Abstract:
A method for controlling a plurality of light sources. Control signals corresponding to notes of a music file are generated to enable selected ones of a plurality of receptacles to be powered. The plurality of receptacles comprises a first plurality of receptacles and a second plurality of receptacles, and the first plurality of receptacles are powered more frequently than the second plurality of receptacles. The plurality of receptacles is adapted to supply power to the plurality of light sources. A pleasing twinkling effect can be created even if light sources are not coupled to one of the plurality of receptacles.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to controlling light sources, and more particularly to controlling a plurality of light sources based on notes of a music file. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    Decorative display devices, coupled with decorative lights, are an important element of any holiday season, especially Christmas. Decorative lighting during the Christmas season includes Christmas tree lights, exterior lights on buildings, trees and foliage, and interior lights displayed in windows, and throughout homes or buildings. 
         [0005]    A twinkling effect is a desirable characteristic of decorative lights. A twinkling effect may be achieved by flashing individual or multiple lights on and off in a regular or random pattern. 
         [0006]    Hence, it is desirable to continue to introduce new and innovative ways to create pleasing effects for display and illumination of decorative elements, including twinkling effects, and the present invention further addresses this need. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    The foregoing and other limitations are overcome by a method for controlling a plurality of light sources and a device that operates in accordance with the method. 
         [0008]    According to one example embodiment of the invention, in the method, control signals corresponding to notes of a music file are generated to enable selected ones of a plurality of receptacles to be powered. The plurality of receptacles comprises a first plurality of receptacles and a second plurality of receptacles, and the first plurality of receptacles are powered more frequently than the second plurality of receptacles. The plurality of receptacles is adapted to supply power to the plurality of light sources. In this manner, a pleasing twinkling effect is created even if light sources are not coupled to the second plurality of receptacles. 
         [0009]    The music file can be, for example, a MIDI file. The plurality of receptacles can include, for example, AC receptacles, and the plurality of light sources can include, for example, light strings having AC plugs adapted to be coupled to respective ones of the receptacles. The control circuit can generate the signal based on at least one of the notes of the music file, and an amplifier can amplify the signal. Multiple receptacles can be powered for at least one note. 
         [0010]    This brief summary has been provided so that the nature of the invention may be understood quickly. A more complete understanding of the invention can be obtained by reference to the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment thereof in connection with the attached drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a display device in accordance with an example embodiment of the invention. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is a schematic diagram of the display device in accordance with an example embodiment of the invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a flow diagram of a process for controlling light sources in accordance with an example embodiment of the invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is a table specifying a configuration of a control pattern in accordance with an example embodiment of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0015]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a display device  100  in accordance with an example embodiment of the invention. Receptacles  31  to  36  (see also  FIG. 2 ) are AC power receptacles adapted to supply power in response to control signals received from programmable control circuit  10  shown in  FIG. 2 . Receptacles  31  to  36  are electrically coupled to light sources, such as, for example, light strings  71  and  72  having AC plugs, or any other suitable type of circuit of display lighting. Receptacles  31  and  32  form a first group of receptacles  61 , and receptacles  33  to  36  form a second group of receptacles  62 . Speaker  41  is adapted to generate an audible signal based on a signal (e.g., an analog signal) generated by programmable control circuit  10 . 
         [0016]    Display device  100  receives 120VAC, 60 Hz AC power from an AC power receptacle via AC plug  54  (shown in  FIG. 2 ), although in other embodiments, other types of power/voltage can be used. Light sources can be plugged into receptacles  31  to  36 , and display device  100  is activated via switch  52 . 
         [0017]    Once activated, display device  100  emits an audible signal through speaker  41  and continuously activates and deactivates light sources (coupled to receptacles  31  to  36 ) based on notes of a music file ( 13  of  FIG. 2 ) stored in programmable control circuit  10 , as will be described in more detail below. In this manner, music can be played, and the powering of the lights is synchronized with the notes of a song such that the light display can be perceived as a visual representation of the song. 
         [0018]    In an example embodiment of the invention, display device  100  powers receptacles in the first group  61  (i.e., receptacles  31  and  32 ) more frequently than receptacles in the second group  62  (i.e., receptacles  33  to  36 ), as described below in the description of  FIG. 3 . 
         [0019]    Because light sources coupled to receptacles in the first group  61  are powered more frequently than light sources coupled to receptacles in the second group  62 , the powering of the lights will still appear to be synchronized with the musical notes if light sources are not coupled to receptacles in the second group  62 . For example, display device  100  can be configured to power receptacles in the first group  61  in a manner such that about sixty or seventy percent of the time at least one light source is powered and emits light, and so that light sources connected to receptacles in the second group  62  are powered about forty or thirty percent of the time. 
         [0020]      FIG. 2  is a schematic diagram of the display device in accordance with an example embodiment of the invention. Programmable control circuit  10  has a processor  11 , a memory  12 , a digital-to-analog (D/A) converter  16 , and light display controller  17 . Memory  12  stores an audio sample such as, for example, a music file  13 , and also stores control pattern  14  and program instructions  15  for performing a method such as that of  FIG. 3  described below. Music file  13  is a Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI) file, but it can also be any other suitable type of music file that represents a sequence of instructions for playing musical notes. Each instruction specifies one or more musical notes to be played (simultaneously or otherwise), a duration for playing each note, and an output channel (i.e., path through which each note can be signaled or played) for each note. Each output channel is coupled to a device responsive to the instruction. 
         [0021]    The devices can include, for example, a digital-analog converter (e.g., A/D converter  16 ), a light display controller (e.g.,  17 ), or any other suitable type of device capable of generating a signal which can be used to power a source of user perceptible signals (e.g., speaker  41  and light strings  71  and  72 ), based on instructions specified in music file  13 . 
         [0022]    Music file  13  specifies output channel(s) corresponding to D/A converter  16 , and an output channel corresponding to light display controller  17 . Control pattern  14  specifies which of receptacles  31  to  36  to activate or deactivate in response to a note of music file  13 . 
         [0023]    D/A converter  16  generates analog signals based on instructions specified in music file  13 . The analog signals generated by D/A converter  16  are received by amplifier  40 , which amplifies those analog signals and forwards them to speaker  41 . Speaker  41  receives the amplified analog signals from amplifier  40  and outputs corresponding audible signals. 
         [0024]    Light display controller  17  generates control signals for activating and deactivating receptacles  31  to  36  based on notes of music file  13  and control pattern  14 . Light display controller  17  can be implemented as an electric or electronic circuit or as program instructions stored as part of program instructions  15 . 
         [0025]    Programmable control circuit  10  and amplifier  40  can be powered by a DC voltage, such as, for example, a 12VDC voltage. Transformer  51  converts, for example, a 120VAC voltage received via AC plug  54  to a 12VAC voltage, and regulator  50  converts the 12VAC voltage received from transformer  51  to a 12VDC voltage, which is supplied to programmable control circuit  10  and amplifier  40 . It should be noted that in other embodiments, other types and levels of voltage/power, and methods of voltage/power conversion can be used. 
         [0026]    Neutral supply wire  56  is coupled to receptacles  31  to  36 . Hot supply wire  55  is coupled to receptacles  31  to  36  via TRIodes for Alternating Current (TRIAC)  21  to  26 , respectively. TRIACs  21  to  26  are electronic switches that conduct current when a control signal is applied to their control terminals (gates). The gates of TRIACs  21  to  26  are electrically coupled to programmable control circuit  10  for receiving control signals. As long as a control signal is present at the gate of a TRIAC, the TRIAC forms a closed circuit between hot supply wire  55  and the corresponding receptacle, thereby activating the receptacle. The hot supply wire of AC plug  54  is coupled with fuse  53  for safety protection against accidental overload or fault. 
         [0027]      FIG. 3  is a flow diagram of a process for controlling light sources in accordance with an example embodiment of the invention. In block  300 , switch  52  is closed and display device  100  is activated. Processing proceeds to block  301  where programmable control circuit  10  reads music file  13 . Processing then proceeds to block  302  where programmable control circuit  10  decodes the first MIDI instruction to determine the notes to be played and the output channels for playing each note. Thereafter, programmable control circuit  10  sends the data for each note through the corresponding output channel, and lights electrically (coupled to receptacles  31  to  36 ) are activated (blocks  317  to  323 ), and an audible signal is simultaneously outputted (played) by speaker  41  (blocks  307  to  309 ), based on notes of music file  13  and control pattern  14 . 
         [0028]    For example, programmable control circuit  10  can be configured such that, three output channels, “Instrument 1”, “Instrument 2”, and “Instrument 3” (blocks  303 ,  304 , and  305 , respectively) correspond to D/A converter  16 . D/A converter  16  generates an analog signal with a different music quality depending on which one of the channels “Instrument 1”, “Instrument 2”, and/or “Instrument 3” receives note data, such that D/A converter  16  can simulate three musical instruments. 
         [0029]    If data for one or more notes is sent to output channels “Instrument 1”, “Instrument 2”, and/or “Instrument 3” (“YES” at blocks  303 ,  304 , and  305 , respectively), the corresponding note(s) is played (simultaneously or individually) at blocks  307 ,  308 , and  309 , respectively. At blocks  307  to  309 , D/A converter  16  generates a music analog signal based on note data received at blocks  303  to  305 . 
         [0030]    For example, as illustrated in the example shown in  FIG. 3 , each of “Instrument 1”, “Instrument 2”, and “Instrument 3” can play one or more of notes C4, D4, E4, F4, G4, A4, B4, C5, D5, E5, F5, G5, A5, B5, C6, D6, E6, F6, G6, and A6 (where each note is specified by a note and an octave number) at blocks  307 ,  308 , and  309 , respectively. 
         [0031]    The music analog signal is sent to amplifier  40  which amplifies the signal and sends it to speaker  41 , where the analog signal is outputted as an audible signal (played) for the duration specified in music file  13 . The audible signal has a pitch, frequency, and other sound (musical) quality as specified by the file  13 . Control then passes back to block  302  where the method continues as described above. 
         [0032]    If data is sent to the output channel corresponding light display controller  17  (“YES” at block  306 ), the data is used by light display controller  17  to generate control signals for activating and/or deactivating one or more of the receptacles  31  to  36  (blocks  317  to  323 ) depending on the note(s) specified by the data, as well as the lights electrically coupled thereto (not shown in  FIG. 2 ), based on control pattern  14 . 
         [0033]    As illustrated in the example shown in  FIG. 3 , if note C3 is specified, receptacle  31  is activated, if note D3 is specified, receptacles  31  and  33  are activated, if note E3 is specified, receptacle  32  is activated, if note F3 is specified, receptacles  32  and  34  are activated, if note G3 is specified, receptacle  35  is activated, and if note A3 is specified, receptacle  36  is activated (Multiplexer Mode). If note C5 is specified, receptacles  31  to  36  are activated simultaneously (Unison Mode). 
         [0034]    An exemplary configuration of control pattern  14  is specified in Table I shown in  FIG. 4 . Table I specifies an example of which of receptacles  31  to  36  are activated in response to a particular note being played (i.e., Multiplexer Mode), and specifies a note (e.g., C5) for which all (or plural) receptacles  31  to  36  are activated (i.e., Unison Mode). 
         [0035]    As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , receptacles  31  to  36  are only activated in response to associated notes listed in Table I being played, but in other embodiments, receptacles  31  to  36  may be activated in response to other notes being played. Similarly, referring again to  FIG. 3 , only notes C4 to A6 are played at blocks  307 ,  308 , and  309 , but in other embodiments, other notes may be played at blocks  307 ,  308 , and  309 . 
         [0036]    Each note is specified by a note and an octave number. For example, in Table I, “C3” represents note “C” played at octave “3”. In the example of Table I, if note C3, D3, or C5 is played (“YES” at blocks  310 ,  311 , and  316 , respectively), light display controller  17  generates a control signal for activating receptacle  31  (blocks  317 ,  318 , and  323 , respectively), and for activating receptacle  33  (if note D3 or C5 is played). The control signal for activating receptacle  31  is provided to TRIAC  21  which forms a closed circuit between hot supply wire  55  and receptacle  31 , thereby activating receptacle  31  as well as the lights electrically coupled thereto (not shown in  FIG. 2 ). If note D3 or C5 is played, the control signal for activating receptacle  33  is also provided to TRIAC  23  which forms a closed circuit between hot supply wire  55  and receptacle  33 , thereby activating receptacle  33  as well as the lights electrically coupled thereto (not shown in  FIG. 2 ). Light display controller  17  controls TRIACs  21  and  23  for the duration specified in the decoded MIDI instruction, to maintain activation of receptacle  31 , receptacle  33 , and lights for that duration. At the end of the specified duration, light display controller  17  controls TRIACs  21  and  23  to open the circuit between wire  55  and receptacles  31  and  33 , respectively, thereby deactivating receptacle  31 , receptacle  33 , and lights. 
         [0037]    After lights are activated and the note(s) are simultaneously played or sounded (as specified by the instruction decoded at block  302 ), processing returns to block  302  where the next instruction is decoded. This process continues until switch  52  is opened and display device  100  is deactivated. 
         [0038]    In this manner, a song can be played, and the powering of the lights is synchronized with the notes of the song such that the light display can be perceived as a visual representation of the song. 
         [0039]    By configuring control pattern  14  as specified in the example of Table I, where receptacles  31  and  32  are associated with about at least two thirds of the notes in Multiplexor Mode (blocks  310  to  315  and  317  to  322 ), more activity is generated in receptacles  31  and  32  than in receptacles  33  to  36 . 
         [0040]    For example, if note C3, D3, E3, F3, or C5 is played (“YES” at blocks  310  to  313  and  316 , respectively), light display controller  17  generates a control signal for activating at least one (or both in the case of note C5) of receptacle  31  or  32  (blocks  317  to  320 , and  323 , respectively), as specified in Table I, although receptacles  33  to  36  also are activated for note C5. Therefore, even if light sources are not coupled to receptacles  33  to  36 , the powering of the lights will still appear to be synchronized with the notes of the song. For example, if light sources are not coupled to receptacles  33  to  36 , light sources can be powered for notes C3, D3, E3, F3 and C5 as long as light sources are coupled to receptacles  31  and  32 . 
         [0041]    It should be noted that although only the receptacles  31  to  36  and TRIACs  21  to  26  are shown in  FIGS. 1  and/or  2 , the total number of receptacles and TRIACs can vary and are not limited to the number of receptacles and TRIACs depicted in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . Also, while components  11 ,  13 ,  14 ,  15 ,  16 , and  17  are shown as part of programmable control circuit  10  in the above described embodiment, in other embodiments, one or more of those components may be separate from programmable control circuit  10 . Moreover, in other embodiments the invention can be used to control the powering of other sources of user-perceptible signals besides light and audible signals. Also, the association of notes with particular receptacles indicated in  FIGS. 3 and 4  is merely an example, and in other example embodiments notes may be associated with other receptacles, depending on applicable operating criteria. 
         [0042]    The invention has been described above with respect to a particular illustrative embodiment. It is understood that the invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment and that various changes and modifications may be made by those skilled in the relevant art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.