U.S. patent number RE33,559 [Application Number 07/487,451] was granted by the patent office on 1991-03-26 for system for enhancing audio and/or visual presentation.
This patent grant is currently assigned to James Fallacaro. Invention is credited to James Fallacaro, Joe Truchsess.
United States Patent |
RE33,559 |
Fallacaro , et al. |
March 26, 1991 |
System for enhancing audio and/or visual presentation
Abstract
A system for enhancing the perception of an audio and/or visual
presentation by stimulating one or more persons experiencing the
audio and/or visual presentation in response to events occurring
during the presentation, the stimulation occurring in real time
correspondence with the occurrence of the events in the
presentation as experienced by the participants for stimulating the
participants as the events occur in the presentation.
Inventors: |
Fallacaro; James (Kent, CT),
Truchsess; Joe (City Island, NY) |
Assignee: |
Fallacaro; James (Kent,
CT)
|
Family
ID: |
27049003 |
Appl.
No.: |
07/487,451 |
Filed: |
March 2, 1990 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
|
Reissue of: |
930227 |
Nov 13, 1986 |
04771344 |
Sep 13, 1988 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
386/201; 360/55;
434/308; 273/460; 360/137; 463/31; 463/30; 463/35; 434/307R;
348/157; 386/228; 386/248; 386/337; 386/314 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63F
13/005 (20130101); A63F 13/12 (20130101); A63F
13/285 (20140902); H04N 5/765 (20130101); H04N
5/9201 (20130101); H04N 5/9202 (20130101); H04N
7/002 (20130101); G06F 3/014 (20130101); A63F
2300/1037 (20130101); A63F 2300/409 (20130101); A63J
2005/008 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A63F
13/12 (20060101); A63F 13/00 (20060101); G06F
3/00 (20060101); H04N 7/00 (20060101); H04N
5/92 (20060101); H04N 5/765 (20060101); A63J
5/00 (20060101); H04N 005/76 () |
Field of
Search: |
;358/83,84,86,93,87,88,310,335,85,100,101,108 ;455/2
;360/55,137,19.1 ;273/1E,DIG.28 ;434/307,308,309,323 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Richardson; Robert L.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Burns, Doane, Swecker &
Mathis
Claims
We claim:
1. A system for enhancing the perception of an audio and/or visual
presentation through stimulation of one or more persons
experiencing said audio and/or visual presentation, said system
comprising:
means for generating data representing one or more events occurring
during said audio and/or visual presentation;
means for encoding said data in a first signal in a form suitable
for transmission;
means for transmitting said encoded signal in real time
correspondence with said audio and/or visual presentation;
means for receiving said transmitted encoded signal and for
producing a second signal modulated by said data; and
means responsive to said second signal and disposed in proximity to
said one or more persons for stimulation of said one or more
persons in response to each of said events represented by said
data, said stimulation of said one or more persons occurring in
real time correspondence with the occurrence of said events in said
audio and/or visual presentation as experienced by said one or more
persons .[.for stimulation of said one or more persons as.].
.Iadd.to produce one or more sensations normally associated with
.Iaddend.said events .[.occur.]. in said audio and/or visual
presentation.
2. The system according to claim 1, wherein said presentation
comprises an audio presentation and means for generating an audio
signal representing said audio presentation; further comprising
means for attenuating the portion of said audio signal in the high
end of the audio frequency range; wherein said means for encoding
said data in a first signal comprises means for encoding said data
in said high end of the audio frequency range and further comprises
means for combining said attenuated audio signal and said first
signal to form a combined audio signal; and wherein said means for
transmitting said encoded signal comprises means for transmitting
an audio signal comprising said combined audio signal.
3. The system according to claim 2, wherein said means for
receiving said transmitted encoded signal comprises means for
separating said combined audio signal into a first component
comprising the portion of the audio frequency range below said high
end thereof and a second component comprising the portion of said
audio frequency range in said high end thereof.
4. The system according to claim 2, wherein said presentation
further comprises a visual presentation and means for generating a
video signal representing said visual presentation; and means for
simultaneously transmitting said audio signal and said video
signal.
5. The system according to claim 3, wherein said presentation
further comprises a visual presentation and means for generating a
video signal representing said video presentation, and means for
simultaneously transmitting said audio signal and said visual
signal.
6. The system according to claim 1, wherein said presentation
comprises a visual presentation and means for generating a video
signal representing said visual presentation; wherein said means
for encoding said data in a first signal comprises means for
encoding said data in said video signal; and wherein said means for
transmitting said encoded data comprises means for transmitting
said video signal.
7. The system according to claim 6, wherein said means for
receiving said transmitted encoded signal comprises means for
separating said video signal into a portion comprising said visual
representation and another portion comprising said encoded
data.
8. The system according to claim 1, wherein said presentation
comprises an audio presentation and means for generating an audio
signal having two channels with one channel representing said audio
presentation; wherein said means for encoding said data in a first
signal comprises means for encoding said data in the other channel;
and wherein said means for transmitting said encoded signal
comprises means for transmitting said two channel audio signal.
9. The system according to claim 6, wherein said presentation
further comprises an audio presentation and means for generating an
audio signal representing said audio presentation, and means for
simultaneously transmitting said audio signal and said video
signal.
10. The system according to claim 8, wherein said presentation
further comprises a visual presentation and means for generating a
video signal representing said visual presentation; and means for
simultaneously transmitting said audio signal and said video
signal.
11. The system according to claim 1, wherein said means for
generating said data representing said one or more events comprises
means for manually generating said data during observation of said
presentation.
12. The system according to claim 1, wherein said means for
generating said data representing said one or more events comprises
means responsive to an audio portion of said presentation for
automatically generating said data as said events occur during said
presentation.
13. The system according to claim 2, wherein said means for
encoding said data in a first signal comprises means for generating
one or more specific tone frequencies, each specific tone frequency
representing a specific type of data.
14. The system according to claim 8, wherein said means for
encoding said data in a first signal comprises means for generating
one or more specific tone frequencies, each specific tone frequency
representing a specific type of data.
15. The system according to claim 1, wherein said means for
transmitting said encoded signal comprises means for transmitting
an electromagnetic signal through the atmosphere, and wherein said
means for receiving said transmitted encoded signal comprises means
for detecting said electromagnetic signal.
16. The system according to claim 1, wherein said means for
receiving said transmitted encoded signal and for producing a
second signal modulated by said data further comprises means for
transmitting said modulated signal to said means for stimulation of
said one or more persons.
17. The system according to claim 16, wherein said means for
transmitting said modulated signal to said means for stimulation of
said one or more persons comprises means for transmitting an
electromagnetic signal through the atmosphere, and wherein said
means for stimulation of said one or more persons further comprises
means for detecting said electromagnetic signal.
18. The system according to claim 1, wherein said means for
stimulation of said one or more persons comprises means for
producing a plurality of different types of stimulation, each
different type of stimulation corresponding to a specific type of
data in said second signal.
19. The system according to claim 1, wherein said means responsive
to said second signal for stimulation of said viewers comprises an
actuator responsive to said second signal.
20. The system according to claim 19, further comprising means
responsive to said actuator for visual stimulation of said
viewers.
21. The system according to claim 19, further comprising means
responsive to said actuator for audible stimulation of said
viewers.
22. The system according to claim 19, further comprising means
responsive to said actuator for tactile stimulation of said
viewers.
23. The system according to claim 19, further comprising means
responsive to said actuator for olfactory stimulation of said
viewers.
24. The system acocrding to claim 22, wherein said tactile
stimulation means comprises means for generating movement of a
member for contacting a viewer in response to said data in said
second signal representing said events.
25. The system according to claim 1, wherein said presentation
comprises an audiovisual presentation of a boxing match.
26. The system according to claim 25, wherein said means for
generating data representing one or more events occurring during
said boxing match comprises means for generating data representing
punches landed by the hands of both boxers; and wherein said means
responsive to said second signal for stimulation of said one or
more persons comprises means for impacting the hands of said one or
more persons in real time correspondence with said punches landed
by said boxers for tactile stimulation of said one or more
persons.
27. The system according to claim 26, wherein said means for
impacting the hands of said one or more persons further comprises
switch means for enabling said one or more persons to be
selectively impacted in response to punches landed by one or the
other of said boxers.
28. The system according to claim 1, wherein said presentation
comprises music, and wherein said means for generating data
representing said one or more events occurring during said music
comprises means for generating data representing different audio
frequencies in said music.
29. The system according to claim 3, and further comprising means
responsive to said first component of said combined audio signal
for producing sound.
30. The system according to claim 29, further comprising means
responsive to said video signal for producing a visible display of
said video presentation.
31. The system according to claim 6, further comprising means
responsive to said video signal for producing a visible display of
said video presentation.
32. The system according to claim 9, further comprising means
responsive to said audio signal for producing sound.
33. The system according to claim 8, further comprising means
responsive to said one channel for producing sound.
34. The system according to claim 10, further comprising means
responsive to said video signal for producing a visible display of
said video presentation.
35. The system according to claim 2, wherein said means for
combining said attenuated audio signal and said first signal
comprises means for recording said combined signal in a medium, and
wherein said means for transmitting said combined signal comprises
means for transmitting said recorded signal.
36. The system according to claim 4, wherein said means for
combining said attenuated audio signal and said first signal
comprises means for recording said combined signal in a medium with
said video signal, and wherein said means for transmitting said
combined signal comprises means for transmitting said recorded
signal.
37. The system according to claim 6, wherein said means for
transmitting said video signal comprises means for recording said
video signal in a medium and means for transmitting said recorded
signal.
38. The system according to claim 9, wherein said means for
transmitting said audio and video signals comprises recording said
audio and video signals in a medium and means for transmitting said
recorded signal.
39. The system according to claim 8, wherein said means for
transmitting said audio signal comprises means for recording said
audio signal in a medium and means for transmitting said recorded
signal.
40. The system according to claim 10, wherein said means for
transmitting said audio and video signals comprises recording said
audio and video signals in a medium and means for transmitting said
recorded signal.
41. The system according to claim 5, wherein said means for
receiving said transmitted signal comprises means for separating
said transmitted signal into its audio and video components.
42. The system according to claim 41, wherein said means for
separating said transmitted signal into its audio and video
components comprises a VCR.
43. The system according to claim 9, wherein said means for
receiving said transmitted signal comprises means for separating
said transmitted signal into its audio and video components.
44. The system according to claim 43, wherein said means for
separating said transmitted signal into its audio and video
components comprises a VCR.
45. The system according to claim 10, wherein said means for
receiving said transmitted signal comprises means for separating
said transmitted signal into its audio and video components.
46. The system according to claim 45, wherein said means for
separating said transmitted signal into its audio and video
components comprises a VCR.
47. A system for enhancing the perception of an audio and/or visual
presentation through stimulation of one or more persons
experiencing said audio and/or visual presentation comprising:
a medium in which said audio and/or visual presentation is recorded
in a form suitable for playback on a conventional playback
device;
data encoded in said medium representing one or more events
occurring during said audio and/or visual presentation;
means for transmitting a first signal representing said data to a
location remote from said conventional playback device as said
audio and/or visual presentation is viewed;
means remote from said conventional playback device for receiving
said first signal data and for producing a second signal modulated
by said data; and
means responsive to said signal and disposed in the vicinity of
said one or more persons for stimulating said one or more persons
in response to each of said events represented by said data, said
stimulation of said one or more persons occurring in real time
correspondence with the occurrence of said events in said audio
and/or visual presentation as experienced by said one or more
persons .[.for stimulation of said one or more persons as.].
.Iadd.to produce one or more sensations normally associated with
.Iaddend.said events .[.occur.]. in said audio and/or visual
presentation.
48. The system according to claim 47, wherein said presentation
comprises an audio presentation, and wherein said data is encoded
in the high end of the audio frequency range and the audio
presentation is in the portion of the audio frequency range below
said high end, and further comprising means for separating the
information in the medium into a first component comprising the
high end of the audio frequency range and a second component
comprising the portion of the audio frequency range below said high
end.
49. The system according to claim 48, wherein said presentation
further comprises a visual presentation.
50. The system according to claim 47, wherein said presentation
comprises a visual presentation and wherein said data is encoded
with said visual presentation as recorded in said medium, and
further comprising means for separating the visual presentation as
recorded in said medium into a first component comprising said
visual presentation and a second component comprising said encoded
data.
51. The system according to claim 47, wherein said presentation
comprises an audio presentation recorded in a first audio channel
of said medium, and wherein said data is encoded in a second audio
channel of said medium.
52. The system according to claim 50, wherein said presentation
further comprises an audio presentation.
53. The system according to claim 51, wherein said presentation
further comprises a visual presentation.
54. The system according to claim 48, wherein said data comprises
one or more specific tone frequencies encoded in said high end of
said audio frequency range, each specific tone frequency
representing a specific type of data.
55. The system according to claim 51, wherein said data comprises
one or more specific tone frequencies, each specific tone frequency
representing a specific type of data.
56. The system according to claim 47, wherein said means for
transmitting said first signal comprises means for transmitting an
electromagnetic signal through the atmosphere, and wherein said
means for stimulation of said one or more persons further comprises
means for detecting said electromagnetic signal.
57. The system according to claim 47, wherein said means for
stimulation of said one or more persons comprises means for
producing a plurality of different types of stimulation, each
different type of stimulation corresponding to a specific type of
data in said second signal.
58. The system according to claim 47, wherein said means responsive
to said second signal for stimulation of said viewers comprises an
actuator responsive to said second signal.
59. The system according to claim 58, further comprising means
responsive to said actuator for visual stimulation of said
viewers.
60. The system according to claim 58, further comprising means
responsive to said actuator for audible stimulation of said
viewers.
61. The system according to claim 58, further comprising means
responsive to said actuator for tactile stimulation of said
viewers.
62. The system according to claim 58, further comprising means
responsive to said actuator for olfactory stimulation of said
viewers.
63. The system according to claim 61, wherein said tactile
stimulation means comprises means for generating movement of a
member for contacting a viewer in response to said data in said
second signal representing said events.
64. The system according to claim 47, wherein said presentation
comprises an audiovisual presentation of a boxing match.
65. The system according to claim 64, wherein said events comprise
punches landed by the boxers in said boxing match, and wherein said
means responsive to said second signal for stimulation of said one
or more persons comprises means for impacting the hands of said one
or more persons in real time correspondence with said punches
landed by said boxers for tactile stimulation of said one or more
persons.
66. The system according to claim 65, wherein said means for
impacting the hands of said one or more persons further comprises
switch means for enabling said one or more persons to be
selectively impacted in response to punches landed by one or the
other of said boxers.
67. The system according to claim 47, wherein said presentation
comprises music and wherein said events comprise specific
frequencies in said music.
68. In a medium of the type in which an audio and/or visual
presentation is encoded in a form suitable for playback on a
playback device, the improvement comprising data other than said
audio and/or visual presentation encoded in said medium, said data
representing one or more events occurring during said audio and/or
visual presentation, said data being encoded in said medium in a
form suitable for transmission in a first signal to a location
.Iadd.geographically .Iaddend.remote from the playback device where
means responsive to said data effects stimulation of one or more
persons in response to the events represented by said data with
said stimulation of said one or more persons occurring in real time
correspondence with the occurrence of said events in said audio
and/or visual presentation as experienced by said one or more
persons .[.for stimulation of said one or more persons as.].
.Iadd.to produce one or more sensations normally associated with
.Iaddend.said events .[.occur.]. in said audio and/or visual
presentation.
69. A medium according to claim 68, wherein said presentation
comprises an audio presentation, and wherein said data is encoded
in the high end of the audio frequency range and the audio
presentation is in the portion of the audio frequency range below
said high end, and further comprising means for separating the
information in the medium into a first component comprising the
high end of the audio frequency range and a second component
comprising the portion of the audio frequency range below said high
end.
70. A medium according to claim 69, wherein said presentation
further comprises a visual presentation.
71. A medium according to claim 68, wherein said presentation
comprises a visual presentation and wherein said data is encoded
with said visual presentation as recorded in said medium, and
further comprising means for separating said visual presentation as
recorded in said medium into a first component comprising said
visual presentation and a second component comprising said encoded
data.
72. A medium according to claim 68, wherein said presentation
comprises an audio presentation recorded in a first audio channel
of said medium, and wherein said data is encoded in a second audio
channel of said medium.
73. A medium according to claim 71, wherein said presentation
further comprises an audio presentation.
74. A medium according to claim 72, wherein said presentation
further comprises a visual presentation.
75. A medium according to claim 69, wherein said data comprises one
or more specific tone frequencies encoded in said high end of said
audio frequency range, each specific tone frequency representing a
specific type of data.
76. A medium according to claim 72, wherein said data comprises one
or more specific tone frequencies, each specific tone frequency
representing a specific type of data.
77. A medium according to claim 68, wherein said presentation
comprises an audiovisual presentation of a boxing match.
78. A medium according to claim 77, wherein said events comprise
punches landed by the boxers in said boxing match.
79. A medium according to claim 68, wherein said presentation
comprises music and wherein said events comprise specific audio
frequencies in said music.
80. A medium according to claim 68, wherein said medium comprises a
videocassette or video cartridge.
81. A medium according to claim 68, wherein said medium comprises
an audio cassette, record or compact disc. .Iadd.
82. A system for enhancing the perception of an audio and/or visual
presentation through stimulation of one or more persons
experiencing said audio and/or visual presentation, said system
comprising:
means for generating data representing one or more events occurring
during said audio and/or visual presentation;
means for encoding said data in a first signal in a form suitable
for transmission;
means for transmitting said encoded signal in real time
correspondence with said audio and/or visual presentation;
means for receiving said transmitted encoded signal and for
producing a second signal modulated by said data; and
means responsive to said second signal and disposed in proximity to
said one or more persons for tactile stimulation of said one or
more persons in response to each of said events represented by said
data, said tactile stimulation of said one or more persons
occurring in real time correspondence with the occurrence of said
events in said audio and/or visual presentation as experienced by
said one or more persons for tactile stimulation of said one or
more persons as said events occur in said audio and/or visual
presentation. .Iaddend. .Iadd.83. The system according to claim 82,
wherein said presentation comprises an audio presentation and means
for generating an audio signal representing said audio
presentation; further comprising means for attenuating the portion
of said audio signal in the high end of the audio frequency range;
wherein said means for encoding said data in a first signal
comprises means for encoding said data in said high end of the
audio frequency range and further comprises means for combining
said attenuated audio signal and said first signal to form a
combined audio signal; and wherein said means for transmitting said
encoded signal comprises means for transmitting an audio signal
comprising
said combined audio signal. .Iaddend. .Iadd.84. The system
according to claim 82, wherein said presentation comprises a visual
presentation and means for generating a video signal representing
said visual presentation; wherein said means for encoding said data
in a first signal comprises means for encoding said data in said
video signal; and wherein said means for transmitting said encoded
data comprises means for transmitting said video signal. .Iaddend.
.Iadd.85. The system according to claim 82, wherein said
presentation comprises an audio presentation and means for
generating an audio signal having two channels with one channel
representing said audio presentation; wherein said means for
encoding said data in a first signal comprises means for encoding
said data in the other channel; and wherein said means for
transmitting said encoded signal comprises means for transmitting
said two channel audio signal. .Iaddend. .Iadd.86. The system
according to claim 82, wherein said means for generating said data
representing said one or more events comprises means for manually
generating said data during observation of said presentation.
.Iaddend. .Iadd.87. The system according to claim 82, wherein said
means for generating said data representing said one or more events
comprises means responsive to an audio portion of said presentation
for automatically generating said data as said events occur during
said presentation. .Iaddend. .Iadd.88. The system according to
claim 82, wherein said means for transmitting said encoded signal
comprises means for transmitting an electromagnetic signal through
the atmosphere, and wherein said means for receiving said
transmitted encoded signal comprises
means for detecting said electromagnetic signal. .Iaddend.
.Iadd.89. The system according to claim 82, wherein said means for
receiving said transmitted encoded signal and for producing a
second signal modulated by said data further comprises means for
transmitting said modulated signal to said means for stimulation of
said one or more persons. .Iaddend. .Iadd.90. The system according
to claim 82, wherein said means for stimulation of said one or more
persons comprises means for producing a plurality of different
types of stimulation, each different type of stimulation
corresponding to a specific type of data in said second signal.
.Iaddend. .Iadd.91. The system according to claim 82, wherein said
presentation comprises music, and wherein said means for generating
data representing said one or more events occurring during said
music comprises means for generating data representing different
audio frequencies in said music. .Iaddend. .Iadd.92. A system for
enhancing the perception of an audio and/or visual presentation
through stimulation of one or more persons experiencing said audio
and/or visual presentation comprising:
a medium in which said audio and/or visual presentation is recorded
in a form suitable for playback on a conventional playback
device;
data encoded in said medium representing one or more events
occurring during said audio and/or visual presentation;
means for transmitting a first signal representing said data to a
location remote from said conventional playback device as said
audio and/or visual presentation is viewed;
means remote from said conventional playback device for receiving
said first signal data and for producing a second signal modulated
by said data; and
means responsive to said second signal and disposed in the vicinity
of said one or more persons for tactilely stimulating said one or
more persons in response to each of said events represented by said
data, said tactile stimulation of said one or more persons
occurring in real time correspondence with the occurrence of said
events in said audio and/or visual presentation as experienced by
said one or more persons for tactile stimulation of said one or
more persons as said events occur in said audio and/or visual
presentation. .Iaddend. .Iadd.93. The system according to claim 92,
wherein said presentation comprises an audio presentation, and
wherein said data is encoded in the high end of the audio frequency
range and the audio presentation is in the portion of the audio
frequency range below said high end, and further comprising means
for separating the information in the medium into a first component
comprising the high end of the audio frequency range and a second
component comprising the portion of the audio frequency range below
said high end. .Iaddend. .Iadd.94. The system according to claim
92, wherein said presentation comprises a visual presentation and
wherein said data is encoded with said visual presentation as
recorded in said medium, and further comprising means for
separating the visual presentation as recorded in said medium into
a first component comprising said visual presentation and a second
component comprising said encoded data. .Iaddend. .Iadd.95. The
system according to claim 92, wherein said presentation comprises
an audio presentation recorded in a first audio channel of said
medium, and wherein said data is
encoded in a second audio channel of said medium. .Iaddend.
.Iadd.96. The system according to claim 92, wherein said means for
transmitting said first signal comprises means for transmitting an
electromagnetic signal through the atmosphere, and wherein said
means for stimulation of said one or more persons further comprises
means for detecting said electromagnetic signal. .Iaddend.
.Iadd.97. The system according to claim 92, wherein said means for
stimulation of said one or more persons comprises means for
producing a plurality of different types of stimulation, each
different type of stimulation corresponding to a specific type of
data in said second signal. .Iaddend. .Iadd.98. The system
according to claim 92, wherein said means responsive to said second
signal for stimulation of said viewers comprises an actuator
responsive to said second signal. .Iaddend. .Iadd.99. In a medium
of the type in which an audio and/or visual presentation is encoded
in a form suitable for playback on a playback device, the
improvement comprising data other than said audio and/or visual
presentation encoded in said medium, said data representing one or
more events occurring during said audio and/or visual presentation,
said data being encoded in said medium in a form suitable for
transmission in a first signal to a location remote from the
playback device where means responsive to said data effects tactile
stimulation of one or more persons in response to the events
represented by said data with said tactile stimulation of said one
or more persons occurring in real time correspondence with the
occurrence of said events in said audio and/or visual presentation
as experienced by said one or more persons for tactile stimulation
of said one or more persons as said events occur in said audio
and/or visual presentation. .Iaddend. .Iadd.100. A medium according
to claim 99, wherein said presentation comprises an audio
presentation, and wherein said data is encoded in the high end of
the audio frequency range and the audio presentation is in the
portion of the audio frequency range below said high end, and
further comprising means for separating the information in the
medium into a first component comprising the high end of the audio
frequency range and a second component comprising the portion of
the audio frequency range below said high end. .Iaddend. .Iadd.101.
A medium according to claim 99, wherein said presentation comprises
a visual presentation and wherein said data is encoded with said
visual presentation as recorded in said medium, and further
comprising means for separating said visual presentation as
recorded in said medium into a first component comprising said
encoded data. .Iaddend. .Iadd.102. A medium according to claim 99,
wherein said presentation comprises an audio presentation recorded
in a first audio channel of said medium, and wherein said data is
encoded in a second channel of said medium. .Iaddend. .Iadd.103. A
medium according to claim 99, wherein said presentation comprises
music and wherein said events comprise specific audio frequencies
in said music. .Iaddend. .Iadd.104. A medium according to claim 99,
wherein said medium comprises a videocassette or video cartridge.
.Iaddend. .Iadd.105. A medium according to claim 99, wherein said
medium comprises an audio cassette, record or compact disc.
.Iaddend.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention pertains to stimulation of a viewer in response to
an audio or visual event, and more particularly to stimulation of a
viewer in real time corresponding with one or more events occurring
during said audio and/or video presentation.
2. Background Art
The entertainment industry is a major industry in the United
States. Sports presentations, concerts, etc. are viewed live by
millions of people each year. Additional millions of people view
recordings of these events. In the case of musical presentations
such as concerts, the recording may comprise an audio cassette, a
record album or, more recently, a compact disc. In the case of
audiovisual presentations, such as boxing matches, the recording is
typically a videocassette.
While it is certainly entertaining to view a live presentation of a
concert, sporting event or other entertainment presentation, the
viewing of such events would be further enhanced if the viewer's
observation involved more than simply hearing and/or seeing the
presentation, whether live or in the form of a recording.
Another popular form of audiovisual presentation is the "video
game". With the advent of low cost home computers, video games have
found their way into homes everywhere. In a typical video game, the
user views a video display and hears associated sound, and
interacts with the display via a "joystick" or other controller.
While such games are entertaining, here too the viewing experience
could be further enhanced if the viewer were stimulated by more
than the usual audiovisual presentation of the game as displayed on
a television or other monitor.
It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide a
system for enhancing a viewer's observation of a presentation such
as a sports event, concert, video game etc.
It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a
system for enhancing the viewer's observation of the presentation,
whether the presentation viewed is live or recorded.
It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a
system for enhancing the viewer's observation of an audio and/or
video presentation, whether such audio and/or video presentation is
live or recorded.
It is a further object of the present invention to enhance a
viewer's observation of a presentation by involving senses other
than sight and hearing.
It is still a further object of the present invention to enhance a
viewer's observation of a presentation by tactilely stimulating the
viewer in response to specific events occurring during the
presentation.
It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a
system wherein the presentation may be viewed by a plurality of
viewers, and wherein all of the viewers may be simultaneously
tactilely stimulated in response to specific events occurring
during the presentation, even when the viewers are at more than one
location.
It is a specific object of the present invention to provide a
system of the aforementioned type wherein the viewing of a boxing
match is enhanced by tactilely stimulating one or more viewers in
response to special events in the boxing match.
It is also a specific object of the invention to provide a system
wherein music is tactilely enhanced by tactilely stimulating one or
more viewers in response to specific events in the music.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In the drawings:
FIG. 1 is a perspective, partially diagrammatic representation of a
preferred system in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic representation of the encoder section of
the preferred system in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of the encoder section of FIG.
2;
FIG. 4.Iadd., consisting of a.-l., .Iaddend.is a graphical
representation of the wave forms generated at various points
throughout the preferred system;
FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic representation of the decoder/transmitter
section in the preferred system of the present invention;
FIG. 6 is a schematic representation of the decoder/transmitter
section of FIG. 5;
FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic representation of the receiver/actuator
section in the preferred system in accordance with the present
invention;
FIG. 8 is a schematic representation of the receiver/actuator
section shown in FIG. 7;
FIG. 9 is a side elevational view showing the receiver/actuator
incorporated in a boxing glove; and
FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken substantially along the lines
10--10 in FIG. 9.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention, we have developed a
system for enhancing the perception of an audio/and/or visual
presentation by stimulating persons experiencing the presentation
in response to special events occurring during the presentation.
The stimulation may comprise tactile stimulation or, alternatively,
audible and/or visual stimulation in addition to that present in
the audio and/or visual presentation.
In its broad sense, the system comprises means for generating data
representing one or more events occurring during an audio and/or
visual presentation, means for encoding the data in a first signal
in a form suitable for transmission, means for transmitting the
encoded signal in real time correspondence with the audio and/or
visual presentation, means for receiving the transmitted encoded
signal and for producing a second signal modulated by the data, and
means responsive to the second signal and disposed in proximity to
the participants for stimulating the participants in response to
the events represented by the data, the stimulation of the
participants occurring in real time correspondence with the
occurrence of the events in the audio and/or visual presentation as
experienced by the participants for stimulating the participants as
the events occur in the audio and/or visual presentation.
Also in accordance with the invention, the encoded data can be
recorded in a medium along with the audio and/or visual
presentation. For example, the medium may comprise a videocassette
or cartridge, or an audio cassette, record or compact disc. With
particular reference to this aspect of the invention, the present
invention also comprises, in a broad sense, a system for enhancing
the perception of an audio and/or visual presentation through
stimulation of one or more persons experiencing the audio and/or
visual presentation, the system comprising a medium in which the
audio and/or visual presentation is recorded in a form suitable for
playback on a conventional playback device, data encoded in the
medium representing one or more events occurring during the audio
and/or visual presentation, means for transmitting the data to a
location remote from the conventional playback device as the
encoded and/or visual presentation is viewed, means remote from the
conventional playback device for receiving the transmitted data and
for producing a second signal modulated by the data, and means
responsive to the second signal and disposed in the vicinity of the
participants for stimulating the participants in response to each
of the events represented by the data, the stimulation of the
participants occurring in real time correspondence with the
occurrence of the events in the audio and/or visual presentation as
experienced by the participants for stimulating the participants as
the events occur in the audio and/or visual presentation.
By way of example, the events may comprise punches thrown and
landed by boxes in a boxing match and the stimulation may comprise
a gentle rap applied across the knuckles of the viewers each time a
boxer lands a punch. In this embodiment, the viewers have the
option of selecting as between the two boxers such that a rap will
be applied across the knuckles of the viewers only in response to
punches landed by one or the other of the two boxers. In another
embodiment, the events comprise specific frequencies occurring
during a concert, and the stimulation comprises impacting some
portion of the listener's body each time the specific frequencies
occur. In a still further embodiment, the events may comprise shots
fired by tanks as viewed on a video monitor in accordance with
instruction received from a video cartridge, and the stimulation
may comprise simulated firing of a three dimensional toy tank
situated in proximity to the participants.
These as well as further features and advantages of the present
invention will be more fully apparent from the following detailed
description and annexed drawings of the presently preferred
embodiments thereof.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring now to the drawings, and initially to FIG. 1 thereof, the
apparatus of the present invention will now be described with
reference to tactile enhancement of a sports presentation, and
particularly, a boxing match, though it will be apparent that the
system of the present invention may be utilized to provide tactile
enhancement of any presentation having an audible and/or visual
content to be experienced by one or more persons.
In FIG. 1, an audiovisual transmission of a boxing match 10 is
being observed by one or more viewers 12 at a location 13 remote
from the live match. As is common, the boxing match is taking place
at a sports arena before a live gate, and is transmitted to several
remote locations, such as movie theaters, where others view an
audiovisual transmission of the match.
In accordance with the present invention, the viewers 12 observing
the boxing match 10 at the remote location 13 experience tactile
stimulation corresponding to one or more events in the audio and/or
video portions of the transmission being viewed. In the embodiment
described herein, the events comprise punches landed by the boxers
A and B and the tactile stimulation experienced by the viewers 12
comprises impacting the knuckles of the viewers' hands in
synchronization with the punches. However, as this description
progresses it will be apparent that the system may be modified such
that the viewers 12 experience tactile stimulation corresponding to
other events, such as the impact of body punches.
The preferred apparatus in accordance with the present invention
for effecting tactile stimulation of the hands of the viewers 12 in
synchronization with punches landed by the boxers A and B comprises
three major components, namely, a encoder 20 wherein the events in
the live boxing match 10 to be enhanced by tactile stimulation are
converted to audio-frequency control tones which are then mixed
with the usual program audio for transmission therewith to one or
more remote locations 13, a decoder/transmitter 22 at each remote
location 13 for separating the control tones from the audiovisual
broadcast and for retransmitting the control tones to the viewers
12, and a receiver/actuator 24 incorporated in gloves 23 worn by
the viewers 12 for receiving the control tones and utilizing them
for activating an actuator which tactilely stimulates the hands of
the viewers.
Referring now to FIGS. 1-3, the encoder 20 will now be described in
greater detail. As usual, the audio and video for each round of the
boxing match 10 is recorded by a conventional television camera
(not shown). The video output from the camera is transmitted to the
remote locations 13 in the usual manner. The audio output from the
camera is input to the encoder 20. In the encoder 20, and as shown
in FIG. 2, the audio signal is input to a low pass filter 25 having
a cut off frequency of, for example, 4 kHz. This clears the high
end of the audio frequency range without adversely affecting the
quality of the program audio in any significant way, since most, if
not all, of the audio portion of the audio frequency spectrum is at
or below 4 kHz.
As shown in FIG. 1, an operator 21 at the site of the live match 10
is positioned to operate the encoder 20. The encoder 20, in
response to data input by the operator 21, generates a real time
signal in the portion of the audio frequency spectrum above 4 kHz,
which signal comprises data representative of the events to be
enhanced by tactile stimulation of the viewers 12, in this case
punches landed by the two boxers. Since each boxer throws punches
with both hands, the operator 21 must be capable of generating a
signal having at least four distinguishable data components,
namely, one component for the left hand of the first boxer, one
component for the right hand of the first boxer, one component for
the left hand of the second boxer and one component for the right
hand of the second boxer. This comprises a relatively simple
system, and it will be apparent from this description that the
system may be expanded to incorporate more than four
distinguishable data components. For example, additional events
susceptible to enhancement by tactile stimulation, may comprise
punches received by the boxers, in which case additional data
components representative of this additional information would be
incorporated in the signal generated by the encoder 20.
In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-3, the operator 21 has before
him a console having four push buttons 26, 27, 28 and 29, one for
each data component to be incorporated in the signal generated by
the encoder 20. So, for example, as the operator observes the
boxing match 10, if boxer A throws and lands a punch with his left
hand, the operator will depress push button 26. If the operator
observes that boxer A has thrown and landed a punch with his right
hand, he will depress push button 27. Similarly, if boxer B throws
and lands a punch with his left hand, the operator 21 will depress
push button 28 and if boxer B throws and lands a punch with his
right hand the operator will depress push button 29. When the data
is encoded on a live basis, it will be apparent that the persons
viewing the live match 10 could also be provided with gloves 23
incorporating receiver/actuators 24.
Instead of having the operator perform the encoding function while
viewing the live match 10, it will be apparent from this
description that the encoder operator 21 could perform the encoding
function while viewing an audiovisual recording of the match 10, in
which case the signal generated by the encoder 20 could be
incorporated in the audio signal on the tape after clearing the
high end of the program audio as with a low pass filter having an
appropriate cut-off frequency. For example, it may be desirable to
have the operator perform the encoding function while viewing an
audiovisual playback of each round, as this will provide the
operator the opportunity to stop, and if necessary, replay in slow
motion particular sequences to insure that the data in the signal
generated by the encoder is accurate. This possibility is actually
preferred where the encoded events comprise punches landed by the
boxers as it is anticipated that punches will be thrown too quietly
to allow the operator 21 to perform the encoding function on a
"live" basis. In such event, it will be apparent that the recorded
audiovisual presentation be broadcast to the remote locations 13 on
a time-delayed basis and that the live audience cannot
participate.
As diagrammatically illustrated in FIG. 2, the circuit for
generating a signal encoded with data corresponding to punches
landed by the boxers A and B comprises the low pass filter 25, a
key latch and trigger circuit 40 which responds to inputs from the
push buttons 26-29, four tone generators 41-44 which receives
outputs from the circuit 40, an envelope generator 46 which also
receives an output from the circuit 40, modulator 48 which receives
the combined outputs from the tone generators 41-44 and also
receives the output from the envelope generator 46, a band pass
filter 50 which receives the output from the modulator 48, and a
mixer 52 which combines the audio signals output from the lowpass
filter 25 and the band pass filter 50.
A schematic of the presently preferred circuit for the encoder 20
is illustrated in FIG. 3. In FIG. 3, for purposes of illustration
broken lines are utilized to segregate the push buttons 26-29, key
latch and trigger circuit 40, tone generators 41-44, envelope
generator 46, modulator 48, band pass filter 50 and the mixer 52.
However, it should be recognized that the placement of the broken
lines is somewhat arbitrary, i.e. particular circuit components
could just as well be considered as part of one subcircuit as
another. Accordingly, it should be recognized that the broken lines
in FIG. 4 are not intended to definitively demarcate the various
subcircuits. While the low pass filter 25 is not shown in FIG. 3,
the circuitry for a suitable low pass filter is conventional, for
example, the circuitry shown for the low pass filter 68 in FIG. 6
may be used.
Referring in detail to FIG. 3, the push button switches 26-29 are
normally retained in an open switch position. One terminal of each
switch 26-29 is connected to a 5 volt power supply and the other
terminal is connected to one input of the key latch and trigger
circuit 40 which, as shown, comprises an integrated circuit EPROM
U1 and an integrated circuit latch U4. It will be apparent that
when a particular push button switch 26-29 is depressed, a 5 volt
signal is applied at the particular input of the EPROM connected to
that switch. The wave form for the input signal applied to the
inputs A0, A1, A2 and A3 of the EPROM upon depression of a switchs
26-29 is shown in FIG. 4a. An RC circuit is disposed between each
switch 26-29 and its respective input to the EPROM to filter
extraneous noise which may accompany depression of the switch.
The combination of the EPROM U1 and the latch U4 serves several
functions. First, each time a switch 26-29 is depressed for
providing a data input to the EPROM U1, that data input is latched
and committed to memory within the circuit even after the push
button is released. This insures an input signal of suitable
duration for generating a control tone. It will also be observed in
FIG. 3 that there is a separate output line from the latch U4 for
each of the four inputs to the EPROM U1. Since only one output from
the latch U4 can be active at any given time, the circuit insures
that there will be no overlap between control tones, i.e. the
control tones will be serially transmitted. The output signal from
the latch U4 in response to depression of the switches 26-29 is
shown in FIG. 4b.
The EPROM U1 also generates a trigger signal at the pin D5 each
time one of the inputs 26-29 is activated. This trigger signal is
utilized to activate the envelope generator 46 for reasons that
will be explained below. The trigger signal generated by the EPROM
each time one of the switches 26-29 is depressed is shown in FIG.
4c.
Each of the four output signals from the latch and trigger circuit
40 is applied to one of the AND gates 54, 55, 56, 57, which may
comprise a single quad AND gate. The other inputs to the AND gates
54-57 are the outputs from the tone generators 58, 59, 60 and 61,
each of which generates a different frequency tone. The four
frequencies produced by the four tone generators, 58, 59, 60 and
61, are, respectively, 7353 Hz, 8621 Hz, 10,000 Hz, and 11,905 Hz.
The tone generators 58, 59, 60 and 61 are driven by a crystal
oscillator circuit 62 which insures frequency accuracy. In the
particular embodiment shown, the crystal oscillator X1 is a 4 MHz
crystal oscillator, and the frequencies produced by the tone
generators 58-61 are derived by digital division. As is usual, the
oscillator circuit 62 includes a counter U3 the output of which is
applied to the clock input of the four tone generators 58-61.
Since, as noted, only one of the four outputs from the latch and
trigger circuit 40 is active at any given time, likewise only one
output from the AND gates 58-61 is active at any given time. For
example, if the output from the latch and trigger circuit 40 input
to the AND gate 55 goes high, which corresponds to depression of
the push button 26, the output signal from the AND gate 54 will be
a signal having a frequency of 7353 Hz, corresponding to the output
frequency generated by the tone generator 58. Likewise, when the
output from the latch and trigger circuit 40 input to the AND gate
55 goes high, which corresponds to depression of the switch 27, a
signal having a frequency of 8621 kHz will be generated at the
output of the AND gate 55. The wave form at the output of the tone
generators 58-61, which is also the wave form at the output of the
AND gates 58-61 when the AND gates are active, is shown in FIG.
4d.
The outputs from the AND gates 58-61 are unified and applied to the
modulator 48. As noted, only one of the AND gates 54-57 is active
at any given time, so only one tone generator signal will be
applied as the input to the modulator 48 at any given time. The
modulator 48 functions essentially as a voltage-controlled
amplifier. The control voltage for the modulator is generated by
the envelope generator 46. The amplitude the signal allowed to pass
through the modulator 48 is directly proportional to the control
voltage applied by the envelope generator. As already noted, the
envelope generator 46 generates an envelope each time an input to
the latch and trigger circuit 40 is activated. Normally, the output
of the envelope generator 46 rests at 0 volts, in which event there
is no output from the modulator 48. When one of the system inputs
is activated by depressing one of the switches 26-29, the envelope
generator 46 generates the wave form illustrated in FIG. 4e. As
shown, the envelope rises at a constant rate to a maximum level,
remains at that level for a fixed duration, and then falls back to
0 volts at a constant rate. It will be apparent that by controlling
the rate of rise and fall of the envelope signal, which in turn
controls the rate of increase and decrease of the amplitude of the
signal at the output of the modulator 48, a degree of control over
the frequency spectrum of the tone bursts generated by the
modulator is achieved.
The wave form at the output of the modulator 48 is shown in FIG.
4f. The particular frequency of the square waves at the output of
the modulator 48 will, of course, depend upon the signal frequency
of the tone generator applied to the particular active AND gate. If
the envelope generator were not employed, i.e. if the tone
generators were simply turned on and off with very rapid rise and
fall times, objectionable audible "pops" or "clicks" would be
generated. These noises are minimized by employing the envelope
generator which, as noted, controls the rise and fall times of the
modulator output signal.
The output of the modulator 48 is applied to a band pass filter 50
having a center frequency centered over the range of tones output
from the tone generators 58-61. In FIG. 3, the band pass filter 50
has a center frequency of about 10 kHz. Referring to FIG. 4g, which
shows the wave form at the output of the band pass filter 50, it
may be seen that the band pass filter shapes the square-wave signal
at the output of the modulator 48 to a more sinusoidal wave form,
which serves to minimize the possibility of undesirable harmonic
effects, such as aliasing with recording equipment bias frequencies
or causing flase harmonic locking of the tone decoders in the
decoders/transmitters 22. In broadcast use, the band pass filter 50
also insures that no frequencies are generated which exceed the 15
kHz maximum for the audio portion of the television
transmission.
Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the program audio is input to the
encoder 20 at the jack J2 where it passes through the low pass
filter (not shown in FIG. 3). As noted above, the low pass filter
25 removes the high frequency components from the program audio, in
this case the audio portion of the boxing match, which might
interfere with the control tones output from the band pass filter
50. As noted, the low pass filter 25 may have a cutoff frequency of
4 kHz.
The output of the band pass filter 50 comprising the control tones
and the program audio minus any frequencies exceeding 4 kHz are
combined by the mixer circuit 52 comprising the operational
amplifier U15. The output from the mixer 52 is then broadcast in a
conventional manner along with the program video. On the assumption
of stereo transmission, the output from the mixer 52 is applied to
both the right and left channels of the stereo braodcast. Suitable
components for the encoder circuit of FIG. 3 are:
__________________________________________________________________________
DESIGNATOR VALUE/TYPE DESCRIPTION/RATINGS
__________________________________________________________________________
R1 4M7 1/4 W .+-.5% CARBON FILM R2 1K 1/4 W .+-.5% CARBON FILM R3
22K 1/4 W .+-.5% CARBON FILM R4 22K 1/4 W .+-.5% CARBON FILM R5 22K
1/4 W .+-.5% CARBON FILM R6 22K 1/4 W .+-.5% CARBON FILM R7 100K
1/4 W .+-.5% CARBON FILM R8 1M5 1/4 W .+-.5% CARBON FILM R9 470K
1/4 W .+-.5% CARBON FILM R10 10K 1/4 W .+-.5% CARBON FILM R11 10K
1/4 W .+-.5% CARBON FILM R12 10K 1/4 W .+-.5% CARBON FILM R13 10K
1/4 W .+-.5% CARBON FILM R14 1K 1/4 W .+-.5% CARBON FILM R15 10K
1/4 W .+-.5% CARBON FILM R16 10K 1/4 W .+-.5% CARBON FILM R17 51K
1/4 W .+-.5% CARBON FILM R18 33K 1/4 W .+-.5% CARBON FILM R19 1K
1/4 W .+-.5% CARBON FILM R20 1K 1/4 W .+-.5% CARBON FILM R21 10K
AUDIO TAPER POTENTIOMETER C1 33 PF 16 V .+-.10% CERAMIC OR FILM C2
100 NF 16 V .+-.20% CERAMIC OR FILM C3 100 NF 16 V .+-.20% CERAMIC
OR FILM C4 100 NF 16 V .+-.20% CERAMIC OR FILM C5 100 NF 16 V
.+-.20% CERAMIC OR FILM C6 47 NF 16 V .+-.10% CERAMIC OR FILM C7 22
NF 16 V .+-.10% CERAMIC OR FILM C8 10 NF 16 V .+-.10% CERAMIC OR
FILM C9 3N3 16 V .+-.10% CERAMIC OR FILM C10 INF 16 V .+-.10%
CERAMIC OR FILM C11 100 UF 16V +80/-20% ALUMINUM ELECTROLYTIC C12
100 NF 16 V .+-.20% CERAMIC OR FILM C13 100 NF 16 V .+-.20% CERAMIC
OR FILM C14 100 UF 16V +80/-20% ALUMINUM ELECTROLYTIC U1 2716 EPROM
U2 CD-4069 HEX INVERTER U3 CD-4024 COUNTER U4 CD-40175 LATCH U5
CD-4526 COUNTER U6 CD-4526 COUNTER U7 CD-4526 COUNTER U8 CD-4526
COUNTER U9 CD-4526 COUNTER U10 CD-4526 COUNTER U11 CD-4526 COUNTER
U12 CD-4526 COUNTER U13 CD-4081 QUAD AND GATE U14 LM351 OPAMP U15
TL081 OPAMP U16 LM7805 VOLTAGE REGULATOR Q1 2N5088 GEN PURPOSE NPN
D1 IN4148 GEN PURPOSE X1 4MHz CRYSTAL J1 3.5 MM FEMALE J2,J3,J4 RCA
PHONO FEMALE POWER SUPPLY 12VDC @ 200 MA "BATTERY ELIMINATOR" TYPE
PLUG-IN SUPPLY
__________________________________________________________________________
It will be apparent that the audiovisual broadcast will comprise
the usual program video, the usual program audio attenuated,
however, above 4 kHz, and the control tones encoded in the high end
of audio range from about 7 to 12 kHz. Receiver locations not
utilized with the system of the present invention will receive the
usual audiovisual signal in a form suitable for audiovisual
display.
At locations employing the system of the present invention, i.e. at
locations having a decoder/transmitter 22, the incoming audiovisual
signal is initially received, in the usual fashion, by an antenna
or over a cable television line. Alternatively, if the audiovisual
signal with encoded control tones has been recorded on a
videocassette, the videocassette or a copy thereof may be utilized
with the system of the present invention.
As diagrammatically illustrated in FIG. 5, the decoder/transmitter
section 22 of the present invention comprises a videocassette
recorder 64 with separate outputs for the audio and video
components of the audiovisual signal. The audio component is
applied to a high pass filter 66 which filters out the usual
program audio and passes the control tones, and a low pass filter
68 which separates out the control tones and passes the program
audio. The output of the high pass filter 66 comprising the control
tones is applied to four tone decoders 70, 71, 72 and 73 tuned,
respectively, to the four control tone frequencies generated by the
encoder 20. The output of each tone decoder 70-73 comprises a high
or low digital signal depending upon whether the incoming signal
includes that decoder's tuned frequency. The wave form of a typical
output signal from one of the tone decoders 70-73 is shown in FIG.
4h.
The outputs of the tone decoders 70-73 are applied to analog
switches 74, 75, 76 and 77, each of which opens and closes in
response to the high and low output signals from its respective
tone decoder. The outputs of the analog switches 74-77 are applied
to a radio transmitter 78 capable of accepting and simultaneously
transmitting four channels of information via the antenna 80. The
signal from the antenna 80 is transmitted to the third and final
section of the system in accordance with the present invention,
namely, the receiver/actuator 24.
As also shown in FIG. 5, the output of the low pass filter 68 is
applied, together with the video output signal from the VCR 64, to
a conventional RF modulator 82 whose output comprises the usual
program audiovisual signal i.e. an audiovisual signal of the boxing
match. This signal is in a form suitable for transmission via a
cable to the antenna terminals of a conventional television. The
output of the low pass filter 68 which as noted, comprises the
program audio, may, as shown in FIG. 5, instead be input to a
separate sound system or to a separate audio input of a television
of the type which accepts a separate audio signal.
FIG. 6 is a schematic of a suitable circuit for the
decoder/transmitter 22. As in the case of the schematic for the
encoder 20, broken lines are utilized in FIG. 6 to segregate the
major subcircuits of the decoder/transmitter diagrammatically shown
in FIG. 5. Here too, however, it should be recognized that to some
extent the placement of the broken lines is arbitrary and that
particular components could just as well be considered as part of
one subcircuit as another. Accordingly, it should be recognized
that the broken lines are not intended to definitively demarcate
the various subcircuits.
Referring now to FIG. 6 in detail, the audio output from the VCR is
applied at the jack J2 and the video output from the VCR is applied
at the jack J3. The audio input at J2 first passes through one
section of a quad JFET operational amplifier U1 configured as a
high impedance unity gain amplifier. The output from this amplifier
in input to the high pass filter 66 and the low pass filter 68. As
shown, the high pass filter 66 comprises two sections of the
operational amplifier U1 configured as a three-pole high-pass
filter having a cut-off frequency of 8.3 kHz and a passband gain of
8.5. As noted above, the high pass filter 66 attenuates the program
audio and passes the control tones. The low pass filter 66
comprises a low-noise dual operational amplifier U8 configured as a
four-pole low pass filter having a cut-off frequency of
approximately 3.5 kHz. As also noted above, the low pass filter 66
attenuates the control tones to the point of inaudibility and
passes the program audio.
The output from the high pass filter 66, which comprises the
encoded control tones, is applied to the inputs of the four tone
decoders 70, 71, 72 and 73, each of which comprises a commercially
available integrated circuit tone decoder and its associated
components. These integrated circuits, designated as U2, U3, U4 and
U5 in FIG. 6, comprise phase-locked loop circuits and lock-detect
circuitry which, in a manner well-known in the art, provide a
digital output signal which is low upon the detection of a specific
input frequency and high at other times. Each of the integrated
circuits U2-U5 is tuned to a specific one of the four control tones
generated by the encoder 20. The bandwidths of the tone decoders
are set to a maximum value of .+-.7% to accommodate speed
variations in the VCR playback. The center frequencies of the tone
decoders may be calibrated by variable resistors VR1, VR2, VR3 and
VR4 incorporated in the tone decoders 70, 71, 72 and 73,
respectively. For example, the variable resistors VR1-VR4 may be
adjusted by a set screw. As also shown in FIG. 6, a light emitting
diode is connected at the output of each of the tone decoders 70-73
to provide a visual indication upon the detection of the specific
frequency for which the respective tone decoder is tuned. These
light emitting diodes are designated as D1, D2, D3 and D4 in FIG.
6.
The outputs from the four tone decoders 70-73 are connected to four
separate inputs of the radio transmitter circuit 78. The radio
transmitter circuit 78 is based on a conventional integrated
circuit LM1871 manufactured by National Semiconductor Corp., Santa
Clara, Calif. The circuit configuration for the LM1871 illustrated
in FIG. 6 is substantially that shown in FIG. 2 on page 5 of the
data sheet for the LM1871 dated January 1980. As shown in FIG. 6,
analog switches 74, 75, 76 and 77 are interposed between the
outputs from the four tone decoders 70, 71, 72 and 73 and the
inputs to the radio transmitter 78. The analog switches 74, 75, 76
and 77 are followed by resistors R17, R19, R21 and R23,
respectively. The pulse widths input to the radio transmitter 78
are controlled by utilizing the analog switches 74-77 to switch the
resistors R17, R19, R21 and R23 in and out of the circuit under
control of the tone decoder 70-73. The output from the radio
transmitter 78 is applied to an antenna 80 which transmits the
control tone to the receiver/decoders 24 worn by the viewers
12.
Still referring to FIG. 6, and as noted above, the output from the
low pass filter 68 comprises the usual program audio. If the viewer
was a television with an external audio input or if the VCR 64 is
connected to a sound system, the output signal from the low pass
filter 68 may be applied directly to the television's external
audio input or the sound system, respectively. In such event, the
video output from the VCR 64 is connected directly to the
television as video input. For viewers who do not have a television
with external audio and video inputs or a sound system connected to
the VCR an RF modulator 82 is incorporated in the
decoder/transmitter 22. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the RF modulator
combines the program audio from the low pass filter 68 with the
program video from the VCR 6 and modulates the combined signal to a
frequency suitable for reception by a television at its antenna
input. Suitable components for the decoder/transmitter circuit of
FIG. 6 are:
__________________________________________________________________________
DESIGNATOR VALUE/TYPE DESCRIPTION/RATINGS
__________________________________________________________________________
R1 22K 1/4 W .+-.5% CARBON FILM R2 10K 1/4 W .+-.5% CARBON FILM R3
10K 1/4 W .+-.5% CARBON FILM R4 4K3 1/4 W .+-.5% CARBON FILM R5 9k1
1/4 W .+-.5% CARBON FILM R6 9K1 1/4 W .+-.5% CARBON FILM R7 39K 1/4
W .+-.5% CARBON FILM R8 56K 1/4 W .+-.5% CARBON FILM R9 12K 1/4 W
.+-.5% CARBON FILM R10 680 1/4 W .+-.5% CARBON FILM R11 10K 1/4 W
.+-.5% CARBON FILM R12 680 1/4 W .+-.5% CARBON FILM R13 16K 1/4 W
.+-.5% CARBON FILM R14 680 1/4 W .+-.5% CARBON FILM R15 16K 1/4 W
.+-.5% CARBON FILM R16 680 1/4 W .+-.5% CARBON FILM R17 47K 1/4 W
.+-.5% CARBON FILM R18 240K 1/4 W .+-.5% CARBON FILM R19 47K 1/4 W
.+-.5% CARBON FILM R20 240K 1/4 W .+-.5% CARBON FILM R21 47K 1/4 W
.+-.5% CARBON FILM R22 240K 1/4 W .+-.5% CARBON FILM R23 47K 1/4 W
.+-.5% CARBON FILM R24 240K 1/4 W .+-.5% CARBON FILM R25 750K 1/4 W
.+-.5% CARBON FILM R26 82K 1/4 W .+-.5% CARBON FILM R27 75K 1/4 W
.+-.5% CARBON FILM R28 150K 1/4 W .+-.5% CARBON FILM R29 22K 1/4 W
.+-.5% CARBON FILM R30 1K5 1/4 W .+-.5% CARBON FILM R31 240 1/4 W
.+-.5% CARBON FILM R32 3K3 1/4 W .+-.5% CARBON FILM R33 33K 1/4 W
.+-.5% CARBON FILM R34 33K 1/4 W .+-.5% CARBON FILM R35 33K 1/4 W
.+-.5% CARBON FILM R36 24K 1/4 W .+-.5% CARBON FILM R37 18K 1/4 W
.+-.5% CARBON FILM R38 18K 1/4 W .+-.5% CARBON FILM R39 13K 1/4 W
.+-.5% CARBON FILM R40 22K 1/4 W .+-.5% CARBON FILM R41 82 1/4 W
.+-.5% CARBON FILM R42 220 1/4 W .+-.5% CARBON FILM R43 1K8 1/4 W
.+-.5% CARBON FILM R44 1K8 1/4 W .+-.5% CARBON FILM R45 22K 1/4 W
.+-.5% CARBON FILM R46 10K 1/4 W .+-.5% CARBON FILM VR1 5K 10 OR
20-TURN CERMET TRIMMER VR2 5K 10 OR 20-TURN CERMET TRIMMER VR3 5K
10 OR 20-TURN CERMET TRIMMER VR4 5K 10 OR 20-TURN CERMET TRIMMER
VR5 5K SINGLE-TURN CARBON OR PLASTIC TRIMMER C1 100 NF 16 V .+-.20%
CERAMIC OR FILM C2 2200 UF 25V +80/-20% ALUMINUM ELECTROLYTIC C3
1N8 16 V .+-.5% CERAMIC OR FILM C4 1N8 16 V .+-.5% CERAMIC OR FILM
C5 1N8 16 V .+-.5% CERAMIC OR FILM C6 4N7 16 V .+-.20% CERAMIC OR
FILM C7 10 NF 16 V .+-.5% CERAMIC OR FILM LOW TEMPCO C8 100 NF 16 V
.+-.20% CERAMIC OR FILM C9 1 UF 16 V .+-.10% ALUMINUM ELECTROLYTIC
C10 10 NF 16 V .+-.5% CERAMIC OR FILM LOW TEMPO C11 100 NF 16 V
.+-.20% CERAMIC OR FILM C12 1 UF 16 V .+-.10% ALUMINUM ELECTROLYTIC
C13 4N7 16 V .+-.5% CERAMIC OR FILM LOW TEMPCO C14 100 NF 16 V
.+-.20% CERAMIC OR FILM C15 1 UF 16 V .+-.10% ALUMINUM
ELECRTROLYTIC C16 4N7 16 V .+-.5% CERAMIC OR FILM LOW TEMPCO C17
100 NF 16 V .+-.20% CERAMIC OR FILM C18 1 UF 16 V .+-.10% ALUMINUM
ELECTROLYTIC C19 4N7 16 V .+-.5% CERAMIC OR FILM LOW TEMPCO C20 100
NF 16 V .+-.5% CERAMIC OR FILM LOW TEMPCO C21 100 NF 16 V .+-.20%
CERAMIC OR FILM C22 47 PF 16 V .+-.5% CERAMIC OR MICA C23 220 PF 16
V .+-.5% CERAMIC OR MICA C24 62 PF 16 V .+-.5% CERAMIC OR MICA C25
10 NF 16 V .+-.10% CERAMIC OR FILM C26 1N5 16 V .+-.10% CERAMIC OR
FILM C27 2N7 16 V .+-.10% CERAMIC OR FILM C28 33 PF 16 V .+-.5%
CERAMIC OR MICA C29 100 NF 16 V .+-.20% CERAMIC OR FILM C30 1 UF 25
V .+-.20% TANTALUM ELECTROLYTIC C31 100 NF 25 V .+-.20% CERAMIC OR
FILM C32 10 UF 16 V .+-.20% TANTALUM ELECTROLYTIC C33 1 UF 16 V
.+-.20% TANTALUM ELECTROLYTIC C34 100 NF 25 V .+-.20% CERAMIC OR
FILM C35 2N7 16 V .+-.5% CERAMIC OR FILM C36 2N7 16 V .+-.5%
CERAMIC OR FILM C37 2N7 16 V .+-.5% CERAMIC OR FILM C38 2N7 16 V
.+-.5% CERAMIC OR FILM C39 47 NF 25 V .+-.20% CERAMIC OR FILM C40
100 NF 16 V .+-.20% CERAMIC OR FILM C41 4U7 16 V .+-.20% TANTALUM
ELECTROLYTIC C42 100 UF 16 V +80/-20% ALUMINUM ELECTROLYTIC C43 22
UF 16 v +80/-20% ALUMINUM ELECTROLYTIC U1 LM347 QUAD JFET OPAMP U2
LM/NE567 TONE DECODER PLL U3 LM/NE567 TONE DECODER PLL U4 LM/NE567
TONE DECODER PLL U5 LM/NE567 TONE DECODER PLL U6 CD-4066 QUAD
ANALOG SWITCH U7 LM1871 RADIO TRANSMITTER U8 TL072 LOW-NOISE DUAL
OPAMP U9 LM317L ADJUSTABLE VOLTAGE REGULATOR U10 LM78L05 5 V
REGULATOR D1,D2,D3,D4 10 MA LED M1 ASTEC RF MODULATOR MODULE
UM1285-8 T1 TOKO RF TRANSFORMER KEN4635BJE L1 J. W. MILLER RF
INDUCTOR M7010 1 uH X1 49.XXXX MHz CRYSTAL 455 kHz AWAY FROM RCVR
XTAL ANT 24-INCH WHIP TELESCOPIC ANTENNA J1 3.5 MM 2-CONDUCTOR
FEMALE J2 RCA PHONO FEMALE J3 RCA PHONO FEMALE J4 RCA PHONO FEMALE
J5 VIDEO RF FEMALE P1 RCA PHONO MALE POWER SUPPLY 12VDC @ 200 MA
PLUG-IN "BATTERY ELIMINATOR" TYPE POWER SUPPLY
__________________________________________________________________________
The receiver/actuator 24 is diagrammatically illustrated in FIG. 7.
As described below in greater detail with reference to FIGS. 9 and
10, the components comprising the receiver/actuator 24 are
incorporated in gloves 23 worn by the viewers 12. As shown in FIG.
7, the receiver/actuator 24 comprises an antenna 84 which receives
the signal transmitted by the radio transmitter 78 via antenna 80.
The output of the antenna 84 is applied to a radio receiver 86.
Each receiver 86 is hard wired to receive left hand signals or
right hand signals. That is, each receiver 86 is hard wired to
receive signals indicative of punches landed by the left hands of
boxers A and B or by the right hands of boxers A and B. A switch S1
in the receiver/actuator 24 enables the viewer 12 to select as
between the two boxers. So, if a viewer wearing a left hand glove
and a right hand glove throws the switches S1 in the gloves to the
"A" position, the receiver 86 in the left hand glove will transmit
data representing punches landed by the left hand of boxer A, and
the receiver 86 in the right hand glove will transmit data
representing punches landed by the right hand of boxer A.
Similarly, if the switches S1 in the gloves are switched to the "B"
position, the receiver 86 in the left hand glove will transmit data
representing punches landed by the left hand of boxer B, and the
receiver 86 in the right hand glove will transmit data representing
punches landed by the right hand of the boxer B.
The output of the radio receiver 86 comprises a train of pulses
whose width varies upon the reception of a signal from the
transmitter 78. Two pulse width discriminators 88 and 90 convert
the output from the receiver 86 to a digital logic signal which is
high in response to a pulse width indicating reception of a signal
from the transmitter 78 and low in the absence of a signal from the
transmitter.
The logic signal at the output of the second pulse width
discriminator 90 operates a power MOSFET 94 operating as a switch
connecting the battery 96 to the solenoid 98. The one-shot 92
interposed between the output of the second pulse width
discriminator 90 and the power MOSFET 94 insures that the power
MOSFET 94 is never constantly on, which would result in a rapid
drain of the battery 96. In the absence of the one shot 92, a
constant on state could occur, for example, upon a loss of radio
contact between the transmitter 78 and the receiver 86.
The solenoid 98, described in greater detail in FIG. 9, applies a
rap across the knuckles of the viewer 12 each time the power MOSFET
94 is switched on. Consequently, and as will be apparent from the
foregoing description, in the case of a left hand glove in the "A"
switch position, the solenoid 98 will apply a rap across the
knuckles of the viewer 12 each time boxer A lands a punch with his
left hand. Similarly, the solenoid 98 in the right hand glove will
apply a rap across the knuckles of the right hand of the viewer 12
each time the boxer A lands a punch with his right hand. By
adjusting the swithch S1 to the "B" position, raps will be felt
across the knuckles of the viewer in accordance with punches landed
by boxer B.
A schematic of the presently preferred circuit for the
receiver/actuator 24 is illustrated in FIG. 8. As before, it should
be recognized that the placement of the broken lines utilized in
FIG. 8 to segregate the subcircuits of the receiver/actuator 24 is
somewhat arbitrary, i.e. particular circuit components could just
as well be considered part of one subcircuit as another.
The signal transmitted by the transmitter 78 via the antenna 80 is
detected in the receiver/actuator 24 by the antenna 84, the output
of which is applied to the radio receiver 86. The receiver 86
comprises a National Semiconductor LM1872 superheterodyne
receiver/remote control integrated circuit operating in the 49 MHz
band. The LM1872, designated as U1 in FIG. 8, is specifcally
designed to operate in conjunction with the LM1871 integrated
circuit transmitter selected as the transmitter 78 in FIG. 6. The
circuit configuration for the LM1872 shown in FIG. 8 is
substantially that shown in the December, 1979 National
Semiconductor handbook for the LM1872, with the additional circuit
connections shown in FIG. 11 of the handbook, which comprise
modifications for receiving the four independant channels
transmitted by the transmitter 78.
As noted above, each receiver/actuator unit 24 is hardwired for
either a right or left-hand glove. Those wirred for left-hand
gloves only receive control tones representing punches landed by
the left hands of the boxers A and B, while those wired for a
right-hand glove only receive control tones representing punches
landed by the right hands of the boxers. Hardwiring for either a
right or left-hand glove is effected during assembly, and shown in
diagrammatic form by the jumpers J1 and J2 in FIG. 8, which are
either both wired to the right R terminals (right-hand glove) or
the left L terminals (left-hand glove). For those receivers 86
wired for right-hand gloves, the transmitter Q2 is not
necessary.
As noted above, the switch S1 allows the user to select as between
boxers A and B. The CH1 port of the integrated circuit U1 in FIG. 8
outputs a signal indicative of punches landed by boxer A, and the
CH2 port outputs a signal indicative of punches landed by boxer B.
The viewer 12 can select as between these two positions by toggling
the switch S1 which, as shown in FIG. 10, is accessible on the
viewer's gloves 23. So, for example, if the switch S1 is in the "A"
position in FIG. 8, and jumpers J1 and J2 are wired for a
right-hand glove, the circuit will provide a signal indicative of
punches landed by the right hand of boxer A. If the switch S1 is in
the "B" position, and still assuming that the jumpers J1 and J2 are
wired for a right-hand glove, the circuit will provide a signal
indicative of punches landed by the right hand of boxer B.
Similarly, if the jumpers J1 and J2 are wired for a left-handed
glove and the switch S1 is in the "A" position, the circuit will
provide a signal indicative of punches landed by the left hand of
boxer A and when the switch S1 is in the "B" position the circuit
will provide a signal indicative of punches landed by the left hand
of boxer B.
Referring to FIG. 4i, a typical wave form at the output ports CH1
and CH2 of the receiver 86 is illustrated. As shown, the output
from these ports comprises a variable width pulse train. More
specifically, and assuming that the receiver 86 is wired as shown
in FIG. 8, i.e. for punches landed by the left hand of boxer A, the
output from the port CH1 remains a narrow width pulse train until a
control tone representative of a punch landed by the left hand of
boxer A is picked up by the antenna 84, whereupon the pulse width
of the pulse train temporarily widens. In FIG. 4i, the pulse width
of the pulse train at the port CH1 is shown to widen for four
pulses upon the detection of a control tone indicating a punch
landed by the left-hand of boxer A.
The pulse train from the port CH1 is next applied to the diode D3
which, in conjunction with resistor R4 and capacitor C12 form a
peak detector. This peak detector, in conjunction with the
operational amplifier U2A configured as a comparator, comprises the
first pulse width discriminator 88. As shown in FIG. 4j, the output
of the discriminator 88 is low as long as the pulse train at the
output port CH1 comprises narrow pulses.
In this mode, the capacitor C12 is discharged sufficiently often
that it never rises above the threshold set by resistors R5 and R6.
Consequently, the open collector type output of the comparator U2A
sits open circuit. When wider pulses appear at the port CH1, i.e.
when a control tone indicative of a punch landed by the left hand
of boxer A is detected, the output of the discriminator 88 becomes
a narrow width pulse train. In this mode, C12 is charged beyond the
threshold set by the resistors R5 and R6, causing the output of the
comparator U2A to briefly short to ground on each pulse.
The output from the first pulse-width discriminator 88 is applied
to a second pulse width discriminator 90. As shown in FIG. 8, the
second pulse width discriminator 90 comprises resistor R7 and
capacitor C13 functioning as a second peak detector, and
operational amplifier U2B configured as a comparator. As shown in
FIG. 4k, the output from the second discriminator 90 sits low as
long as the output from the first discriminator 88 sits low.
However, when the output from the first discriminator 88 comprises
a narrow pulse train, the output of comparator U2A shorts to ground
through C13, whereupon the output of comparator U2B goes high,
pulled up by the resistor R8. As shown in FIG. 4k, the pulse at the
output of the second discriminator 90 is of a duration
corresponding to the duration of the pulse train at the output of
the first discriminator 88.
A high output from U2B triggers the power MOSFET 94, Q3 through an
AC coupling network comprised of capacitor C14 and resistor R9
which function as the one-shot 92. Triggering of the power MOSFET
94 activates the solenoid 98 which is powered by the battery 96. As
described below in connection with FIGS. 9 and 10, activation of
the solenoid 98 applies a rap across the knuckles of the viewer's
hand. The time constant of the one shot 92 comprised of capacitor
C14 and resistor R9 is selected to be larger than the normal firing
pulse width at the output of U2B. This insures that the solenoid 98
does not remain activated for an excessive period of time, such as
may occur from component failure or a loss of reception at the
receiver 86. This not only saves the solenoid 98, but also protects
the battery 96 from a potentially dangerous high rate of discharge.
The wave form at the output of the one-shot 92 is shown in FIG. 41.
The capacitor C15 in FIG. 8 functions as an energy reservior that
recharges between pulses from the Mosfet for increasing the power
available to the solenoid upon each actuation thereof. Suitable
components for the receiver/actuator circuit of FIG. 8 are:
__________________________________________________________________________
DESIGNATOR VALUE/TYPE DESCRIPTION/RATINGS
__________________________________________________________________________
R1 470 1/4 W .+-.5% CARBON FILM R2 100K 1/4 W .+-.5% CARBON FILM R3
200 1/4 W .+-.5% CARBON FILM R4 27K 1/4 W .+-.5% CARBON FILM R5 10K
1/4 W .+-.5% CARBON FILM R6 20K 1/4 W .+-.5% CARBON FILM R7 1 M 1/4
W .+-.5% CARBON FILM R8 10K 1/4 W .+-.5% CARBON FILM R9 1 M 1/4 W
.+-.5% CARBON FILM C1 10 NF 16 V .+-.20% CERAMIC OR FILM C2 24 PF
16 V .+-.5% CERAMIC OR MICA C3 24 PF 16 V .+-.5% CERAMIC OR MICA C4
100 NF 16 V .+-.20% CERAMIC OR FILM C5 22 UF 10 V .+-.20% TANTALUM
ELECTROLYTIC C6 47 NF 16 V .+-.5% CERAMIC OR FILM C7 10 NF 16 V
.+-.20% CERAMIC OR FILM C8 100 NF 16 V .+-.20% CERAMIC OR FILM C9
10 NF 16 V .+-.20% CERAMIC OR FILM C10 10 NF 16 V .+-.20% CERAMIC
OR FILM C11 1 NF 16 V .+-.5% CERAMIC OR FILM C12 47 NF 16 V .+-.5%
CERAMIC OR FILM C13 47 NF 16 V .+-.5% CERAMIC OR FILM C14 100 NF 16
V .+-.20% CERAMIC OR FILM C15 2200 UF (OR MORE) 16 V +80/-20%
ALUMINUM ELECTROLYTIC U1 LM1872 RADIO RECEIVER U2 LM319 DUAL
COMPARATOR D1 1N4148 or EQUIV. SIGNAL DIODE D2 1N754 OR EQUIV 6.8 V
.+-.10% 100 MW ZENER DIODE D3 1N4148 or EQUIV. SIGNAL DIODE Q1 9014
C GENERAL PURPOSE NPN Q2 9014 C GENERAL PURPOSE NPN (LEFT-HAND
UNITS ONLY) Q3 IRF 543 POWER MOSFET X1 49.XXXX MHz CRYSTAL 455 KHz
AWAY FROM XMITTR XTAL L1 .4 uH J@ 49 mHz TOKO TYPE KEN-4028 DZ T1
455 kHz MIXER TOKO TYPE RMC-202313 NO T2 455 kHz IF TOKO TYPE
RMC-402503 NO T3 TOKO TYPE KEN-4028 DZ S1 DPDT CENTER OFF
SUBMINIATURE SWITCH ANTENNA 12-INCH WHIP OR 49 MHZ RESONANT COIL
ANTENNA SOLENOID ELECTRO-MECHANISMS INC. MODE TPO-30-1.5 BTTRY 9 V
ALKALINE BATTERY
__________________________________________________________________________
FIGS. 9 and 10 show the receiver/actuator 24 incorporated in a
glove 23. In FIG. 9, the solenoid unit comprising the solenoid 98
and its housing is generally designated at 100 and the balance of
the circuitry for the receiver/actuator 24 is generally designated
by a diagrammatically illustrated circuit board 102. As shown, the
solenoid unit 100 is incorporated in the glove 23 above the
knuckles of the viewer's hand and the circuit board 102 is
incorporated in the wrist portion of the glove. The antenna 84
protrudes through the glove to pick up signals transmitted by the
transmitter 78 in the decoder/transmitter 22. The switch S1 also
protrudes through the glove to enable the viewer to select as
between boxer A and boxer B. In FIGS. 9 and 10, the
receiver/actuator 24 is incorporated in a left-hand glove and hence
the jumpers J1 and J2 are wired as shown in FIG. 8
Still referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, the solenoid 98 is incorporated
in the glove 23 such that its plunger 104 is substantially parallel
to the knuckles of the viewer's hand, in this case the viewer's
left hand. An actuator, shown as an L-shaped member 106 in FIGS. 9
and 10, is connected to the plunger 104 by a pin 108 extending
through the short arm of the member 106. The member 106 is joined
at its bend by another pin 110 to two posts 112 secured to the
solenoid housing 114 on either side of the plunger 104 whereby the
member 106 pivots about the pin 110 as the plunger 104 is retracted
upon activation of the solenoid 98.
As a consequence of this arrangement, it will be apparent that each
time the plunger 104 is retracted upon activation of the solenoid
98, the long arm 116 of the member 106 moves toward the viewer's
knuckles (dotted lines in FIG. 10) for applying a gentle rap across
the viewer's knuckles. When the solenoid 98 is deactivated, a
return spring (not shown) returns the member 106 to its original
position wherein the member 106 is spaced from the viewer's
knuckles. It will be apparent that when the member 106 returns to
its original position under the influence of the return spring, the
plunger 104 is simultaneously returned to its unretracted position
by the member 106 acting through the pin 108.
It will be apparent, therefore, that in the case of the glove shown
in FIGS. 9 and 10, each time a control tone indicative of a punch
landed by the left hand of boxer A is picked up by the antenna 84,
the plunger 104 will retract and the member 106 will apply a rap
across the viewer's knuckles. If the viewer wishes to be tactilely
stimulated, instead, each time boxer B lands a punch with his left
hand, the viewer need only throw the switch S1 to the "B" position.
Of course, it is contemplated that the viewer will also have a
receiver, actuator unit 24 incorporated in a glove worn on the
viewer's right hand, with that receiver/actuator hard wired to
detect control tones indicative of punches landed by the right
hands of the boxers A and B. The operation of the receiver/actuator
24 in the right-hand glove will be apparent from the foregoing, and
hence no further description therreof is necessary.
It will consequently be apparent that by employing the system of
the present invention, viewers 12 at locations remote from the live
boxing match 10 may be tactilely stimulated in response to specific
events occurring during the boxing match 10, in this case punches
landed by the left and right hands of boxers A and B. This
additional tactile enhancement of the viewers 12 provides an
enhanced sense of "participation" in the match, thereby
significantly enhancing the enjoyment of the viewers as they watch
the match.
Once this description is known, it will be apparent that viewers
may be stimulated in response to other events occurring during the
live boxing match 10, such as body punches received by each of the
boxers A and B. The only modifications required to the foregoing
system would be proper encoding by the operator 21 and appropriate
actuators disposed about the bodies of the viewers 12.
It will further be apparent that viewers 12 can be tactilely
stimulated in response to other than a boxing match 10. For
example, instead of a boxing match 10, the viewers may be tactilely
stimulated in response to events occurring during a concert. For
example, the events may comprise specific frequencies in the music,
with a special control generated in response to each such specific
frequency. In the case of a concert, it is contemplated that the
control tones will be generated automatically by appropriate
electronic circuitry responsive to the sounds generated at the
concert. In such event, the operator 21 may be dispensed with. As
circuitry for distinguishing between specific audio frequencies and
for driving the encoder 20 for generating control tones indicative
of such specific frequencies is well known in the art, a further
description thereof is not deemed necessary. In such an embodiment,
one or more receiver/actuators could be incorporated in a band worn
about the viewers' chests or stomachs. The actuators would provide,
for example, a different form of tactile stimulation, i.e. tactile
stimulation at different locations or with different intensities,
in response to different control tones. For example, the band could
incorporate four receiver/actuators 24 at spaced locations with
each wired to receive a different control tone. Alternatively, a
single receiver/actuator incorporated in the band could provide
tactile stimulation at different intensities in response to
different control tones. In embodiments such as this where the
control tones are generated automatically during the presentation
even viewers watching the live presentation may be tactilely
stimulated in accordance with the system of the present
invention.
Of course, instead of a boxing match, concert, or other audiovisual
presentation, the viewers 12 may be tactilely stimulated in
response to events occurring during a purely audio or video
presentation. For example, the control tones could be incorporated
in a record album or cassette player, in which event the output
from the record player or cassette player, instead of being applied
directly to an amplifier, would instead be applied to the high and
low pass filters 66 and 68 of the decoder/transmitter 22, with the
output of the low pass filter being applied to the amplifier.
Again, the control tones may indicate specific frequencies in the
music, with the tactile stimulation comprising raps to the viewer's
chest or abdomen as applied by one or more receiver/actuators 24
incorporated in a band worn about the viewer's torso.
It will further be apparent that the apparatus of the present
invention may be utiilized to effect stimulation other than tactile
stimulation, i.e. the actuator incorporated in the gloves 23 in the
system described above could be employed as an actuator for
effecting other than tactile stimulation. Such an arrangement would
have particular application to video games, though other
applications are possible. For example, many video games are
premised on a combat principle, such as tank warfare. By employing
the system of the present invention, three dimensional toy tanks in
the viewer's home could be equipped with receiver/actuators that
respond to control tones encoded in the game audio at the high end
of the audio frequency spectrum. In such event, the
receiver/actuators in the tanks could perform a variety of
functions, such as controlling the movement of the tank or firing
of the tank as simulated by a sound emanating from the tank. Of
course, this modification could be employed with other video games
and other audiovisual presentations of the type displayed on a
video monitor.
Indeed, it will be apparent that the receiver/actuators could be
employed to effect a wide variety of different types of stimulation
including, for example, olfactory stimulation, depending upon the
nature of the presentation and the specific events therein for
which concurrent stimulation is desired. Of course, this assumes
that the receiver/actuators are connected to appropriate apparatus
for initiating the desired stimulation such as, in the case of
olfactory stimulation, a valve which would release a particular
odor in response to activation of the actuator. As such apparatus
and its manner of connection to an actuator of the type
contemplated herein is well with in the capabilities of the person
of ordinary skill in the art, a further description thereof is
deemed unnecessary.
It will also be apparent from the foregoing description that while
in the preferred system in accordance with the present invention
the data representative of the events occurring during the
audiovisual presentation is encoded at the high end of the audio
frequency range, that is not absolutely necessary, and the data
could be encoded, for example, in the video signal. In such event,
it will be apparent that the decoder/transmitter 22 must
incorporate appropriate circuitry for decoding the data from the
video signal and for transmitting that data to the
receiver/actuator 24. As such circuitry will be apparent to the
person of ordinary skill in the art once this description is known,
a further description thereof is deemed unnecessary.
A still other alternative for transmitting the data from the
encoder 20 to the decoder/transmitter 22 is presented by so-called
second audio program or SAP broadcasts. These broadcasts basically
comprise a conventional two channel stereo broadcast accompanied by
a third channel which is typically used for a bilingual
transmission. In such broadcasts, the data could be encoded in the
third channel for transmission to the decoder/transmitter 22, which
would then decode the data from the third channel and transmit it
to the receiver/actuator 24. It this alternative is used, it will
be apparent that the data need not be encoded in the high end of
the audio frequency spectrum, inasmuch as the third channel will
not be broadcast to the viewer, but only used for transmitting the
encoded data. A still further modification is to encode the data in
digital format for transmission to the decoder/transmitter 22. This
alternative is particularly attractive where a large amount of data
is to be transmitted, since it will be apparent that the available
bandwidth at the high end of the audio range can only accommodate
so much data if each data item is encoded as a different tone.
It will further be apparent that while a radio transmitter is
selected for communication between the decoder/transmitter 22 and
the receiver/actuator 24, this is not absolutely necessary, and the
other types of signals may be used for transmitting the data
received by the decoder/transmitter 22 to the receiver/actuator 24.
For example, an infrared signal could be employed.
While we have herein shown and described a preferred embodiment of
this system in accordance with the present invention and suggested
certain modifications thereto, it will be apparent from this
description that still further changes and modifications may be
made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of this
invention. Accordingly, the above description should be construed
as illustrative, and not in a limiting sense, the scope of the
invention being defined by the following claims.
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