WO2007126390A1

WO2007126390A1 - A sound reproduction apparatus with visual cues and a method to generate visual cues in a sound reproduction apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2007126390A1
Application number: PCT/SG2007/000094
Authority: WO
Inventors: Bernard Lim; Yuen Khim Joseph Liow
Original assignee: Creative Technology Ltd
Priority date: 2006-05-03
Filing date: 2007-04-11
Publication date: 2007-11-08
Also published as: TW200811786A

Abstract

There is provided a sound reproduction apparatus with visual cues. The apparatus includes at least one casing; at least one speaker driver circuit in each casing; and at least display located in close proximity to a surface of each casing, the display being controlled by a display controller coupled to at least one display driver circuit. It is advantageous that the display controller is able to analyse characteristics of audio output such as, for example, beat frequency, volume, tone or a combination of the aforementioned. A method to generate visual cues in a sound reproduction apparatus is also disclosed.

Description

A SOUND REPRODUCTION APPARATUS WITH VISUAL CUES AND A METHOD TO GENERATE VISUAL CUES IN A SOUND REPRODUCTION APPARATUS

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates to a sound reproduction apparatus with visual cues of the sound emanating from the apparatus, and relates particularly, though not exclusively, to earphones, headphones or speakers with a display providing visual cues. A method to generate visual cues in a sound reproduction apparatus is also disclosed.

BACKGROUND

There are many different types of sound reproduction apparatus presently available. They include earphones, headphones and speakers. However, many of these apparatus are intended to appeal to two types of consumers: the audiophile and the style-conscious. There has been a lot of research, and resources invested on the aesthetic and functional (sound quality) aspects of such apparatus. However, there is no sound reproduction apparatus available which provide visual cues pertaining to sound emanating from the apparatus. The most similar sound reproduction apparatus which provide visual cues pertaining to sound emanating from the apparatus are Bluetooth based mobile/cellular telephone headsets with Bluetooth emblems that glow to indicate that the headsets are in use.

During large scale cyber gaming events, only the latter stages of the event are played on big screens and broadcast over public address systems for the audience's viewing pleasure. The audience at such events is not aware of the results in the earlier rounds of the event as the gamers only use headphones. There is no indication of sounds from the game to the audience in the early rounds of the event. This hampers the audience's enjoyment while viewing the game being played and their understanding of the game.

SUMMARY

There is provided a sound reproduction apparatus with visual cues. The apparatus includes at least one casing; at least one speaker driver circuit in each casing; and at least one display located in close proximity to a surface of each casing, the display being controlled by at least one display driver coupled to a display controller. It is advantageous that the controller is able to analyse characteristics of audio output such as, for example, beat frequency, volume, tone or a combination of them. Alternatively, the display controller may be coupled to the speaker driver circuit. The apparatus may also include at least one audio digital signal processor with codecs, and an amplifier circuit. Preferably, the display is visible to a surrounding region of each casing when the display is activated. The display may be an array of LEDs, a TFT screen, an LCD screen or an OLED screen. The apparatus may also include a microphone and may be worn by a user. The display may be concealable. The display may preferably be programmable using the display controller. The display may also denote a state of game play when the apparatus is used while a user plays digital games.

The casing may be joined to another casing by a headband, a neckband or a wired connection. The band may electrically connect the at least one display driver circuit in each casing to each other. The band may also include an array of LEDs.

The at least one display driver circuit in each casing may be connected to other display driver circuits in other casings using either wired or wireless connectivity. The wired connectivity may include analog and digital connection. The wireless connectivity may include 2.4GB ISM band, radio frequency, infra-red, Bluetooth, and UWB.

It is advantageous that the display in a particular casing is activated when the at least one display driver circuit of the particular casing is activated. It is also preferable that the activation of the display can be controllable by the display controller to denote different characteristics of audio output such as, for example, beat frequency, volume, tone and a combination of them.

The apparatus may include either an integrated or external source of power and may be connected to an audio source using either wired or wireless connectivity. The wired connectivity may include analog and digital connection. The wireless connectivity may be using 2.4GB ISM band, radio frequency, infra-red, Bluetooth, or UWB. The audio source may be a computer system, a media player, a mobile telephone, a television set, or a hi-fidelity music components setup.

Alternatively, the casing may be for an earphone bud.

There is also provided a method to generate visual cues in a sound reproduction apparatus. The method includes transmitting signals to at least one display controller from an audio source; the at least one display controller receiving the signals from the audio source for analysis; the display controller subsequently sending signals to at least one display driver circuit to generate the visual cues in at least one display. It is preferable that the visual cues depend on the signals transmitted from the audio source. The display controller analyses characteristics of the transmitted signals such as, for example, beat frequency, volume, tone and a combination of them. The audio source may simultaneously transmit signals for digital signal processing using a codec, subsequently to an amplifier circuit and subsequently to a display speaker circuit for audio output. The transmission of signals from the audio source may also be through an interface.

The at least one driver circuit may be connected to the decoder in an audio source using either wired or wireless connectivity. The wired connectivity may include analog and digital connections. Preferably, the wireless connectivity is by 2.4GB ISM band, radio frequency, infra-red, Bluetooth, or UWB.

The display may be either an array of LEDs or a screen. The screen may preferably be a TFT, LCD or OLED. The display may advantageously be programmable using the display controller. The display may also denote a state of game play when the apparatus is used while a user plays digital games. The display controller may advantageously be able to analyse characteristics of the transmitted signals such as, for example, beat frequency, volume, tone or a combination of them.

An alternative method disclosed includes an audio source sending signals to an audio DSP with codecs for digital signal processing; processed signals subsequently sent to an amplifier circuit for amplification; amplified signals subsequently sent to a speaker driver circuit for audio output; signals from the speaker driver circuit being sent to a display controller for analysis; analysed signals being sent to a display driver circuit and subsequently to a display for the generation of visual cues. The transmission of signals from the audio source may preferably be through an interface.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

In order that the present invention may be fully understood and readily put into practical effect, there shall now be described by way of non-limitative example only preferred embodiments of the present invention, the description being with reference to the accompanying illustrative drawings.

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a first preferred embodiment;

Figure 2 shows some variations of the visual cues made with an array of LEDs;

Figure 3 shows a second preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 4 shows a third preferred embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 5 shows a flow chart of a method for generating visual cues in a preferred embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to Figure 1 , there is provided a first preferred embodiment of a sound reproduction apparatus 20 which provides visual cues of the sounds being reproduced in the apparatus 20. The first preferred embodiment of the apparatus 20 is in the form of a headphone set. It is conceivable that the first preferred embodiment of the apparatus 20 includes the apparatus 20 in the form of a neck phone. In the first embodiment of the apparatus 20, the apparatus 20 includes a first casing 22, a second casing (not shown as it is hidden by a user 18) joined to the first casing 22 by a flexible band 26, a speaker driver circuit in each casing for sound generation towards each ear of the user 18, an array 24 of LEDs in each casing, and a display controller in each casing to control the array 24 of LEDs. The apparatus 20 may also include at least one audio digital signal processor (DSP) with coders/decoders ("codecs"), and an amplifier circuit. A display driver circuit may be coupled to the display controller in each casing. The display controller may analyse characteristics of audio signals output from the apparatus 20 such as, for example, beat frequency, volume, tone or any combination of them. The display controller may also be coupled to the speaker driver circuit.

The array 24 of LEDs in each casing may be located at close proximity to a surface of each casing such that the array 24 of LEDs is visible to a surrounding region of each casing when the LEDs are lit. At close proximity may also mean at the surface of each casing. The array 24 of LEDs may be lit as per the various manners shown in Figure 2. The array 24 of LEDs may also be covered with the use of an opaque cover, depending on the preferences of the user 18. Alternatively, the array 24 of LEDs may be located and lined along a peripheral edge of each casing. A more detailed description of Figure 2 will be provided in a subsequent section of the description.

The band 26 connecting the casings may facilitate electrical connection between the driver circuits in each casing. This may allow for a power source such as batteries or a solar cell to be incorporated in only one casing to power the driver circuits and arrays 24 of LEDs in both casings. In addition, the band 26 may have an array of LEDs that may be coupled to one or both controllers in each casing to provide visual accompaniment to the array 24 of LEDs in each casing.

In the first preferred embodiment, the apparatus 20 in the form of a headphone/neck phone set may be connected to an audio source either via wired or wireless means. A wired connection may mean that power is drawn from the audio source to power the apparatus 20. The wired connection may be using an analog or a digital connection. The analog connection may be through a conventional I/O jack while the digital connection may be through USB connectors, IEEE 1394 connectors or serial/parallel port connectors. The apparatus 20 may be connected wirelessly to the audio source using wireless technologies such as, for example, 2.4GB ISM band, radio frequency, infra-red, Bluetooth, or UWB. The audio source may be a computer system, a media player, a mobile telephone, a television set, a hi-fidelity music components setup and the like. The apparatus 20 may be used to allow the user 18 to listen to content played back by the audio source and the array 24 of LEDs would light up in accordance with the content emanating from the audio source. The array 24 of LEDs may also be lit to provide ambient illumination around the apparatus 20 which corresponds with content played back by the audio source. Further details pertaining to the lighting up of the array 24 of LEDs will be provided in a subsequent section of the description.

In addition, the apparatus 20 in the form of a headphone/neck phone set may also include a microphone 21 to enhance the functionality of the apparatus 20 in its usage as a headphone/neck phone set during computer game play (to enable communicate with other players) or as a headset for use with mobile phones. It is possible that the headset for use with mobile phones comprises a single case 22, with a driver circuit, a power source, a display controller coupled to the driver circuit and an array 24 of LEDs. Such a headset may also include a latch to allow the headset to hook onto an ear of the user 18. Similarly, the array 24 of LEDs is illuminated depending on the content transmitted from the mobile phone.

When the array 24 of LEDs is illuminated, it generally denotes that the driver circuit in the casing is activated and sound is emanating from that casing. When the apparatus 20 in the form of a headphone/neck phone set is used for computer gaming, audience surrounding the user 18 (while watching the user 18 playing a game) may know that the user 18 may be getting "shot", as denoted by the activation of the array 24 of LEDs (in the instance of first player shooter games). The array 24 of LEDs may also display numbers depicting the number of times the user 18 has been "hit" in the game or the number of targets that the user 18 "hit" in the game. The array 24 of LEDs may also be able to denote the state of game play, such as, for example, energy/strength/damage levels, number of "lives" remaining, and so forth. This enhances the viewing pleasure of the audience watching competitors playing a computer game, especially during events like the World Cyber Games and International Gaming Leagues. The array 24 of LEDs may also illuminate based on characteristics of audio output such as, for example, beat frequency, volume, and/or tone. Thus, when the user 18 uses the apparatus 20 to listen to music, a bystander would be able to rather accurately guess the genre of music (fast or slow) that the user 18 is listening to, as well as the volume of the music.

Referring to Figure 2, there is shown some variations of the appearance that the array 24 of LEDs takes when the apparatus 20 is in use. A preferred arrangement of the array 24 of LEDs is shown in Figures 2A - 2C. The figures show that the array 24 of LEDs includes LEDs of different colours. The array 24 of different coloured LEDs allow for the generation of a myriad of visual effects/cues. For example, lighting up and turning off the LEDs in Figure 2A, immediately followed by lighting up and turning off the LEDs in Figure 2B actually produces a "windmill" effect if the LEDs are repeatedly lit in the aforementioned sequence. The brightness of individual LEDs may also be controlled to produce different effects.

Figures 2D - 2L show possible shapes that may be generated by the array 24 of LEDs. The shapes that the array 24 of LEDs is able to generate are not restricted to the shapes described in the subsequent section. The LEDs may be of more than one colour, but a single colour is used for illustration purposes. Figure 2D shows a cross ("X") being generated. Figure

2E shows a tick (" ") being generated. Figure 2F shows a plus ("+") being generated. Figures

2G - 2J show arrows pointing in the up, down, right, left direction respectively. Figures 2K - 2L show alphabets "V" and "T" respectively.

For illustration purposes, the aforementioned "windmill" effect may be used when the display driver circuit in the casing receives music from the audio source. The "windmill" may "rotate" at a slower rate for audio output with a lower beat frequency and may "rotate" at a faster rate for more catchy audio output. The LEDs may also be dimmer for music at a lower volume and brighter for music at a higher volume. The beat frequency and volume may be ascertained by the controller coupled to the driver circuit. The arrows shown in Figures 2G - 2J may be employed when the user 18 is playing games. The arrows may point where the user's 18 character in a game is being shot from (using a first person shooter game as an example). This enhances the audience's understanding of the game that the user 18 is playing. The array 24 of LEDs may also be programmable with the use of the display controller. Thus, the user 18 may program alphanumeric entries such as, for example, the initials of his/her or music artiste's name to repeatedly appear and dim at a desired frequency while listening to audio output on the apparatus 20.

Referring to Figure 3, there is provided a second preferred embodiment of a sound reproduction apparatus 40 which provides visual cues of the sounds being reproduced in the apparatus 40. The second preferred embodiment of the apparatus 40 is in the form of a set of speakers. It is conceivable that the second preferred embodiment of the apparatus 40 includes both single and multi-speaker setups. For illustration purposes, a five speaker setup without a sub-woofer is shown.

In the second embodiment of the apparatus 40, the apparatus 40 includes a first casing 42 for a front right speaker 44, a second casing 46 for a front left speaker 48, a third casing 50 for a front centre speaker 52, a fourth casing 54 for a rear right speaker 56, a fifth casing 58 for a rear left speaker 60. There is a driver circuit in each casing for sound generation, and an array 62 of LEDs in each casing. Each casing 42, 46, 50, 54, 58 may each have a display controller to control the array 62 of LEDs. The display controller may be coupled to the driver circuit in each casing. A television set 64 is shown connected to the apparatus 40 as an audio source. In the second preferred embodiment, the apparatus 40 may be connected to the television set 64 either via wired or wireless means. A wired connection may mean that power is drawn from the audio source to power the apparatus 40. . The wired connection may be using an analog or a digital connection. The analog connection may be through a conventional I/O jack while the digital connection may be through USB connectors, IEEE 1394 connectors or serial/parallel port connectors. The apparatus 40 may be connected wirelessly to the audio source using wireless technologies such as, for example, 2.4GB ISM band, radio frequency, infra-red, Bluetooth, or UWB. The speakers 44, 48, 62, 56, 60 may be connected to each other via wired or wireless means. The wired connection may be using an analog or digital connection. The analog connection may be through a conventional I/O jack while the digital connection may be through USB, IEEE 1394 or serial/parallel port connectors. The speakers 44, 48, 62, 56, 60 may be connected wirelessly to each other using wireless technologies such as, for example, 2.4GB ISM band, radio frequency, infrared, Bluetooth, or UWB. Alternative audio sources may be a computer system, a media player, a hi-fidelity music components setup and the like. As per the earlier preferred embodiments, the array 62 of LEDs would light up in accordance with the content played back from the audio source.

The array 62 of LEDs in each casing 42, 46, 50, 54, 58 may be located at close proximity to a surface of each casing 42, 46, 50, 54, 58 such that the array 62 of LEDs is visible to a surrounding region of each casing 42, 46, 50, 54, 58 when the LEDs are activated. At close proximity may also mean at the surface of each casing. The array 62 of LEDs may be activated as per the manner shown in Figure 2. The array 62 of LEDs may also be concealable with the use of an opaque cover.

When the array 62 of LEDs is illuminated, it generally denotes that the driver circuit in the casing is activated and sound is emanated from that casing. When the apparatus 40 is used for computer gaming, an audience in sight of apparatus 40 while watching the playing of a game may obtain visual cues relating to the source of sounds that are emanating from the speakers 44, 48, 62, 56, 60. The array 62 of LEDs may also be lit to provide ambient illumination around the apparatus 40 which corresponds with content played back from the audio source. This enhances the viewing pleasure of the people watching competitors playing a computer game, especially during events like the World Cyber Games and International Gaming Leagues. The array 62 of LEDs may illuminate based on audio output characteristics like beat frequency, volume, and/or tone as described earlier.

Referring to Figure 4, there is provided a third preferred embodiment of a sound reproduction apparatus 80 which provides visual cues of the sounds being reproduced in the apparatus 80. The third preferred embodiment of the apparatus 80 is in the form of a set of in-ear earphones. It is conceivable that the third preferred embodiment of the apparatus 80 includes external earphones that latch onto the user's ears using hooks that latch onto ears. In the third embodiment of the apparatus 80, the apparatus 80 includes a first casing 82, a second casing 84, the first 82 and second 84 casings for a left ear bud 86 and a right ear bud 88 respectively, a driver circuit in each casing 82, 84 for sound generation towards each ear of the user, an array 90 of LEDs in each casing (not shown for casing 84), and a display controller in each casing 82, 84 to control the array 90 of LEDs. The display controller may be coupled to the driver circuit in each casing 82, 84.

The array 90 of LEDs in each casing may be located at close proximity to a surface of each casing such that the array 90 of LEDs is visible to a surrounding region of each casing 82, 84 when the LEDs are lit. At close proximity may also mean at the surface of each casing. Due to the size constraints of casings 82, 84, the array 90 of LEDs may not include as many LEDs as shown in Figure 2. The array 90 of LEDs may include at least one LED and may also be concealable with the use of an opaque cover, depending on the preferences of the user. Compared to the earlier descriptions of the array of LEDs in Figure 2, the visual cues that the array 90 of LEDs can generate is more limited. However, by controlling the brightness and the activation of each LED, a variety of visual cues may still be generated by the array 90.

The driver circuit in each casing 82, 84 may be powered by the audio source when the apparatus 80 is connected to the audio source using connector 92. The audio source may be a computer system, a media player, a mobile telephone, a television set, a hi-fidelity music components setup and the like. As with the earlier preferred embodiments, the apparatus 80 may be used to allow the user to listen to content played back from the audio source and the array 90 of LEDs would light up in accordance with the content played back from the audio source. The array 90 of LEDs may also be lit to provide ambient illumination around the apparatus 80 which corresponds with content emanating from the audio source.

When the array 90 of LEDs is illuminated, it generally denotes that the driver circuit in the respective casing is activated and sound is emanating from that casing. When the apparatus 80 in the form of a earphone is used for computer gaming, an audience surrounding the user (while watching the user playing a game) may know that sound is emanating from one or both casings, meaning that the user may be getting "shot", is denoted by the array 90 of LEDs (in the instance of first player shooter games). The array 90 of LEDs may also be able to denote the state of game play, such as, for example, energy/strength/damage levels, number of "lives" remaining, and so forth. This enhances the viewing pleasure of the audience watching competitors playing a computer game, especially during events like the World Cyber Games and International Gaming Leagues. The array 90 of LEDs may illuminate based on audio output characteristics like beat frequency, volume, and/or tone. Thus, when the user uses the apparatus 80 to listen to music, a bystander would be able to rather accurately guess the genre of music (fast or slow) that the user is listening to, as well as the volume of the music. Referring to Figure 5, there is shown a flow chart of the operation of the array of LEDs in a preferred embodiment of the present invention to denote a method for generating visual cues in a sound reproduction apparatus. It can be seen that the decoder in an audio source 100 sends signals through an interface using a first method 102 and/or a second method 104. ) for processing of the signals transmitted from the audio source decoder. The interface may be connected using a wired connection using an analog or a digital connection. The analog connection may be through a conventional I/O jack while the digital connection may be through USB connectors, IEEE 1394 connectors or serial/parallel port connectors. The interface may also be connected wirelessly using wireless technologies such as, for example, 2.4GB ISM band, radio frequency, infra-red, Bluetooth, or UWB. The audio source may be a computer system, a media player, a mobile telephone, a television set, or a hi-fidelity music components setup.

In the first method 102, the signals through the interface are simultaneously passed into an audio digital signal processor (DSP) with codecs 106 and a display controller 112 in a dual route manner. The display controller 112 may analyse characteristics of audio output such as, for example, beat frequency, volume, tone and a combination of the aforementioned. The display controller 112 then sends signals to a display driver circuit 114 which controls the visual cues shown by the respective display 116. In a parallel process, the audio DSP with codecs 106 processes and subsequently passes signals to an amplifier circuit 108 which amplifies the signals and passes the signals into a speaker driver circuit 110 for audio output. It is possible that a single display controller 112 controls the visual cues shown on multiple display arrays.

The second method 104 is a variation of the first method 102. The second method 104 is a single route process. The signals through the interface are passed into an audio digital signal processor (DSP) with codecs 118. The audio DSP with codecs 118 processes and subsequently passes signals to an amplifier circuit 120 which amplifies the signals and passes the signals into a speaker driver circuit 122 for audio output. Subsequently, signals from the speaker driver circuit 122 are passed into a display controller 124 that analyses the signals before sending the signals to a display driver circuit 126 and finally to a display 128. The similarities between the second method 104 and first method 102 are numerous, and the first method 102 may be converted to the second method 104 if a switch at the speaker driver circuit 110 is activated to disconnect the connection from the interface 100 to the display controller 112 and in addition, a connection is made between the speaker driver circuit 110 and the display controller 112. Correspondingly, the second method 104 may be converted to the first method 102.

The first and second methods may both be employed where there are multiple display arrays in the sound reproduction apparatus. It is possible for the arrays of LEDs in the first and second preferred embodiments of the present invention to be replaced by a TFT, LCD or OLED screen. This is because such screens are sufficiently compact and able to be incorporated into the casings of the first and second preferred embodiments of the present invention. Replacing the arrays of LEDs with such screens may allow for a wider variety of visual cues to be shown. Additional visual cues that are not possible using arrays of LEDs include the use of the screens to display still images like album cover art and even music videos and other moving images.

Whilst there has been described in the foregoing description preferred embodiments of the present invention, it will be understood by those skilled in the technology concerned that many variations or modifications in details of design or construction may be made without departing from the present invention.

Claims

1. A sound reproduction apparatus with visual cues, the apparatus including: at least one casing; at least one speaker driver circuit in each casing; and at least one display located in close proximity to a surface of each casing, the display being controlled by at least one display driver circuit coupled to a display controller; wherein the display is visible to a surrounding region of each casing when the display is activated.

2. The sound reproduction apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the display is selected from the group consisting of: an array of LEDs, and a screen.

3. The sound reproduction apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the screen is selected from the group consisting of: TFT, LCD and OLED.

4. The sound reproduction apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein there is a plurality of casings, one of the plurality of casings being joined to another of the plurality of casings by a band selected from the group consisting of: a headband, a neckband and a wired connection.

5. The sound reproduction apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the band is for electrically connecting the at least one driver circuit in each casing to each other.

6. The sound reproduction apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the band comprises an array of LEDs.

7. The sound reproduction apparatus as claimed in claim 5 further comprising a microphone.

8. The sound reproduction apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is intended to be worn by a user.

9. The sound reproduction apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one display driver circuit in each casing is connected to other display driver circuits in other casings using either wired or wireless connectivity.

10. The sound reproduction apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the wired connectivity is selected from the group consisting of: an analog connection and a digital connection.

11. The sound reproduction apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the wireless connectivity is selected from the group consisting of: 2.4GB ISM band, radio frequency, infrared, Bluetooth, and UWB.

12. The sound reproduction apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the display in a particular casing is able to be activated when the at least one display driver circuit of the particular casing is activated.

13. The sound reproduction apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein the activation of the display is controllable by the display controller to denote different characteristics of audio output.

14. The sound reproduction apparatus as claimed in claim 13, wherein the different characteristics of audio output is at least one selected from the group consisting of: beat frequency, volume, tone and a combination of them.

15. The sound reproduction apparatus as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a source of power.

16. The sound reproduction apparatus as claimed in claim 15, wherein the source of power is either integrated or external.

17. The sound reproduction apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the display is concealable.

18. The sound reproduction apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the casing is for an earphone bud.

19. The sound reproduction apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is connected to an audio source using either wired or wireless connectivity.

20. The sound reproduction apparatus as claimed in claim 19, wherein the wired connectivity is selected from the group consisting of: an analog connection and a digital connection.

21. The sound reproduction apparatus as claimed in claim 19, wherein the wireless connectivity is selected from the group consisting of: 2.4GB ISM band, radio frequency, infrared, Bluetooth, and UWB.

22. The sound reproduction apparatus as claimed in claim 19, wherein the audio source is selected from the group consisting of: a computer system, a media player, a mobile telephone, a television set, a hi-fidelity music components setup.

23. The sound reproduction apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the display is programmable using the display controller.

24. The sound reproduction apparatus as claimed in claim 13, wherein the display controller analyses at least one characteristics of audio output selected from the group consisting of: beat frequency, volume, tone and a combination of them.

25. The sound reproduction apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the display denotes a state of game play when the apparatus is used while a user plays digital games.

26. The sound reproduction apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the at least one display controller is coupled to at least one speaker driver circuit.

27. The sound reproduction apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further including at least one audio digital signal processor with coder/decoders, and an amplifier circuit.

28. A method for generating visual cues in a sound reproduction apparatus, the method comprising: transmitting signals to at least one display controller from an audio source; the at least one display controller receiving the signals from the audio source for analysis; and the display controller subsequently sending signals to at least one display driver circuit to generate the visual cues in at least one display; wherein the visual cues depend on the signals transmitted from the audio source.

29. The method as claimed in claim 28, wherein the at least one display controller is connected to the audio source using either wired or wireless connectivity.

30. The method as claimed in claim 29, wherein the wired connectivity is selected from the group consisting of: an analog connection and a digital connection.

31. The method as claimed in claim 29, wherein the wireless connectivity is selected from the group consisting of: 2.4GB ISM band, radio frequency, infra-red, Bluetooth, and UWB.

32. The method as claimed in claim 28, wherein the audio source is selected from the group consisting of: a computer system, a media player, a mobile telephone, a television set, and a hi-fidelity music components setup.

33. The method as claimed in claim 28 further comprising the audio source transmitting signals for digital signal processing, subsequently to an amplifier circuit and subsequently to a speaker driver circuit for audio output.

34. The method as claimed in claim 33, wherein the signals are processed using a coder/decoder.

35. The method as claimed in claim 28, wherein the display is selected from the group consisting of: an array of LEDs₁ and a screen.

36. The method as claimed in claim 35, wherein the screen is selected from the group consisting of: TFT, LCD and OLED.

37. The method as claimed in claim 28, wherein the display controller analyses characteristics of the transmitted signals selected from the group consisting of: beat frequency, volume, tone and a combination of them.

38. The method as claimed in claim 28, wherein the display is programmable using the display controller.

39. The method as claimed in claim 28, wherein the display denotes a state of game play when the apparatus is used while a user plays digital games.

40. The method as claimed in claim 28, wherein the transmission of signals from the decoder to the display controller is through an interface.

41. A method to generate visual cues in a sound reproduction apparatus, the method comprising: sending signals from an audio source to an audio digital signal processor with coder/decoders for digital signal processing to produce processed signals; sending the processed signals to an amplifier circuit for amplification to produce amplified signals; sending the amplified signals to a speaker driver circuit for audio output; sending signals from the speaker driver circuit to a display controller for analysis; sending the analysed signals to a display driver circuit and a display for the generation of visual cues.

42. The method as claimed in claim 41 , wherein the digital signal processor is connected to the audio source using either wired or wireless connectivity.

43. The method as claimed in claim 42, wherein the wired connectivity is selected from the group consisting of: an analog connection and a digital connection.

44. The method as claimed in claim 42, wherein the wireless connectivity is selected from the group consisting of: 2.4GB ISM band, radio frequency, infra-red, Bluetooth, and UWB.

45. The method as claimed in claim 41 , wherein the audio source is selected from the group consisting of: a computer system, a media player, a mobile telephone, a television set, and a hi-fidelity music components setup.

46. The method as claimed in claim 41, wherein the display is selected from the group consisting of: an array of LEDs and a screen.

47. The method as claimed in claim 46, wherein the screen is selected from the group consisting of: TFT, LCD and OLED.

48. The method as claimed in claim 41 , wherein the display controller analyses at least one characteristic of the transmitted signals selected from the group consisting of: beat frequency, volume, tone and a combination of them.

49. The method as claimed in claim 41 , wherein the display is programmable using the display controller.