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Patent No. 3838417
Visual color response apparatus ( Charas, Sep 24, 1974)
Abstract
An apparatus for producing a visual color response in an observer includes a flashing stoboscopic light and a means for controlling the flashing frequency of this light so as to provide a light signal having a predetermined flashing frequency substantially within the range of at least 1 to 16 cycles per second for producing at least a selected predetermined color within the visible light spectrum as the visual color response, the color being dependent on the flashing frequency, a different color being produced at a different flashing frequency. Means, such as a tape recorder in conjunction with a headset to which the strobe can be attached, are also provided for substantially simultaneously producing an audio response in the observer correlated with the visual response. The flashing frequency is preferably controlled independently of the audio signal, such as music, although subjectively correlated to the mood of the music.
Notes:
BACKGROUND
OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to devices for producing a controllable visual
color response in an observer. 2. Description of the Prior Art
The use of colored light in conjunction with recorded music is well known such
as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,478,637; 3,163,077; 3,240,099 and 3,478,837.
However, all these prior art light systems are directly controlled by the recorded
music and the light produced is merely due to the turning on of lights of a
particular selected color rather than by utilizing a single light whose flashing
frequency is variable to produce different visual color responses in an observer
by variations in this flashing frequency rather than by the use of colored filters.
These prior art devices operate by merely turning on the appropriate light dependent
on the frequency of the portion of the music being played. In addition, with
the advent of modern discotheques, the use of stroboscopic lamps in conjunction
with music has become widespread, such as the type exemplified in U.S. Pat.
No. 3,478,837. However, none of these prior art devices is concerned with utilizing
such a stroboscopic lamp as a means for providing a visual color response in
an observer which may be varied in accordance with variations in the flashing
frequency of the strobe and, accordingly, the strobe is merely utilized for
the eerie "pop culture" effect it produces. Thus, none of the prior art devices
have utilized a strobe as a means for providing a visual color response in an
observer which may be varied in accordance with variations in the flashing frequency
of the strobe to produce predictable visual color responses.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An apparatus for producing a visual color response in an observer includes stroboscopic
means for providing a flashing stroboscopic light signal having a predetermined
controllable flashing frequency to the observer for producing this visual response
and means for controlling the flashing frequency of the stroboscopic light signal
to provide a light signal having a predetermined flashing frequency substantially
within the range of at least one to sixteen cycles per second for producing
at least a selected predetermined color within the visible light spectrum as
this visual color response, the color being dependent on the flashing frequency,
a different color being produced at a different flashing frequency. Such an
apparatus also preferably includes means, such as a tape recorder in conjunction
with a headset, for substantially simultaneously producing an audio response
in the observer correlated with the visual response, the flashing frequency
of the strobe being controlled independently of the audio signal although preferably
correlated therewith in accordance with the mood of the music if such music
is the recorded audio signal. Preferably, the headset comprises a pair of conventional
earphones and the strobe which is mechanically connected to the earphones, such
as via a variable length arm, the strobe being located at a predetermined distance
from the eyelids of the observer, the distance being a value sufficient to provide
at least an intensity of 750,000 CP for the light signal at the eyelids. The
flashing frequency of the strobe may preferably be controlled either by means
of a recorded control signal on a track of a multitrack tape recorder, such
as one providing the audio signal via a different track or may be controlled
manually by means of a variable frequency squarewave generator.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING
FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic illustration, partially in block, of the preferred
system of the present invention; and
FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic illustration, partially in block, of the headset portion
of the system of FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
EMBODIMENT
Referring now to the drawings in detail and particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2 thereof,
the preferred apparatus for producing a visual color response in an observer
is shown. The apparatus of the present invention preferably includes a headset,
generally referred to by the reference numeral 10, and a means for providing
an audio signal, preferably music, to the headset 10, such means being illustratively
shown by a conventional tape recorder 12. The headset 10 preferably includes
a conventional pair of earphones 14 and 16 which are electrically connected,
preferably via a conventional plug in jack 18 to the output of tape recorder
12 in conventional fashion which will not be described in greater detail hereinafter.
The earphones 14 and 16 are preferably mechanically connected together via a
conventional coupling member 20 which fits over the head of the wearer or observer,
shown illustratively by reference numeral 22 in FIGS. 1 and 2. Preferably, as
shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the headset 10 also includes a conventional stroboscopic
lamp 24, such as a clinical model PS33 strobe manufactured by Grass Medical
Instruments of Quincy, Massachusetts, which strobe 24 preferably has a variable
flashing frequency or rate to be described in greater detail hereinafter. The
strobe 24 is preferably mechanically connected to the coupling member 20 of
earphones 14 and 16 by a link arm member 26 which is preferably variable in
length, such as by a conventional telescoping arrangement having a conventional
screw adjust member 28 for locking the link arm 26 at the desired length "L".
As will be described in greater detail hereinafter, this length "L" is preferably
measured from the eyelids 30 (FIG. 2) of the observer 22 to the point of emission
of the light signal from the storbe 24, this distance "L" determining the intensity
of the light signal emitted from the strobe 24 at the eyelids of the observer.
Preferably, this distance "L" is of a value sufficient to provide at least an
intensity of 750,000 candlepower for the emitted light signal at the eyelids
of the observer in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
It is of course understood that this intensity is determined both by the initial
intensity of the strobe 24 and the distance "L", the distance "L" being preferably
varied as the intensity of the strobe 24 is changed, such as by utilizing a
different strobe having a different intensity, so as to preferably provide at
least an intensity of 750,000 candlepower to the light signal at the eyelids
of the observer as previously mentioned. By way of example, if the Grass Medical
Instruments model PS33 strobe is utilized, such a strobe has a preferred flash
intensity of 750,000 candlepower, a flash duration of approximately ten microseconds,
a synchronizable light signal output and a variable flashing frequency, the
distance L is preferably within the range of 3 to 12 inches for the normal observer
in order to produce the intensity of the value described above.
The flashing frequency of the strobe 24, as was previously mentioned, is preferably
variable and the strobe 24 preferably has a predetermined controllable flashing
frequency which is controllable preferably by conventional variable frequency
squarewave generator 32 whose output is preferably connected through a conventional
amplifier 34, a switch 36, to be described in greater detail hereinafter, and
plug 18 to the strobe 24 or, if desired, the flashing frequency of the strobe
24 may be controlled by means of a control signal recorded on a track of tape
recorder 12 if tape recorder 12 is a conventional multitrack tape recorder,
the audio signal being recorded on a separate track from the control signal.
As shown in FIG. 1, switch 36 determines whether the flashing frequency of the
strobe 24 is controlled by variable frequency squarewave generator 32, as is
the case in the illustrated position of switch 36, or by the control signal
track of tape recorder 12 as illustrated by the dotted lines in FIG. 1.
As was previously mentioned, the control means, either generator 32 or the control
signal track of tape recorder 12, preferably controls the flashing frequency
of the stroboscopic light signal from strobe 24 to provide a light signal having
a predetermined flashing frequency substantially within the range of at least
1 to 16 cycles per second for producing at least a selected predetermined color
within the visible light spectrum as a visual color response in an observer,
the color being dependent on the flashing frequency, a different color being
produced at a different flashing frequency. Most preferably, the stroboscopic
source 24 provides a color in the red-orange spectrum as the visual color response
when the flashing frequency is substantially within the range of 1 to 10 cycles
per second, a color in the orange-green spectrum as the visual color response
when the flashing frequency is substantially within the range of 8 to 12 cycles
per second, and a color in the green-blue spectrum as the visual color response
when the flashing frequency is substantially within the range of 12 to 16 cycles
per second. Preferably, these flashing frequencies and the resultant colors
are determined for the individual observer in accordance with the mood of the
music when the headset 10 is used in conjunction with recorded music, the mood
being a subjective combination of pitch, frequency and amplitude, and the selected
colors being correlated by the observer to the subjective mood of the music,
the colors produced in accordance with the flashing frequency of the strobe
24 activating the retina of the eye of the observer directly.
Preferably, the observer 22 "looks" at the strobe 24 which is located along
the optical axis preferably, from the eyelids of the observer with closed eyes
which are preferably not shut tight but merely closed so that the observer cannot
see through the eyes, the light from the strobe 24 impinging on the closed eyelids
and activating the retina directly.
In utilizing the apparatus of the present invention, the observer places the
headset 10 on the head and looks at the strobe 24. He then closes his eyes and
turns on the multitrack tape recorder 12, if that is being utilized, and listens
to the music through the earphones 14-16 while the strobe 24 flashes in accordance
with predetermined rates determined by the control signal recorded on the control
signal track of the tape recorder 12, the flashing light impinging upon the
closed eyelids so as to produce the visual color response which has been predetermined
in accordance with the preselected flashing frequency, the various colors having
preferably been preselected in accordance with the mood of the recorded music.
It should be noted, that preferably, the flashing frequency of the strobe 24
determines the predominant color within the visible light spectrum which is
observed, this color being dependent on flashing frequency.
It is to be understood that the above described embodiment of the invention
is merely illustrative of the principles thereof and that numerous modifications
and embodiments of the invention may be derived within the spirit and scope
thereof, such as by utilizing a different conventional means for providing an
audio signal, such as a record player, and a different means for controlling
the flashing frequency of the strobe such as via a punch tape in conjunction
with a variable frequency generator. It should be noted that when the preferred
range of flashing frequency for the strobe is extended to at least 1 to 60 cycles
per second, predictable effects within the visible color spectrum are still
produced, such as the occurrence of black patterns on a white background within
the range of 17 to 60 cycles per second.