Abstract: An acoustic correction apparatus processes a pair of left and right input signals to compensate for spatial distortion as a function of frequency when said input signals are reproduced through loudspeakers in a sound system. The sound-energy of the left and right input signals is separated and corrected in a first low-frequency range and a second high-frequency range. The resultant signals are recombined to create image-corrected audio signals having a desired sound-pressure response when reproduced by the loudspeakers in the sound system. The desired sound-pressure response creates an apparent sound image location with respect to a listener. The image-corrected signals can also be spatially-enhanced to broaden the apparent sound image and improve the low frequency characteristics of the sound when played on small loudspeakers.

Abstract: An acoustic correction apparatus processes a pair of left and right input signals to compensate for spatial distortion as a function of frequency when the input signals are reproduced through speakers in a sound system. The sound-energy of the left and right input signals is separated and corrected in a first low-frequency range and a second high-frequency range. The resultant signals are recombined to create image-corrected audio signals having a desired sound-pressure response when reproduced by the speakers in the sound system. The desired sound-pressure response creates an apparent sound image location with respect to a listener. The image-corrected signals may then be spatially enhanced to broaden the apparent sound image.

Abstract: An acoustic correction apparatus processes a pair of left and right input signals to compensate for spatial distortion as a function of frequency when the input signals are reproduced through speakers in a sound system. The sound-energy of the left and right input signals is separated and corrected in a first low-frequency range and a second high-frequency range. The resultant signals are recombined to create image-corrected audio signals having a desired sound-pressure response when reproduced by the speakers in the sound system. The desired sound-pressure response creates an apparent sound image location with respect to a listener. The image-corrected signals may then be spatially-enhanced to broaden the apparent sound image.

Abstract: A sound enhancement system (synthesizer) disclosed. The enhancement system synthesizes pseudo-stereophonic left and right output channels output from a monophonic input channel. The monophonic input signal is applied to a perspective filter that produces a differential-mode signal and to an equalizer filter that produces a common-mode signal. The perspective filter attenuates signal components in a frequency range corresponding to the human voice. The equalizer filter attenuates signal components in a frequency range outside the frequency range of the human voice. The equalizer filter also provides a 90 degree phase shift. The differential-mode and the common-mode signals are combined to produce the output channels. The pseudo-stereo output provided by the synthesizer has relatively less ambience in the frequency range corresponding to the human voice and relatively more ambience in frequency ranges that do not correspond to the human voice.

Abstract: A sound enhancement system (synthesizer) disclosed. The enhancement system synthesizes pseudo-stereophonic left and right output channels output from a monophonic input channel. The monophonic input signal is applied to a perspective filter that produces a differential-mode signal and to an equalizer filter that produces a common-mode signal. The perspective filter attenuates signal components in a frequency range corresponding to the human voice. The equalizer filter attenuates signal components in a frequency range outside the frequency range of the human voice. The equalizer filter also provides a 90 degree phase shift. The differential-mode and the common-mode signals are combined to produce the output channels. The pseudo-stereo output provided by the synthesizer has relatively less ambience in the frequency range corresponding to the human voice and relatively more ambience in frequency ranges that do not correspond to the human voice.

Abstract: A system and method for enhancement and management of streaming audio is disclosed. In one embodiment, the system provides a client-side decoder that is compatible with numerous audio formats, so that a user can enjoy relatively high-quality audio from various sources, even from sources that do not provide multi-channel or high-quality audio data. The system and method also include a management system for managing and controlling the use of licensed signal processing software to further enhance an audio stream. In one embodiment, the management system is used to manage a signal processing module that provides psychoacoustic audio processing to create a wider soundstage, an acoustic correction process to increase the perceived height and clarity of the audio image, and bass enhancement processing to create the perception of low bass from the small speakers or headphones typically used with multi-media systems and portable audio players.

Abstract: The present invention provides an audio enhancement apparatus and method which spectrally shapes the differential information in a pair of audio signals so as to create an immersive, three-dimensional effect when the audio signals are acoustically reproduced. In a preferred embodiment, the invention includes a two-transistor amplifier which spectrally shapes the differential information with what are called cross-over networks. The cross-over networks spectrally shape the differential information by selectively emphasizing or de-emphasizing certain frequencies in the differential information. In addition, the preferred embodiment adjusts the level of the sound which is common to both input signals to reduce clipping.

Abstract: The present invention provides an audio enhancement apparatus and method which spectrally shapes the differential information in a pair of audio signals so as to create an immersive, three-dimensional effect when the audio signals are acoustically reproduced. In a preferred embodiment, the invention includes a two-transistor amplifier which spectrally shapes the differential information with what are called cross-over networks. The cross-over networks spectrally shape the differential information by selectively emphasizing or de-emphasizing certain frequencies in the differential information. In addition, the preferred embodiment adjusts the level of the sound which is common to both input signals to reduce clipping.

Abstract: An audio enhancement system and method for use receives a group of multi-channel audio signals and provides a simulated surround sound environment through playback of only two output signals. The multi-channel audio signals comprise a pair of front signals intended for playback from a forward sound stage and a pair of rear signals intended for playback from a rear sound stage. The front and rear signals are modified in pairs by separating an ambient component of each pair of signals from a direct component and processing at least some of the components with a head-related transfer function. Processing of the individual audio signal components is determined by an intended playback position of the corresponding original audio signals. The individual audio signal components are then selectively combined with the original audio signals to form two enhanced output signals for generating a surround sound experience upon playback.

Abstract: An acoustic correction apparatus processes a pair of left and right input signals to compensate for spatial distortion as a function of frequency when said input signals are reproduced through speakers in a sound system. The sound-energy of the left and right input signals is separated and corrected in a first low-frequency range and a second high-frequency range. The resultant signals are recombined to create image-corrected audio signals having a desired sound-pressure response when reproduced by the speakers in the sound system. The desired sound-pressure response creates an apparent sound image location with respect to a listener. The image-corrected signals may then be spatially-enhanced to broaden the apparent sound image.

Abstract: A microprocessor computer includes a control store ROM, which is flexibly addressed, using a sequence register and base register, both of which are loaded from the microprocessor data loop. The sequence register and microinstruction register, the latter providing a pipeline for output control store microinstructions, are selectively accessed by a multiplexer. The output of this multiplexer, along with the output of the base register, provide the inputs to an adder which may selectively address a microinstruction in the control store, as specified by the output of the multiplexer, or as specified by the sum of the addresses from the multiplexer and the base register. The flexible address, in addition to addressing the control store, provides an address to micro-operand storage in a high speed RAM. This allows local storage of data that must be processed by the microprocessor under microprogram control in high through-put real time applications.

Abstract: A cathode ray tube controller provides character cell mapping of the entire cathode ray tube screen, including the blanked margins. This mapping permits video control signals, such as sync signals, blanking signals, retrace signals, etc., as well as character address designations, to be generated from a single ROM in each of the vertical and horizontal directions on the cathode ray tube screen. A horizontal character counter divides the cathode ray tube screen, including the blanked margin areas, into an integral number of character widths. This counter is used to address a read only member which provides, at its output, the horizontal character addressing in the non-blanked area of the cathode ray tube screen, as well as video control signals, including blanking signals, sync signals, etc. A vertical counter, similar to the horizontal counter, divides the entire cathode ray tube screen vertically, including the blanked areas, into a discrete number of character heights.