US 4,068,262 A · Auxiliary variable coordinate sonic display system

Abstract

Method and apparatus for creating a dynamic image on a television receiver display screen reflecting mood and character of music. Methods of pattern generation and color modulation are described. The pattern as seen by a viewer is a derived X-Y coordinate plot. The invention contemplates a format translator which is defined as a memory that samples an audio waveform periodically, determines the screen position corresponding to each sample, and stores video pulses in memory locations corresponding to those screen positions. The memory is then read in a line-by-line format for television display. The memory is thus written into in an X-Y format and read out in a raster scan format. Symmetry and variable image change rate can be employed in order to produce a pattern with pleasing effects. Image color is varied by shifting the phase of the chrominance sub-carrier as a function of the music envelope. Image color and intensity formation are then combined in an output mixer to produce a standard composite video output signal.

Claims8

Dependent claims

A digital auxiliary variable coordinate sonic display system comprising in combination:

at least two input filters for receiving and filtering an audio input signal;
a first phase shifter for receiving the filtered audio input signals and shifting the phase of at least one of the filtered audio signals;
a pair of analog-to-digital converters for receiving the filtered and phase shifted audio signals and converting them to digital form;
a digital memory for receiving the digital audio signals and providing storage therefor;
timing and control means for providing timing and control signals to said analog-to-digital converters and to said digital memory;
a function amplifier for receiving and forming a function derived from an audio input signal;
a high pass filter for receiving the derived function from said function amplifier;
a peak detector for receiving the output signal from said high pass filter;
a second phase shifter receiving the output of the peak detector and shifting the phase of the peak detected signal;
and
a video translator for receiving the output signal from said second phase shifter and combining said output signal with an output signal from said digital memory to form a composite video signal.

8 more elements

A digital auxiliary coordinate sonic display system comprising in combination:

means for receiving an analog audio input signal;
means for filtering said analog audio input signal;
means for shifing the phase of said analog audio input signal;
means for deriving a function of said analog audio input signal;
means for filtering said derived function of said analog audio input signal;
means for peak detecting said filtered, derived function of said analog audio input signal;
means for converting said filtered analog audio input signal to digital form;
means for converting said phase shifted analog audio input signal to digital form;
memory means for storing said digital form signals;
means for shifting the phase of said peak detected, filtered, derived function of said analog audio input signal;
and
video translator means for receiving said output signal from said means for shifting the phase of said peak detected, filtered, derived function of said analog audio input signal along with an output signal from said memory means and combining said output signals to form a composite video signal.

9 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Auxiliary variable coordinate sonic display system

Life of this patent

Auxiliary variable coordinate sonic display system

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims8