One Of Systems Having Plural Concurrent Signals (e.g., Stereophonic) Patents (Class 369/5)
  • Patent number: 10916229
    Abstract: The disclosed technology relates to a process for detecting musical artifacts within a musical composition. The detection of musical artifacts is based on analyzing the energy and frequency of the digital signal of the musical composition. The identification of musical artifacts within a musical composition would be used in connection with audio-video editing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: SOCLIP!
    Inventor: Christophe Vaucher
  • Patent number: 10456551
    Abstract: Method and apparatus comprising a method of recording natural sounds with a matched microphone array, recording the signal on a high resolution recording device including creating an audio bed, and playing back the recording on a tuned playback system. The method and apparatus is used to create or duplicate an ambient sound space for ambient therapy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Inventor: Louis Fisher Davis, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10440464
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for adjusting volume, a terminal device and a storage medium. According to the method, amplitude information of a sound source is acquired if it is detected that a terminal device is playing the sound source. A type of the sound source is determined according to the amplitude information. Volume adjustment information is determined according to the type of the sound source. Volume of the terminal device is adjusted according to the volume adjustment information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: GUANGDONG OPPO MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATIONS CORP., LTD.
    Inventors: Fenggui Yan, Zhaoan Xu, Gaoting Gan, Zhiyong Zheng, Hai Yang
  • Patent number: 10166361
    Abstract: Method and apparatus comprising a method of recording natural sounds with a matched microphone array, recording the signal on a high resolution recording device including creating an audio bed, and playing back the recording on a tuned playback system. The method and apparatus is used to create or duplicate an ambient sound space for ambient therapy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Inventor: Louis Fisher Davis, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9438963
    Abstract: A wireless audio transmission method and a device. The wireless audio transmission device includes: an audio processor that receives a digital audio signal from an external multimedia apparatus when the wireless audio transmission device is docked at the external multimedia apparatus, performing a predetermined signal processing operation of adding a sound effect to the received digital audio signal, and generating a composite signal; a wireless transmission processor to receive the composite signal generated by the audio processor and to convert the received composite signal into a wireless packet; and a wireless transmitter to modulate the wireless packet into an RF signal and to transmit the RF signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Zhun-woo Kim, Seong-cheol Jang
  • Patent number: 9055382
    Abstract: User headphones are calibrated in real time to improve the reproduction accuracy of recorded audio content. Microphones of a type used to record the audio content (including their orientation and recording characteristics) are characterized to indicate a first audio coloration. Audio playback devices of a type used to process the audio content are characterized to indicate a second audio coloration. Headphones of a type corresponding to the user headphones are characterized to indicate a third audio coloration. An equalization signal is computed based on the audio colorations, and is applied to calibrate the user headphones during playback of the audio content. A database of the characterizations is maintained so that calibration of different models of headphones using different playback devices can be accomplished for audio content recorded using different models of microphones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Inventor: Richard Lane
  • Patent number: 8588947
    Abstract: An apparatus for processing an audio signal and method thereof are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Hyen-O Oh, Yang Won Jung
  • Patent number: 8543231
    Abstract: A method of processing a signal is disclosed, which includes receiving a downmix signal, object information and rendering information; obtaining downmix gain flag information indicating whether a downmix gain is included in the object information; and generating downmix processing information using the object information and the rendering information based on the downmix gain flag information, wherein the object information includes modified object level information or object level information, wherein the modified object level information is determined using a level of a modified object generated by applying the downmix gain to an object, and wherein the object level information is determined using a level of the object. Accordingly, in an apparatus for processing a signal and method thereof according to the present invention, the signal is decoded using modified object level information based on downmix gain flag information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Hyen-O Oh, Yang Won Jung
  • Patent number: 8254600
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for processing an audio signal and method thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Hyen-O Oh, Yang Won Jung
  • Patent number: 7930048
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a wave field synthesis renderer with audio objects includes a provider for providing a scene description, wherein the scene description defines a temporal sequence of audio objects in an audio scene and further includes information on the source position of a virtual source as well as on a start or an end of the virtual source. Furthermore, the audio object includes at least a reference to an audio file associated with the virtual source. The audio objects are processed by a processor, in order to generate a single output data stream for each renderer module, wherein both information on the position of the virtual source and the audio file itself are included in mutual association in this output data stream. With this, high portability on the one hand and high quality due to secure data consistency on the other hand are achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.
    Inventors: Katrin Reichelt, Gabriel Gatzsche, Sandra Brix
  • Patent number: 7751915
    Abstract: For a level correction in a wave field synthesis system having a wave field synthesis module and an array of loudspeakers for providing sound to a presentation region, a correction value which is based on a set amplitude state in a presentation region is determined, the set amplitude state depending on a position of the virtual source or a type of the virtual source, and the actual amplitude state in the presentation region depending on the component signals for the loudspeakers due to the virtual source. The correction value determined is fed to a manipulator manipulating the audio signal associated to the virtual source before feeding to the wave field synthesis module, or the component signals for the individual loudspeakers due to the virtual source are manipulated to reduce a deviation between a set amplitude state and an actual amplitude state at one point or several in the presentation region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.
    Inventors: Thomas Roeder, Thomas Sporer
  • Patent number: 7680288
    Abstract: An apparatus for generating, storing or editing an audio representation of an audio scene includes audio processing means for generating a plurality of speaker signals from a plurality of input channels as well as means for providing an object-oriented description of the audio scene, wherein the object-oriented description of the audio scene includes a plurality of audio objects, wherein an audio object is associated with an audio signal, a starting time instant and an end time instant. The apparatus for generating further distinguishes itself by mapping means for mapping the object-oriented description of the audio scene to the plurality of input channels, wherein an assignment of temporally overlapping audio objects to parallel input channels is performed by the mapping means, whereas temporally sequential audio objects are associated with the same channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der Angewandten Forschung E.V.
    Inventors: Frank Melchior, Jan Langhammer, Thomas Roeder, Katrin Reichelt, Sandra Brix
  • Publication number: 20100046762
    Abstract: The present invention provides improvements to prior art audio codecs that generate a stereo-illusion through post-processing of a received mono signal. These improvements are accomplished by extraction of stereo-image describing parameters at the encoder side, which are transmitted and subsequently used for control of a stereo generator at the decoder side. Furthermore, the invention bridges the gap between simple pseudo-stereo methods, and current methods of true stereo-coding, by using a new form of parametric stereo coding. A stereo-balance parameter is introduced, which enables more advanced stereo modes, and in addition forms the basis of a new method of stereo-coding of spectral envelopes, of particular use in systems where guided HFR (High Frequency Reconstruction) is employed. As a special case, the application of this stereo-coding scheme in scalable HFR-based codecs is described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2009
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Applicant: CODING TECHNOLOGIES AB
    Inventors: Fredrik HENN, Kristofer KJORLING, Lars LILJERYD, Jonas RODEN, Jonas ENGDEGARD
  • Patent number: 7603190
    Abstract: Based on a digital recorder/player taken as a basic apparatus and which accommodates a field frequency of 60 fields/sec or a frame frequency of 30 frames/sec, an apparatus is implemented to record or reproduce source video and audio signal originated from the basic apparatus and whose frequency is different from the field or frame frequency. The apparatus includes an input unit, a processor, and a converter provided between the input unit and the processor. The input unit accepts audio data having a specific field frequency and arranged in a specific format, and make baseband processing of the audio data. The processor is designed to process audio data having a basic field frequency (60 fields/sec) and arranged in a basic format. It operates with a clock corresponding to the sampling frequency to make error-corrective encoding of the audio data adapted to the basic format.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Masamichi Takayama, Tetsuo Kani, Fumitoshi Ishida, Kenji Yamasaki, Takao Inoue
  • Patent number: 7546174
    Abstract: Audio data recorded on a hard disk is stored in a memory by a CPU. The audio data stored in the memory is stored in units of channels to be output, in corresponding storage areas within an audio data storage portion by the CPU. As such, in the audio data storage portion, the audio data is stored in different storage areas for respective channels to be output. The audio data stored in the audio data storage portion is converted to analog data by a D/A converter, and output to a prescribed device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Makoto Takemoto
  • Publication number: 20080137488
    Abstract: An audio system that allows audio to be stored and/or moved between components of the audio system by means of digital plug-in cards.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2006
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Applicant: Seal Systems
    Inventor: Mark R. Friedman
  • Patent number: 7382886
    Abstract: The present invention provides improvements to prior art audio codecs that generate a stereo-illusion through post-processing of a received mono signal. These improvements are accomplished by extraction of stereo-image describing parameters at the encoder side, which are transmitted and subsequently used for control of a stereo generator at the decoder side. Furthermore, the invention bridges the gap between simple pseudo-stereo methods, and current methods of true stereo-coding, by using a new form of parametric stereo coding. A stereo-balance parameter is introduced, which enables more advanced stereo modes, and in addition forms the basis of a new method of stereo-coding of spectral envelopes, of particular use in systems where guided HFR (High Frequency Reconstruction) is employed. As a special case, the application of this stereo-coding scheme in scalable HFR-based codecs is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: Coding Technologies AB
    Inventors: Fredrik Henn, Kristofer Kjorling, Lars Liljeryd, Jonas Roden, Jonas Engdegard
  • Patent number: 7085387
    Abstract: A sound system for capturing and reproducing sounds produced by a plurality of sound sources. The system comprises a device for receiving sounds produced by the plurality of sound sources and converting the separately received sounds to a plurality of separate audio signals without mixing the audio signals. The system may further comprise a device for separately storing the plurality of separate audio signals on a recording medium without mixing the audio signals and a device for reading the stored audio signals from the recording medium. The system further includes a reproduction system for recreating the plurality of separate audio signals. Also, the system comprises an amplification network which comprises a plurality of amplifier systems, with one or more separate amplifiers in each amplifier system for separately amplifying each of the separate audio signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Inventor: Randall B. Metcalf
  • Publication number: 20040100875
    Abstract: A sharing device is composed of a distributor and multiple output units. The distributor has multiple input ports to connect different audio sources, such as VCD/DVD players, and has multiple output ports to correspondingly connect to the multiple output units. Each output unit is further connected with a sound output device, e.g. speakers, to broadcast audio signals. When the multiple output units are distributed at different locations, a user in any place is able to select a desired audio source by controlling the output unit and listen to music provided by the selected audio source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2002
    Publication date: May 27, 2004
    Inventor: Ying-Cou Wang
  • Publication number: 20030058748
    Abstract: An interface apparatus is provided that can reproduce compressed audio data stored in a storage unit without activating an external computer connected to the interface apparatus. The interface apparatus includes the storage unit, a communication unit that exchanges data with the computer, an audio reproduction unit that reproduces the audio data retrieved from the storage unit, and a control unit that controls both the communication unit and the audio reproduction unit. Regarding reproduction of compressed audio data, the interface apparatus does not require another control unit dedicated for the reproduction. Accordingly, the area of circuit board required for mounting components can be reduced and the pattern of the circuit board can be simplified.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2002
    Publication date: March 27, 2003
    Inventors: Shintaro Tomitsuka, Makoto Sato
  • Publication number: 20030029305
    Abstract: A computerized method and apparatus for creating a scratch effect through a MIDI interface. In one form, timing signals are derived from a turntable whose direction and speed of rotation are manually controlled by a disk jockey. The timing signals are processed by a microcomputer into a MIDI protocol recognizable by a conventional MIDI instrument. Preferably, the microcomputer is coupled to control a computer which interprets the MIDI protocol output and uses the output to regulate speed and direction of playback of a musical and/or visual presentation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2002
    Publication date: February 13, 2003
    Inventors: Justin A. Kent, Kevin D. Mccormick
  • Publication number: 20030002395
    Abstract: The present invention discloses an MP3 player with large storage. In the proposed MP3 player, a traditional MP3 player is located on a ducking station, wherein the ducking station is provided with a power supply. The traditional MP3 reads audio data from the ducking station through the interface between them, and then decodes the audio data and feeds them into an audio signal generator. The output of the audio signal generator is fed to an earphone or a speaker. When the MP3 player is programmed, the interface of the traditional MP3 player is locked and bypassed to the interface of the ducking station. Similarly, when the MP3 player plays, the output of the audio signal generator in the traditional MP3 player is locked, and bypassed to the earphone or the speaker of the ducking station.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2001
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Inventors: Chin-Yao Chang, Wen-Hwa Chou
  • Publication number: 20020172101
    Abstract: A digital and analog sound-signal broadcaster includes a turntable controllable by a user in its rotating speed and direction, and a traditional plastic record or a special record to be placed on the turntable. A user can also control music data of a CD to be stored in a dynamic memory chip, broadcasting a variety of special sound effects, bringing forth joy, pleasure and glamorous atmosphere. Thus the digital and analog sound-signal broadcaster can broadcast separately music from a traditional plastic record and that from a CD with easy operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2001
    Publication date: November 21, 2002
    Inventor: Han-Chih Liu
  • Patent number: 6463014
    Abstract: In a reproducing apparatus of the present invention, an input audio signal is divided into bands and an envelope value of each band is measured. Based on a change of the envelope value, a predetermined sound source is superimposed. Further, according to the envelope value of a reproduced audio signal, a tempo of reproduced music is detected and animation representation is changed in synchronism with the detected tempo. Further, a rhythm box is reproduced in synchronism with the detected tempo and a sound field is automatically selected corresponding to the detected tempo to perform synthesization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Kohei Kanou, Minako Ishizuka, Takahiro Sato, Masayuki Mizuki
  • Publication number: 20010048642
    Abstract: A method is provided for extracting music data from a compact disc and managing the music data. The method is configured to have the system extract at least a portion of an initial track of music data at an extracting rate that is greater than the listening rate. The system simultaneously writes the extracted portion of the initial track of music data to a storage media at the extracting rate while performing the extracting. Meanwhile, a user may listen to at least a portion of the extracted portion of the initial track of music data from the storage media at the listening rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2001
    Publication date: December 6, 2001
    Inventor: Michel D. Berhan
  • Patent number: 5668785
    Abstract: A recording/reproducing apparatus for recording and reproducing input signals having left and right stereo sounds. The stereo audio components of television signals prior to recording are data compressed and multiplexed. Then the stereo components are recorded in two channels, a left channel and a right channel. In playback, the audio signals are retrieved by the control signal from audio sound tracks of the recording medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 16, 1997
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroki Monta
  • Patent number: 5347499
    Abstract: A circuit selectively sets a left/right monaural playback channel in a digitally signal-processed stereo audio apparatus. The circuit includes a channel selecting signal generator for generating a channel selecting signal to select the channel corresponding to a signal desired to be reproduced among the audio signals of several channels, a storage circuit synchronous to a predetermined clock signal and temporarily storing the audio signals of several channels, a path controlling circuit for controlling the paths of an audio signal supplied after being processed into a digital signal and a signal output from the storage circuit to transmit to a D/A converter the signals corresponding to the channels selectively set by the channel selecting signal generator, and a control circuit for outputting to the channel selecting signal generator the control signal for selecting a desired channel to be reproduced in response to user commands, and controlling the generation of a channel selecting signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 13, 1994
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tae-jin Woo
  • Patent number: 5337292
    Abstract: A recording/reproducing apparatus is disclosed that is capable of recording an inputted audio signal onto a recording medium. A controlling device is provided which is capable of remote-controlling at least a recording operation of the recording/reproducing apparatus. A microphone is provided on the controlling device for picking up sound waves and converting them into audio signals to be input into the recording/reproducing device, and at least one audio source is provided for generating an audio signal to be input into the recording/reproducing apparatus. A selection switch is further provided for selecting either the microphone or the audio source. The selection switch is provided on the controlling device and a control circuit is utilized for controlling the apparatus to receive the audio signal from either one of the microphone and the audio source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 9, 1994
    Assignee: Asahi Kogaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Harumi Aoki
  • Patent number: 5327132
    Abstract: A digital signal processing automotive audio system uses an analog audio source providing stereo output signals. One of the stereo signals is mixed to a distinct frequency band and summed with the other stereo signal to form a composite signal which can be digitized in a single analog-to-digital converter. Separate digital stereo signals are recovered using digital signal processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 5, 1994
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: John E. Whitecar, Gregory R. Hamel, Sylvester P. Porambo
  • Patent number: 5274618
    Abstract: An optical recording disc on which an analog audio signal and a digital audio signal are recorded is tested. The analog audio signal results from FM-modulating 2-channel audio signals, and the digital audio signal results from modulating the same 2-channel audio signals in a digital fashion, in order to perform the test, a signal mixed with 2-channel audio signals resulting demodulating an analog audio signal and a signal mixed with 2-channel audio signals resulting from demodulating a digital audio signal are simultaneously reproduced by an electroacoustic transducer and evaluated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1993
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Fumiaki Henmi, Tomio Ohashi, Kunio Nakayama
  • Patent number: 5260920
    Abstract: A system for reproducing a sound field simulating a real acousting space includes a sound collecting device, a sound recording device and a sound reproducing device. The sound collecting device includes first and second collection systems, the first collection system having non-directional microphones at respective corners of a cube defining a hypothetical three-dimensional space in the real acoustic space and the second collection system having directional microphones of the same number as the non-directional microphones concentrically within the three-dimensional space with directivity of each of the directional microphones being set in the direction of one of the non-directional microphones with which the directional microphone constitutes a pair. Collected sounds by the first and second collection systems of the sound collection device are mixed with each other and recorded on a recording medium by the sound recording device, and further provided on the sound reproducing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1993
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroaki Ide, Hidefumi Nagai
  • Patent number: 5126981
    Abstract: A mixed simulcast circuit in which the voice signal demodulated in the voice demodulator through the tuner and the voice signal from the outside can be recorded on the recording medium according to the user's desire, then reproduced selectively. The mixed simulcast circuit has first means for recording a signal which is received in the tuner and demodulated in the demodulator, second means for recording the modulated voice signal on the one channel of the recording medium and for recording the voice signal from the external on the other channel thereof, and means for switching selectively one signal, either the voice signal which is demodulated and recorded from tuner or the voice signal, which is recorded from the external, when it reproduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1992
    Assignee: SamSung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yong-san Kim
  • Patent number: 4933921
    Abstract: A portable wireless sound reproduction system includes a first portable housing having a sound signal receiving circuit and controls for processing the sound signal into two signals for transmission by two separate sound signal transmitters located in the same housing. A pair of speakers is detachably connected to the first housing and include receivers for receiving the wireless transmission of signals from the transmitters. The two speakers are adapted to be disposed in side-by-side relation with the first housing completely overlying and detachably connected to each of the speakers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 12, 1990
    Inventor: Stuart D. Saunders
  • Patent number: 4829500
    Abstract: A portable wireless sound reproduction system includes a first portable housing having a sound signal receiving circuit and controls for processing the sound signal into two signals for transmission by two separate sound signal transmitters located in the same housing. A pair of speakers is detachably connected to the first housing and include receivers for receiving the wireless transmission of signals from the transmitters. The two speakers are adapted to be disposed in side-by-relation with the first housing completely overlying and detachably connected to each of the speakers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 9, 1989
    Inventor: Stuart D. Saunders
  • Patent number: 4763012
    Abstract: An equalizer quick switch is provided which provides a switching interface between multichannel input signal sources, an equalizer, and a multichannel amplifier with multiple inputs. In one embodiment the switching is performed by manually operated switches. In another embodiment, the switching is performed automatically when the input sources are switched on. This is accomplished using current sensing on the input power mains, and a logic switch matrix employing either buffers and inverters or, alternatively, a diode switching matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 9, 1988
    Inventor: Blankinship Andrew B.
  • Patent number: 4509185
    Abstract: A time domain panner samples a single analogue audio input signal and digitizes it into a 16-bit linear PCM representation which is fed into a memory array having a plurality of memory locations. A multiplexer feeds this memory array and continuously cycles in response to an address counter which repetitively counts to a maximum count. Address words produced by the address counter may address the array with or without add words, and a selected channel of the multiplexer points to a value stored in the memory array at a location established by the address counter plus an offset. Analogue output signals provided from left and right analogue output channels are time shifted selectively with respect to the analogue input signal and with respect to each other. Accordingly, analogue audio input signals are provided by a single signal source, fed into a memory array, and left and right analogue output channels are time-shifted with respect to the input excitement, and with respect to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1983
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1985
    Inventor: Robert M. Grunberg
  • Patent number: 4306114
    Abstract: An automatic mixing selector device for use with an audio amplifier or tuner for automatic priority selection and digital fading of two or more audio sources using the amplifier and tuner controls. The circuit comprises a priority selector circuit which monitors the designated priority audio source for signal amplitude and duration, a micro-computer then operates a digital fader to phase in the priority signal and also to phase in the alternate signal in the absence of a sufficient priority signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1980
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1981
    Assignee: Summa-Nova Corporation
    Inventor: Jeffery C. Callahan
  • Patent number: 4272784
    Abstract: Channel programming apparatus is capable of supplying a first video device, such as a video display, and a second video device, such as a video recorder, each with an individually tuned video signal. The apparatus includes first and second tuner circuits providing first and second tuned signals, respectively, first and second video outputs through which the individually tuned signals are applied to the first and second video devices, a connection for applying the second tuned signal to the second video output, a tuner switching device for selectively applying one of the first and second tuned signals to the first video output, a timing device having an unset state and being changeable to a set state in which the timing device produces a timed command at a selected time, and a device for causing the tuner switching device to apply the second tuned signal to the first video output in response to the tuned command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 1978
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1981
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Takahiko Saito, Masaru Sato
  • Patent number: 4250537
    Abstract: A home entertainment system and lighting cabinet simulates the sound and lighting effects of a discotheque. Light rays from a bank of differently colored lights are directed both to a mirrored rotating globe and to a rear reflecting panel behind the globe. A plurality of reflecting part-spherical domes and pyramidal-like projections are arranged on the rear panel and are configurated to reflect at least some of the impinging light rays back to the globe for subsequent reflection therefrom. The light rays reflected off the globe, domes and projections are projected about the room in which the system is located in a very dense pattern of reflected differently colored images. A stereo music system is mounted on the cabinet to combine a discotheque sound effect with the above-described lighting effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1979
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1981
    Assignee: Soundesign Corporation
    Inventors: George P. Roegner, Richard Hawley, Howard Steen, Sig Biener