GB2170666A - Audio system including an electromechanical vibrator controlled in accordance with ambient noise - Google Patents

Audio system including an electromechanical vibrator controlled in accordance with ambient noise Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2170666A
GB2170666A GB08602322A GB8602322A GB2170666A GB 2170666 A GB2170666 A GB 2170666A GB 08602322 A GB08602322 A GB 08602322A GB 8602322 A GB8602322 A GB 8602322A GB 2170666 A GB2170666 A GB 2170666A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
vibrator
vibration
audio
accordance
noise
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
GB08602322A
Other versions
GB8602322D0 (en
Inventor
Yasuji Tamura
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Sanden Corp
Original Assignee
Sanden Corp
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Sanden Corp filed Critical Sanden Corp
Publication of GB8602322D0 publication Critical patent/GB8602322D0/en
Publication of GB2170666A publication Critical patent/GB2170666A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H03—ELECTRONIC CIRCUITRY
    • H03G—CONTROL OF AMPLIFICATION
    • H03G3/00—Gain control in amplifiers or frequency changers without distortion of the input signal
    • H03G3/20—Automatic control
    • H03G3/22—Automatic control in amplifiers having discharge tubes
    • H03G3/24—Control dependent upon ambient noise level or sound level
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61H—PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY
    • A61H23/00—Percussion or vibration massage, e.g. using supersonic vibration; Suction-vibration massage; Massage with moving diaphragms
    • A61H23/02—Percussion or vibration massage, e.g. using supersonic vibration; Suction-vibration massage; Massage with moving diaphragms with electric or magnetic drive
    • A61H23/0218—Percussion or vibration massage, e.g. using supersonic vibration; Suction-vibration massage; Massage with moving diaphragms with electric or magnetic drive with alternating magnetic fields producing a translating or oscillating movement
    • A61H23/0236—Percussion or vibration massage, e.g. using supersonic vibration; Suction-vibration massage; Massage with moving diaphragms with electric or magnetic drive with alternating magnetic fields producing a translating or oscillating movement using sonic waves, e.g. using loudspeakers
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R3/00—Circuits for transducers, loudspeakers or microphones
    • H04R3/002—Damping circuit arrangements for transducers, e.g. motional feedback circuits

Abstract

Driving apparatus for an electromechanical vibrator 10, which is disposed on a chair or seat 5, uses an audio signal applied from audio equipment A. The initially set strength of vibration is compensated in accordance with environmental noise, which is detected by noise detecting means 24. The person sitting on the chair or seat thus enjoys, e.g., music by ear and body vibration. The noise is detected by a microphone 241, low-pass filter 242, amplifier 243 and rectifier/integration circuit 244 and is used to control the gain of an amplifier 241 feeding the audio signals to the electromechanical vibrator 10. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Driving apparatus for an electromechanical vibrator This invention relates to apparatus for driving an electromechanical vibrator.
In order to stimulate the skin and/or muscles of the human body, an electromechanical vibrator has previously been used.
The vibrator is usually driven by application of an A.C. electric current of a constant frequency.
A sound reproducing system has been known in the prior art as disclosed in, for example, US-A-4,064,376 which reproduces from an electric signal, not only sound heard by ear, but also mechanical vibration, preferably of undertones lower than 150Hz, to be applied directly to a body. Such a system has an electromechanical vibrator for reproducing the mechanical vibration in addition to one or more sound reproducing speakers. An audio signal is fed not only to the speaker but also to the vibrator, which is fitted to a chair. The audio signal is- preferably passed through a filter for removing a frequency component higher than 150Hz and thereafter, is applied to the vibrator. A person on the chair receives a rhythmical stimulus to his body while enjoying music from a speaker through his ear.
Furthermore, these electromagnetic vibrators are suitable for use in an automobile audio system. The automobile passenger compartment is far from the ideal music listening environment because of its size, structure and cruising noise. Therefore, the threshold of hearing in the low frequency range is higher than in the higher frequency range, and it is normally difficult to reproduce sound in the low frequency range with sufficient fidelity.
Thus, the use of vibration as a medium of sound perception in a low frequency range has been proposed based upon the belief that human beings have a perception of sound not only by ear but also by vibration through the whole body.
Fig. 1 of the accompanying drawings shows a prior driving device for an electromechanical vibrator 9. The driving device is connected with an car audio equipment A which comprises a cassette player or sound source 1, preset amplifier means 2, volume control means 3, amplifier means 4 and a speaker 5.
The audio signal from volume control means 3 is inputted on vibration control means 6 of the driving device for the electromechanical vibrator, and the sound signal inputted on the driving device drives the electromechanical vibrator 9 via a low-pass filter 7 and amplifier means 8. Thus, the volume of the speaker 5 and strength of the vibration of the vibrator 9 are preferably controlled by operation of the control means 3 and 6. On the other hand, the strength of vibration should be determined in accordance with the feeling of the user, and the efficiency of low frequency volume should be improved when the reproduction of the low frequency range is unsatisfactory, or the cruising noise of the automobile is at a high level.
Therefore, the vibration control means should be controlled to be dependent on the environmental condition to determine the best operation of the vibrator.
It is an object of the invention to provide driving apparatus for an electromechanical vibrator which is usable in any condition of the audio equipment without manual adjustment, and which has an automatically adjusting mechanism to control the audio signal level in the low frequency range.
According to the invention, in driving apparatus for an electromechanical vibrator, the apparatus comprising an audio signal generating means, means for reproducing sound from the audio signal and means for reproducing mechanical vibration from the audio signal, the vibration reproducing means includes a noise detecting means and means for automatically compensating the audio level in a low frequency range in accordance with the detected noise level.
An example of apparatus in accordance with the invention and a prior apparatus are illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a block diagram of prior driving apparatus for an electromechanical vibrator; Figure 2 is a block diagram, of driving apparatus for an electromechanical vibrator, in accordance with this invention.
As shown in Fig. 2, a driving device D for driving an electromechanical vibrator 10 which is fitted on, for example, a seat on an automobile (S) is added to car audio equipment A.
Car audio equipment A comprises a cassette player or sound source 11, preset amplifier means 12, volume control means 13, power amplifier means 14 and a speaker 15.
The driving device D is connected to the output line of the volume control means 13 of the audio equipment A and comprises a vibration control means 20, amplifier means 21, a low-pass filter 22, power amplifier means 23 and noise detecting means 24. The noise detecting means 24 is connected to the amplifier means 21 and comprises a microphone 241, a low-pass filter 242, voltage amplifier means 243 and a rectifier/integration circuit 244.
Normally, the audio signal from the volume control means 13 is applied via the low-pass filter 22 to remove a high-frequency component and the power is amplified by the power amplifier means 23. The power amplified signal is fed to the vibrator 10. Thus, the vibrator 10 is driven to generate a rhythmical vibration corresponding to the audio signal from the audio equipment A. The vibration control means 20 consists, for example, of a volume or variable resistor to adjust the vibrating strength of the vibrator 10. Therefore, the person sitting on the seat enjoys the sound by ear and body in accordance with the control of the control means 13 and 20.
On the other hand, the cruising noise of the automobile is detected by the microphone 241. The detected signal from the microphone 241 is applied to the voltage amplifier means 243 while the high-frequency component is removed by the low-pass filter 242 and the amplified voltage signal is rectified and smoothed by the rectified/integration circuit 244 and converted to a direct current control signal.
This direct current control signal is inputted on the voltage control amplifier means 21. The gain of the voltage control amplifier means 21 is changed corresponding to the change of input direct current control signal. Therefore, the vibrating strength of the vibrator 10 which is initially determined by the control means 20 is automatically corrected in accordance with the change of cruising noise of the automdbile. The person sitting on the seat of the automobile thus enjoys the music felt by ear and body without complicated control of the audio system.
As mentioned above, the vibrating strength of the vibrator, which is initially determined by the preference of the person, is automatically compensated by the level of cruising noise through the cruising noise detecting means.
Therefore, the problem of the cruising noise masking the low frequency sound in the automobile compartment should be resolved.

Claims (5)

1. Driving apparatus for an electromechanical vibrator, the apparatus comprising an audio signal generating means, means for reproducing sound from the audio signal and means for reproducing mechanical vibration from the audio signal, wherein the vibration reproducing meana includes a noise detecting means and means for automatically compensating the audio level in a low frequency range in accordance with the detected noise level.
2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the vibration reproducing means comprising a vibration control means, a low pass filter, power amplifier means and a vibrator, and the audio level compensation means is disposed between the vibrator control means and the low pass filter.
3. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the audio level compensation means is voltage control amplifier means.
4. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the noise detecting means is connected to the audio level compensation means and comprises a microphone, a low pass filter, a voltage amplifier and a rectifier/integration circuit.
5. Apparatus for driving an electromagnetic vibrator, substantially as described with reference to Fig. 2 of the accompanying drawings.
GB08602322A 1985-02-01 1986-01-30 Audio system including an electromechanical vibrator controlled in accordance with ambient noise Withdrawn GB2170666A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP1201785U JPS61131189U (en) 1985-02-01 1985-02-01

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB8602322D0 GB8602322D0 (en) 1986-03-05
GB2170666A true GB2170666A (en) 1986-08-06

Family

ID=11793827

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB08602322A Withdrawn GB2170666A (en) 1985-02-01 1986-01-30 Audio system including an electromechanical vibrator controlled in accordance with ambient noise

Country Status (5)

Country Link
JP (1) JPS61131189U (en)
AU (1) AU584667B2 (en)
DK (1) DK49186A (en)
GB (1) GB2170666A (en)
NL (1) NL8600201A (en)

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2627693A1 (en) * 1988-02-26 1989-09-01 Romain Michel Electromagnetic vibrator for medical treatment of pain - uses induction winding fed from variable-amplitude and frequency signal generator to actuate vibrator
US5107539A (en) * 1989-09-01 1992-04-21 Pioneer Electronic Corporation Automatic sound volume controller
GB2257317A (en) * 1991-06-26 1993-01-06 Damian Rupert Lindley Automatic volume control for car stereo
WO2007054888A2 (en) 2005-11-10 2007-05-18 Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. Device for and method of generating a vibration source-driving-signal
CN106859943A (en) * 2017-01-20 2017-06-20 广州市隆山骏河健康科技有限公司 Based on the passive type micromotion control method that source of sound drives
CN110913311A (en) * 2019-05-23 2020-03-24 奥佳华智能健康科技集团股份有限公司 Chair cushion and chair are competed to electricity
US10974646B2 (en) 2016-06-15 2021-04-13 Daimler Ag Method for operating a motor vehicle and motor vehicle

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7064655B2 (en) * 2003-12-31 2006-06-20 Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications Ab Variable-eccentricity tactile generator

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4064376A (en) * 1975-04-08 1977-12-20 Bodysonic Kabushiki Kaisha Sound reproduction system and device
GB2042836A (en) * 1979-02-09 1980-09-24 Blaupunkt Werke Gmbh Automatic gain control
GB2050095A (en) * 1979-05-07 1980-12-31 Hitachi Ltd Sound volume control in an automobile
GB2084783A (en) * 1980-10-02 1982-04-15 Production Eng Res Audio system

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4064376A (en) * 1975-04-08 1977-12-20 Bodysonic Kabushiki Kaisha Sound reproduction system and device
GB1530688A (en) * 1975-04-08 1978-11-01 Bodysonic Kk Sound reproduction system
GB2042836A (en) * 1979-02-09 1980-09-24 Blaupunkt Werke Gmbh Automatic gain control
GB2050095A (en) * 1979-05-07 1980-12-31 Hitachi Ltd Sound volume control in an automobile
GB2084783A (en) * 1980-10-02 1982-04-15 Production Eng Res Audio system

Cited By (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2627693A1 (en) * 1988-02-26 1989-09-01 Romain Michel Electromagnetic vibrator for medical treatment of pain - uses induction winding fed from variable-amplitude and frequency signal generator to actuate vibrator
US5107539A (en) * 1989-09-01 1992-04-21 Pioneer Electronic Corporation Automatic sound volume controller
GB2257317A (en) * 1991-06-26 1993-01-06 Damian Rupert Lindley Automatic volume control for car stereo
WO2007054888A2 (en) 2005-11-10 2007-05-18 Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. Device for and method of generating a vibration source-driving-signal
WO2007054888A3 (en) * 2005-11-10 2007-10-18 Koninkl Philips Electronics Nv Device for and method of generating a vibration source-driving-signal
CN101305641B (en) * 2005-11-10 2012-04-25 皇家飞利浦电子股份有限公司 Device for and method of generating a vibration source-driving-signal
US8175302B2 (en) 2005-11-10 2012-05-08 Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. Device for and method of generating a vibration source-driving-signal
US10974646B2 (en) 2016-06-15 2021-04-13 Daimler Ag Method for operating a motor vehicle and motor vehicle
CN106859943A (en) * 2017-01-20 2017-06-20 广州市隆山骏河健康科技有限公司 Based on the passive type micromotion control method that source of sound drives
CN110913311A (en) * 2019-05-23 2020-03-24 奥佳华智能健康科技集团股份有限公司 Chair cushion and chair are competed to electricity

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JPS61131189U (en) 1986-08-16
AU5285786A (en) 1986-08-07
GB8602322D0 (en) 1986-03-05
AU584667B2 (en) 1989-06-01
DK49186A (en) 1986-08-02
DK49186D0 (en) 1986-01-31
NL8600201A (en) 1986-09-01

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WAP Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1)