Abstract: A master reproduction apparatus is a master reproduction apparatus capable of executing synchronous reproduction of audio data together with one or more slave reproduction apparatuses. The master reproduction apparatus includes a plurality of light emitting elements, a generation unit, a transmission unit, and a light emission control unit. The generation unit that generates illumination information, in which light emission modes are associated with the plurality of light emitting elements, on the basis of analysis data obtained by analyzing audio data. The transmission unit that transmits the generated illumination information to the one or more slave reproduction apparatuses. The light emission control unit that causes the plurality of light emitting elements to emit light in the light emission modes based on the illumination information.

Abstract: Provided is an information transmission method including: a type determination step of determining a type of information to be transmitted to a driver of a vehicle when the driver is driving the vehicle; a sound output step of outputting the information in the form of sound; and a display step of operating a display device to display an illumination pattern as a function of the determined type.

Abstract: An automatic mobile robot for facilitating activities to improve both neurotypical and autistic children's intellectual and emotional development is disclosed. The mobile robot has a non-humanoid toy shape but includes an expressive face perceived as friendly and approachable by autistic children. The mobile robot is durable and safe for children. It includes auto-play, game, and occupational therapy modes, each of which may be used by a one or more child users at a time. Games and therapeutic activities may be customized to suit each child user's developmental level. The mobile robot includes multiple sensors and components configured to process and express emotion in response to data received from the sensing units and the patterns of child users' interactions with the robot. The robot is programmed to show only limited amounts of negative behavior or emotions to children so that the children do not become afraid and decide not to interact with the robot.

Abstract: A tinnitus masking system for use by a person having tinnitus. The system comprises a sound delivery system having left and right ear-level audio delivery devices and is configured to deliver a masking sound to the person via the audio delivery devices such that the masking sound appears to originate from a virtual sound source location that substantially corresponds to the spatial location in 3D auditory space of the source of the tinnitus as perceived by the person. The masking sound being represented by left and right audio signals that are converted to audible sound by the respective audio delivery devices.

Abstract: A method of controlling luminaires of a lighting system based on a current mode of an entertainment device, the method comprising: whilst the entertainment device is in an active mode: controlling one or more of the luminaires associated with the entertainment device to render an entertainment effect, receiving a lighting instruction identifying a plurality of the luminaires and a lighting effect to be rendered by them, determining that at least a first of the plurality of luminaires is one of the luminaires currently rendering the entertainment effect, controlling at least a second of the plurality of luminaries, which is not currently rendering the entertainment effect, to render the lighting effect whilst the first luminaire continues to render the entertainment effect, and electronically storing an indication of the lighting effect; and in response to the entertainment device switching to an inactive mode, controlling the first luminaire to render the lighting effect using the electronically stored indica

Abstract: A light control system comprises a power connecting port, a host connecting port, a first light connecting port, a second light connecting port, a microcontroller and a power distribution unit. The power connecting port electrically connects to an external power source to provide the power to drive a plurality of light devices. The host connecting port is configured to receive a multimedia signal from a host. The first light connecting port and the second light connecting port electrically connect to a first light device and a second light device respectively. The microcontroller is configured to identify device types and generate two dimming signals according to configurations corresponding to the device types and the multimedia signal. The power distribution unit converts the two dimming signals to two driving signals for controlling the first light device and the second light device to emit colored lights associated with the multimedia signals.

Abstract: A range finding apparatus includes a light emission unit including a light source and a light source driver, a light detection unit, and circuitry. The light source driver supplies a plurality of drive pulses having different pulse width at different time periods. The light detection unit receives the light emitted from the light emission unit and then reflected from an object. The circuitry calculates a range to the object based on a time difference between one time point when a pulse light is emitted from the light source and another time point when light reflected from the object is received by the light detection unit. One of the drive pulses set with a smaller pulse width is set with a sine wave pattern, and another one of the drive pulses set with a greater pulse width is set with a rectangular wave pattern.

Abstract: Audio level indicators are known which comprise moving needles, or an array of lights, or an illuminated bar. However, the way in which they provide information is fixed. A programmable audio level indicator for use with a mixing desk is provided which comprises a first light source arranged to emit a coloured light, in response to an audio signal received from a connected audio source, to indicate the audio level of that received signal, the indicator arranged to vary the colour and intensity of the light emitted as the audio level changes, wherein the indicator is configured such that the audio levels at which the colour changes are selectable, the indicator further configured such that the colour emitted to indicate an audio level, or range of audio levels, is also selectable.

Abstract: A system for synchronizing lighting to music, comprising a projector having at least one light source for projecting light onto a surface, an I/O interface having a receiver for receiving a music audio signal and a processor in communication with the projector and the I/O interface The processor has an associated memory including instructions stored thereon, that when executed by the processor, perform the steps of acquiring the music audio signal from the I/O interface and modifying in real-time at least one parameter of the at least one light source based on at least one parameter of the music audio signal. In use the light projected by the at least one light source illuminates the surface in synchronization with the music audio signal.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems, devices and methods for lighting control by an audio bus lighting control device. In one embodiment, a method includes receiving audio bus data generated by a source in a vehicle, and generating a lighting control signal for at least one lighting element of the vehicle based on the audio bus data. The method also includes controlling operation of the at least one lighting element of the vehicle based on the lighting control signal. According to another embodiment, a lighting control device is provided including a transceiver for a vehicle audio bus, a controller and at least one lighting unit.

Abstract: An apparatus and method allow end users to interactively create complex lighting patterns by remote control. Applications include decorative lighting, landscape lighting, signage, or advertising platforms. A lighting control system is equipped with sensors that receive remote control signals from a variety of different sources, and route the control signals to modulate receptacles coupled to different lighting circuits, thereby independently controlling multiple light arrays to achieve separate light patterns, or to coordinate different lighting effects. The control signals independently energize localized groups of lamps to provide enhanced lighting effects, while using significantly less wire material. Interactive remote control is provided via a mobile computing device such as a smart phone running a customized program. In one embodiment, the remote control device communicates selections to a Bluetooth®-equipped speaker to produce sound-controlled lighting effects.

Abstract: A lighting system adjustable in response to a musical sound input is provided, where the color properties of the lights and the intensity of the lights are varied according to the variation of the sound frequency and the volume. The sound frequency signal is correlated within a controller to a first light property setting; and the sound amplitude signal is correlated to a second light property setting. As the sound frequency signal is varied between a lower and upper range, the first light property setting is similarly adjusted between a lower and upper range. As the sound amplitude signal is varied within a range, the second light property setting is similarly adjusted by the controller between a lower and upper range. In this way, the controller adjusts the color and intensity of the light to correspond to the volume and musical note of a musical input, generally from an instrument.

Abstract: Techniques and architecture are disclosed for a lighting system for contained environments, such as elevators or other such environments. The lighting system can include one or more luminaires and/or one or more display devices that include tunable output controlled to automatically change the ambient lighting and/or presentable content (e.g., imagery, video, audio) based on one or more conditions related to the contained environment. Conditions that can be used in controlling the lighting system output within the contained environment can include, for example, the position or operation of the contained environment, the control of the contained environment, the occupancy within the contained environment, the time of day at the location of the contained environment, and the calendar date at the location of the contained environment. In some cases, the lighting system may constitute the general illumination within the contained environment, but may be supplemental as well.

Abstract: An electroluminescent earphone with a bending-resistance and a high-brightness includes earphone wires having bending-resistant electroluminescent wires, earbuds, an electroluminescent wire driver and an audio inputting plug. Each bending-resistant electroluminescent wire includes: a plurality of central electrodes; a luminescent layer coated on outer surfaces of the central electrodes; a transparent conductive layer coated on an outer surface of the luminescent layer; an outer electrode made of a plurality of wires arranged on an outer surface of the transparent conductive layer; and a transparent plastic covering the outer electrode and the transparent conductive layer. The bending-resistant electroluminescent wire is parallel with an earphone audio wire or coils around an outer surface of the earphone audio wire. A colored transparent plastic covers the bending-resistant electroluminescent wire and the earphone audio wire to form the earphone wire having the bending-resistant electroluminescent wire.

Abstract: Example embodiments of the present invention relate to a method and apparatus for visually and audibly indicating the setup and maintenance of a system.

Abstract: A flag assembly for presentation of at least one electrically-powered entity identifying source. The flag assembly includes a pole, a piece of material attached to the pole, and at least one electrically-powered entity identifying indicia within the assembly.

Abstract: A computing device includes an audio signal processing unit, a light module, and driving circuits. The audio signal processing unit decompresses digital audio data into an audio signal. The driving circuit drives the light module to light according to the audio signal, in such a manner that the intensity/brightness of the light module corresponds to amplitude of the audio signal in real-time.

Abstract: A quantification indicating circuit includes an indicating lamp set, a converting circuit, and an indicating lamp control circuit. The indicating lamp set has a plurality of indicating lamps. The converting circuit has a plurality of predetermined threshold values which are compared with a numerical signal of a circuit board to generate a comparison result. The comparison result is converted to be outputs of a plurality of control bits. The indicating lamp control circuit is coupled between the indicating lamp set and the converting circuit and is used for controlling the number of the indicating lamps which are brightened according to the outputs of the control bits.

Abstract: A process instrument includes a transducer, a two wire interface, a microprocessor, a digital to analog converter, a first control circuit, and a second control circuit. A current passing through the two wire interface indicates a condition of the transducer. The microprocessor is interfaced with the transducer. The digital to analog converter receives a signal from the microprocessor indicating a current value. The first control circuit is coupled to the digital to analog converter and adapted to control the current passing through the two wire interface to the current value. The second control circuit is coupled to the digital to analog converter and supplies current to a secondary load.

Abstract: Disclosed is a light display comprised of a light display unit containing 24 LEDs of various colors, a USB connector connecting the light display unit to a computer, and light display custom software that is loaded onto the computer. When the computer plays music audio such as a WAV file, MP3 file, or a CD disk, the light display custom software, installed on the computer, transforms the audio output into a four 8-bit byte record 40 times a second. The first byte is a header record, and the remaining 3 bytes contain 24 instruction bits. The instruction bits are calculated using a programmed spectrum analyzer that filter the sampled audio signal over a range of 20 Hz to 20K Hz. When the frequencies within a given band exceeds a threshold, the bit associated with that band is set to 1, otherwise the bit is set to 0. The light display unit contains a circuit board that turns the LED associated with the bit on if the bit is one, otherwise it is turned off.

Abstract: A quantification indicating circuit includes an indicating lamp set, a converting circuit, and an indicating lamp control circuit. The indicating lamp set has a plurality of indicating lamps. The converting circuit has a plurality of predetermined threshold values which are compared with a numerical signal of a circuit board to generate a comparison result. The comparison result is converted to be outputs of a plurality of control bits. The indicating lamp control circuit is coupled between the indicating lamp set and the converting circuit and is used for controlling the number of the indicating lamps which are brightened according to the outputs of the control bits.

Abstract: A gratuity receptacle that contains a gratuity sensor to detect when gratuity has been inserted into the opening of the gratuity receptacle. When gratuity has been inserted into the gratuity receptacle, the gratuity sensor activates a notification means to alert patrons and employees that gratuity has been inserted into the gratuity receptacle. The notification may be any combination of a visual, motion, and/or a sound notification. The notification may be related to an advertising campaign.

Abstract: A system that varies the brilliance of light bulbs in accordance with modulated audio signals. The audio signals are first compressed and then passed through a comparator. The comparator has two inputs, one of which is the aforesaid compressed audio signals. The other input is a control input which receives a second voltage in the form of a series of impulses. The compressed audio signals pass through the comparator if and when their voltage is higher than that of said second voltage.

Abstract: The present invention aims to provide an autonomous moving robot capable of visibly showing the human an initial check result for a sound input means in the initial stage after the robot device is turned on and activated, and whether or not the input sound was normally recognized. The robot has ears 9a, 9b respectively comprising microphones 10a, 10b for external sound input, and LED displays 11a, 11b with a plurality of luminescent portions around the respective microphones. The luminescent portions of the LED displays 11a, 11b indicate the judgment of the initial check on whether or not the ears 9a, 9b (the microphones 10a, 10b and the LED displays 11a, 11b) are normally functioning when the robot is turned on and activated, by means of the lighting states of the displays.

Abstract: Glasses having a sound activated lighting system provide an engaging and entertaining display that is also interactive. The lighting system may activate one or more lights based on the loudness or other characteristic of a sound. The glasses may comprise a frame configured to support the lighting system. The lighting system may include a power source, one or more lights, a microphone, and a controller. The controller may receive sound input from the microphone and activate or deactivate a light based on the loudness or other characteristic of the sound input.

Abstract: An economical system and method for extracting amplitude and frequency information from a modulated AC signal are provided. In one embodiment, the invention includes a circuitry implementing op amps, a dual diode, a filter, and a comparator to receive and manipulate the modulated AC signal. The dual diode receives and splits the AC signal into two separate paths, including a baseline path and a filtering path. The AC signal passing through the baseline path remains substantially unchanged, and the AC signal passing through the filtering path passes through a low-pass filter. The signal is then sent through a comparator for comparing amplitudes of the AC signal from the two paths, and the comparator output is received by a microprocessor for controlling a display that generates a visual indicia responsive to the comparator output.

Abstract: A light emitting diode warning device is provided capable of acting as a roadway warning flare or as a flashing warning marker the device being portable and rechargeable and presenting warning lights in the vertical direction and in the horizontal direction with the horizontal illumination being observable over 360 degrees.

Abstract: A sensing device 26 is attached to a tensioned strap 20 holding a load on a vehicle. A probe 44 engages the strap 20 and causes a signal lamp 28 to light up if the tension in the strap 20 is below a predetermined threshold value. The sensing device 26 helps the vehicle operator to set the tension correctly before a journey and also provides a visible warning if a strap becomes loose during the journey. The warning is visible beyond the vehicle, to alert other road users to a possible hazard.

Abstract: An ambient light system applied in a TV including a display panel, a loudspeaker and a plurality of ambient light sources includes an audio level detector, a pattern generator, and an ambient light controller. The audio level detector detects the level of an input audio signal to obtain a detected level. The pattern generator generates an ambient light pattern based on the detected level by reference to a selected operation mode. The ambient light controller controls the intensity of one or more ambient light sources based on the ambient light pattern.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention comprises a sound responsive light system. The system comprises an amplifier configured to receive an input signal from an audio source. The input signal corresponds to an audio signal. The system further comprises a plurality of filters configured to receive an amplified signal from the amplifier. A selected filter filters out signals outside of a selected frequency range. The system further comprises a group of light sources associated with the selected filter. The system further comprises a driver coupled to the group of light sources and configured to regulate a current and/or a voltage supplied to a selected light source. The current and/or voltage supplied to the selected light source depends at least partially on an amplitude of signals within the selected frequency range. The group of light sources are positioned in a spiral. The group of light sources are associated with multiple colors.

Abstract: A mobile communication terminal which includes a plurality of lights, apparatus for controlling the activation of the lights, apparatus for storing a number of sequences of activation of the lights, and apparatus for assigning one of the stored sequences of the activation of the lights to a particular event in the mobile communication terminal.

Abstract: An illuminated wind indicator that provides visual indication of wind motion even at night. One or more chime members and a pendulum assembly are suspended from a support or housing, and arranged so that the chime members and the pendulum assembly are capable of colliding with each other. In addition, there is a light source situated such that a portion of the pendulum assembly emits light. Power for the light source is provided by a solar cell and a rechargeable battery. A light sensor may be used to automatically detect the ambient light and switch the rechargeable battery from accumulating charge to powering the light when predetermined levels of ambient light are detected. The light source may be a suitable light emitting diode. The pendulum assembly may contain the solar panel. The light source may include a luminescent material.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for presenting a user with a visual indication of the likely user-perceived location of sound sources in an audio field generated from left and right audio channel signals. To produce this visual indication, corresponding components in the left and right channel signals are detected by a correlation arrangement. These corresponding components are then used by a source-determination arrangement to infer the presence of at least one sound source and to determine the azimuth location of this source within the audio field. A display processing arrangement causes a visual indication of the sound source and its location to be presented to the user.

Abstract: A combined doorbell and smoke detection device includes a housing that has monolithically formed sides. One side includes openings formed adjacent to the housing top corners for receiving fasteners therethrough. Nested within the housing are a door bell chime, a first control unit, a carbon monoxide smoke detector, and an ionization smoke detector. A second control unit is coupled to the carbon monoxide and ionization smoke detectors, and includes an amplifier. A power interrupt diverting switch is disposed within the housing and is mated to an external power source. An internal power supply source is nested within the housing and is coupled to the power interrupt diverting switch. A transformer is coupled to the power interrupt diverting switch, and the first and second control units for converting a first voltage level to a second voltage level transmitted to the first and second control units respectively.

Abstract: A headphone system is provided with two earbud headphones and a control module, each fitted with a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs). The LEDs may be of many different colors and flash to the beat of the music. Patterns, colors, and intensity may be adjusted based on a user's preferences. The intensity, frequency, and light patterns of the LEDs may change when a threshold level is reached.

Abstract: A load control device for controlling the amount of power delivered to an electrical load from an AC power source provides improved sensory feedback to a user of the load control device. The load control device comprises a touch screen actuator having a touch sensitive front surface responsive to a plurality of point actuations, each characterized by a position and a force. The touch screen actuator has an output operatively coupled to a controller for providing a control signal representative of the position of the point actuation. The load control device further comprises a visual display and an audible sound generator, both responsive to the controller. The controller is operable to cause the visual display to illuminate and the audible sound generator to generate an audible sound in response to the control signal of the touch screen actuator.

Abstract: A remote sound monitor includes a receiver unit and a transmitter unit. The transmitter unit includes a sound transducer that receives the sound input and converts the sound input to the audio signal, and an audio transmitter that transmits the audio signal. The receiver unit includes an audio receiver that receives a transmitted audio signal having a parameter that corresponds to an amplitude of a remote sound input, and a display that provides a visual indication of the parameter of the audio signal. The display providing the visual indication can flash, strobe, or change colors in response to a change in amplitude of the sound input. The receiver unit can also include an audio speaker with a user-actuated amplification stage to provide remote audio output of the sound input.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for executing a lighting program to control a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) in response to at least one characteristic of an audio input. In one embodiment, the audio input is digitally processed to determine the at least one characteristic. In other embodiments, control signals for the LEDs are generated in response to a timer and/or input from a user interface, as well as in response to the at least one characteristic of the audio input. In another embodiment, the control signals for the LEDs are generated by a same computer that processes the audio input to transmit signals to speakers to audibly play the audio input. In a further embodiment, a GUI is provided to assist in authoring the lighting program. In another embodiment, the audio signal is processed before being played back. In a further embodiment, the lighting program anticipates changes in the audio input.

Abstract: In the present invention, a lighting controller is provided to provide illumination based upon the playing of musical instruments. The lighting controller is programmed with lighting profiles which control the lights on a device. When musical instrument is played, a note (event) is detected by a transducer and based upon which event has been detected, a signal is sent to the lighting controller to determine which lighting profile to send to the device. Upon determining the proper lighting profile. a signal is sent from the lighting controller to the device causing the device to illuminate.

Abstract: A sound intensity display system for use by performers. The invention is a system which displays indications of sound intensity on a display large enough to be viewed by performers distant from the display. This invention allows indication of a sufficient number of different sound intensity ranges to make the system useful for performers including, but not limited to, musical performers. In a particular embodiment of the invention, the display face is permanently marked with “ppp” and “fff.” In that embodiment, vertical variable display elements styled as line segments can be selectively illuminated by light emitting diodes based on the sound intensity. This embodiment includes a built in microphone and a female jack connection to allow the optional use of an external microphone. That embodiment can be battery powered or powered by an external power supply through a jack-connection, at the option of the user. Other embodiments include ones capable of receiving and displaying inputs from multiple channels.

Abstract: A light modulation system as described herein can be incorporated into a personal or portable electronic apparatus such as a cellular telephone, a digital music player, or the like. The light modulation system controls the activation of light elements, such as light emitting diodes, of the host electronic apparatus in response to one or more analog audio signals available at the host electronic apparatus. The analog audio signals may be obtained from any suitable analog audio path or source in the host electronic apparatus. The light modulation system is compact, inexpensive to implement, and need not rely on digital signal processors for operation.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a parent unit (receiver) of an infant monitor includes an electronics housing, an antenna, a speaker, and a visual light display portion. In one embodiment, the light display portion is mounted on the front surface of the monitor. In another embodiment, the light display portion is mounted in conjunction with the antenna. The light display portion may include elongate light display members associated with individual light sources (LEDs). Also in accordance with the present invention, a parent unit of an infant monitor includes an LED test or LED “try-me” switch which allows the parent to both test the visual output of the light display portion of the parent unit (prior to purchase) and test the functioning of the light display portion (after purchase and removal from the packaging) without actually receiving actual sound-representative signals from the infant unit (transmitter).

Abstract: An apparatus and method thereof wherein a portable computer system or personal digital assistant generates a visual signal in response to an occurrence of a programmed event. For example, the portable computer system can use a light emitting diode to visually signal an alarm at a specified time. The visual signal can be varied in order to indicate the type of event associated with the alarm. In one implementation, the visual signal blinks at a particular rate depending on the type of event. In another implementation, the visual signal blinks a prescribed number of times or according to a particular pattern depending on the type of event. When enabled, the visual signal is generated in lieu of an audible signal, thus providing to the user a silent alarm that does not disturb other people in proximity, such as in a meeting, a theater, or some other gathering.

Abstract: An electroluminescent dashboard control circuit for automobile in which a voltage comparator is used to control the operation of different colors of electroluminescent lamps subject to the voltage level of inputted voice signal received from a microphone, and a switch is used to select full-light or auto operation mode.

Abstract: A system and method for the control of color-based lighting through voice control or speech recognition as well as a syntax for use with such a system. In this approach, the spoken voice (in any language) can be used to more naturally control effects without having to learn the myriad manipulation required of some complex controller interfaces. A simple control language based upon spoken words consisting of commands and values is constructed and used to provide a common base for lighting and system control.