US3579187A

US3579187A - Music responsive light power current switching device

Info

Publication number: US3579187A
Application number: US670599A
Authority: US
Inventors: Robert L Knott; Donald H Hadel
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1967-09-26
Filing date: 1967-09-26
Publication date: 1971-05-18
Anticipated expiration: 1988-05-18

Abstract

A music responsive light switching device comprising a music signal pickup which is connected to a control means which regulates the output of a power signal. The regulated power signal is applied to an electrical socket receptacle into which a conventional lamp is electrically plugged. The lamp can then be turned on and off in accordance with the characteristic rhythm of the music.

Description

United States Patent Inventors Robert L. Knott l0406 Leolang Ave., Sunland, Calif. 91040;

Donald H. Hadel, 7424 Forbes Ave., Van Nuys, Calif. 91406 Appl. No. 670,599

Filed Sept. 26, 1967 Patented May 18, 1971 MUSIC RESPONSIV E LIGHT POWER CURRENT SWITCHING DEVICE 10 Claims, 2 Drawing Figs.

[ 56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,389,649 I 1/1945 Stark et al 340/33 1 (X) 2,441,749 5/1948 Brainard..... 340/261 3,225,341 12/1965 Devine 340/261 3,304,547 2/1967 Bristol 340/26I Primary Examiner-Harold I. Pitts Att0rneySpensley & Horn I Irithe drawings:

MUSIC RESPONSIVE LIGHT POWER CURRENT SWITCHING DEVICE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1 Field of the Invention This invention relates to electronic switching devices and more particularly to an apparatus which is responsive to the amplitude of electrical or music signals.

2. Description of the'Prior Art The prior art utilizes mechanical means tocomplete an electrical circuit which will'energize a load. For example, U.S-.

Pat. No. 2 ,40l,955 issued to H. F. Olson, et al'.,' uses a vibratory conductive reed having point contacts. Devices responsive to acoustical energy (e.g., diaphragm, reed, or other vibratory means) are physically displaced by the sound wave, and their movement switches the loaded circuit either on or off. The

contacts, once' closed, transmit energy at constant power levels. Such devices are generally in unrelated arts and do not I involve the same system as disclosed herein. To the extent relevant, such prior art devices are incapable of switching a light source on and off in rhythm to the music. Ofi' as used herein includes dimming. To accomplish such a function there have been some attempts at frequency sensitive circuits which involve elaborate, expensive, and cumbersome devices. These devices have been entirely inconsistent with use in the home.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Anelectronicswitching device operates to turn a conventional lamp on and-off or to alter the intensity of the lamp in accordance with a characteristic of the music. v

The unit comprises the combination of a music pickup hich is connected to an amplifier which in turn is connected to a switching means. The switching means includes a siliconcontrolled rectifier which is coupled both to a wall socket for input power and to a receptacle adapted for receiving a plug from a conventional lamp. With sensitivity controls set at predetermined levels, the sound of the music will be picked up. and upon receipt of an electrical sound signal above a particular level the switching means will allow electrical energy to flow to the light socket receptacle and turn the lamp on. The

electrical energy output is responsive to the amplitude which I in much of modern music is related to the beat or rhythm of the music. For example, it has been discovered that in modem type dance music, such as rock and roll, frug, jerk, etc., the

loudest sound is usually that of the'basic rhythm or beat. The

,switching means being responsive to the amplitude of the lamps, or lamps in a toy such as those in a dolls head. The

electronic switching device can be powered, by either an AC or DC source. It can be made more or less sophisticated by ad din'g or subtracting amplifiers or transistors. It can also be utilized to receive a sound wave from an orchestra, singer, or any musical instrument, or it can take an electrical sound'signal directly from an audio amplifier speaker output terminal.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION or THE DRAWINGS FIG. I shows'ablock diagram of the basic components whichcomprise the unit; and r FIG.'2 is a perspective view of the assembled unit as it wouldappeartoacustomer. g

appended claims.

2 I DESCRIPTION OF THEPREFERRED EMBODIMENT reached, the switching means 30 allows an electrical power I signal E to pass to an electrical socket receptacle 14. A plug 42 from a conventional lamp 44 is mated to the electrical socket receptacle 14 on the electronic switching unit 10. The

power supply F for the amplifier 20 and the switching means 30 may be provided by standard AC power conducted through wall plug 48 from a conventional wall outlet 46. A sensitivity control switch 22 controls the amplification of the electrical music signal C. It is within the scope of the invention to use a- DC power source and to include the lamp 44 as part of the .unit. Such arrangements may be particularly useful for dancing, or other dolls, or toys. The basic component in the switching means 30 is a solidstate switching 'device 32. The solid-state switching device 32 pennits an electrical power signal E of varying strength to-be conducted'to the electrical socket receptacle 14. It should be noted that the solid-state switching device is particularly well suited to this function as it is capable of controlling substantial power as required by a lamp, Christmas tree lamp, or lawn lamps.

In operation, the unit of FIG. 2 (approximatelyi ii k d X 1%") which contains the entire system, with the exceptionof the lamp and music source is placed in proximity of a music source. The plug 48 is connected to the wall outlet 46 and the lamp plug 42 is mated to the electrical socket receptacle 14. When the radiated signal B is received by the pickup 12, it is conducted to the amplifier 20 which is set at a preselected value. Amplifier 20 provides predetermined level of gain as controlled by the sensitivity control switch 22. The solid-state switching device 32 being responsive or controlled by the amplified electrical music signal D allows a power signal E to pass to the electrical socket receptacle 14 which turns the light 44 on. As the strength of the sound-signal B varies, i.e., as the amplitude of the music signal varies, usually according to the rhythm or beat of the'r'nusic, the solid--. state switching device 32 permits a greater or a less amount of the electrical power signalE to be passed to the electrical socket receptacle 14. Since the electrical power signal E conducted to the electrical socket 14 is not constant, it has the effect of varying the intensity of the light-44. Thus, the light brightens and dimsin accordance with the music B.

In another embodiment the electrical sound signal Cmay also be picked ofi directly from a phonograph terminal outlet connected to the phonograph amplifier to a switching device 10 through a jack box 16. This eliminates pickup 1'2 and amplifier 20. A hum network (not shown) may be used to prevent. i I

interference with the radio receiver or audio amplifier from which the electrical sound signal C is taken. With a stereo system such an arrangement provides a low-cost two-channel two-lamp system. a

From the above description it isapparent that a substan- I the beat-or rhythm of tially solid-state device of an extremely simple nature has been provided which is capable of controlling a lamp in accordance with the beat of a musical signal. The device may beminiatu rized and employed in many low-cost applications. It has life and high reliability.

' Although this invention has been disclosed and illustrated"? I king;

with reference to particular applications, the principles involved are susceptible of numerous other applicationswhich will be apparent to persons skilled in the'art. The invention is, therefore, to be limited only as indicated by the scope of the We claim. a l. A music responsive light switching apparatus comprising: an electrical socket receptacle for receiving a lamp plug; first means for providing an electrical music signal related to a music signal and. electronic control means for providing an electrical power signal of varying strength. said electronic control means coupled to said first means. said electronic control means coupled to an electrical power source, said electronic control means coupled to said electrical socket receptacle. said electronic control means responsive to a characteristic of said electrical music signal to vary accordingly the strength of said electrical power signal conducted to said electrical socket receptacle. v Y 2. in a music responsive light switching apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said first means includes a microphone and 3. In a music responsive light switching apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said first means is a phonograph cartridge coupled to an amplifier.

4. In a music responsive light switching apparatus defined in claim 3 wherein said amplifier is a phonograph amplifier.

5. in a music responsive light switching apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said electronic control means is comprised of an electronic switching means, said electronic switching means beingresponsive to said electrical music signal when said signal is at a predetermined level.

' 6. in a music responsive light switching apparatus set forth in claim 2 wherein said amplifier is comprised of solid state components.

. 7:- In a music responsive light switching apparatus set forth in claim 2 wherein said electrical power source is, provided by a plug connected to-a standard household AC power supply.

8. The structure recited in claim 5 including a lamp connected to said receptacle and a source of music.

' 9. In a music responsive light switching apparatus set forth in claim 5 including a DC power source.

10. A music responsive light switching apparatus comprisan electrical socket receptacle for receiving a lamp plug;

a microphone to receive a music signal and provide an electrical music signal related thereto;

a solid-state amplifier coupled to said microphone. said amplifier having means operable to control the output of an amplified electrical music signal related to said electrical music signal, said amplifier havingan AC power source; and,

an electronic switching device coupled to said amplifier and said electrical socket receptacle, said electronic switching device having an AC power source, said electronic switching device comprised of a silicon-controlled rectifier, said rectifier responsive to said amplified electrical music signal at predetermined levels whereby said rectifier being-responsive to a characteristic of said music signal varies accordingly the strength of the electrical power signal to said electrical socketreceptacle.

Claims

1. A music responsive light switching apparatus comprising: an electrical socket receptacle for receiving a lamp plug; first means for providing an electrical music signal related to a music signal; and, electronic control means for providing an electrical power signal of varying strength, said electronic control means coupled to said first means, said electronic control means coupled to an electrical power source, said electronic control means coupled to said electrical socket receptacle, said electronic control means responsive to a characteristic of said electrical music signal to vary accordingly the strength of said electrical power signal conducted to said electrical socket receptacle.

2. In a music responsive light switching apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said first means includes a microphone and amplifier.

3. In a music responsive light switching apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said first means is a phonograph cartridge coupled to an amplifier.

5. In a music responsive light switching apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said electronic control means is comprised of an electronic switching means, said electronic switching means being responsive to said electrical music signal when said signal is at a predetermined level.

6. In a music responsive light switching apparatus set forth in claim 2 wherein said amplifier is comprised of solid state components.

7. In a music responsive light switching apparatus set forth in claim 2 wherein said electrical power source is provided by a plug connected to a standard household AC power supply.

9. In a music responsive light switching apparatus set forth in claim 5 including a DC power source.

10. A music responsive light switching apparatus comprising: an electrical socket receptacle for receiving a lamp plug; a microphone to receive a music signal and provide an electrical music signal related thereto; a solid-state amplifier coupled to said microphone, said amplifier having means operable to control the output of an amplified electrical music signal related to said electrical music signal, said amplifier having an AC power source; and, an electronic switching device coupled to said amplifier and said electrical socket receptacle, said electronic switching device having an AC power source, said electronic switching device comprised of a silicon-controlled rectifier, said rectifier responsive to said amplified electrical music signal at predetermined levels whereby said rectifier being responsive to a characteristic of said music signal varies accordingly the strength of the electrical power signal to said electrical socket receptacle.