Abstract:
An audio signal manipulator system for manually manipulating digital audio signals to simulate the audio sounds emitted when a user mixes vinyl records. The audio signal manipulator system includes a console for storing and manipulating a digital signal input received from a multimedia input apparatus. A manipulating assembly comprising a stand and an effects disk mountable to a phonograph, and a transducer is provided for manually manipulating media currently playing in the console. The transducer is preferably mounted on the stand for selectively engaging the effects disk such that it reads a rotational direction and a rotational speed of the effects disk. In one embodiment of the present invention, manual movement of the effects digitally manipulates the media stored in the console.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to audio mixers and more particularly pertains to a new audio signal manipulator system for manually manipulating digital audio signals to simulate the audio sounds emitted when a user mixes vinyl records. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     The use of audio mixers is known in the prior art. More specifically, audio mixers heretofore devised and utilized are known to consist basically of familiar, expected and obvious structural configurations, notwithstanding the myriad of designs encompassed by the crowded prior art which have been developed for the fulfillment of countless objectives and requirements. 
     Known prior art includes U.S. Pat. No. 5,675,557; U.S. Pat. No. 4,201,895; U.S. Pat. No. 5,734,731; U.S. Pat. No. Des 275,674; U.S. Pat. No. 5,647,008; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,896,459. 
     While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, the aforementioned patents do not disclose a new audio signal manipulator system. The inventive device includes a console for storing and manipulating a digital signal input received from a multimedia input apparatus. A manipulating assembly comprising a stand, a phonograph, an effects disk and a transducer is provided for manipulating media currently playing in the console. The phonograph includes a base and a turntable with the effects disk being removably mounted on the turntable. The stand may be removably mountable on the base of the phonograph. The stand preferably includes an upstanding member having an arm member is pivotally coupled to an end of the upstanding member and positionable over the turntable. The transducer is preferably mounted on the arm member for selectively engaging the effects such that it reads a rotational direction and a rotational speed of the effects disk. In one embodiment of the present invention, movement of the effects digitally manipulates the media stored in the console. 
     In these respects, the audio signal manipulator system according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in so doing provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of manually manipulating digital audio signals to simulate the audio sounds emitted when a user mixes vinyl records. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of audio mixers now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new audio signal manipulator system construction wherein the same can be utilized for manually manipulating digital audio signals to simulate the audio sounds emitted when a user mixes vinyl records. 
     The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new audio signal manipulator system apparatus and method which has many of the advantages of the audio mixers mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a new audio signal manipulator system which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art audio mixers, either alone or in any combination thereof. 
     To attain this, the present invention generally comprises a console for storing and manipulating a digital signal input received from a multimedia input. A manipulating assembly comprising a stand, a phonograph, an effects disk and a transducer is provided for manipulating media currently playing in the console. The phonograph includes a base and a turntable with the effects disk being removably mounted on the turntable. The stand may be removably mountable on the base of the phonograph. The stand preferably includes an upstanding member having an arm member is pivotally coupled to an end of the upstanding member and positionable over the turntable. The transducer is preferably mounted on the arm member for selectively engaging the effects such that it reads a rotational direction and a rotational speed of the effects disk. In one embodiment of the present invention, movement of the effects digitally manipulates the media stored in the console. 
     There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. 
     In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
     As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way. 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new audio signal manipulator system apparatus and method which has many of the advantages of the audio mixers mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a new audio signal manipulator system which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art audio mixers, either alone or in any combination thereof. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a new audio signal manipulator system which may be easily and efficiently manufactured and marketed. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new audio signal manipulator system which is of a durable and reliable construction. 
     An even further object of the present invention is to provide a new audio signal manipulator system which is susceptible of a low cost of manufacture with regard to both materials and labor, and which accordingly is then susceptible of low prices of sale to the consuming public, thereby making such audio signal manipulator system economically available to the buying public. 
     Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new audio signal manipulator system which provides in the apparatuses and methods of the prior art some of the advantages thereof, while simultaneously overcoming some of the disadvantages normally associated therewith. 
     Still another object of the present invention is to provide a new audio signal manipulator system for manually manipulating digital audio signals to simulate the audio sounds emitted when a user mixes vinyl records. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new audio signal manipulator system which includes a console for storing and manipulating a digital signal input received from a multimedia input. A manipulating assembly comprising a stand, a phonograph, an effects disk and a transducer is provided for manipulating media currently playing in the console. The phonograph includes a base and a turntable with the effects disk being removably mounted on the turntable. The stand may be removably mountable on the base of the phonograph. The stand preferably includes an upstanding member having an arm member is pivotally coupled to an end of the upstanding member and positionable over the turntable. The transducer is preferably mounted on the arm member for selectively engaging the effects such that it reads a rotational direction and a rotational speed of the effects disk. In one embodiment of the present invention, movement of the effects digitally manipulates the media stored in the console. 
     Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new audio signal manipulator system that, unlike the prior art, allows a user to manually manipulate store digital audio signals to simulate a sound emitted when a user mixes two vinyl records. 
     Even still another object of the present invention is to provide a new audio signal manipulator system that allows a user to manually manipulate digital audio signals that are clear sounding. Prior to the present invention, users had to manually manipulate vinyl records that had poor sound quality. Additionally, a user is more portable then when vinyl records had to be moved. Since compact disks and other digital storage means are smaller, a user can more easily transport their media. 
     These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a new audio signal manipulator system according to the present invention showing manipulating assembly. 
     FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of the present invention showing a stand of the manipulating assembly. 
     FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of the present invention showing an effects disk. 
     FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the present invention taken along line  4 — 4  of FIG.  3 . 
     FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the present invention taken along line  5 — 5  of FIG.  2 . 
     FIG. 6 is a schematic frontal view of the present invention showing a console. 
     FIG. 7 is a schematic frontal view of the present invention showing a multimedia input assembly. 
     FIG. 8 is a schematic exploded view of the present invention showing multimedia drives and media in the multimedia input assembly. 
     FIG. 9 is a schematic back view of the present invention showing a back wall of the console and the multimedia input assembly. 
     FIG. 10 is a schematic front view of the present invention showing an effects unit. 
     FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of the present invention. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 through 11 thereof, a new audio signal manipulator system embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention and generally designated by the reference numeral  10  will be described. 
     As best illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 11, the audio signal manipulator system  10  generally comprises a multimedia input apparatus  12 , a console  32 , and a manipulating assembly  63  for altering the sound of digital signals such that they sound similar to the manipulation of vinyl records on a phonograph. 
     The multimedia input apparatus  12  is provided for receiving a plurality of digital signal inputs. The multimedia input apparatus  12  preferably comprises a housing  13  that includes a front wall  14 , a back wall  15  and a peripheral wall  16  extending between the front  14  and back  15  walls. The front wall  14  includes a plurality of openings  17  extending into a plurality of multimedia bays  18 . The plurality of multimedia bays  17  may include a first  19 , a second  20 , a third  21 , and a fourth  22  multimedia bay. 
     Preferably a plurality of multimedia drive units  24  is provided for reading media  25 . As illustrated in FIG. 5, each of the multimedia drive units  24  is removably positioned in a respective multimedia bay  18  of the housing  13 . The plurality of multimedia drive unit  24  may comprise a compact disk drive unit  26  that may be removably positioned in the first multimedia bay  19  for reading a compact disc media. A floppy disk drive unit  27  may be removably positioned in the second multimedia bay  20  for reading a floppy disk media. A high capacity storage drive unit  28  may be removably positioned in the third multimedia bay  21  for reading a high capacity storage device media. Lastly, a digital video disk drive unit  29  may be removably positioned the fourth multimedia bay  22  for reading a digital video disk media. The multimedia input apparatus  12  may have any combination or variation of the multimedia drive units  24  in the housing  14 , for instance, all the multimedia bays  18  may have compact disk drive units  26  position in them. 
     As illustrated in FIG. 5, a plurality of eject buttons  30  may be mounted on the front wall  14  of the housing  13  for ejecting the media  25  from the multimedia drive units  24 . Each of the eject buttons  30  is electrically connected to a respective multimedia drive unit  24 . Each of the eject buttons  30  may be positioned generally adjacent to its respective multimedia drive unit  24 . 
     The console  32  is provided for storing and manipulating the digital signal inputs from the multimedia input apparatus  12 . The console  32  is electrically connected to the multimedia input apparatus  12  for receiving the digital signal inputs. The console  32  preferably comprises a case  33  that includes a front wall  34 , a back wall  35 , and a peripheral wall  36  extending between the front  34  and the back  35  walls of the case  33 . The case  33  may comprise a substantially rigid material such as, for example, an aluminum or steel material. 
     Control circuitry  38  is preferably mounted in the case  33  for controlling the console  32  and for controlling reception of the digital signal inputs from the multimedia input apparatus  12 . 
     As illustrated in FIG. 4, a pair of control panels  40  may be provided for controlling storage and playing of the digital signal inputs. Each of the control panels  40  is mounted on the front wall  34  of the case  33 . Each of the control panels  40  is electrically connected to the control circuitry  38 . Each of the control panels  40  may comprise a current display  41  for indicating a track of the media  25  currently playing in one of the multimedia drives units  24 . A pair of queue displays  42  may be provided for indicating a track of the media  25  in one of the multimedia drives units  24 . 
     A plurality of selectors  43  may be provided for selecting a track of the media  25  in one of the multimedia drives units  24 . Each of the selectors  43  is position generally adjacent to a respective display  41  and  42 . Each of the selectors  43  preferably comprises a touch sensitive screen, although conventional knob and push button-type selectors may be employed. 
     A queue selector  44  may be provided for selecting between one of the tracks of media  25  displayed in one of the queue displays  42  and the track currently being played and displayed in the current display  41 . The queue selector  44  may be positioned generally between the current display  41  and the pair of queue displays  42 . A plurality of media controls  45  may be provided for controlling the media  25  in each of the multimedia drives units  24 . The plurality of media controls  45  may be positioned generally adjacent to the queue selector  44 . 
     The plurality of media controls  45  may comprise a play button  46  for playing a track of the media  25  and a stop button  47  for stopping the playing of a track of the media  25 . The play button  46  may also pause the track of media  25  being played by pressing it while the track is playing. A forward button  48  and a reverse button  49  may be provided for advancing and reversing a track of the media. A fast forward button  50  and a fast reverse  51  button may be provided for more quickly forwarding or reversing a track of the media  25  being played. Additionally, a pitch control  52  may be provided for controlling a pitch of a track of the media  25 . A playback speed control  53  may be provided for controlling a speed of a track of the media  25  that is being played. 
     A plurality of remote eject buttons  54  may be provided for remotely ejecting the media  25  from one of the multimedia drive units  24 . Each of the remote eject buttons  54  may be positioned generally between each of the control panels  40 . 
     As illustrated in FIG. 7, a plurality of jacks  55  may be mounted on the back wall  35  of the case  33  for electrically connecting the console  32  to the multimedia input apparatus  12  and for connecting the console  32  to a plurality of peripheral devices. Each of the jacks  55  is electrically connected to the control circuitry  32 . The plurality of jacks  55  may comprise a plurality of RCA-type jacks  56  for electrically connecting the console to peripheral devices such as, for example, a turntable, a cassette player or a pair of headphones. 
     A plurality of MIDI-type jacks  57  may be provided for electrically connecting the console  32  to a plurality of MIDI devices such as, for example a keyboard. Each of the MIDI-type jacks is positioned generally adjacent to the RCA-type jacks. 
     A digital jack  58  may be provided for receiving and transmitting digital audio signals from a peripheral device that includes a digital jack such as, for example a compact disk player. A small computer system interface jack  59  may be provided that is connected to a small computer interface jack  60  of the multimedia input apparatus  32 . In one embodiment of the present invention, the console  32  is in digital communication with the multimedia input apparatus  12  digitally transferring digital signal inputs through the small computer system interface jacks  59  and  60 . 
     As illustrated in FIG. 8, an effects unit  61  may be provided for digitally altering the digital signal inputs from the multimedia input apparatus  12 . The effects unit  61  may be removably mounted on the front wall  34  of the case  33 . The effects unit  61  may be positioned generally between the queue selector  44  and the pair of queue displays  42 . The effects unit  61  is electrically connected to the control circuitry  38 . The effects unit  61  provides additional means of altering the sound of the digital signal inputs being played from the console  32 . 
     As illustrated in FIGS. 1,  2 , and  3 , a manipulating assembly  63  is provided for manipulating the media  25  currently playing in the console  32 . The manipulating assembly  63  preferably comprises a phonograph  64  for playing vinyl records. The phonograph  64  preferably includes a base  65  that includes an upper surface  66  and a lower surface  67 . The phonograph  64  includes a turntable  68  that is movably mounted on the upper surface  66  of the base  65  of the phonograph  64 . 
     As illustrated in FIG. 2, an effects disk  70  is provided for manipulating the media  25  stored in and currently playing in the console  32 . The effects disk  70  is selectively mountable on the turntable  68 . As particularly illustrated in FIG. 4, the effects disk  70  includes a top surface  71  that has a plurality of notches  72  extending therein. Each of the notches  72  is positioned generally adjacent to one another such that a gear track  73  of the notches  72  is defined. The gear track  73  extends around the effects disk  70  and is positioned generally adjacent to a peripheral edge  74  of the effects disk  70 . The top surface  71  of the effects disk  70  also includes a plurality of pits  75  extending therein. Each of the pits  75  is positioned generally adjacent to one another such that an optical track  76  is defined. The optical track  76  is preferably positioned between the gear track  73  and the peripheral edge  74  of the effects disk  70 . 
     As illustrated in FIG. 1, a stand  80  is provided that is removably mountable to the base  65  of the phonograph  64 . The stand  80  preferably includes an upstanding member  81  that includes a first portion  82  and a second portion  83  selectively telescoping from the first portion  82 . In one embodiment of the present invention, the first portion has a first end  84 , a second end  85  and a peripheral wall  86  extending between the first  84  and second  85  ends. The first end  84  includes an opening  87  extending into a cavity  88  of the first portion  84 . The second portion  83  has a first end  89 , a second end  90  and a peripheral wall  91 . The second end  90  of the second portion  83  is movably positioned in the cavity  88  of the first portion  82 . 
     As illustrated in FIG. 5, a fastening member  92  may be provided for selectively fixing the first portion  82  in a position with respect to the second portion  83 . The fastening member  92  may be removably extended through the peripheral wall  86  of the first portion  82  and removably mounted in the peripheral wall  91  of the second portion  83 . The fastening member  92  may comprise a thumbscrew. 
     As illustrated in FIG. 1, a clamp assembly  94  may be provided for removably clamping the stand  80  to the base  65  of the phonograph  64 . The clamp assembly  94  may include a lower clamp member  95  extending perpendicularly from a front side  96  of the upstanding member  81 . The lower clamp member  95  is selectively abuttable against the lower surface  67  of the base  65  of the phonograph  64 . An upper clamp member  97  is movably coupled to the second portion  83  of the upstanding member  81 . The upper clamp member  97  preferably includes a plate  98 . A lower surface  99  of the plate  98  includes a protruding portion  100  extending downwardly therefrom. The protruding portion  100  is selectively abuttable against the upper surface  66  of the base  65  of the phonograph  64 . The protruding portion  100  may be positioned in a slot of the phonograph  64  adapted for holding an adapter used for playing  45 s. 
     A pair of securing members  101  may be provided for selectively securing the plate  98  in a position with respect to the upstanding member  81 . Each of the securing members  101  is removably extended through a pair of elongated slots  102  extending through the peripheral wall  91  of the second portion  83  and is removably mounted in a back surface  104  of the plate  98 . Each of the slots  102  includes a longitudinal axis extending between the first  89  and second  90  ends of the second portion  83 . Each of the securing members  101  may comprise a thumbscrew. 
     An arm member  105  is provided that is pivotally coupled to the second end  85  of the first portion  82  of the upstanding member  81 . The arm member  105  is positioned generally parallel to the clamp assembly  94  and positionable over the turntable  68  when the stand  80  is removably mounted to the base  65  of the phonograph  64 . 
     As illustrated in FIG. 1, a pair of transducers  106  is provided for reading a rotational direction and a rotational speed of the effects disk  70 . Each of the transducers  106  is mounted on a lower surface  107  of the arm member  105  of the stand  80 . A first of the transducers  106  preferably comprises a gear  108  that is positioned generally adjacent to an end  109  of the arm member  105 . The gear includes a plurality of teeth  110  that selectively engage the plurality of notches  72  of the gear track  73 . 
     A second of the transducers preferably comprises a laser  112 . The laser  112  is preferably positioned generally adjacent to the gear  108 . A light emitted from the laser  112  shines on the pits  75  of the optical track  76 . Each of the transducers  106  is electrically connected to the control circuitry  38  of the console  32 . 
     In use, the rotational direction of the effects disk  70  on the turntable  68  of the phonograph  64  is interpreted by the gear  108  engaging the notches  72  in the gear track  73 . The rotational speed of the effects disk  70  is interpreted by the light of the laser  112  shining on the plurality of pits  75  in the optical track  76 . In one embodiment of the present invention, the media  25  stored in the console  32  is digitally manipulated to alter the stored media&#39;s  25  sound. An optional embodiment of the present invention may employ a single transducer, such as the gear  108  or the laser  112 , to read the speed and the direction of the effects disk  70 . The optional embodiment could be manufactured such that it could use an effects disk having a single track, such as, for example the gear track  73  or the optical track  76 , or a dual track. 
     As to a further discussion of the manner of usage and operation of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided. 
     With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. 
     Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.