Dearticulator

Details Dearticulator Dearticulator

1997-11-18

2001-02-20

Chang, Vivian (Department: 2747)

Electrical audio signal processing systems and devices

Microphone feedback

Reexamination Certificate

active

06192135

ABSTRACT:

This invention relates to an entertainment and amusement system, and in particular to a two dimensional audio synchronization interactive system where participants try to continuously speak and sing while listening to their own voice after an approximate ½ second delay time, the effects of which confuse, distort and prevent the participant(s) from continuing to speak and/or sing articulately.
BACKGROUND AND PRIOR ART
Karaoke machines have become very popular for sing-alongs where the purpose is to have the participants follow the lyrics of songs. Technology has been developed to create echo effects for Karaoke machines as well as in public auditoriums. See for example: U.S. Pat. No. 3,681,531 to Burkhard et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,442,711 to Toyama; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,444,785 to Izawa et al. However, these devices are used to enhance and magnify the voices of performers such as singers and the like. No confusing feedback of the voices is anticipated nor desired by these devices.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,630,301 to Hohl et al. describes a voice activated echo generator that can be used as a toy and as a speech learning aid for the deaf. However, the application is strictly described for creating echo effects. Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 5,127,870 to Lin describes a microphone used for generating echoes. None of these patents are intended to have any confusing feedback distortion for entertainment.
Helmets and masks have been proposed for modifying a wearer's voice. See for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,683,588 to Goldberg and U.S. Pat. No. 4,949,378 to Mammone. However, each of these patents alters the voices by scrambling, camouflaging and disguising the actual voices. U.S. Pat. No. 5,149,104 describes a video game and audio player interaction with real time video synchronization, where player can have their voices modified to reflect video images of objects and animals and the like. For example, the patent mentions an instance where a speaking player has their voice modified to sound like a sheep so that the image of the sheep is emitting animal sounds. None of these patents are intended to have any confusing feedback distortion for entertainment.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The primary objective of the present invention is to provide an amusement and entertainment system where participants try to speak and/or sing while hearing a constant delayed back feedback of themselves which confuses and prevents the participant from continuing to speak and/or sing.
A preferred embodiment of the entertaining and amusement invention includes at least one microphone receiver for receiving voice signals from at least one participant, a delay means for delaying the voice signals up to approximately ½ second to a transmitter adjacent to the participant for playing the delayed voice signals while the participant in real-time continues to generate the voice signals, wherein the delayed signal does not echo the voice signals, but instead causes confusion and disorientation and eventually stops the participant from continuing to generate the voice signals, all while amusing and entertaining the participant. The transmitter can include an amplified public address speaker, an amplified headphone, or a combination thereof. Multiple microphones for plural participants can include a single mixer connected between the microphones and the delay means. A master of ceremonies can use a three-way switch for switching each of the microphones to the headphones and the loudspeakers. The invention can be built into a table base so that participants can be seated around the table. Another embodiment has the invention built into a mobile vehicle. A camera can be incorporated for taking video images of the participants, and a video monitor can be used for showing the video images to the participant and/or to others. Both the microphone and headphone can be built into one headset with the microphone mounted in the headband of the headset.
Further objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of a presently preferred embodiment which is illustrated schematically in the accompanying drawings.


REFERENCES:
patent: 5418778 (1995-05-01), Cummiskey et al.
patent: 5894523 (1999-04-01), Freeman

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