GB2136673A

GB2136673A - Illuminated jewellery

Info

Publication number: GB2136673A
Application number: GB08406053A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Stuart Mclean Morton
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1983-03-08
Filing date: 1984-03-08
Publication date: 1984-09-26
Also published as: GB8406053D0

Abstract

Illuminated jewellery device (10) comprises a housing (11) having a front face (12) on which is located an acoustic sensor (14) and a plurality of optical output devices (13). Within housing (11) is located a circuit means (20) connected to sensor (14) and to optical output devices (13) for generating a plurality of frequency discriminated drive signals within the frequency band determined by that of the environmental sounds sensed by sensor (14). Front face (13) may incorporate any one of numerous patterns for aesthetic enhancement. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Personal environment enhancement paraphernalia This invention relates to personal environment enhancement paraphernalia.

Various forms of personal environment enhancement paraphernalia are already known, such as items of costume jewellery incorporating gemstones, necklaces, bracelets for the wrist or ankle, spectacle frames, all of which are for personal wear.

Additionally other known forms of personal environment enhancement paraphernalia comprise decorative items such as pictures, ornaments such as vases and figurines and these articles are household articles. Further known forms'of personal environment enhancement paraphernalia come under the terminology of executive toys and these may be utilized in a home or office enviroment.

The present invention has for its object to provide a new and improved form of personal environment enhancement paraphernalia.

According to the present invention there is provided personal environment enhancement paraphernalia comprising an acoustic sensor for sensing personal envirommental sounds, electric circuit means connected to said sensor for generating a plurality of frequency discriminated drive signals within a frequency band determined by that of the environmental sounds sensed by said sensor, and a plurality of optical output devices respectively driven by said drive signals whereby optical output signals are created having a relationship with with the sensed personal environmental sounds.

Preferably the optical output devices respectively provide optical output signals of different colours.

For example, the optical output devices may be light emitting diodes a first one of which is arranged to provide a red optical signal output signal, a second one of which is arranged to provide a yellow optical output signal and a third one of which is arranged to provide a green optical output signal.

Conveniently the device of the present invention is packaged in a container having a patterned presentation surface containing the optical output devices.

For example, the container may be made of moulded plastic, metal alloy or aluminium. The presentation surface may additionally incorporate gem stones.

Conveniently the electric circuit means comprises a manually variable element for setting sensitivity.

Additionally, the electric circuit means may be potted or otherwise resin encapsulated with or without dye colouring. An electric cell or battery as an energy source for the electric circuit means may be housed within the aforesaid container.

It will be understood that the device of the present invention has a multitude of uses, all of which are for the purpose of enhancing a personal environment in that according to the fluctuation of both amplitude and frequency of environmental sounds the device produces an optical output which, according to the selected design of the device, can be multi coloured.

An embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in Figure 1 which shows both the physical arrangement of the device and the electrical circuit thereof, at least in block form. The device 10 comprises a housing 11 on the front face 12 of which there is located a plurality of light emitting diodes 13 and a microphone 14. The rear face of housing 11 is provided with a spring clip 15wherebythe device 10 may be releasably secured to an item of apparel such as a jacket pocket. Additionally housing 11 is provided with an eyelet 16which may be used if the device 10 is to be mounted on a neck chain, for example.Housing 11 has a releasable portion whereby a battery 17 may be fitted to the rear thereof in order electrically to power an electrical circuit 20 which preferably is physically realised as a thick film hybrid substrate with circuit components such as the diodes 13 directly connected thereto. In the event that the battery is rechargeable the battery may be permanently secured within the housing 11 and a recharge socket provided therein. An ON/OFF and sensitivity adjustment switch 18 is externally presented on the housing 11. The circuit 20 primarily comprises a four channel integrated circuit 21 of which a first channel functions as an amplifier for the electrical signal delivered thereto by microphone 14.

The other three channels for part of respective frequency discriminated betworks 23A, 23B, 23C, the outputs of which drive respective diodes 13A, 13B, 13C.

In operation the microphone 14 outputs a signal of approximately 1 mv peak-to-peak over the frequency range of the environment concerned which will primarily be that of the vocal frequency range. The signal is amplified by a factor of 1,000 and this amplified signal is fed to the filters 23A, 23B, 23C which are connected in parallel. Filter 23A is a low pass filter which rejects frequencies above a preset frequency level, for example, 1 KHz. Filter 23B is a band pass filter centred on 1.1 KHz and may, for example, pass plus or minus 10% thereof, whilst filter 23C is a high pass filter allowing passage of signals in excess of about 1 KHz. it will be obvious that there is no requirement for accuracy in the cut-off frequencies of the respective filters and the frequencies identified are given merely by way of example.The output of the respective filters drive the repective LEDs 13 which therefore are illuminated according to the frequency and amplitude of the audio sounds sensed by microphone 14.

Figure 2 illustrates a variety of different forms which the device according to the present invention may take thus device 30 is illustrated as having its front face incorporating a pattern based on a human face the two eyes and the nose of which incorporate the 3 LEDs 13 and the open mouth of which incorporates the microphone 14. Device 32 is of somewhat simpler patterning in that the 3 LEDs 13 and the microphone 14 are starkly presented over a subdued background. The device 34 incorporates on its front face a pattern illustrating a fruit tree, the 3 fruits of which are represented by the diodes 13 whilst the microphone 14 is camouflaged in part of the tree trunk. Device 36 incorporates a pattern of a flower head which camouflages the microphone 14 and 6 LEDs 13 are provided, these being connected as two sets of 3 as previously discussed.Device 38 has a pattern illustrating celestial bodies, some of which are formed by LEDs 13 and one of which is formed by microphone 14. Device 40 incorporates a pattern of a spider and its web, the spider being at the centre of the web and camouflaging the microphone 14whilstthe LEDs 13 identify the attachments of the web to a structure.

Figure 3 illustrates modes of use for the device 10 either in the form illustrated in Figure 1 or in any one of the forms illustrated in Figure 2. It will be evident that device 50 is in the form of a brooch. Item 52 is an embellishment on a clasp for a boot or shoe. Item 54 is an embellishment for the boot of a roller skate.

Item 56 is a necklace. Item 58 is an embellishment for the body of a guitar. Item 60 is an embellishment for a waist belt and item 62 is in the form of a bracelet which may incorporate a chronometer.

Figure 4 illustrates an alternative physical format of the device 10 which is generally cylindrical thus device 72 is in the form of a chronometer of analogue format. Device 74 is a chronometer of digital format.

Figure 5schematically illustrates an alternative form of electrical circuit 20 to that illustrated in Figure 1,the Figure 5 circuit 20' comprising a high-gain switching amplifier 21' the output of which is connected to drive three monostables 23A', 23B', 23C'. The monostables have different divide ratios and drive the respective LEDs 13A', 13B', 13C',via current limiting resistors of minimal value.

Figure 6 illustrates a still further alternative physical format of the device 10 which is generally cylindrical and is mounted on a strap forwrist wear.

It will be understood that although optical output devices in the form of light emitting diodes have been described various other possible implementations of such devices include electro-luminescence display devices and liquid crystals.

Claims

1. Personal environment enhancement paraphernalia comprises an acoustic sensor for sensing personal environmental sounds, electric circuit means connected to said sensor for generating a plurality of frequency discriminated drive signals within a frequency band determined by that of the environmental sounds sensed by said sensor, and a plurality of optical output devices respectively driven by said drive signals whereby optical output signals are created having a relationship with the sensed personal environment sounds.

2. Personal environment enhancement paraphernalia as claimed in claim 1, wherein the optical output devices repsectively provide optical output signals of different colours.

3. Personal environment enhancement paraphernalia as claimed in claim 2, wherein the optical output devices are light emitting diodes a first one of which is arranged to provide a red optical output, a second one of which is arranged to provide a yellow optical output signal and a third one of which is arranged to provide a green optical output signal.

4. Personal environment enhancement paraphernalia as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the device is packaged in a container having a patterned presentation surface containing the optical output devices.

5. Personal environment enhancement paraphernalia as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the electric circuit means comprises a manually variable element for setting sensitivity.

6. Personal environment enhancement paraphernalia as claimed in claim 1, and substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any one of the embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings.