US20120210897A1

US20120210897A1 - Plug-n-light musical firework apparatus

Info

Publication number: US20120210897A1
Application number: US13/403,054
Authority: US
Inventors: Donald Martin Johnson, Jr.
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2011-02-23
Filing date: 2012-02-23
Publication date: 2012-08-23

Abstract

An apparatus and method for conducting a musically choreographed fireworks display is provided. The apparatus comprises a multi-shot fireworks cake having a primary fuse, at least one ignition sensor configured to detect ignition of the primary fuse, and an audio device circuit, electrically coupled to the at least one ignition sensor and configured to output an audio signal upon detection of the ignition of the primary fuse. The apparatus may also include a memory which stores a plurality of audio files and a plurality of ignition sensors located throughout the multi-shot fireworks cake, each ignition sensor configured to detect ignition of at least one individual fuse. The audio device is may also be configured to convert a different sequentially ordered audio file of the plurality of audio files upon detection of ignition of each ignition sensor.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/445,542, entitled “Plug-N-Light Musical Firework Apparatus,” filed on Feb. 23, 2011, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure generally relates to multi-shot firework devices and more particularly to a method and apparatus for providing synchronized music to a multi-shot firework device.

BACKGROUND

The process of performing a musical choreographed fireworks show is a complex task requiring many hours of preparation, expensive equipment, and a great deal of experience. This experience is generally only available to the public through viewing a professionally performed fireworks show. Although this experience is desirable for the end-user and the availability of multi-shot firework devices are readily available for purchase and use by the general public, a consumer is generally unable to recreate a musically choreographed show due to the complexity and expense.
Therefore, a need exists for a device to allow a user to easily present a musically choreographed fireworks show.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying figures where like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate views, and which together with the detailed description below are incorporated in and form part of the specification, serve to further illustrate various embodiments and to explain various principles and advantages all in accordance with the present disclosure, in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a multi-shot musical fireworks device, in accordance with one example;

FIG. 2 illustrates an audio device component of the multi-shot musical fireworks device of FIG. 1, in accordance with one example;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an example audio device component, in accordance with one example; and

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram illustrating an example musically choreographed fireworks process according to one example.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As required, detailed embodiments are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely examples and that the systems and methods described below can be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the disclosed subject matter in virtually any appropriately detailed structure and function. Further, the terms and phrases used herein are not intended to be limiting, but rather, to provide an understandable description.
The terms “a” or “an”, as used herein, are defined as one or more than one. The term plurality, as used herein, is defined as two or more than two. The term another, as used herein, is defined as at least a second or more. The terms “including” and “having,” as used herein, are defined as comprising (i.e., open language). The term “coupled,” as used herein, is defined as “connected,” although not necessarily directly, and not necessarily mechanically.
Described below are systems, apparatus and methods that allow a typical consumer to readily create a musically choreographed fireworks display. One example of the present invention provides a multi-shot musical firework device which provides the average consumer with the capability to operate a musical choreographed fireworks show with little preparation and expense. One example of the multi-shot musical firework device combines a typical multi-shot firework device, commonly known in the art as a “multi-shot cake,” or a precisely timed multi-shot firework cake, with a recorded audio device. The audio device is designed to begin playback of prerecorded audio upon detection of the ignition of a primary starting fuse of the multi-shot musical firework device. The recorded audio is choreographed to coincide with the launch of individual firework shots within the multi-shot cake. In other words, the timing of the launch of individual fireworks shots may be such that the sequence of shots appears to play along with the audio file. In an alternative example, the audio may be recordable by the end-user for more personalization.
Referring now to FIG. 1, a diagram of an example multi-shot musical fireworks device 100 is shown. Multi-shot musical fireworks device 100 includes an audio device circuit 102 positioned on a multi-shot firework cake 104. An ignition sensor 106 is positioned/placed to detect ignition of the primary fuse 108 for the multi-shot firework cake 104. Leads 110 to the ignition sensor 106 may be longer or shorter than shown, or omitted entirely. When the primary fuse 108 is lit, the ignition sensor 106 triggers the audio device circuit 102 to begin playback of a prerecorded audio clip (i.e. a short audio file). Additionally, the audio device circuit 102 may include a plurality of ignition sensors 106 located throughout the multi-shot firework cake 104 and attached to individual fuses of at least one single shot 112, allowing different audio clips to be played at different times during the fireworks display. Although FIG. 1 displays a certain number of shots and positioning of the audio device circuit, the example shown is not intended to limit the number of shots, tubes, configuration, size or shape of the multi-shot firework cake 104.
Turning now to FIG. 2, an example audio device circuit component 102 contains an audio test button 202, an indicator LED 204, a prerecorded/recordable audio circuit 206, a power supply 208 (e.g., batteries), an audio output 210 (such as a jack, terminal and/or speaker) and at least one ignition sensor 106.
The ignition sensor 106 is placed on the fuse 108 and secured in place. Upon detection of a burning fuse, the audio device circuit 102 plays recorded audio through the audio output 210. The ignition sensor 106 may or may not have extending wire leads 110 to aid in the placement of the ignition sensor 106 on the multi-shot firework cake 104. The audio device circuit 102 is responsible for storing and playing recorded audio. The audio device circuit 102 may be a prerecorded only or a re-recordable circuit. In the case of a re-recordable circuit, the audio device circuit 102 is additionally connected to a means for recording the audio, such as but not limited to, an input jack/terminal, microphone, a data port (e.g., a universal serial bus (“USB”) port) or a network connection, either wired or wireless, for transferring data. Additionally, when the audio device circuit 102 is playing the recorded audio, the indicator LED 204 may be activated to show the user that the audio device circuit 102 is in playback mode.
The audio output 210 may be connected to a typical stereo/boom-box equipped with an auxiliary port via audio cable (not shown). The audio output 210 provides a point of electrical communication between the audio device circuit 102 to the stereo of choice via a connecting audio cable. Alternatively or additionally, the audio output 210 may also be connected to a wireless interface, such as, but not limited to an FM radio transmitter or other short-range wireless communication, such as a communication system using the BLUETOOTH® communication protocol or WI-FI® communication protocol, for a “wireless” audio transmission. Additionally or alternatively, the audio device circuit 102 may include a speaker (not shown) connected to the audio output 210 such that the entire multi-shot musical fireworks device 100 is a self-contained unit.
When the audio test button 202 is pressed, the audio device circuit 102 begins playback of the prerecorded audio through the audio output 210 to the stereo via an audio cable. As the audio is played, the volume level on the stereo can then be adjusted prior to ignition of the fuse 108.
The audio device circuit 102 may be integrated into the multi-shot firework cake 104 upon manufacturing to provide a custom fireworks display experience, or may be attached as a separate device which may operate with any typical multi-shot fireworks cake.
Referring now to FIG. 3, an alternate example of an audio device circuit 302 is shown. Audio device circuit 302 includes an audio controller 304, such as, for example, a general purpose microprocessor or an application specific integrated circuit (“ASIC”) designed specifically to playback recorded audio files 306 stored in memory 308. Audio controller 304, in addition to controlling the operation of the audio device circuit 302, may include audio specific circuitry, such as but not limited to, audio output drivers for driving the audio output 310, digital signal processors (“DSP”) for converting digital data files into analog audio signals, analog-to-digital converters and digital-to-analog converters, and any necessary codecs for encoding/decoding audio files. The audio output 310 may include a jack, terminal or speaker. The audio files 306 may be input to the audio device circuit through the audio input 312, which may include a microphone, jack or terminal, and stored as a data in the memory 308. Additionally, audio files may be input to the audio device circuit 302 through a data port 314, such as a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port, serial port, parallel port, firewire port, or other such port.
The audio controller 304 may also transfer data files, such as audio files, through a communication interface 316 which may communicate with other devices using known communication protocols such as, but not limited to, the protocols defined under the Institute of Electronics and Electrical Engineers (“IEEE”) standard family 802, BLUETOOTH®, ZIGBEE®, traditional FM broadcasts, etc.
The audio device circuit 302 is powered from a power supply 318 such as batteries.
Turning now to FIG. 4, a flowchart is provided illustrating an example process 400 for providing a choreographed fireworks display. Beginning at step 402, at least one audio file is provided for a multi-shot fireworks cake. When a multi-shot ignition trigger is detected, at step 404, the first audio file is output through an audio output port. If this is the only audio file, no other ignition trigger is detected and the process will end when the audio file is finished playing. However, in the case where there are multiple triggers located strategically throughout the multi-shot cake for individual shots, each time an individual shot ignition trigger is detected, at step 408, the “next” audio file in a sequentially ordered series of audio files is output, at step 410. The process ends when there are no more triggers detected and the final audio file has played.

Non-Limiting Examples

Although specific embodiments have been disclosed, those having ordinary skill in the art will understand that changes can be made to the specific embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. The scope of the subject matter contained in the present disclosure is not to be restricted, therefore, to the specific embodiments, and it is intended that the appended claims cover any and all such applications, modifications, and embodiments within the scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. An apparatus for conducting a musically choreographed fireworks display, the apparatus comprising:

a multi-shot fireworks cake having a primary fuse;

at least one ignition sensor configured to detect ignition of the primary fuse; and

an audio device circuit, electrically coupled to the at least one ignition sensor, the audio device circuit configured to output an audio signal upon detection of the ignition of the primary fuse.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a memory storing at least one audio file, wherein the audio device circuit is configured to create the audio signal by converting the at least one audio file.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the at least one audio file is pre-recorded upon manufacturing.

4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the at least one audio file is user-recorded.

5. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the multi-shot fireworks cake comprises a plurality of single shots, each shot having an individual fuse.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the memory stores a plurality of audio files, the apparatus further comprising:

a plurality of ignition sensors located throughout the multi-shot fireworks cake, each ignition sensor configured to detect ignition of at least one individual fuse; and

wherein the audio device is configured to convert a different sequentially ordered audio file of the plurality of audio files upon detection of ignition of each ignition sensor.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the audio device circuit further comprises an audio port, the audio device circuit is further configured to output the audio signal through the audio port.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the audio device circuit further comprises a wireless interface, the audio device circuit is further configured to output the audio signal through the wireless interface.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the wireless interface is an FM transmitter.

10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the wireless interface operates using one of Bluetooth, Zigbee, and Wi-Fi communication protocols.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the audio device circuit further comprises a speaker, the audio device circuit is further configured to output the audio signal through the speaker.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the audio device circuit is integrated into the multi-shot fireworks cake.

13. A method of conducting a musically choreographed fireworks display, the method comprising:

providing an apparatus having a multi-shot fireworks cake with a primary fuse, at least one ignition sensor, and an audio device circuit;

detecting ignition of the primary fuse using the at least one ignition sensor; and

outputting at least one audio signal using the audio device circuit in response to detecting the ignition of the primary fuse.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the apparatus further comprises a memory storing at least one audio file, the method further comprises:

creating the audio signal by converting the at least one audio file.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the multi-shot fireworks cake comprises a plurality of single shots, each shot having an individual fuse.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the memory stores a plurality of audio files, the method further comprising:

detecting ignition of an individual fuse;

converts a sequentially ordered audio file of the plurality of audio files into a sequence of audio signals upon detection of ignition the ignition sensor; and

repeating the detecting and converting steps until one of all of the plurality of audio files have been converted and all the individual fuses have been ignited.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein outputting the at least one audio signal comprises outputting the sequence of audio signals upon conversion.

18. The method of claim 13, wherein outputting the audio signal comprises transmitting the audio signal through a wireless interface.

19. An apparatus for conducting a musically choreographed fireworks display, the apparatus comprising:

at least one ignition sensor configured to detect ignition of a primary fuse of a multi-shot fireworks cake; and

20. The apparatus of claim 19, further comprising:

a memory storing a plurality of audio files;

wherein the multi-shot fireworks cake comprises a plurality of ignition sensors located throughout the multi-shot fireworks cake, each ignition sensor configured to detect ignition of at least one individual fuse, the audio device is configured to convert a different sequentially ordered audio file of the plurality of audio files upon detection of ignition of each ignition sensor.