Abstract: The system and method of the present invention provides enhanced surround sound effects. In one embodiment, 90.degree. phase shift and copy of the modified head related transfer functions (HRTF) are applied to each rear sound signal. The modified HRTF for each rear signal is generated by removing the head related transfer function corresponding to the front center signal from the HRTF corresponding to the rear sound signal. This provides the audible effect of distinguishing more clearly sounds originating in front of the listener or to the rear of the listener while not limiting the perceived bandwidth of the signal. The rear signals corresponding to the first channel are inverted. The front and rear signals for each corresponding channel are then combined. The two channels, generated can be stored on media, such as film, and subsequently read and input to a surround sound decoder to generate enhanced surround sound output.

Abstract: The system and method of the present invention provides enhanced surround sound effects. In one embodiment, 90.degree. phase shift and copy of the modified head related transfer functions (HRTF) are applied to each rear sound signal. The modified HRTF for each rear signal is generated by removing the head related transfer function corresponding to the front center signal from the HRTF corresponding to the rear sound signal. This provides the audible effect of distinguishing more clearly sounds originating in front of the listener or to the rear of the listener while not limiting the perceived bandwidth of the signal. The rear signals corresponding to the first channel are inverted. The front and rear signals for each corresponding channel are then combined. The two channels, generated can be stored on media, such as film, and subsequently read and input to a surround sound decoder to generate enhanced surround sound output.

Abstract: The system and method of the present invention provides surround sound effects through a two channel system. In one embodiment, the first channel is connected to one speaker (e.g., the right speaker) of a headset and the second channel is connected to the other speaker (e.g., the left speaker) of the headset. Thus, surround sound effects, including providing effects to distinguish front and rear sound sources, are provided through headsets which isolate the sound provided to right ear and the left ear of the listener. Alternately, the signals are output to a two speaker system, enabling surround sound effects to be output through home stereo systems not necessarily configured specifically for surround sound. Modified head related transfer functions (HRTF) are applied to each rear sound signal. The modified HRTF for each rear signal is generated by removing the head related transfer function corresponding to the front center signal from the HRTF corresponding to the rear sound signal.

Abstract: The system and method of the present invention provides surround sound effects through a two channel system. In one embodiment, the first channel is connected to one speaker (e.g., the right speaker) of a headset and the second channel is connected to the other speaker (e.g., the left speaker) of the headset. Thus, surround sound effects, including providing effects to distinguish front and rear sound sources, are provided through headsets which isolate the sound provided to right ear and the left ear of the listener. Alternately, the signals are output to a two speaker system, enabling surround sound effects to be output through home stereo systems not necessarily configured specifically for surround sound. Modified head related transfer functions (HRTF) are applied to each rear sound signal. The modified HRTF for each rear signal is generated by removing the head related transfer function corresponding to the front center signal from the HRTF corresponding to the rear sound signal.

Abstract: A system for providing audible cues that enable a listener to identify locations of origins of sounds. In one embodiment, a front and rear signal are copies of an input signal. The rear signal is modified by application of a modified head related transfer function which is the difference between the front and rear head related transfer functions. Copies are then made of the front signal and the modified rear signal, one copy of each associated with a first channel and one copy of each associated with a second channel. Front/rear cues are applied by delaying one of the rear signals or inverting the phase of one of the rear signals. Volume levels are then modified according to the location of the sound source. Locations of sound sources, including sources location behind the user are therefore audibly distinguished. Thus, in an interactive environment, such as a video game environment, the sounds generated by moving objects can be readily modified by simply modifying the volume levels.