Center Channel Patents (Class 381/27)
  • Patent number: 6914988
    Abstract: An audio reproducing device includes an input for receiving an n-channel input signal, an output for supplying an 1-channel output signal to 1 loudspeakers, and an audio processing unit for processing the input signal. The audio processing unit a signal enhancer for enhancing an m-channel signal part of the n-channel input signal, where m<n, the signal enhancer having, for each channel signal part of said m-channel signal part, a non-linear anti-symmetric monotone transfer function. The audio reproducing device is further provided with a speech-music discriminator, which, in response to one of the channel signal parts of the m-channel signal part designated for speech, generates a control signal indicating the probability p that the one of the channel signal parts contains speech signals. This control signal is used to control the signal enhancer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Roy Irwan, Erik Larsen
  • Patent number: 6909787
    Abstract: Method and related apparatus for canceling vocal portions containing in two signals of two stereo channels and providing two corresponding output signals. The method includes: generating a mono signal according to a sum of the signals of the stereo channels; respectively performing vocal cancellation to each signal of one stereo channel according to a difference between the signal of the stereo channel and the mono signal, and performing low-frequency band and high-frequency band compensation to results of vocal cancellation to generate the two output signals. Because vocal cancellation is performed for respective signal of one stereo channel, the two output signals will have substantial difference in frequency band other than the high-frequency band to increase effect of stereo.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2005
    Assignee: Mediatek Incorporation
    Inventor: Ken-Chi Chen
  • Patent number: 6870933
    Abstract: An audio signal processing device is described for deriving auxiliary audio signals, such as audio direction sensing signals or a center audio signal from first and second audio signals through first and second filter paths, each of which comprises a first adaptive filter, and a first summing means is provided for coupled to the first adaptive filters for providing a summed audio signal at its summing output. Each filter path further comprises a second adaptive filter coupled to said summing output, whose respective adaptive filter coefficients are transferred to the first adaptive filters and are adapted in response to respective comparisons of the first and second audio signals with filtered sums of the first and second audio signals. Therewith correlated and uncorrelated parts of the input audio signals are processed effectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventor: David Antoine Christian Marie Roovers
  • Patent number: 6853732
    Abstract: The present invention disclosed and claimed herein, in one aspect thereof, comprises a method for enhancing the front sound image during reproduction in a listening space of a stereo sound program, comprising the steps of receiving left and right channels of the stereo sound program; generating a virtual center channel signal from the left and right channels of the stereo sound program; and driving a center channel speaker with the virtual center channel signal, the center channel speaker disposed at a central location in a front portion of the listening space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2005
    Assignee: Sonics Associates, Inc.
    Inventor: William Clayton Scofield
  • Publication number: 20040234088
    Abstract: A method and system for communicating audio, video, and/or control signals within a home entertainment system. One or more signals are communicated between an input device and one or more output devices via one or more networks. The output device can include loudspeakers, display devices, and headphones. In some embodiments an output device, for example a center channel loudspeaker, transmits signals to other output devices. For example, the center channel loudspeaker can transmit a combined audio signal and control signal to a remote loudspeaker over a first network and transmit a video signal to a display device over a second network. The display device displays the video signal. The networks can be wireless, wired, infrared, RF, and powerline.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2004
    Publication date: November 25, 2004
    Inventors: William A. McCarty, Yadir Rodriguez
  • Patent number: 6819767
    Abstract: A sound reproduction apparatus includes a left channel speaker apparatus for receiving a left-channel sound output signal of a sound source, a right channel speaker apparatus for receiving a right-channel sound output signal and a center speaker apparatus disposed at the center, or in the central front space between the speaker apparatuses for the left and the right channels. A speaker unit of the center speaker apparatus is provided with a left-channel voice coil for receiving the left-channel sound output signal and a right-channel voice coil for receiving the right-channel sound output signal; and these two voice coils are disposed co-axially. The center speaker apparatus is formed only of the above-described speaker unit, a front baffle and a cabinet. The amplifying unit that was indispensable in the conventional configuration has been totally eliminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2004
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Osamu Funahashi, Hiroyuki Morimoto
  • Publication number: 20040218764
    Abstract: The system of the present invention includes, briefly, a point source speaker system, comprising a processor which produces a left minus right (L−R) audio signal, a right plus left (R+L) and a right minus left (R−L) audio signal; three speakers each for audibly transmitting one of the L−R, R+L and R−L audio signals; and a point source speaker enclosure for housing the three speakers in a single enclosure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2004
    Publication date: November 4, 2004
    Applicant: Kentech Interactive
    Inventor: Francis Allen Miller
  • Publication number: 20040175001
    Abstract: A circuit for processing multichannel audio signals, comprises a frequency characteristics correction device and an output device. The frequency characteristics correction device corrects frequency characteristics of an audio signal of a channel including an audio signal component having a predetermined frequency band, of audio signals of a multichannel comprising at least a right channel and a left channel, in accordance with correction characteristics determined based on a head related transfer function. The output device mixes the audio signal component having the frequency characteristics corrected with an audio signal of the right channel and an audio signal of the left channel to generate mixed output audio signals, and outputting the mixed output audio signals as a right channel output audio signal and a left channel output audio signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2004
    Publication date: September 9, 2004
    Applicant: PIONEER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kei Sakagami, Shintaro Hosoi, Ikuko Kawamura
  • Patent number: 6782111
    Abstract: A loudspeaker system having a dual voice coil for radiating sound waves from a multiple channel system. The loudspeaker system includes an audio signal input, a first driver having a first voice coil which has a first and a second voice coil winding, and a second driver having a voice coil which has a first and a second voice coil winding. The audio signal input is coupled to the second voice coil winding of the first driver and to the second voice coil of the second driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Assignee: Bose Corporation
    Inventors: Peter J. Wagner, II, Charles R. Barker, III
  • Patent number: 6754350
    Abstract: A surround reproducing circuit includes a first adder for generating a difference signal of an L signal and an R signal which are inputted, a low-pass filter connected to an output side of the first adder, and second and third adders for mixing an output signal of the low-pass filter as a surround signal with the L signal and the R signal in an opposite phase relationship to each other. Change in a phase is lessened within a frequency band of 20 Hz to 20 KHz and the localization can become definite, and furthermore, a harsh high pass is also lessened. Consequently, it is possible to realize a surround effect having natural spread. Furthermore, the number of capacitors to be required can also be decreased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2004
    Assignee: New Japan Radio Co., Ind.
    Inventor: Yositugu Sugimoto
  • Publication number: 20040086128
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for creating a third signal channel from an input signal received in each of a first and second channel involves inverting a predetermined frequency range of signals in the first channel out of phase with a corresponding frequency range of signals in the second channel. Thereafter, the inverted signal in the first channel and the corresponding frequency signal in the second channel may be communicated to a speaker, which is bridged across the first and second channels, as the third signal channel. This speaker produces sound corresponding to the difference (i.e., the frequency range determined by the predetermined bandwidth of the inverted signal) between the inverted signal in the first channel and the corresponding frequency signal in the second channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2002
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Inventors: Jon M. Risch, Emmett E. Heath
  • Patent number: 6711265
    Abstract: In a stereophonic system having sum and difference signals with expanded spatial imaging, localization of center audio materials more towards the center is accomplished by equalization of the (L+R) sum signal. The equalization comprises decreasing the bass response while increasing the treble response of the sum signal with the desired bass reduction being accomplished by the use of a gyrator to economically synthesize an inductance. Additionally, the equalizations in the (L+R) sum signal to reduce the signal at bass frequencies and to increase the signal at treble frequencies are switchable singly or in combination between “ON” and “OFF” modes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing, S.A.
    Inventor: Robert Edward Morris, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6681018
    Abstract: An audio signal processing apparatus includes an input unit to which at least an audio signal of a left channel, an audio signal of a right channel, and an audio signal of a center channel are supplied, a first output terminal unit for outputting the audio signal of the left channel, the audio signal of the right channel, and the audio signal of the center channel which are supplied to the input unit, a mixing unit for mixing the audio signal of the center channel to the audio signal of the left channel and mixing the audio signal of the center channel to the audio signal of the right channel to output the mixed signals as audio signals of two channels, and a second output terminal unit for outputting the audio signals of the two channels from the mixing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Keiichi Asakura, Shigeharu Watanabe
  • Publication number: 20040008847
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for producing multi-channel stereophonic sound by which output 5.1-channel sound is converted into 7.1-channel sound are provided. An encoded audio stream is received and decoded. The decoded audio stream is reproduced as sound through 5.1 channels. Outputs of left and right speakers of a TV set are also produced using signals of a left stereo channel, a right stereo channel, and a center channel of the 5.1 channels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2003
    Publication date: January 15, 2004
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Su-Hyun Kim
  • Publication number: 20030142830
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of processing an input signal into a phantomized signal, including adding at least one attenuated delayed signal to the input signal, the phantomized signal having at least one delayed attenuated signal and the input signal. A phantomized signal according to the invention offers a new and impressive integration of a center channel signal of a multi channel audio system into the complete audio image provided by the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2002
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Inventor: Kim Rishoj
  • Patent number: 6590982
    Abstract: A Wireless Concealed Transmitter Stereo Center Speaker System includes a concealed transmitter unit installed a center speaker, and two receiver units installed in two rear speakers, wherein the concealed transmitter unit includes an automatic audio level regulating circuit to regulate the audio level of the output signal of audio equipment to a predetermined range, a power control circuit controlled by the output signal of the audio equipment to provide the necessary working voltage, and an inductance antenna to transmit stable output signal from the audio equipment to the receiver units of rear speakers; the receiver units are of low working voltage design, including an automatic 24-time frequency divider circuit to effectively discriminate left and right sound tracks, and an auto-shut off circuit to automatically cut off power supply from either an alternating current source or battery power supply when the audio equipment does not work; the concealed transmitter unit and the receiver units further use a r
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Inventor: Jinsaun Chen
  • Publication number: 20030091194
    Abstract: In a device for processing a stereo audio signal having a first channel (L) and a second channel (R) the stereo signal is at first analyzed (12) to obtain a measure for a quantity of bits required by a coder to code the stereo audio signal using a coding algorithm. The first channel and the second channel are then modified (14) when the measure for the quantity of bits is larger than a predetermined value, the modification being performed in such a way that the energy of a sum signal of the first and the second modified channel (L′, R′) is in a predetermined relation to the energy of a sum signal of the first and the second channel and that a difference signal of the first and the second modified channel is attenuated in contrast to the difference signal of the first and the second channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2002
    Publication date: May 15, 2003
    Inventors: Bodo Teichmann, Oliver Kunz, Juergen Herre, Klaus Peichl, Michael Beer
  • Publication number: 20030039366
    Abstract: A sound processing system reduces the instances when only a center speaker is heard. The gain of a volume setting is adjusted for individual speakers in response to one or more input signals. The gain of the center speaker is attenuated in relation to the global volume setting. In addition or as an alternative, the gain of front and/or rear speakers is increased. A virtual center channel is generated for locations where the center speaker may not be heard.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2002
    Publication date: February 27, 2003
    Inventors: Bradley F. Eid, William Neal House
  • Publication number: 20030039365
    Abstract: A sound processing system adaptively mixes active matrix decoding and passive matrix processing of incoming audio signals. Mixed output signals are generated with active matrix decoding where the audio signals are stereo. Mixed output signals are generated with passive matrix processing where the audio signals are monaural. The sound processing system reduces the degree of active matrix decoding in the mixed output signals where the incoming audio signals are stereo and monaural. The sound processing system also generates virtual stereo signals from incoming audio signals having monaural signals. Mixed output signals are generated of the virtual stereo signals using active matrix decoding.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2002
    Publication date: February 27, 2003
    Inventors: Bradley F. Eid, William Neal House
  • Patent number: 6519344
    Abstract: There is provided an audio system which suppresses standing waves. An audio signal source (1) outputs audio signals (SR) and (SL) which are then supplied to reproducing loudspeakers (3) and (4),installed in a room (2), where the reproduced sounds are outputted. Furthermore, the audio signals (SR) and (SL) are added at an adder (9) to obtain signal (S2) which is in turn filtered by a compensating filter and then inverted by means of an inverting circuit (13). This generates a compensation signal (Sc) with a phase opposite to that of the standing wave. The compensation signal (Sc) is supplied to a compensating loudspeaker (5) installed in the room (2), whereby sound for canceling out the standing wave is outputted. The compensating filter has its frequency characteristics set in accordance with the cross-correlation function between a transfer function from the reproducing loudspeakers, (3) and (4), to a listening location and a transfer function from the compensating loudspeaker (5) to the listening location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: Pioneer Corporation
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Yajima, Satoshi Kumada
  • Publication number: 20030002683
    Abstract: A method for decoding an audio signal includes receiving a digital audio signal having a plurality of channels defined thereon, wherein one of the plurality of channels is a center channel and at least one of the other of said plurality of channels is a remaining audio channel; comparing the center channel with the at least one of the other of the plurality of channels to determine a ratio of the center channel to the other of the plurality of channels; and automatically adjusting the center channel and the at least one of the plurality of other channels when a predetermined value for the ratio is not met.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2002
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Inventors: Michael A. Vaudrey, William R. Saunders
  • Publication number: 20020181713
    Abstract: In an audio apparatus 10 to which plural kinds of audio signals of different numbers of channels are input, a sound field control section 3 which performs a sound field control on the audio signals on the basis of a sound field control data is provided, and the sound field control data is stored in a memory 6 for each of the kinds of audio signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2002
    Publication date: December 5, 2002
    Applicant: PIONEER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shinjiro Kato, Takami Maeda, Kazuhito Tatsuta
  • Patent number: 6470087
    Abstract: A device and a method for reproducing a multi-channel audio signal with only two speakers preserving the sound field of multi-channel audio reproduction, thereby providing vivid realism to a user (listener).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jung-Kwon Heo, Young-Nam Oh
  • Patent number: 6442278
    Abstract: A method for decoding an audio signal includes receiving a digital audio signal having a plurality of channels defined thereon, wherein one of the plurality of channels is a center channel and at least one of the other of said plurality of channels is a remaining audio channel; comparing the center channel with the at least one of the other of the plurality of channels to determine a ratio of the center channel to the other of the plurality of channels; and automatically adjusting the center channel and the at least one of the plurality of other channels when a predetermined value for the ratio is not met.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: Hearing Enhancement Company, LLC
    Inventors: Michael A. Vaudrey, William R. Saunders
  • Patent number: 6438237
    Abstract: A 3D woofer drive circuit achieves miniaturization of a 3D sound system and reduces the cost thereof. The drive circuit includes two resistors arranged to synthesize an L-channel sound signal with an R-channel sound signal. Each end of a capacitor constituting part of a low pass filter and two fixed terminals of a variable resistor are respectively connected between a connection point of the resistors and a ground terminal which is a reference potential. A speaker terminal for the woofer is connected to a movable terminal of the variable resistor through a buffer amplifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takeshi Nakamura
  • Patent number: 6424719
    Abstract: A system for acoustic crosstalk cancellation which uses a loudspeaker arrangement including three loudspeakers, with the center loudspeaker set forward of the two outside loudspeakers. This arrangement increases the bandwidth in which effective cancellation is provided. The system provides a significant gain in performance over conventional crosstalk cancellation systems, which are very sensitive to the position of the listener's head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2002
    Assignee: Lucent Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Gary W. Elko, Darren B. Ward
  • Publication number: 20020037086
    Abstract: A multi-channel stereo converter is described comprising stereo magnitude determining means for generating a stereo information signal (a/b; &rgr;), which represents a degree of stereo between audio input signals (L, R), and transforming means for transforming said audio signals (L, R) based on said stereo information signal (a/b; &rgr;) into at least a surround signal (S). A space mapping interpretation is presented and an audio centre signal may be derived from the stereo input signals as well. The result is more flexibility in application and design, without substantial cross talk in the audio signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2001
    Publication date: March 28, 2002
    Inventors: Roy Irwan, Ronaldus Maria Aarts
  • Publication number: 20020006206
    Abstract: The present invention disclosed and claimed herein, in one aspect thereof, comprises a method for enhancing the front sound image during reproduction in a listening space of a stereo sound program, comprising the steps of receiving left and right channels of the stereo sound program; generating a virtual center channel signal from the left and right channels of the stereo sound program; and driving a center channel speaker with the virtual center channel signal, the center channel speaker disposed at a central location in a front portion of the listening space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2001
    Publication date: January 17, 2002
    Applicant: SONICS ASSOCIATES, INC.
    Inventor: William Clayton Scofield
  • Patent number: 6311155
    Abstract: A method for providing multiple users with voice-to-remaining audio (VRA) adjustment capability includes receiving at a first decoder a voice signal and a remaining audio signal and simultaneously receiving at a second decoder, the voice signal and the remaining audio signal, wherein the voice signal and the remaining audio signal are received separately; and separately adjusting by each of the decoders, the separately received voice and remaining audio signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2001
    Assignee: Hearing Enhancement Company LLC
    Inventors: Michael A. Vaudrey, William R. Saunders
  • Publication number: 20010022841
    Abstract: The present invention was developed in order to realize a multi-channel sound system wherein appropriate output (balance and fader) control can be conducted without adversely affecting the program contents, and a sound system, which can reproduce a plurality of channel signals including at least left and right front channels and a center channel for forward-placed speakers, comprises a gain controller to control the gain of either left or right channel signal and a gain controller to control the gain of the center channel signal depending on the gain control of the left or right channel signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2001
    Publication date: September 20, 2001
    Inventors: Akira Motojima, Hiroshi Kowaki, Yuji Tomita, Hideki Matsui
  • Patent number: 6181796
    Abstract: A system and method which generates amplified signals indicative of left and right stereo channels, and uses the signals to drive transducers for each of subwoofer, left stereo, and right stereo channels. The amplification circuitry is operable with a power supply having low peak current capability (i.e., low peak to average current rating) even when amplifying an input signal pair having highly correlated frequency components, since it spreads the peak current demands imposed on the power supply over a full cycle of each of the highly correlated frequency components. A series-connected pair of left and right channel transducers is driven by left and right channel power amplifiers of the amplification circuitry, and the subwoofer channel transducer is connected in parallel with this transducer pair so that all three transducers are driven by two power amplifiers, thus eliminating the need for a third power amplifier to drive the subwoofer channel transducer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Assignee: National Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventor: Nick M. Johnson
  • Patent number: 6118876
    Abstract: An apparatus for realistically reproducing sound, particularly for sound based on a stereophonic signal having dialog and effects and associated with an accompanying video image. The apparatus includes a front speaker located in proximity to the video image for providing acoustic output based upon a summation signal of the component left and right (L+R) channels of the audio signal. A rear speaker located to the rear of the viewing area provides acoustic output based upon a difference signal, (L-R) or (R-L), between the left and right channels. The left and right side speakers are located to the respective left and right sides of the viewing area. The left side speaker provides two acoustic outputs in accordance with a band limited left channel signal and a band limited difference signal. The right side speaker provides two acoustic outputs in accordance with a band limited right channel signal and a band limited difference signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Assignee: REP Investment Limited Liability Company
    Inventor: Jerome E. Ruzicka
  • Patent number: 6094488
    Abstract: The ratio y(n) of two digital values, respectively a(n) and b(n), representing the n.sup.th elements of two respective sequences of digital input data representing two quantities slowly varying in time, is obtained by computingy(n)=y(n-1)+g*[a(n)-b(n)*y(n-1)]wherein g represents a multiplying factor. Within the domain of the z transform, the expression becomes:Y(z)=z.sup.-1 *Y(z)+g[A(z)-B(z)conv Y(z)*z.sup.-1where conv indicates an operation of convolution and which, for input sequences corresponding to signals filtered through a lowpass filter with a time constant greater than or equal to 3 msec is simplified to: ##EQU1## The approximation is exceptionally good and computation thereof may be achieved by the use of relatively simple hardware, without severely burdening the workload of a microprocessor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2000
    Assignee: SGS-Thomson Microelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Marco Bianchessi, Sandro Dalle Feste, Nadia Serina, Davide Sanguinetti
  • Patent number: 6038323
    Abstract: A stereophonic image enhancement signal processing system for vehicular sound systems provides a symmetrical improvement in imaging for listeners located at the left and right regions of a vehicle passenger compartment The stereo signals are processed in a manner to provide a rapid rate-of-change of phase equal to at least 90 degrees per octave approaching a maximum of 180 degrees between the stereo channels at approximately 300 Hz. A further enhancement of the reproduced sound stage is provided through the application of equalized stereo difference signals prior to, and in combination with, the above described phase shift process. An optional center channel signal, summed from stereo source signals, may be provided for driving a central speaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Assignee: Harman Motive Inc.
    Inventor: Michael L. Petroff
  • Patent number: 5970152
    Abstract: An audio enhancement system and method for use in a surround sound environment creates a more diffuse and continuous sound field from a multi-channel, multi-speaker reproduction environment. Multiple audio source signals generated from an audio recording, which are intended for speakers placed in front of and behind a listener, are isolated into pairs and processed to create corresponding pairs of component audio signals. Each pair of component audio signals is generated, at least in part, from the information present in both corresponding audio source signals. The individual component audio signals are then selectively combined to form enhanced output signals so that each enhanced output signal is modified as function of a plurality of audio source signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Assignee: SRS Labs, Inc.
    Inventor: Arnold I. Klayman
  • Patent number: 5930370
    Abstract: An apparatus for realistically reproducing sound, particularly for sound based on a stereophonic signal having dialog and effects and associated with an accompanying video image. The apparatus includes a front speaker located in proximity to the video image for providing acoustic output based upon a summation signal of the component left and right (L+R) channels of the audio signal. A rear speaker located to the rear of the viewing area provides acoustic output based upon a difference signal, (L-R) or (R-L), between the left and right channels. Left and right speakers located to the respective left and right sides of the viewing area. The left and right channels speakers reproduce in one embodiment the respective left and right channels of the audio signal and in a second embodiment reproduce a difference signal, (L-.beta.R) or (R-.beta.L), where .beta. is a gain which may vary or may be a value fixed between zero and unity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Assignee: REP Investment Limited Liability
    Inventor: Jerome E. Ruzicka
  • Patent number: 5854847
    Abstract: A speaker system for use in an automobile vehicle, comprises: pair of side speakers disposed on left and right sides in a front section within the automobile vehicle; a central speaker disposed in a middle position between the two side speakers; a pair of delay circuits connected on two signal lines leading to the side speakers disposed on the left and right sides within the vehicle; an adder connected between the left and right channels to add together the electric signals transmitted from the left and right channels so as to produce a sum signal; and a band pass filter connected on a signal line leading to the central speaker, said band pass filter being constructed and adjusted to eliminate a high frequency signal component. The sum signal fed from the adder is passed through the band pass filter before being applied to the central speaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1998
    Assignee: Pioneer Electronic Corp.
    Inventors: Minoru Yoshida, Keishi Saito, Fumio Matsushita, Katsumi Amano, Satoshi Kumada, Yoshiki Ohta
  • Patent number: 5818943
    Abstract: A transmitter for transmitting at least a first and a second main signal component is disclosed, having at least two input terminals for receiving the at least two input signals. The transmitter comprises multiplexer means for multiplexing the at least two input signals to a first input of matrixing means, and to an input of first bitrate reducing means. The first bitrate reducing means is for carrying out a data reduction step on the signal applied to its input and to supply a data reduced version to an output. Expansion means are present, having an input coupled to the first bitrate reducing means, for carrying out a data expansion on the data information applied to its input, so as to obtain a replica of the signal applied to the input of the bitrate reducing means at an output. Said output is coupled to a second input of the matrixing means. An output of the matrixing means is coupled to signal combination means via second bitrate reducing means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1998
    Assignee: U.S. Philips Corporation
    Inventor: Warner R. T. Ten Kate
  • Patent number: 5764777
    Abstract: A four-dimensional acoustical audio system utilizes both spatial and temporal signal processing to maximize the depth, width, and perceived directionality of the acoustic field with respect to the binaural auditory system. Transducers are critically placed within the confines of a reverberant enclosure, and each transducer is assigned a specific bandwidth of sound either in mono or stereo, depending upon the spatial location of the transducer to take advantage of the binaural auditory system of the intended listener. The system minimizes the number of transducers and electronics required to achieve the effect of a live performance, regardless of the dynamics of the enclosure in which it is placed. The loudspeaker system can be used in small enclosed volumes such as an automobile or extended to volumes the size of a motion picture theater or concert hall and even outdoors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: BSG Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventor: Barry S. Goldfarb
  • Patent number: 5757928
    Abstract: An audio amplifier arrangement contains reproduction channels (R, L, C, SR) with corresponding channel outputs, to which a selectable number and/or assignment of different combinations of sound radiators can be connected in the form of loudspeakers (Lr, Ll) and/or external loudspeaker boxes (Br, Bl, Bc) to obtain different reproduction modes, and a signal processor which can be switched in such a way, that different audio signals (Vr', Vl', Vc, Vcr) are made available for the reproduction channels, to obtain the different reproduction modes. Connecting the corresponding external loudspeaker boxes to predetermined channel outputs requires a change in the reproduction mode, whereby the assignment of already connected sound radiators is changed, and/or the signal processor is switched. According to the invention, part of the channel outputs have first and second switching means (Sr, Sl, Sc), which automatically make the required change in the operating mode when external loudspeaker boxes are connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1998
    Assignee: Nokia Technology GmbH
    Inventor: Reinhard Schaar
  • Patent number: 5742687
    Abstract: A signal combining circuit has a first input and a second input for receiving signals which have frequencies in the audio frequency spectrum, and an output. A first signal path between the first input and the output has a first transfer characteristic (H1.H3). A second signal path between the second input and the output has a second transfer characteristic (H2.H3). The transfer characteristics are different which causes a phase shift to occur between signal components passed through the first signal path and signal components passed through the second signal path. The amplitude transfer determined by the transfer characteristics decreases above a predetermined frequency. There is a phase difference between phase transfer characteristics which decreases with frequency. For frequencies below the predetermined frequency the amplitude transfer determined by the first transfer characteristic exceeds that determined by the second transfer characteristic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1998
    Assignee: U.S. Philips Corporation
    Inventor: Ronaldus M. Aarts
  • Patent number: 5708718
    Abstract: A surround sound processor system includes an in-phase decoder circuit, an out-of-phase decoder circuit, and a plurality of audio amplifiers. In a wireless embodiment, the surround sound processor system also includes a plurality of FM transmitters and a plurality of FM receivers. A surround sound process system can take the stereo audio signal from a stereo VCR, a stereo receiver, a car stereo, or a stereo TV to produce a three dimensional sound field. A left audio signal and a right audio signal are input into an in-phase decoder, the in-phase audio signals are extracted from the left and right audio signals while the out-of-phase audio signals are canceled. The in-phase audio signals are sent to an audio amplifier and then to at least one center speaker. A left audio signal and a right audio signal are input into an out-of-phase decoder, the out-of-phase audio signals are extracted from the left and right audio signals while the in-phase audio signals are canceled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1998
    Assignee: Sounds' So Real Accessories, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul R. Ambourn, Robert Stockman
  • Patent number: 5708719
    Abstract: An apparatus for realistically reproducing sound, particularly for sound based on a stereophonic signal having dialog and effects and associated with an accompanying video image. The apparatus includes a front speaker located in proximity to the video image for providing acoustic output based upon a summation signal of the component left and right (L+R) channels of the audio signal. A rear speaker located to the rear of the viewing area provides acoustic output based upon a difference signal, (L-R) or (R-L), between the left and right channels. Left and right speakers located to the respective left and right sides of the viewing area output audio based upon the respective left or right channels. The left and right channels speakers reproduce in one embodiment the respective left and right channels of the audio signal and in a second embodiment reproduce a difference signal, (L-R) or (R-L).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1998
    Assignee: REP Investment Limited Liability Company
    Inventors: Hal P. Greenberger, William F. Clack, Jerome E. Ruzicka
  • Patent number: 5661812
    Abstract: A head mounted surround sound virtual positioning system that includes a video recorder (200), which is operable to have disposed therein a tape (202), having a surround sound audio track associated therewith. The surround sound system is encoded on two channels, which are output to a Dolby.RTM. decoder (204), which is operable to extract the five surround sound system channels therefrom. The left front, left rear, right front and right rear channels are input to a virtual positioning system (264), which is operable to virtually position each of the speakers relative to the head of the listener (26). These signals are then combined with a combining circuit (268) to provide the virtual positioning of only two speaker lines (58) and (60), disposed adjacent the right and left ears of the listener (26). The speakers (58) and (60) are disposed on the head mounted system such that they are fixed relative to the ear of the listener and slightly forward of the ears and adjacent the head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 26, 1997
    Assignee: Sonics Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: William Clayton Scofield, Stevan Otha Saunders
  • Patent number: 5610985
    Abstract: System for digital transmission of left and right stereo signals and a center signal through left and right stereo channels and an auxiliary channel, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1997
    Assignee: U.S. Philips Corporation
    Inventor: Warner R. T. Ten Kate
  • Patent number: 5610986
    Abstract: An audio-imaging system includes at least first and second input channels for receiving first and second channel audio input signals and at least first, second and third output signals which are produced as a combination of the first and second channel audio input signals and a nonzero parameter. The parameter is common to the first, second and third output signals and may be made adjustable in order to vary the width of the audio image produced in order to compensate for composition mixing of a program source applied to the input channels. A sound-image analyzer is also provided which processes a program source applied to the input channels to at least three fully separated levels representing left, right and center directions of the program source in order to determine a value of the parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1997
    Inventor: Michael T. Miles
  • Patent number: 5557680
    Abstract: A loudspeaker system comprises two spaced-apart sound cabinets with the first cabinet housing a speaker driver directed toward a listener and couplable to a left channel signal to create a left channel sound image and a second speaker mounted in a second of the cabinets and couplable to a right channel to create a right channel sound image in a listening area. Third and fourth speaker drivers are positioned, one in each of the two sound cabinets, proximate to one of the first and second speaker drivers. The third and fourth drivers have axes which are angled with respect to the axes of the first and second drivers and are couplable to a signal having frequency components of center channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1996
    Inventor: Thomas A. Janes
  • Patent number: 5544247
    Abstract: A transmitter for transmitting at least a first and a second main signal component is disclosed, having at least two input terminals for receiving the at least two input signals. The transmitter comprises multiplexer means for multiplexing the at least two input signals to a first input of matrixing means, and to an input of first bitrate reducing means. The first bitrate reducing means is for carrying out a data reduction step on the signal applied to its input and to supply a data reduced version to an output. Expansion means are present, having an input coupled to the first bitrate reducing means, for carrying out a data expansion on the data information applied to its input, so as to obtain a replica of the signal applied to the input of the bitrate reducing means at an output. Said output is coupled to a second input of the matrixing means. An output of the matrixing means is coupled to signal combination means via second bitrate reducing means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1996
    Assignee: U.S. Philips Corporation
    Inventor: Warner R. T. Ten Kate
  • Patent number: 5530760
    Abstract: Surround sound systems commonly produce, in addition to a surround channel, left, right and center channels. An apparatus is provided for connection between the left, right and center channels to enable the balance between the center channel and the left and right channels to be adjusted. It enables the level of the center channel to be reduced and the center channel to be correspondingly redistributed to the left and right channels to create a phantom center channel from those left and right channels. The degree to which the center channel is reduced in level, and extent to which the center channel is redistributed to the left and right channels are both variable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1996
    Assignee: Audio Products International Corp.
    Inventor: Ian Paisley
  • Patent number: 5528694
    Abstract: An audio signal processing arrangement includes a first filter (20) for splitting off signal components from the left channel signal (L) at least within one frequency band. Signal components are split off from the right channel signal (R) by a second filter (23). The output signals of the filters (20 and 23) are compared with the right channel signal (R) and the left channel signal (L), respectively. The filter parameters of the filters (20 and 23) are adjusted to values at which there is maximum correlation between the compared signals according to a given criterion. The center channel signal is derived in dependence on the filter adjustment. This can be effected by combining the output signals of the filters (20 and 23).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1996
    Assignee: U.S. Philips Corporation
    Inventors: Leon M. Van De Kerkhof, Paulus M. Boers, Hendrikus De Kluijver