Abstract:
An applause device including a sound generator capable of generating at least one applause sound. The sound generator preferably can generate at least one sound which can indicate approval or disapproval, such as clapping, hollering, whistling, booing, and hissing. A switch permits the user to select between each of the sounds. The device also preferably comprises illumination structure so as to illuminate at least a portion of the sound generation device. In a preferred embodiment, the applause device is shaped substantially, at least in part, in the shape of an open hand. A method for generating applause sounds and a system for remotely controlling the applause device is also disclosed.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application is Continuation-In-Part of application Ser. No. 09/619,008, filed Jul. 19, 2000 now U.S. Pat No. 6,538,565. 

   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   This invention relates generally to portable sound generating devices, and more particularly to such devices that are used at sporting events, concerts, and other entertainment events. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Sporting events, concerts and other entertainment events create the desire on the part of the audience to express approval or disapproval with the entertainment. In many cases, it is difficult to maintain a vocal presence without straining one&#39;s voice. Many attendees wish to also make a visual statement and, accordingly, wear hats and bring signs or other paraphernalia to hold up and waive so as to make a visual statement. Various noisemakers and compressed air sounding machines have previously been provided for attendees to make various sounds to signify their support, approval or disapproval. These devices do not permit the user to make a visual statement in a darkened stadium or auditorium. Also, the noisemakers generally produce sounds which are loud, but do not have any particular significance to the event. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   An applause device, according to the invention, includes a housing and an applause sound generating device in the housing. The applause sound can be any suitable applause sound, and can be selected from sounds such as clapping, hollering, and whistling. The invention is not limited in that regard, however, as any sound which expresses approval or disapproval is acceptable. The applause device also preferably includes lighting structure. The lighting structure for lighting the applause device permits a visual statement in a darkened environment. In a preferred embodiment, the applause device is fashioned substantially in the shape of an open hand, so as to suggest applause. 
   Preferably, at least a portion of the housing comprises a light-emitting portion. The applause device preferably has a light source in the housing and a switch on the housing, wherein the switch activates the light source. As a result, the light-emitting portion is illuminated. The light-emitting portion can be translucent and/or transparent and, in a particularly preferred embodiment is formed at least partially of translucent plastic. 
   The applause device can have a switch on the housing, wherein the switch activates the applause sound generating device. The housing can have one or more apertures, so that at least a portion of the applause sound generated by the applause sound generating device can escape from the housing through the apertures. 
   The applause device can also include attachment structure attached to the housing. The attachment structure can be at least one of the group consisting of a hook, a ring, or a first synthetic material which detachably connects to a second synthetic material when the first and second materials are pressed together. 
   In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the applause device can include a housing having a light-emitting portion formed from material which is translucent and/or transparent, an applause sound generating device in the housing, a sound switch on the housing which activates the applause sound generating device, a light source in the housing, and an illuminating switch on the housing. The illuminating switch can activate the light source, whereby the light-emitting portion is illuminated. 
   A method for applauding, according to the invention, includes providing a device having an applause sound generating device, and operating the applause sound generating device to generate a sound of applause. The applause sound can be clapping, hollering, and/or whistling, although the invention is not limited in that regard, as any sound which expresses approval or disapproval is acceptable. 
   The method can also include a step of illuminating the applause device. The illuminating step can include providing a housing, wherein at least a portion of the housing comprises a light-emitting portion. The illuminating step can also include providing a light source in the housing and a switch on the housing, wherein the switch activates the light source, and configuring the switch to activate the light source. The light-emitting portion can be translucent and/or transparent and, in a particularly preferred embodiment is formed at least partially of translucent plastic. 
   The method can include providing a housing at least partially in the shape of an open hand. A switch can be provided on the housing, wherein the switch activates the applause sound generating device, causing the switch to activate the applause sound generating device. The method can also include providing at least one aperture in the housing, wherein at least a portion of the applause sound generated by the applause sound generating device escapes from the housing through the apertures. 
   The method can include attaching attachment structure to the housing. The attachment structure can be at least one of the group consisting of a hook, a ring, or a first synthetic material which detachably connects to a second synthetic material when the first and second materials are pressed together. 
   In another embodiment of the invention, the applause device may be included in a system that is capable of controlling the applause device. The system may include a central control center for remotely controlling the applause device. For instance, central control device may cause the applause device to make applause sounds after a team has made a good play at a sporting event. In another example, a user may use the applause device to purchase tickets to events, such as, sporting events and performances. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     There are shown in the drawings some embodiments which are presently preferred, it being understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown, wherein: 
       FIG. 1  is a plan view of an applause device according to the invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a plan view partially broken away to reveal interior features. 
       FIG. 3  is a schematic diagram of an applause communication system of this invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   An applause device  10 , according to the invention, is shown in  FIGS. 1–2 . The applause device  10  can have a housing  14  with an open interior. At least a portion of the housing  14  preferably comprises a light-emitting portion  18 . 
   At least a portion of the housing  14  and/or the light-emitting portion  18  can have any identifiable shape, such as a shape which can be associated with a particular event, place, individual, logo, or team. In a particularly preferably embodiment, at least a portion of the housing  14  and/or the light-emitting portion  18  are shaped to suggest a human hand. This suggestion facilitates the communication of applause on behalf of the user. 
   The housing  14  can also have a handle section  24  with which the user can grasp the applause device  10 . A switch  28  can be provided with which to generate the applause sounds. The switch  28  can be located on any portion of the applause device  10 , and is preferably located on the handle section  24 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , the switch  28  can have a number of different positions so as to permit the user to select among different applause sounds. In the embodiment shown, a switch position  32  is used to generate a clapping sound, a switch position  36  is used to generate a holler sound, and a switch position  40  is used to generate a whistle sound. More or fewer sounds, or other applause sounds, are alternatively possible. In this regard, it is understood that any sound which indicates approval or disapproval is acceptable. Examples of sounds which can suggest disapproval include booing and hissing. 
   The switch  28  can be of any suitable design, and in the embodiment shown the switch  28  is a slide switch which moves between the switch positions  32 ,  36 , and  40  so as to permit the user to make a desired selection. In  FIG. 1 , the switch  28  is shown in switch position  36 , which is used to generate a holler sound. 
   In a preferred embodiment, written indicia  42  can be incorporated into an outer surface of the housing  14 . The written indicia  42  can be any name, symbol, logo, or other identifying mark, such as those associated with a particular event, place, logo, slogan, flag, or team. The housing  14  can also have an attachment slot  48 , through which any suitable attachment structure can be disposed to attach the applause device  10  to another object. The attachment slot  48  can be located on any suitable portion of the applause device  10 , and is preferably located on the handle section  24 . Any suitable attachment structure is acceptable, such as a ring  52 . The ring  52  can be used as a keychain ring. 
   Alternatively, attachment structure can be attached to the applause device  10  without the use of an attachment slot  48 . For example, the attachment structure can be adhesively or mechanically connected directly to any suitable portion of the housing  14 . Examples of acceptable adhesive and mechanical structure include any type of glue, a screw, a bolt, or synthetic materials which detachably connect when pressed together, such as VELCRO. It is understood, however, that the invention is not limited to these examples. As shown in the preferred embodiment of  FIG. 1 , the attachment structure can be a hook  56  connected directly to a portion of the housing  14  with a screw  58 . 
   A plurality of apertures  44  can be provided in the housing  14  so as to permit sound generated by the applause device  10  to more efficiently escape from the housing  14 . Sound generating devices that can be preprogrammed with one or more sounds are well known in the art, and the applause device  10  can generate one or more sounds using any suitable sound generating device. For example, it is known to preprogram a sound generating circuit to produce the sound of a police siren or a machine gun. 
   Any suitable sound generating device is acceptable for use with the invention, such as sound generating device  60 , shown in  FIG. 2 . The sound generating device  60  can receive power from one or more batteries  62 , which are connected by a suitable connection  64  to the sound generating device  60 . The sound generating device  60  can be mounted on a suitable platform  68 , such as a printed circuit board, as is known in the art. The switch  28  is operable to make a connection between at least one power contact  72 , which can receive power from the sound generating device  60  through line  76 . Return lines  78 ,  80 , and  82  can be used in connection with switch positions  32 ,  36 , and  40 , respectively. As is known in the art, the movement of the switch  28  will complete a circuit between the contact  72  and one of the return lines  78 ,  80 , and  82  to indicate to the sound generating device  60  which sound has been selected. A line  86  leads from the sound generating device  60  to an audio transducer  90 , such as a speaker, which helps generate the appropriate sound. 
   The housing  14  can be illuminated in any suitable manner. For example, in the preferred embodiment of  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a switch  94  is provided in the housing  14  so as to permit one or more lights to be turned on within the housing  14 , thereby illuminating the light-emitting portion  18 . In an alternative example, the light-emitting function can be activated by another switch position of the switch  28 . 
   The housing  14  and/or light-emitting portion  18  is preferably shaped so as to suggest the shape of an open hand to provide a visual expression of approval, although the invention is not limited in that regard. For example, the housing  14  or light-emitting portion  18  can be shaped so as to suggest disapproval. In another embodiment, housing  14  and/or light-emitting portion  18  may be shaped as a logo, such as for a team; an animal shape, such as an elephant, donkey, or other animal; a character so that when the applause device  10  placed next to other applause devices  10 , a word or name of, for instance, a political candidate, is spelled out. 
   The switch  94  can be of any suitable design, and in the embodiment shown is a push button toggle switch. The housing  14  and/or light-emitting portion  18  is suitably fashioned by several methods, but preferably is transparent or translucent and has lights to emit light through the transparent or translucent portion. The lights can be any suitable lighting, including fluorescent lighting, light-emitting diodes, or incandescent bulbs, all of which are known in the art. In the embodiment shown, a plurality of incandescent bulbs  104  is provided so as to more evenly emit light from the light-emitting portion  18 . It is understood that lights can be located at any suitable portion of the device  10 . 
   The bulbs  104  are powered by means of a switch  108  which is operated by the switch  94 . Power is provided by any suitable means, such as a connection  112  extending from the batteries  62 . Power can extend through a line  114  to a bus  118 , wherein a plurality of lines  122  extend to the bulbs  104 . 
   In another embodiment, applause device  10  may communicate with a central control center  150 , as shown in  FIG. 3 . Central control center  150  may be used to control the audio and light functions of applause device  10  previously described. In addition, central control center  150  may instruct applause device  10  to play congratulatory messages or noises, disapproval messages or noises, cheers, and other audio messages. For instance, when a home team in a sports event makes a good play, central control center  150  may activate applause device  10  to produce a cheering sound. At other times, central control center  150  may activate applause device  10  to play a team&#39;s fight song or other type of song. 
   Central control center  150  may be a personal computer, a microcontroller or other device capable of controlling applause device  10 . Central control center  150  may communicate with applause device  10  using wireless technology, conventional wired technologies, or other devices. If applause device  10  communicates using wireless technology, central control center  150  and applause device  10  may each include a transmitter  152  and receiver  154  for transmitting and receiving wireless signals respectively. In another embodiment, central control center  150  may be coupled to applause device  10  through conventional wireline systems. For instance, applause device  10  may be used in an auditorium or other location in which each seat has a connector  160 , such as a modular jack, for connecting applause device  10  to central control center  150 . Each connector is coupled to a network of wires that is ultimately coupled to central control center  150 . Attaching applause device  10  to a releasable connector  160  allows applause device  10  to be taken with a user when the user leaves a particular seat. 
   A user may communicate with central control center  150  to order tickets for events, such as, but not limited to, sporting events, concerts, performances, recitals, plays, and other events. The user may order the tickets while the user is attending another event. A user may also communicate opinions or participate in a poll using applause device  10 . Applause device  10  may present a user with these options either visually, using, for instance, a screen  156 , or audio devices, such as speakers  158 . A user may enter the user&#39;s choice using numerous methods, such as, but not limited to, speaking into a microphone, depressing keys located on the applause device  10 , or others. 
   It should be understood that the examples and embodiments described herein are for illustrative purposes only and that various modifications or changes in light thereof will be obvious to persons skilled in the art, and that such modifications or changes are to be included within the spirit and purview of this application. Moreover, the invention can take other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof.