WO1998059524A1

WO1998059524A1 - Audio system having ornamental light display

Info

Publication number: WO1998059524A1
Application number: PCT/KR1998/000175
Authority: WO
Inventors: Oh-Suk Kwon; Wan-Sun Kang; Chan-Shik Lim
Original assignee: Daewoo Electronics Co., Ltd.
Priority date: 1997-06-23
Filing date: 1998-06-23
Publication date: 1998-12-30
Also published as: JPH1175277A

Abstract

An audio system having an ornamental light display (260) has a sound pressure level detecting part (240) for detecting sound pressure level of the reproduced audio signal. The sound pressure level detecting part (240) has a first band-pass filter, a second band-pass filter, and an output signal generating part. The first band-pass filter detects the signal having frequency components in the first frequency band from the reproduced audio signal. The second band-pass filter divides the first frequency band into a number of sub-frequency bands. The output signal generating part assigns a different weighted coefficient to each sub-frequency band. A light display (260) installed in the speaker unit (270) is controlled by the control signal from a control part (250) connected to the sound pressure level detecting part (240). The light display (260) has a body of rotation for being rotated according to the control signal and a light source for illuminating the light to the body of rotation. The body of rotation includes reflective or sparkling particles. The reflective or sparkling particles float in the body of rotation.

Description

AUDIO SYSTEM HAVING ORNAMENTAL LIGHT DISPLAY

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an audio system having an ornamental light display, and more particularly, to an audio system having an ornamental light display controlled by a sound pressure level of the audio signals.

BACKGROUND ART

Audio devices record an audio signal on an recording medium and reproduce an audio signal from an recording medium, e.g., cassette tape, record, compact disk, etc. An audio system generally consists of a turntable, an amplifier, a cassette deck, and a speaker unit. An audio system further comprises an equalizer and a compact disk player, etc. An example of the conventional audio system is shown in FIG.l. An audio system 100 consists of a reproducing apparatus 40 and a speaker unit 80. A reproducing apparatus 40 has a body 44 and a compact disk player 48. A body 44 converts an audio signal into a data signal to record an' audio signal on a recording medium, converts a data signal reproduced from a recording medium into an electric signal, and regulates a sound pressure level of an electric signal. A compact disk player 48 reproduces a data signal recorded on a compact disk, converts a data signal into an electric signal, and regulates a sound pressure level of an electric signal. A speaker unit 80 converts an electric signal from a body 44 and a compact disk player 48 into a sound signal. An ordinary audio system only has functions to record an audio signals on a recording medium and to reproduce an audio signal from a recording medium; it has no light producing capability. Users may be bored by the functions of the conventional audio system. Recent advances in entertainment have allowed combining audiio entertainment with visual sensation. It's now possible to enhance the effect of music by establishing ornamental lights and decorations connected to an audio system. This demand easily be found in the current market in which a video apparatus is operated in conjunction with an audio system. When an audio system is in the play mode, it is desirable and possible for the listener to gain a more profound and positive experience from the music by using the usual. However, when the user wants to make use of this combination of an audio system and a light system, the user must buy the light system separately for this special purpose.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

The present invention is intended to solve the above- mentioned problem. It is an object of the present invention to provide an audio system capable of improving a feeling of listening to music. It is another object of the present invention to provide an audio system having an ornamental light display responding to a sound pressure level of an audio signal.

To achieve the above objects, the present invention provides the audio system having a reproducing part, a function selecting part, an amplifying part, and a speaker system, the audio system having the ornamental light display comprising: a sound pressure detecting part for detecting a sound pressure level of an audio signal amplified in the amplifying part; a control part for generating a control signal according to a sound pressure level provided from the sound pressure detecting part; and a light means operated by the control signal from the control part.

The sound pressure detecting part consists of a first band-pass filter, a number of second band-pass filters, a number of peak detectors, and an output signal generator. The first band-pass filter selects the signal corresponding to the first frequency band from the audio signal amplified in the amplifying part. The second band-pass filters divide the signals into the sub-signal corresponding to each sub-frequency band.

Each of the peak detectors is connected to each of the second band-pass filters. Each of the peak detectors detects a peak value of the signal in the sub-frequency band. A number of peak detector are connected to the output signal generator. The output signal generator is connected to the control part. The output signal generator may generate the sum of the detected peak values, the mean value of the detected peak values, and the weighted average of the detected peak values according to the selection of the user.

The light means is installed in a housing of a speaker system. The housing has a windowed aperture at the upper front side thereof. A window-pane having a transparency is put in the windowed aperture. The light means illuminate in the room through the windowed aperture .

In first embodiment of the present invention, the light means has a motor, a body of rotation, and a light source. The motor having a- shaft is installed at the inner space of the housing. The revolutions per minute (R. P.M. ) of the motor is determined according to the control signal from the control part. The body of rotation is engaged with the shaft and rotates according to the rotation of the motor. The body of rotation is made of the transparent matter. The inner space of the body of rotation is a vacuum chamber. The vacuum chamber contains reflective particles or sparkling particles. The reflective particles or sparkling particles float in the vacuum chamber according to the rotation of the body of rotation. The light source is installed in the inner space of the housing, and illuminates the light to the body of rotation. The light source generates a light having a different color according to the control voltage from the control part. The light source may be a light emitting diode (LED).

In the second embodiment of the present invention, the light means has a motor, a body of rotation, and a light source. The motor having a shaft is installed in the inner space of the housing. The R.P.M. of the motor is changed by the control signal generated from the control part. The body of rotation is engaged with the shaft and rotates according to the rotation of the motor. The body of rotation is made of the transparent matter. The body of rotation has a light source instalation part at a position corresponding to the shaft to mount the light source thereon. The inner space of the body of rotation is a vacuum chamber. The vacuum chamber contains the reflective particles or sparkling particles. The reflective particles or sparkling particles float in the vacuum chamber according to the rotation of the body of rotation. The light source is installed at the center of the body of rotation and illuminates the light to the reflective particles or sparkling particles. The light source generates a light having a different color according to the control voltage from the control part.

In the third embodiment of the present invention, the light means has a duct, a nozzle, a rotor, and a light source. The duct is installed in the inner space of the housing, and has an inlet and an outlet. The radius of the duct is gradually reduced from the inlet to the outlet. One side of the nozzle is connected to the outlet and seals up. The other side of the nozzle is connected to the rotor and seals up. The inner space of the rotor is a cavity. The cavity has a number of the reflective particles or sparkling particles. The rotor has a connecting hole and a vent. The radius of the connecting hole is less than the radius of the reflective particles or sparkling particles. The radius of the vent is less than the radius of the reflective particles or sparkling particles. The light source is installed in the inner space of the housing, and illuminates the light to the body of rotation. The light source generates a light having a different color according to the control voltage from the control part.

The audio system having the ornamental light display according to the present invention increases the feeling for music.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above objects and other advantages of the present invention will become more apparent by describing in detail preferred embodiments thereof with reference to the attached drawings in which:

FIG. 1 shows the conventional audio system; FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an audio system having an ornamental light display according to the present invention; FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the sound pressure level detecting part according to the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a front view of the speaker according to the embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a front view of the light means according to the first embodiment of' the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a front view of the light means according to the second embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 7 is a front view of the light means according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT OF THE INVENTION

An audio system having an ornamental light display will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an audio system having an ornamental light display according to the present invention. FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the sound pressure level detecting part according to the present invention. FIG. 4 is a front view of the speaker according to the embodiments of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a front view of the light means according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a front view of the light means according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a front view of the light means according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 2, a reproducing part 210 has a reproducing device 214 and an auxiliary terminal 218. The reproducing device 214 has a main body 211 and a compact disk player 213. The main body 211 has a tuner, a cassette deck, etc. The reproducing device 214 further comprises a laser disk player. The auxiliary terminal 218 is connected to the unshown special device, e.g., video cassette recorder, television, etc. The reproducing part 210 is connected to the function selecting part 220. The function selecting part 220 accomplishes special functions according to the input signal from the reproducing part 220. That is, the function selecting part 220 accomplishes a function, e.g., recording, reproducing, and offer an output, according to the input signal from the tuner or cassette deck of the main body 211, the compact disk player 213, or the auxiliary terminal 218. The function selecting part 220 is connected to the amplifying part 230 in which the signal provided from the reproducing part 210 is amplified. The amplifying part 230 is connected to the speaker 270 which offers an output signal converted from the amplifying part 230. The amplifying part 230 is connected to a sound pressure level detecting part 240 for measuring the sound pressure level of the amplified signal. The sound pressure level detecting part 240 is connected to the control part 250. The control part 250 is connected to the light means 260. In FIG.3, the sound pressure level detecting part

240 has a first band-pass filter 310, a second band-pass filter 330, a peak detector 360, and an output signal generating part 390. The first band-pass filter 310 selects the signals having frequency components in the first frequency band from the audio signal amplified in the amplifying part 230. In the embodiment of the present invention, the first frequency band has a scope from 100Hz to lOKHz. The second band-pass filter 330 divides the first frequency band into a number of sub- frequency bands. In this embodiment of the present invention, the first frequency band is divided into n sub-frequency bands. The number of sub-frequency bands is changeable. The second band-pass filter 330 consists of a number of sub-band-pass filters (from sub-filter 1 to sub-filter n) the same number as the number of sub- frequency bands. The peak detector 360 consists of a number of peak detectors (from peak detector 1 to peak detector n) . A number of the peak detectors 360 are respectively connected to a number of second band-pass filter 330. Each of a number of peak detectors 360 detects a peak value from the signals in each of a number of sub-frequency bands. A number of peak detectors 360 are connected to the output signal generating part 390. The output signal generating part 390 is connected to the control part 250. The output signal generating part 390 provides a DC output signal to the control part 250. The output signal may be a sum of the detected peak values, a mean of the detected peak values, or the weighted average of the detected peak values.

In FIG. 4, the audio system has a speaker housing 420 provided with a windowed aperture 440 in which the light illuminates through from the inner space of the housing 420. A main speaker body 480 is mounted on the housing 420. The light means 260 is installed in the inner space of the housing 420 and illuminates the light through the windowed aperture 440. A window-pane 460 having a transparency is put in the windowed aperture 440. The light means according to the first embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. 5. In the first embodiment of the present invention, the light means 260 has a motor 520, a body of rotation 560, and a light source 580. The motor 520 having a shaft 540 is installed in the inner space of the housing 420. The revolutions per minute (R. P.M. ) of the motor 520 is determined according to the control signal from the control part 250. The shape of the body of rotation 560 is a sphere. The body of rotation 560 is made of the transparent matter. The body of rotation 560 is engaged with the shaft 540, and rotates according to the rotation of the motor 520. The inner space of the body of rotation 560 is a vacuum chamber 564. The vacuum chamber 564 contains reflective or sparkling material 568. The reflective or sparkling material 568 floats in the vacuum chamber 564. The shape for reflective or sparkling material 568 may be a rod or a curl, etc. The most desirable shape for reflective or sparkling material 568 is particles. The reflective or sparkling material 568 may have various colors. The light source 580 is installed in the inner space of the housing 420, and illuminates the light to the body of rotation 560. The light source 580 generates a light having a different color according to the control voltage from the control part 250. The light source 580 may be a light emitting diode (LED) . In this embodiment, the four light sources 580 are installed at regular intervals. However, the number of the light source 580 and the installing position thereof may be changeable. Also, the shape of the body of rotation 560 may be changed.

The light means according to the second embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. 6. In the second embodiment of the present invention, the light means 260 has a motor 620, a body of rotation 660, and a light source 680. The motor 620 having a shaft 640 is installed in the inner space of the housing 420. The R.P.M. of the motor 620 is changed by the control signal generated from the control part 250. The body of rotation 660 has a doughnut shape. The body of rotation 660 is made of the transparent matter. The body of rotation 660 is engaged with the shaft 640, and rotates according to the rotation of the motor 620. The body of rotation 660 has an opening 662 in which the light source is installed. The opening 662 has a light source installation part 666 at a position corresponding to the shaft 640 to mount the light source 680 thereon. The inner space of the body of rotation 660 is a vacuum chamber 664. The vacuum chamber 664 contains reflective or sparkling material 668. The light source 680 is installed at the center of the body of rotation 660, and illuminates the light to the reflective or sparkling material 668. The shape for reflective or sparkling material 668 may be a rod or a curl, etc. The most desirable shape for reflective or sparkling material 668 is particles. The reflective or sparkling particles 668 may have various colors. The reflective or sparkling particles 668 float in the vacuum chamber 664. The light source 680 generates a light having a different color according to the control voltage from the control part 250. In this embodiment, the shape of the body of rotation 660, the light source 680, and the opening 662 may be changed.

The light means according to the third embodiment of the present invention is shown FIG. 7. In the third embodiment of the present invention, the light means 260 has a duct 720, a nozzle 740, a rotor 760, and a light source 780. The duct 720 is installed in the inner space of the housing 420. The duct 720 has an inlet 714 and an outlet 718. The radius of the duct 720 is gradually reduced from the inlet 714 to the outlet 718. The inlet 714 seals up the housing 420. One side of the nozzle 740 is connected to the outlet 718 and seals up. The other side of the nozzle 740 is connected to the rotor 760 and seals up. The rotor 760 has a connecting hole 762 for connecting with the nozzle 740 and a vent 764 for passing air through. The inner space of the rotor 760 is a cavity. The cavity contains reflective or sparkling material 766. The shape for reflective or sparkling material 766 may be a rod or a curl, etc. The most desirable shape for reflective or sparkling material 766 is particles. The reflective or sparkling particles 766 may have various colors. The radius of the connecting hole 762 must be less than the radius of the reflective or sparkling particles 766. The radius of the vent 764 must be less than the radius of the reflective or sparkling particles 766. The light source 780 is installed in the inner space of the housing 420 to illuminate the light to the rotor 760. The light source 780 generates a light having a different color according to the control voltage from the control part 250.

Hereinafter, an operation of the audio system having the ornamental light display according to the present invention will be described.

In the reproducing mode of the audio system, the audio signal amplified in the amplifying part 230 is provided to the sound pressure level detecting part 240. The amplified audio signal has various frequencies from low frequency to high frequency. The first band-pass filter 310 selects frequency signals corresponding to the predetermined frequency band. In this embodiment of the present invention, the predetermined frequency band is from 100Hz to lOKHz. The selected frequency signals are provided to the second band-pass filter 330. The second band-pass filter 330 has a number of sub- frequency band-pass filter to detect signals corresponding to each sub-frequency band. That is, the second band-pass filter 330 has a first sub-frequency band-pass filter (SUB-FILTER 1) which detects signals corresponding to the sub-frequency band between 100Hz and 200Hz, a second sub-frequency band-pass filter (SUB- FILTER 2) which detects signals corresponding to the sub-frequency band between 200Hz and 300Hz, etc. The high the frequency, the larger the interval. The sub- frequency bands may have a same interval. The number of sub-frequency band-pass filters is n. On the other hand, the peak detector 360 consists of n peak detectors (from peak detector 1 to peak detector n) . Each of the n peak detectors detects a peak value of the frequency signals corresponding to each of n sub-frequency band. The signals selected by the first sub-frequency band-pass filter (SUB-FILTER 1) have low frequency components. The first peak detector (peak detector 1) detects a peak value from the signals selected by the first sub- frequency band-pass filter (SUB-FILTER 1). As described above, n peak detectors detect n peak values from the signals selected from n sub-frequency band-pass filters. The n peak values detected by the peak detector 360 are provided to the output signal generator 390.

The output signal generator 390 generates a DC output signal based on Table 1, and provides the DC output signal to the control part 250.

TABLE 1]

In Table 1, "W" represents the weighted coefficient, "SFB" represents the sub-frequency-band, and "SPL" represents the sound pressure level.

As shown in Table 1, the first frequency band is divided into n sub-frequency bands. Each frequency band has different weighted coefficient. The lower the frequency band, the smaller the weighted coefficient. The number of the sound pressure level of the frequency signals is m. The output signal generating part 390 compares n peak values each other, detects a maximum peak value, and records the weighted coefficient Wm of the sub-frequency band having the maximum peak value. The output signal generating part 390 calculates the mean value M of n peak values. The mean value M multiplied by the weighted coefficient Wm may be the output signal of the output signal generating part 390. That is, when the sound pressure level of the low frequency signal is higher than the sound pressure level of the high frequency signal (case 1), the mean value M is multiplied by a small weighted coefficient. Thus, the output signal may be a small value. However, when the sound pressure level of the high frequency signal is higher than the sound pressure level of the low frequency signal (case 2), the mean value M is multiplied by a larger weighted coefficient. Thus, the output signal may be a large value. Although the mean value in case 1 is equal to the mean value in case 2, the multiplier is changed. Therefore, the output signal is changed according to the sound pressure level of the reproduced signal.

In this embodiment of the present invention, the number of sound pressure levels m and the number of sub- frequency bands n may be changed.

In the first embodiment of the present invention, the output signal is provided to the control part 250. The control part 250 provides the control signal to the motor 520 and the light source 580. In case 1, the control part 250 provides a low control voltage to the motor 520 and the light source 580. Thus, the motor 520 and the body of rotation 560 are slowly rotated. At this time, the light source 580 illuminates the light excited by the low voltage to the body of rotation 560. On the other hand, in case 2, the control part 250 provides a high control voltage to the motor 520 and the light source 580. Thus, the motor 520 and the body of rotation 560 are quickly rotated. At this time, the light source 580 illuminates the light excited by the high voltage to the body of rotation 560. The reflective or sparking particles 568 included in the body of rotation 560 reflect the light illuminated from the light source 580. Since the four light source 580 illuminate the light to the body of rotation 560 in each of four directions, the faster the body of rotation 560 rotates, the more gorgeous the reflected light is scattered. As a result, since the higher the sound pressure level of the high frequency signal, the faster the motor 520 rotates, the user of the audio system may feel positive change of mood from the music by seeing the ornamental light.

In the second embodiment of the present invention, the output signal is provided to the control part 250. The control part 250 provides the control signal to the motor 620 and the light source 680. In case 1, the control part 250 provides a low control voltage to the motor 620 and the light source 680. Thus, the motor 620 and the body of rotation 660 are slowly rotated. At this time, the light source 680 illuminates the light excited by the low voltage to the body of rotation 660.

On the other hand, in case 2, the control part 250 provides a high control voltage to the motor 620 and the light source 680. Thus, the motor 620 and the body of rotation 660 are quickly rotated. At this time, the light source 680 illuminates the light excited by the high voltage to the body of rotation 660. The reflective or sparking particles 668 included in the body of rotation 660 reflect the light illuminated from the light source 680. As a result, since the higher the sound pressure level of the high frequency signal, the faster the motor 620 rotates, the user of the audio system may feel positive change of mood from the music by seeing the ornamental light. In the third embodiment of the present invention, the main speaker body 480 is vibrated according to the sound pressure level of the reproduced signal, and thus, air filling the inner space of the housing 420 is vibrated. Since the inlet 714 of the duct 720 is sealed up at the housing 420, air filling the inner space of the housing 420 moves through the duct 720 and the nozzle 740 due to the vibration of the main speaker body 480, and then spouted from the connecting hole 762. The reflective or sparking particles 766 included in the rotor 760 are scattered upward in the inner space of the rotor 760 due to the spouted air. At this time, the output signal is provided to the control part 250. The control part 250 provides the control signal to the light source 780. In case 1, the control part 250 provides a low control voltage to the light source 780. Thus, the light source 780 illuminates the light excited by the low voltage to the rotor 760.

In case 2, the control part 250 provides a high control voltage to the light source 780. Thus, the light source 780 illuminates the light excited by the high voltage to the rotor 760. The reflective or sparking particles 766 scattered in the rotor 760 reflect the light illuminated from the light source 780. As a result, since the higher the sound pressure level of the high frequency signal, the wider the reflective or sparking particles 766 is scattered, and since the light source 780 is changed according to the control voltage, the user of the audio system may feel a positive change of mood from the music by seeing the ornamental light. The audio system having the ornamental light display according to the present invention increases the listener's feeling for the music since the light means installed in the speaker housing is controlled by the sound pressure level of the reproduced signal. Also, the audio system having the ornamental light display according to the present invention does not need the special light device, and may be obtained with a basically simple design and construction, and inexpensive to manufacture. It is understood that various other modifications will be apparent to and can be readily made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of this invention. Accordingly, it is not intended that the scope of the claims appended thereto be limited to the description as set forth herein, but rather that the claims be constructed as encompassing all the features of the patentable novelty that reside in the present invention, including all the features that would be treated as equivalents thereof by those skilled in the art to which this pertains.

Claims

CLAIMS :

1. An audio system having an ornamental light display, the audio system having a reproducing part which records the audio signal on a recording medium and reproduces the audio signal from the recording medium, a function selecting part which selects the function, e.g., recording and reproducing, according to the input signal from the reproducing part, an amplifying part which amplifies the electric signal provided from the function selecting part, and a speaker system which converts the electric signal into the sound signal, said audio system having an ornamental light display further comprising: a sound pressure detecting part connected to the amplifying part and for detecting a sound pressure level of the audio signal amplified in the amplifying part; a control part connected to the sound pressure detecting part and for generating a control signal according to the detected sound pressure level; and a light means connected to the control part and driven by the control signal from the control part.

2. The audio system having an ornamental light display as claimed in claim 1, wherein said sound pressure level detecting part has; a first band-pass filter connected to the amplifying part and for selecting the signals having frequency components in the first frequency band from the audio signals amplified by the amplifying part; a second band-pass filter having a number of sub- frequency band-pass filters and for dividing the first frequency band into a number of sub-frequency bands; a peak detector having a number of peak detectors, wherein each of a number of peak detectors respectively connected to each of a number of sub-frequency band-pass filters and detects a peak value from the signals in each of a number of sub-frequency bands; and an output signal generating part connected to a number of peak detectors and for generating an output signal calculated from the detected peak values.

3. The audio system having an ornamental light display as claimed in claim 2, wherein said output signal is a sum of the detected peak values.

4. The audio system having an ornamental light display as claimed in claim 2, wherein said output signal is a mean value of the detected peak values.

5. The audio system having an ornamental light display as claimed in claim 2, wherein said output signal is a weighted average value of the detected peak values .

6. The audio system having an ornamental light display as claimed in claim 1, wherein said audio system has : a speaker housing provided with a windowed aperture which the light illuminates through from the inner space of the speaker housing; a main speaker body mounted on the speaker housing; and a light means installed in the inner space of the speaker housing.

7. The audio system having an ornamental light display as claimed in claim 6, wherein said light means has : a motor installed in the inner space of the speaker housing, having a shaft thereon, and driven by the control signal from the control part; a body of rotation having a sphere shape made of the transparent matter and a vacuum chamber having reflective or sparking particles, and engaged with the shaft for being rotated by the motor; and a light source installed in the inner space of the speaker housing and for illuminating the light to the body of rotation.

8. The audio system having an ornamental light display as claimed in claim 6, wherein said light means has : a motor installed in the inner space of the speaker housing, having a shaft thereon, and driven by the control signal from the control part; a body of rotation having a doughnut shape made of the transparent matter, engaged with the shaft for being rotated by the motor, and having a vacuum chamber including reflective or sparking particles and a light source installation part; and a light source mounted on the light source installation part.

9. The audio system having an ornamental light display as claimed in claim 6, wherein said light means has: a duct installed on the inner space of the speaker housing, having an inlet and an outlet, the radius of the duct being gradually reduced from the inlet to the outlet, the inlet sealing up the speaker housing; a nozzle connected to the outlet and sealing up; a rotor having a connecting hole and a vent, the connecting hole for connecting and sealing with the nozzle, the vent for passing air through, the inner space of the rotor including reflective or sparking particles; and a light source installed in the inner space of the speaker housing, and for illuminating the light to the rotor according to the control signal from the control part.