Abstract: A microphone assembly for providing improved directivity at high and low frequencies is disclosed. The microphone assemblies comprise two waveguides each having a microphone, a high-frequency port, and a low-frequency port. The two waveguides are arranged adjacent to each other so that the two low-frequency ports are arranged at a first distance apart from each other and so that the two high-frequency ports are arranged at a second distance apart from each other. The microphone assemblies may comprise two additional waveguides of different length than the first two waveguides, where the two additional waveguides also have low frequency ports and high frequency ports. When the four waveguides are arranged adjacent to each other, all the low-frequency ports are at one distance from each other and all the high-frequency ports are at another distance from each other.

Abstract: Capturing, encoding and transcoding an acoustic field, such as a three-dimensional acoustic field, comprising a device made up of two microphones, directional analysis and encoding means of said acoustic field, and optionally means for transcoding said acoustic field.

Abstract: A sound collecting device, comprising stereo microphones that are arranged apart in a direction intersecting obliquely with respect to a direction that is vertical to a direction connecting the user and an subject, and arranged at different distances in the direction that joins the user and the subject, and a processor for directivity control that adjust directivity of speech signals from the stereo microphones.

Abstract: The system and corresponding process includes a system for producing a mechanical image of original audio source media and a system for encoding the mechanical image information into a digital file. A processing system recovers the mechanical image information from the digital file at a receiving end. Audio processing is used to produce the original audio source material without the standard losses associated with digital encoding of audio material.

Abstract: An aspect of some embodiments of the present invention relates to a system for processing audiovisual data. The system is configured to mediate between a user and an audio post-processing system, to enable the user to easily assign sounds to corresponding objects in a scene and for selecting suitable sounds effects to be applied to desired sounds by the post-processing system. Optionally, the sounds effects are selected according to distances between the objects and the camera and/or distances between objects in the scene with other objects which may or may not be in the scene.

Abstract: To enable an output sound of a speaker unit to be output as a surface sound source in a limited space. A three-dimensional knitted fabric is provided at a position substantially facing speaker units while being given tension in a surface direction. Since the tension is applied, a pair of ground knitted fabrics constituting the three-dimensional knitted fabric and a connecting yarn extending back and forth between the ground knitted fabrics vibrate due to their elastic action. In particular, string vibration is generated in the connecting yarn. Due to this vibration, output sounds of the speaker units are propagated in the surface direction of the three-dimensional knitted fabric, and as a result, the three-dimensional knitted fabric propagates and radiates acoustic waves of a surface sound source.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus receives sound signals that are respectively output by a plurality of microphones, and detects a sound arrival direction from which sounds of the sound signals are traveled. The image processing apparatus calculates a sound level of sounds output from the sound arrival direction, and causes an image that reflects the sound level of sounds output from the sound arrival direction to be displayed in vicinity of an image of a user who is outputting the sounds from the sound arrival direction.

Abstract: A recording and reproducing device including sound collecting means for collecting external sound, and outputting sound information corresponding to a result of sound collection, photographing means for photographing an outside, and outputting image information corresponding to a result of photographing, recording means for converting the sound information to files in message units and recording the files on a predetermined recording medium, and recording the image information on the recording medium in association with a corresponding file of sound information in response to a predetermined first external operation, display means for displaying images based on image information associated with respective files of sound information, and reproducing means for reproducing a file of sound information associated with an image selected by a predetermined second external operation among the images displayed by the display means.

Abstract: Methods of and equipment for converting existing standard motion picture theatres to one having highly immersive, large fields of view are addressed. Aspects of the methods including moving motion picture screens closer to the audience and employing different projection equipment to avoid or minimize appearance of unrealistic or non-natural image artifacts. Alternative sound systems too are detailed.

Abstract: A method and device are provided for determining a reproduction position of a source of sound for audio-visual reproduction of a film scene from a plurality of individual pictures with regard to a reproduction surface having a predetermined width, and with regard to a projection source having a projection reference point. A recording position of the source of sound, a camera position during recording, and an aperture angle of the camera during recording are obtained and the determined recording position is transformed to a camera coordinate system. A reproduction position for the source of sound is calculated and used to produce sound-source positioning in a reproduction room using wave-field synthesis methods.

Abstract: An apparatus for playback of an analog optical sound track on a film includes a transport for transporting the film past a scanner that generates a digital image signal representative of the analog optical sound track. The digital signal represents the optical signal as gray scale values with a range of greater than one bit. A processor processes the digital image signal for displaying and assessing a result while adjusting a threshold that determines the representation of gray scale values with one bit of resolution.

Abstract: A system and method of screening films. The method includes the first step of displaying a movie print with multiple soundtracks on a display screen. A plurality of screening rooms, each with a view of the display screen, is provided. Separate audio signals from each soundtrack is generated and one or more of the audio signals is transmitted to one or more of the screening rooms. A system for screening films includes a display; a plurality of screening rooms, wherein each screening room includes a view of the display; a movie playback system; and, a sound distribution system coupled to receive audio signals from the movie playback system and to distribute the audio signals to the plurality of screening rooms.

Abstract: A method for reducing sound track sibilance distortion during playback of an analog optical sound track. The method comprises the steps of forming and storing an image of the analog optical sound track. Representing part of the stored image as a spatial image and applying an erosion filter to the spatial image. Converting the filtered spatial image to a signal representative of the sound track.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for analog optical sound track playback includes a transport device for transporting a film including an analog optical sound track and audio representative envelope. A scanner forms a display image signal representative of the analog optical sound track with the audio representative envelope. An alignment device aligns the scanner such that only half of the analog optical sound track with the audio representative envelope form the display image signal and substantially fill a width of the scanner. A processor processes the image signal representing only half of the analog optical sound track and the audio representative envelope and forms therefrom an audio output signal.

Abstract: An apparatus for playback of an analog optical sound track includes a transport for transporting a film including an analog optical sound track. A scanner generates an image signal of only the analog optical sound track. An alignment device aligns the scanner such that the image signal of the analog optical sound track substantially fills a width of the scanner. A processor processes the image signal to form an audio output signal.

Abstract: A system and method of screening films. The method includes the first step of displaying a movie print with multiple soundtracks on a display screen. A plurality of screening rooms, each with a view of the display screen, is provided. Separate audio signals from each soundtrack is generated and one or more of the audio signals is transmitted to one or more of the screening rooms. A system for screening films includes a display; a plurality of screening rooms, wherein each screening room includes a view of the display; a movie playback system; and, a sound distribution system coupled to receive audio signals from the movie playback system and to distribute the audio signals to the plurality of screening rooms.

Abstract: A scanning device optically scans picture information and further information provided on an original film and makes the information available as digitized data, the scanned information not being converted into the original information contents. A storage device stores the data obtained from the film scanner as digital data, and a display device separates data reproduced by the storage device in accordance with their original location on the original film and makes them available as separate data signals.

Abstract: More than two surround sound channels are provided within the format of a digital soundtrack system designed to provide only two surround sound channels by matrix encoding from three to five additional surround sound channels into two “discrete” surround sound channels. The digital audio stream of the digital soundtrack system designed to provide only two surround sound channels remains unaltered, thus providing compatibility with existing playback equipment. The format of the media carrying the digital soundtracks also is unaltered. The “discreteness” of the digital soundtrack system is not audibly diminished by employing matrix technology to surround sound channels, particularly if active matrix decoding is employed.

Abstract: A storage medium carries symbols representing digital information encoded in two dimensions. A method and apparatus recovers the symbols using oversampling in two dimensions and derives the information represented by the symbols. In one embodiment, the symbols are carried on motion picture film between the sprocket holes.

Abstract: To be capable of obtaining diffuse light with a sufficient amount of light, which is not susceptible to the influence of scratches of a film along the length direction, and to be capable of constructing the apparatus in a small size and at a low cost, a digital audio signal S track or P track is formed on the side of the film furtherest to the left of the left perforations or to the right of right perforations of a movie film, respectively. Light from an LED 51 is diffused by an elliptical diffuser 52, the diffusion angle of which is greater along the width direction of the film than along the length direction thereof, and is radiated onto the P track (or the S track). Then, the transmitted light which has passed through the P track (or the S track) is converged onto a line sensor 43A as a result of passing through a lens 42A, and the light is photoelectrically converted by the line sensor 43A, thereby reproducing digital sound.

Abstract: Dolby Digital and Sony SDDS digital signal carrying optical symbols on large-format motion picture film (e.g., film having any of the various 70 mm formats) are recorded in such a way as to permit existing 35 mm optical readers and signal decoders to recover the soundtracks with little or no modification. The conventional motion picture soundtrack in the form of a two-dimensional array of photographically recorded symbols representing digital information intended for application to 35 mm motion picture film is modified by magnifying the symbols in the direction in which the motion picture film is transported when played, the degree of magnification being proportional to the ratio of the film speed of the large-format motion picture film to the 35 mm film speed.

Abstract: A theater sound processing system that provides preset configurations including parameters that can be modified by a user. Other setup parameters are modifiable by the manufacturer or a third party such as a sound technician who provides such parameters at installation time. The parameters allow control of equalization settings, gain, noise reduction processing, surround sound processing, and other audio characteristics. The designation of user modifiable parameters and non-user modifiable parameters insures that the user is given safe control over necessary parts of the system. User-modifiable parameters are changed via a user interface. Other parameters can be transferred to the sound processing system via a portable computer or by communications link. In a digital sound processing embodiment of the invention the entire sound processing ability of the system can be updated by downloading new signal processing software.

Abstract: A storage medium carries physically distinct blocks of symbols representing digital information. The symbols are arranged in the blocks such that the digital information represented by the symbols can be determined from only the two-dimensional position of the symbols relative to one another and any other differentiable characteristic intrinsic to the symbols. A method and apparatus recovers the symbols using oversampling in two dimensions and derives the information represented by the symbols. Blocks having two or more two-dimensional alignment patterns with good auto-correlation properties are used in some embodiments to facilitate recovery of the digital information. In one embodiment, motion picture film carries a conventional analog soundtrack and a digital soundtrack for a plurality of channels; the digital soundtrack is represented by symbols carried on the film in the areas between sprocket hole perforations.

Abstract: An optical sound head (L), comprising a red laser diode (11) and a inspection window (90), allowing easy functional inspection, but also simple adjustment during manufacture. The laser diode (11) and all optical (10) and electronic (20) assemblies to be adjusted to a specimen, are accommodated in a replaceable assembly (1), for easy and repeatable (A) replacement. A minimum signal-to-noise ratio for analogue sound scanning is achieved by an additional aperture (15), reducing the light intensity applied to the center of an aperture slot (8). Both apertures (8, 15) are preferably designed as unsupported, laser-cut metal sheets.

Abstract: A motion picture film capable of reproducing the sound field full of ambience in the reproducing system. The digital sound tracks 5L and 5R, on which digital audio data have been recorded, are recorded so that temporally same digital audio signals are recorded with a spatial shift by a preset distance along the film running direction.

Abstract: A motion picture film capable of reproducing the sound field full of ambience in the reproducing system. The digital sound tracks 5L and 5R, on which digital audio data have been recorded, are recorded so that temporally same digital audio signals are recorded with a spatial shift by a preset distance along the film running direction.

Abstract: A photosensitive medium, such as motion picture film, having digital data in multiple formats and analog audio signals photographically recorded thereon, and a system for photographically recording digital data (preferably including digital audio bits) in multiple formats and optionally also analog audio signals on a medium. Preferably, two digital soundtracks are recorded on the film, each in an array of bit areas arranged in row and column order, with the bit areas of one soundtrack between consecutive pairs of sprocket holes along one edge of the film, and the bit areas of the other soundtrack along the film edges outside the sprocket holes. Preferred embodiments of the invention include a camera assembly through which a motion picture film translates in real time.

Abstract: A motion picture film capable of reproducing the sound field full of ambience in the reproducing system. The digital sound tracks 5L and 5R, on which digital audio data have been recorded, are recorded so that temporally same digital audio signals are recorded with a spatial shift by a preset distance along the film running direction.

Abstract: A data recording device for a motion picture film is provided in which one ends of plural optical fibers are connected to light emitting devices and the other ends of the optical fibers are arrayed in accordance with a dot pattern of audio data to be recorded. The light emitting diodes are turned on responsive to the audio data to be recorded on the motion picture film. The audio data carrying light, produced by the turning on of the LEDs, is conducted via the optical fibers to a head unit so as to be radiated on the motion picture film via a radiating port of the head unit. By the above arrangement, the optical fibers may be arrayed optionally at the head unit without regard to the array of the LEDs. Consequently, the LEDs are affected to a lesser extent by heat evolved on turning on the LEDs. By linearly arraying the optical fibers at the head unit 1, a larger quantity of audio data may be recorded on the motion picture film.

Abstract: A system which provides a means for reproducing stereophonic prerecorded sound which greatly improves the quality of the reproduced sound which the listener hears is disclosed. The sounds reproduced through the system of the present invention closely emulate the sounds as originally generated by the sound source, particularly with regard to the locations of the sound sources relative to one another.Through the method and apparatus of the present invention, the sounds emanating from the sound transducers, which comprise sound waves travelling through air, are transformed on a sound-receiving surface of a sympathetically vibratable material or "sound screen" into surface forced bending waves within the material which travel along the surface towards one another.

Abstract: A cinema sound system for upperforated screens includes for each sterophonic channel a floor positioned direct radiator bass speaker unit radiating into quarter space and an upper frequency speaker unit mounted above the screen. Each upper frequency speaker unit includes a middle frequency driver mounted in a sealed rear enclosure which is attached to the throat of a middle frequency horn. A constant directivity high frequency horn with a high frequency driver attached to a rear end is mounted coaxially in the middle frequency horn. Sharp cutoff active crossover filters divide the input signal into low, middle, and high frequency band signals which are separately power amplified. The middle frequency horn is adapted to function as a direct radiator at a lower end of the middle band and as a sectoral horn above an unloading frequency of the middle frequency horn.

Abstract: A screen device suited to use in a projection type display device for a high-definition television set. The screen device includes a screen on which television images are projected, and a screen frame to which this screen is attached at the central section thereof. Incorporated into this screen frame are speakers which are used as the front speakers of a sound reproduction system of the type which is commonly known as the 3-1 type 4-channel system.

Abstract: A laser diode (4) emits a beam which is reflected by a plane mirror (12) and by a spherical focusing mirror (2) in order to form a beam (40) which is focused on a read window which is a segment of a read line (6). Said line extends transversely relative to a film (16) running over a drum (20) which rotates about an axis (22). The window occupies the width of the soundtrack on the film. The light passing through said soundtrack is received by a photo cell (34) which provides the sound signal. The invention is particularly applicable to sound motion pictures.

Abstract: An open air multiple screen cinema includes projection screens arranged outdoors in a circle or other arrangement about a centrally located automotive van having projection windows in alignment with the screens and housing angularly adjustable sound movie projectors directed through the windows to respective screens. A figure 8 magnetic induction loop is located within the viewing area of each screen and is electrically energized by an audio modulated current controlled by a respective movie sound projector and each of the viewers is provided with a magnetic field responsive receiver and coupled earphones so as to hear only the sound associated with the screen in the proximity of the viewer. The magnetic induction loops may be buried, at ground level, or supported overhead and may be of other configurations.

Abstract: An electro-optical, motion picture, film sound track recording and playback system in which a complex audio signal wave is successively sampled and digitally encoded according to pulse-code modulation techniques (PCM) extant in the communications art. The digital codes are optically applied to the film sound track and are played back by optical detection as the film runs through a projector. The advantages of PCM signal-to-noise improvement are obtained, and means for the individual sample codes to be "scrambled" on recording and "unscrambled" on replay are shown. The scrambling greatly increases the difficulty of surreptitious copying by "film pirates". One embodiment shown applies and detects the individual code bits through individual optical fibers and the other applies and detects codes serially using a modulated laser source and a controllable refraction optical crystal or a Bragg Cell to scan across the sound track to emplace (and replay) individual sample codes.

Abstract: A separately packaged film sound editor mixer is disclosed which includes a plurality of low level audio signal input terminals adapted for connection to outputs from playback heads of a synchronizer. Magnetic tape preamplifiers are included for preamplification of the low level signals. The preamplified signals are connected through slide attenuators and muting switches to inputs of a first summing amplifier. The output from the first summing amplifier is connected to inputs of left and right channel summing amplifiers through a tone control circuit and a master attenuator of the slide type. A selector switch is included in the input for one of said magnetic tape preamplifiers whereby, in one switch position, an output from the synchronizer is supplied to the preamplifier, as mentioned above.

Abstract: A system for controlling a plurality of distinct devices in a theater displaying a projected motion picture or other visual program and having a multichannel sound signal contained on a moving film or other type strip, which system has a memory unit for storing groups of digital control signals for operating the distinct devices, each forming a channel, in a selected manner during a selected portion of the moving strip. This system has means for selecting one of the groups of the digital control signals for a selected portion of the visual program and means independent of the strip for causing the stored digital control signals of the selected group to be outputted in a time sequence corresponding to the selected portion of the visual program.

Abstract: A sound receiving system has an array of microphone elements for producing output signals in response to incident sound, and signal processing means for processing the output signals to provide the array with pre-selected directional acceptance and rejection characteristics. Such processing includes integrating the difference between the output signals of a pair of elements to produce an integrated signal, summing the outputs of the same or different pair of elements to obtain a sum signal, and combining the integrated signal with the sum signal.The spatial position of pairs of elements and their orientation permit closely spaced pairs of elements to exhibit a single highly directional characteristic, or two angularly related highly directional characteristics. Thus, an array of microphone elements clustered at essentially a point location can exhibit either monaural or stereophonic characteristics, depending upon the type of signal processing applied to their outputs.

Abstract: A multi-purpose sound/data system which is capable of recording and reproducing a multitude of disparate and dissimilar information being digital and/or analog in nature in such a way so that there is no interference between the different information channels. This system is principally intended to be applied to motion picture film, but it is equally applicable to television and other devices by which sound, data and pictures may be electrically, mechanically or optically recorded and reproduced. It is an important feature that a film recorded with this system can be reproduced by any standard photographic soundhead without alteration, in the same way as a normal photographic soundtrack. This invention confines itself to the layout of the tracks to present a compatible format and does not deal with the methods of recording and reproduction.

Abstract: A method and system of blending the effective audio sensation in a theater having a plurality of audio speakers driven by a single program signal recorded on a motion picture film strip as the film strip is being projected in the theater, which method and system includes the driving of each of the speakers in the theater with a common program signal through an amplifier having a gain controlled by an analog electrical signal whereby the level of the analog signal determines the volume of the program signal at each of the speakers and creating a digital gain control signal for each of the speakers in response to a control signal recorded periodically on the film strip at locations on the film strip determined by the desired volume of a given speaker at a given time which digital gain control signal is converted to an analog signal and is used for controlling the driving amplifiers of each of the speakers in the theater in which the film is being projected.

Abstract: A sound recording and reproducing system comprising a motion picture camera in which there is a synchronization system for recording segments of sound from a signal produced by a microphone associated with the camera as analog samples alternatively read into each of two analog shift registers in increments of samples corresponding to one frame time of the taking picture cycle. Means are provided for recording each such approximately timed sample sequence onto the film adjacent the frame being photographed during pulldown of the film in the camera. For playback, a projector is provided which comprises two analog shift registers each alternatively used for taking the samples recorded on the film for each frame for storage during pulldown, and then to transmit the stored samples through a filter to a loud-speaker for reproduction at a continuous rate during projection of the photographic images recorded on the film.

Abstract: A system is described for digital, as opposed to the usual analog, recording of a sound track in synchronism with a visual image on a motion picture film and automatically reproducing the sound in synchronism with the visual image. In one embodiment of the invention, a camera employs a linear array of light-emitting diodes across the sound track to enter a digital representation of the sound on the same frame as the synchronous visual image. The digital, specifically binary, signals which excite the light-emitting diodes are produced by analog to digital conversion of samples of the sound waveform. The binary representations are entered into shift registers at a uniform rate, and read out to the light-emitting diodes in a burst during the film advance interval immediately following shutter closure, thereby entering on the film track an optical record of all the binary pulses derived from sound produced during the just concluded frame interval.