Abstract: A model train operating, sound and control system that provides a user with increased operating realism. A novel remote control communication capability between the user and the model trains. This feature is accomplished by using a handheld remote control on which various commands may be entered, and a Track Interface Unit that retrieves and processes the commands. The Track Interface Unit converts the commands to modulated signals in the form of data bit sequences (preferably spread spectrum signals) which are sent down the track rails. The model train picks up the modulated signals, retrieves the entered command, and executes it through use of a processor and associated control and driver circuitry. A speed control circuit located inside the model train that is capable of continuously monitoring the operating speed of the train and making adjustments to a motor drive circuit, as well as a novel smoke unit.

Abstract: In a device for establishing noise in a motor vehicle, including a housing having an inlet space, which is in communication via an inlet line with a gas-carrying part of an internal combustion engine arranged in the motor vehicle, and an outlet space, which is acoustically coupled by means of an outlet line to an interior space of the vehicle or the space surrounding the vehicle, the inlet space is separated from the outlet space at least by an acoustically substantially inactive wall. Arranged inside the housing is a sound transmission device, which has vibratable elements, one arranged in the inlet space and onother arranged in the outlet space and connected to each other by a curved connecting element, which is mounted on the acoustically inactive wall, for the transmission of sounds introduced through the inlet line into the inlet space to the outlet space.

Abstract: An animal alerting device system and method for mounting in a vehicle produces a sound that stimulates an alertness response in large animals to reduce the likelihood that the animals will run into a roadway and cause an animal-vehicle crash. The sound produced by the device is a random sound pattern in an audible frequency range. The volume of the sound produced is automatically adjusted for vehicle speed. Different sound patterns may be produced automatically based on different geographical locations of the vehicle in which the device is mounted.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a sound generating apparatus, including an article adapted to be worn on a user's hand, and an electronic assembly attached to the article. It further includes structure for generating a sound within the electronic assembly. Still further, it includes an actuator for energizing the electronic assembly to emit the sound.

Abstract: A speech or phrase emitting celebration device, in the nature of a piñata, includes a longitudinal axial channel within which is placed a complementally sized integrated circuit (“IC”) including a library of pre-programmed voice chips having phrases selected by random. The circuit is responsive to impacts or shocks upon a fanciful housing of the device sufficient to actuate a shock sensor switch thereof. A speaker, in electrical communication with the circuit board of the integrated circuit, is in mechanical communication with a speaker at an end of the channel so that the emitted phrase may be heard by those in the vicinity of the device. A hollow cylindrical sensor may be disposed within the interior channel to provide appropriate input to the shock sensor switch, or a more sensitive discrete element sensor may be used.

Abstract: A sound producing device adapted for use in a public or private rest room. The device is located within the room, preferably mounted on a wall of a cubicle in the rest room and can be activated to produce a sound upon a person entering the cubicle such that the sound so produced covers up the normal bodily noises of a person using the rest room. In one embodiment, there are a plurality of cubicles with a single sound producing device that emanates sound into each of the cubicles and there is a sensor associated with at least substantially all of the plurality of cubicles.

Abstract: A tone generating system 100 has a motion detection terminal 11 and a tone producing device. The Motion detection terminal 11 has a motion sensor MS which is attached to the back of a hand, and transmitting unit 11a. The Motion sensor MS detects a torsional motion of the hand to which it is attached. The Transmitting unit 11a transmits motion information on the torsional motion. A Tone producing device 10 receives the motion information, generates control information based on the motion information, and produces a tone on the basis of the control information.

Abstract: Method and system for providing an audible warning of approach of a moving vehicle that is undergoing hard braking. When hard braking is being applied and the initial vehicle velocity (just before hard braking is first applied) is at least equal to a selected threshold velocity, an artificially produced warning sound, resembling the screech or howl of one or more tires in a panic stop, is transmitted, in one or more selected angular sectors. If the initial vehicle velocity is less than the threshold velocity, the warning sound is witheld. The threshold velocity may depend upon one or more of initial velocity, initial deceleration, local road surface conditions and local weather conditions.

Abstract: When a dividing ratio data is written in a counter/timer register 530, a counter/timer circuit 534 divides a frequency of an oscillation signal of the oscillator 532 as much as the dividing ratio data. When an output enabling data is written in the port B register 536, a variable gain control signal is output from an envelope producing circuit 538. A variable gain control circuit 540 changes amplitude of a dividing signal as much as the value responsive to a voltage of the variable gain control signal. When an output disabling data is written in the port B register 536, the variable gain control signal is not output from the envelope producing circuit 538. The variable gain control circuit 540 stops the amplitude control of the dividing signal.

Abstract: A system and method for a horn controller is provided that automatically operates a vessel's horn as a foghorn. The horn controller automatically causes the vessel's horn to sound according to the proper foghorn sounding schedule. The horn controller is designed to be installed in a new vessel, and/or to be retrofitted to an existing vessel.

Abstract: A hazard warning device for night-migrating birds is provided which warns the birds of the presence of a fixed structure or obstacle, e.g., a building or communications tower, against which the birds could collide during night-migration. The device includes a speaker affixed to the structure and a recorder connected to the speaker for, when activated, supplying to the speaker, for continuous broadcast thereby, an infrasonic signal which naturally causes the birds to avoid the structure. In one embodiment, the signal has a frequency close to that of a natural topographic feature and causes the birds to avoid the structure based on the workings of the innate navigational system of the birds. In another embodiment, the recorder supplies a signal which reproduces or mimics the sound of thunder and/or the sound of a lightning strike.

Abstract: An applause device includes a sound generator capable of generating at least one applause sound. The sound generator preferably can generate at least one sound which can indicate approval or disapproval, such as clapping, hollering, whistling, booing, and hissing. A switch permits the user to select between each of the sounds. The device also preferably comprises illumination structure so as to illuminate at least a portion of the sound generation device. In a preferred embodiment, the applause device is shaped substantially, at least in part, in the shape of an open hand. A method for generating applause sounds is also disclosed.

Abstract: A vehicle horn has data representing audio horn signals recorded in a memory. The horn includes a digital counter responsive to clock signals from an oscillator to sequentially read the horn audio data from the memory, provide the data to a D/A converter and the output audio signal to a speaker for broadcast.

Abstract: Upon receipt of a direction indication control signal s11, a sounding-body driving circuit 12 generates a driving signal s16 for generating a flashing operation sound which is an artificial striking sound similar to a striking sound of a mechanical relay. The driving signal s16 is output to a speaker 16 via an amplifier 14, and the flashing operation sound is outputted from the speaker 16, thereby obtaining the flashing operation sound which does not sound unusual to the driver. The sounding-body driving circuit 12 enables a plurality of rectangular wave signals having the same amplitude and different frequencies to be synthesized in sequence of time by first and second synthetic signal generating circuits 20A and 20B to thus generate first and second synthetic signals s14 and s15 as artificial striking sounds.

Abstract: A sound emitting device is disclosed having a container shell, preferably in the shape of a simulated spray can, a sound generator located in the container shell and a trigger button that activates the sound generator. The sound generator is preferably configured to emit a spraying sound and a plurality of messages. Upon activation of the trigger button, the sound generator preferably generates a spraying sound followed by one of the plurality of messages. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the sound generator is located in the cap of the container shell and the body of the container shell provides a receptacle for housing brochures, pamphlets and other marketing material.

Abstract: A vehicle horn has data representing audio horn signals recorded in a memory. The horn includes a digital counter responsive to clock signals from an oscillator to sequentially read the horn audio data from the memory, provide the data to a D/A converter and the output audio signal to a speaker for broadcast.

Abstract: A sound generator includes a memory bank storing user-selectable recorded sounds, a microprocessor that can quasi-randomly time-delay at least one of the recorded sounds, and a mixer that can combine a user-selected recorded sound and the time-delayed sound for output by speakers or earphones. The microprocessor can also cause the output sound to include a microprocessor-selected one of the recorded sounds for inclusion during playback of a user-recorded sound.

Abstract: An automobile sound processor containing prerecorded or synthesized sound signatures of vintage automobiles and motorcycles or other sounds, along with other audio processing components, is integrated with an automobile's on-board stereo sound system. A mode selector allows the user to select the desired classic car sound signature to be replicated. Sensors or transducers located in the engine compartment measure engine RPM and manifold vacuum. The sensors communicate instantaneous measurements of engine RPM and manifold vacuum to the sound processor and other audio processing components. The output of the sound processor is a composite audio replication of a selected sound signature. The sound signature is reproduced through the vehicle's on-board stereo sound system and modulated by the driving dynamics of the driver's car, as if the car were producing these sounds by responding to acceleration and deceleration dynamics.

Abstract: An actuable audible display (10) for mounting on the handlebars (12) of a child's vehicle such as a bicycle includes a visual image (15) depicted on a plate-like member (16) affixed to the handlebars and an actuable sound unit (19) mounted on the back of the plate-like member, which can be actuated by the rider of the bicycle to produce audible sounds that are commonly associated with what is depicted in the visual image. The plate-like member (16) has a generally trapezoidal shape corresponding to the shape of the handlebars, and is securable to the handlebars by looping self-locking ties (38) through holes (28, 30, 32, 34) in the plate-like member. The sound unit (19) is actuated by a button (54) which causes an electronics package (54) to retrieve from storage a recorded sound and to drive a loudspeaker 58 to produce a corresponding audible sound effect.

Abstract: An interchangeable sound effect device (1) that incorporates and plays sound effects that have been digitally recorded on interchangeable sound cartridges (4). This device (1) is designed to be used with entertainment and educational type products such as toys, dolls, figurines, books and instructional guides. The sound effect device (1) employs an infrared receiver (28) housed within a durable encasement that straps around the user's waist or is embedded within the doll, figurine, toy, or book. The receiver unit (28) contains an infrared detector (44), an electronic diving means (60), an audio speaker (52), and a sound cartridge (4) that rests within a sound cartridge chamber (32). The sound cartridge (4) contains a sound enabler chip (12) that stores, in digital form, a number of prerecorded sound effects. In addition, the user can easily remove the sound cartridge (4) and insert one of many other sound cartridges each containing a different set of sound effects.

Abstract: An electronic horn for mimicking a multi-frequency tone includes a wave signal generator for generating an input signal and a complex signal generator for generating a complex signal across a transducer to mimic the sound and sound intensity of an electromechanical horn. The complex signal generator produces a complex output signal which may derive from a plurality of product signals, each product signal being derived by processing the input signal. A first product signal drives the transducer through a full bridge motor driver circuit and a second product signal is converted to a control signal by the signal processor circuit. The control signal is used to control the full bridge motor driver circuit to drive the transducer.

Abstract: An apparatus for achieving remote guarding of an area with adjustable effect on unauthorized entrants, comprising an operator station including a signal receiver with television display, radiant energy selection control, and energy level controller, a first sensor means placed about the area for detecting the presence and movements of entrants to the area, the visual effects of later radiation directed toward them, and generating signals in response thereto, a source of radiant energy including at least one transmitter of the energy for broadcasting the energy into the area, upon selection of the type of radiant energy from the selection control, and of a level controlled by the energy level controller, the radiant energy of a nature and intensity capable of varying in strength and duration as to cause different observable effects on intruders present in the area who do not leave the area upon command, second sensor means placed about the area for detecting the onset of and intensity of the radiant energy bro

Abstract: A small, portable, low cost, battery operated, radio-controlled decoy simulates the sound of small arms fire. The units may be deployed remotely in the field to distract and confuse defending forces when attacked by advancing or infiltrating forces.