4. The active filter 182, for example, produces an output in
the range of 102 cycles per second, the active filter 184 produces
an output in the range of 385 cycles per second, the active filter
186 produces an output in the range of 825 cycles per second, and
the active filter 188 produces an output in the range of 3200
cycles per second. As mentioned above, any one of the individual
strings of the lights 190 may be selectively connected by the
switches 172a-172h to any one of the phase controls 174, 176, 178
and 180 connected respectively to the aforesaid active filters.
The phase controls and active filters shown in FIG. 14 are
connected in the same manner as the circuit of FIG. 4, and networks
in FIG. 14 finding corresponding in the circuit of FIG. 4 are
indicated by the same numerals.
In the embodiment of FIGS. 9, 10 and 11, in which the light strings
are arranged in concentric circular patterns provide displays of
unique characteristics. For example, the lights in the concentric
circles have a tendency to precess in some cases giving the
illusion of spinning. Moreover, the lights tend to be illuminated,
under other conditions, from the center of the display and radially
outwardly, to provide a target effect.
The various light strings of the two groups of the embodiment of
FIGS. 12-14 may be interwoven by selective switching in accordance
with the control of FIG. 14 so that the different sound channels
can be selected to actuate the different strings of each group in
any desired pattern, so that an almost infinite combination of
patterns can be achieved by the system, merely by manipulating the
various switches 172a-172h of the block 192. This provides the
viewer with the ability to coordinate color and music to any
desired pattern, as may suit his individual preference.
The invention provides, therefore, an improved display apparatus
and system, whereby diffused illuminated light patterns are
provided in response to corresponding musical tones. It should be
pointed out that although particular embodiments of the invention
have been shown and described, modifications may be made. It is
intended in the following claims to cover all the modifications
which fall within the spirit and scope of the invention.
* * * * *