Surround (i.e., Front Plus Rear Or Side) Patents (Class 381/307)
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Publication number: 20130121516Abstract: A sound reproduction system for reproducing an audio signal as originating from a first direction relative to a nominal position (211) and orientation of a listener is provided. The system comprises a first sound transducer arrangement (105) arranged to generate sound reaching the nominal position (211) from a first position corresponding to the first direction; and a second sound transducer arrangement (107) arranged to generate sound reaching the nominal position (211) from a second position corresponding to a different direction than the first direction. The arrangements may specifically be loudspeakers positioned at the given positions. A drive circuit (103) generates a first drive signal for the first sound transducer arrangement (105) and a second drive signal for the second sound transducer arrangement (107) from the audio signal. The first position and the second position are located on a sound cone of confusion for the nominal position (211) and the nominal direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 11, 2011Publication date: May 16, 2013Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.Inventors: William John Lamb, Werner Paulus Josephus De Bruijn, Armin Gerhard Kohlrausch, Thomas Pieter Jan Peeters
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Publication number: 20130121515Abstract: The present invention combines a head-tracking system, for example a camera system typically used for user head and eye tracking, with a plurality of loudspeakers to as to enhance the audio experience of the user. The location of the user can be used to alter the audio signal sent to the plurality of loudspeakers to improve such functions as surround sound. In addition, the camera system can be used, when combined with an array of loudspeakers that can produce tight beams of sound, to direct different sound beams at different users, with virtually no crosstalk so as to allow users to experience different media from the same audio system, and which is tolerant of changed user positions. In addition, the camera system can aid setting up the array for real surround sound delivery, which bounces sound beams off wall. Cross-talk cancellation can additionally be used. The sound beams may represent 2-D or 3-D sound sources in real time.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 20, 2011Publication date: May 16, 2013Applicant: CAMBRIDGE MECHATRONICS LIMITEDInventors: Anthony Hooley, Richard Topliss
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Patent number: 8442244Abstract: A surround sound system acquires a set of original channel signals as picked up or modeled by a set of microphones, located in a real or virtual acoustic space. Two microphones, mounted on or near the front of a head that may be real or artificial, are oriented to pick up the sounds emanating from the front. Two additional microphones are located near the ear canals of the head configured to emulate a human head in a manner that encodes the surround sound signals with a head-related transfer function (HRTF) that, in reproduction, enhances the accuracy and realism with which a listener perceives the various source locations. The head can be augmented, e.g. with small baffles strategically configured and located to modify the HRTF for overall accuracy and realism. Surround sound channels, so originated, may be transmitted for real-time reproduction or may be recorded, filtered, delayed, or otherwise processed and stored in memory for later reproduction. In an exemplary 4.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2009Date of Patent: May 14, 2013Inventor: Marshall Long, Jr.
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Patent number: 8391521Abstract: In a system capable of outputting an audio signal as beams from an array speaker and performing multi-channel reproduction, a plurality of beam setting patterns (reproduction modes) are stored in the memory of a controller. The beam setting patterns include a single basic pattern and a plurality of deformed patterns that use the beam control data of the basic pattern. When the user specifies a reproduction mode via an interface, the beam setting pattern corresponding to the mode is read and set to the signal processor of each channel.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2005Date of Patent: March 5, 2013Assignee: Yamaha CorporationInventor: Susumu Takumai
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Patent number: 8369531Abstract: An audio reproducing apparatus includes the following elements: an output circuit operable to generate audio signals to be supplied to first and second speakers placed near the ears of a listener; and a detector operable to detect the presence of sound output from other speakers placed at positions further away from the listener than the first and second speakers. When it is determined that there is no sound output from the other speakers on the basis of a detection result obtained by the detector, the output circuit performs a control operation so that audio signals to be supplied to the other speakers are supplied to the first and second speakers.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2007Date of Patent: February 5, 2013Assignee: Sony CorporationInventor: Teppei Yokota
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Patent number: 8363865Abstract: An apparatus that provides for the reproduction of 6.1 surround sound (or other formats of) audio programs using a minimum of two speaker cluster locations is disclosed. The current invention accurately produces surround sound effects with speakers in only two locations in lieu of the conventional six. A sub-woofer, in its normal configuration, can be used with the invention if desired. The left front, rear center, rear left and center signals are produced from a left cluster array. The right front, rear center, rear right and center signals are produced from a right cluster array. This configuration eliminates the need for a center speaker and for rear speakers. Such elimination of speaker locations, along with their associated wiring, produces a less cluttered look, and lends itself to use in listening rooms of smaller size.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2009Date of Patent: January 29, 2013Inventor: Heather Bottum
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Patent number: 8363843Abstract: The present invention provides a method of generating, on a data processing system, a multi-channel audio convolution reverb, said method comprising providing a plurality of impulse responses corresponding to a desired room to be simulated; receiving, in input, multi-channel audio sample data; performing, for each respective audio channel, same channel convolution operation on said respective audio channel with a corresponding impulse response; for each audio channel other than said respective audio channel, performing cross-channel convolution operation respectively with a corresponding cross-channel impulse response; performing combination of the results of the respective convolution operations; and outputting the combination (or summation) result as said output audio channel; wherein, in said performing said cross-channel convolution operation, wherein at least one convolution operation is performed corresponding to a shorter length of impulse response than at least one other convolution operation, preferaType: GrantFiled: March 1, 2007Date of Patent: January 29, 2013Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventor: Steffan Diedrichsen
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Publication number: 20130016130Abstract: An audio/visual (A/V) electronic device includes a display and an integrated visual angular limitation device employed to limit a viewable angular area of the display. One or more directional acoustic transducers that have an associated characteristic acoustic pattern will include at least a portion of the associated characteristic acoustic pattern in cooperative alignment with the limited viewable angular area of the display.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 14, 2011Publication date: January 17, 2013Applicant: Motorola Mobility, Inc.Inventors: Snehitha Singaraju, Robert A. Zurek
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Patent number: 8351612Abstract: Disclosed is an object based audio contents generating/playing apparatus. The object based audio contents generating/playing apparatus may include an object audio signal obtaining unit to obtain a plurality of object audio signals by recording a plurality of sound source signals, a recording space information obtaining unit to obtain recording space information with respect to a recording space of the plurality of sound source signals, a sound source location information obtaining unit to obtain sound location information of the plurality of sound source signals, and an encoding unit to generate object based audio contents by encoding at least one of the plurality of object audio signals, the recording space information, and the sound source location information, thereby enabling the object based audio contents to be played using at least one of a WFS scheme and a multi-channel surround scheme regardless of a reproducing environment of the audience.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2009Date of Patent: January 8, 2013Assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research InstituteInventors: Jae-Hyoun Yoo, Hwan Shim, Hyun-Joo Chung, Koen-Mo Sung, Jeongil Seo, Kyeongok Kang, Jin-Woo Hong, Chieteuk Ahn
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Publication number: 20130003999Abstract: Method for creating an audio environment having N speakers HPi, i=1 . . . N fed by N signals Si, i=1 . . . N generated from M theoretical signals STj, j=1 . . . M provided to feed M theoretical speakers HPTj, j=1 . . . M wherein: position information is determined relating to the N speakers HPi, i=1 . . . N and a listening point, the two theoretical speakers HPTj and HPTj+1 which would be angularly closest to a speaker HPi, the signal Si is determined according to the following equation: Si=Gi[STj(GpijGeij)+STj+1(Gpi(j+1)Gei(j+1))]e?i??i wherein: Gpij and Gpi(j+1) are panning gains, Geij and Gei(j+1) are balancing gains Gi and i are a positioning gain and delay, respectively, which enable the speakers HPi, i=1 . . . N to be virtually repositioned in terms of distance so that all sounds intended to simultaneously arrive at the listening point according to the encoding format actually arrive therein simultaneously, irrespective of the remoteness of the speakers relative to the listening point.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 26, 2011Publication date: January 3, 2013Applicant: GOLDMUND MONACO SAMInventors: Michel Reverchon, Véronique Adam
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Patent number: 8340330Abstract: An audio apparatus includes a main unit to extract audio signals for at least two channels from a multichannel audio signal; and a transmitter to wirelessly transmit at least one audio signal of the extracted audio signals to a first receiver, and to wirelessly transmit at least one other audio signal of the extracted audio signals to a second receiver.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2008Date of Patent: December 25, 2012Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Eung-sik Yoon, Dae-hyun Kim
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Patent number: 8340313Abstract: A subwoofer is equipped with a wireless receiver to receive signals containing information for a Low Frequency Effects (LFE) channel and information for both surround channels. In one form, the LFE is added to one or both surround channels to provide a stereo surround signal (containing both surround channels) including a multiplexed LFE channel. The subwoofer utilizes the LFE channel, powers surround speakers, and passes the surround signals to respective surround speakers. A receiver multiplexes LFE signals into either one or both surround sound audio channels. A digital RF transmitter of the receiver transmits the combined subwoofer/surround channels to the wireless receiver of the subwoofer. The remote subwoofer is connected to a power source. The surround speakers are connected to the subwoofer so as to receive the surround channels and be powered thereby.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2004Date of Patent: December 25, 2012Assignee: Thomson LicensingInventor: John Justin Caffrey
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Patent number: 8335331Abstract: A speaker virtualization system provides virtual surround sound using a pair of physical loudspeakers. A multiple surround audio channels input is processed using a combination of head related transfer functions and shaped reverberation to provide widening and front/back auditory clues without requiring any kind of interaural path cancellation. The system uses a 360 degree power-response head related transfer function to provide perceptual separation of the reverberant and direct paths, along with discrete, different reverberation for left and right rendering channels to provide envelopment. By eliminating interaural path cancellation, the speaker virtualization system also produces a wider virtual surround sound effect, without dependency on head position and facing.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2008Date of Patent: December 18, 2012Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: James D. Johnston, Qunli Li, Serge Smirnov
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Patent number: 8332229Abstract: The invention provides for the encoding of surround sound produced by any coincident microphone techniques with coincident-to-virtual microphone signal matrixing. An encoding scheme provides significantly lower computational demand, by deriving the spatial parameters and output downmixes from the coincident microphone array signals and the coincident-to-surround channel-coefficients matrix, instead of the multi-channel signals.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2009Date of Patent: December 11, 2012Assignee: STMicroelectronics Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd.Inventors: Samsudin, Sapna George
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Patent number: 8325936Abstract: A vehicle loudspeaker system in a vehicle including directional loudspeakers. One directional loudspeaker radiates sound at a first seating position and another loudspeaker radiates sound at a second seating position. The directional loudspeakers may be used with other vehicle loudspeakers to control spatial perceptions.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2007Date of Patent: December 4, 2012Assignee: Bose CorporationInventors: Jahn Dmitri Eichfeld, Klaus Hartung
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Patent number: 8320592Abstract: An apparatus and method of reproducing a virtual sound of two channels which adaptively reproduces a 2-channel stereo sound signal reproduced through a recording medium such as DVD, CD, or MP3 player etc., based on a listener's position. The method includes sensing a listener's position and recognizing distance and angle information about the listener's position, determining output gain values and delay values of two speakers based on the distance and angle information about the sensed listener's position and selecting localization filter coefficients in a predetermined table, and updating filter coefficients of a localization filter based on the selected localization filter coefficients and adjusting output levels and time delays of the two speakers from the determined gain values and delay values.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2006Date of Patent: November 27, 2012Assignee: SAMSUNG Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventor: Sun-min Kim
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Patent number: 8320590Abstract: In an audio signal processing device, a signal input part receives a plurality of audio signals to be provided to a plurality of speakers, respectively, arranged so as to surround a listener, the speakers including a center speaker, a left speaker and a right speaker. A signal processing part adds a processed audio signal to an audio signal to be provided to the center speaker, the processed signal being obtained by attenuating a summation of audio signals to be provided to the left speaker and the right speaker. The signal processing part attenuates the summation of the audio signals by an attenuation rate which is set between 0 and 1. The signal processing part sets the attenuation rate to an appropriate value effective to suppress crosstalk between sound emitted from the left speaker and sound emitted from the right speaker.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2010Date of Patent: November 27, 2012Assignee: Yamaha CorporationInventor: Kim Sungyoung
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Patent number: 8315403Abstract: To provide an audio reproduction apparatus in which a general user inputs simple and easy settings so that audio beams of respective channels can be set. When an array speaker is installed in a room, the user inputs the shape of the room into the audio reproduction apparatus. Based on the shape of the room, the audio reproduction apparatus determines a beam control pattern indicating which directions audio signals of the channels should be formed respectively. The audio reproduction apparatus reads beam control data including delay times for forming the beams in the directions from a pattern memory, and automatically sets the beam control data in a DSP. Thus, only when the user inputs the shape of the room, the beams are controlled with a beam control pattern suitable to the room so that multi-channel audio can be reproduced optimally.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2005Date of Patent: November 20, 2012Assignee: Yamaha CorporationInventors: Yusuke Konagai, Susumu Takumai
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Publication number: 20120288125Abstract: A method for perceptual enhancement of a received remote talker's voice, in the presence of local ambient noise, in an electronic voice communication system is provided. The method includes generating a pair of binaural voice signals from the remote talker's voice and manipulating the characteristics of the resulting pair of binaural signals. The two ears of the local listener are stimulated binaurally with the pair of binaural voice signals. The stimulating is performed adaptively as the ambient noise in the local listener's environment changes, thereby creating a perception of remote talker reacting actively to the local ambient noise, in a psycho-acoustically pleasing manner to the local listener.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 14, 2012Publication date: November 15, 2012Inventor: Shridhar K. Mukund
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Patent number: 8311249Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes: a speaker setup section that sets up each of a plurality of speakers; and a display control section that controls display of information regarding arrangement of the plurality of speakers and setting of the plurality of speakers set up by the speaker setup section.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2007Date of Patent: November 13, 2012Assignee: Sony CorporationInventors: Hiroshi Koyama, Reiko Miyazaki, Kazuto Nishizawa, Taku Sugawara
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Patent number: 8300845Abstract: An electronic apparatus is provided that has a rear-side and a front-side, a first microphone that generates a first signal, and a second microphone that generates a second signal. An automated balance controller generates a balancing signal based on an imaging signal. A processor processes the first and second signals to generate at least one beamformed audio signal, where an audio level difference between a front-side gain and a rear-side gain of the beamformed audio signal is controlled during processing based on the balancing signal.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2010Date of Patent: October 30, 2012Assignee: Motorola Mobility LLCInventors: Robert Zurek, Kevin Bastyr, Joel Clark, Plamen Ivanov
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Patent number: 8295496Abstract: An audio system for processing two channels of audio input to provide more than two output channels. The input may be conventional stereo material or compressed audio signal data. The audio processing includes separating the input signals into frequency bands and processing the frequency bands according to processes which may differ from band to band. The audio processing includes no processing of L?R signals.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2008Date of Patent: October 23, 2012Assignee: Bose CorporationInventor: Abhijit Kulkarni
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Publication number: 20120263327Abstract: A method of generating left (Ls) and right (Rs) sound signals known as “surround” signals from a stereo sound signal composed of a left sound signal and of a right sound signal. One of the stereo signals is subtracted from the other signal with the aid of a subtraction module to obtain a single subtraction signal (LR) in which the correlated and in-phase components of the stereo signals (L, R) have been removed. A right sound signal (Rs) and a left sound signal (Ls) are generated from the subtraction signal (L?R), these signals being decorrelated with respect to one another and corresponding respectively to the right and left sound “surround” signals. These “surround” signals (Ls, Rs) intend for broadcast on the rear channels of an acoustic system.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2010Publication date: October 18, 2012Inventors: Frédêric Amadu, Thomas Esnault
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Patent number: 8280071Abstract: A voice output system and method provide a voice of high quality while enabling coexistence with other wireless transmission systems. Compression-encoded voice data accompanying a video displayed on a video display surface is acquired at the side opposed to the video display surface. The voice data is wirelessly transmitted. At least at the video display surface side, the wirelessly transmitted voice data transmitted is received and expanded. Then, the voice based on the acquired expanded voice data is output.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2005Date of Patent: October 2, 2012Assignee: Sony CorporationInventors: Naokazu Miyamoto, Osamu Takahashi, Yutaka Sato
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Patent number: 8279357Abstract: Systems and methods that facilitate the use and operation of a television with an integrated sound projection system. The sound projector preferably comprises an array of speakers configurable to project beams that reflect off the walls and ceiling to create surround sound. In one embodiment, sound can be projected and/or the television can be oriented automatically as a function of the location of the television remote control unit.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2009Date of Patent: October 2, 2012Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Visual Solutions America, Inc.Inventors: Masafumi Naka, Peter Mortensen
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Patent number: 8280076Abstract: A system is provided for configuring an audio system for a given space. The system may statistically analyze potential configurations of the audio system to configure the audio system. The potential configurations may include positions of the loudspeakers, numbers of loudspeakers, types of loudspeakers, listening positions, correction factors, filters, or any combination thereof. The statistical analysis may indicate at least one metric of the potential configuration including indicating consistency of predicted transfer functions, flatness of the predicted transfer functions, differences in overall sound pressure level from seat to seat for the predicted transfer functions, efficiency of the predicted transfer functions, or the output of predicted transfer functions.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2004Date of Patent: October 2, 2012Assignee: Harman International Industries, IncorporatedInventors: Allan O. Devantier, Todd S. Welti
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Publication number: 20120243713Abstract: An audio processing system may modify an input surround sound signal to generate a spatially equilibrated output surround sound signal that is perceived by a user as spatially constant for different sound pressures of the surround sound signal. The audio processing system may determine based on a psychoacoustic model of human hearing, a loudness and a localisation for a combined sound signal. The loudness and the localisation may be determined by the system for a virtual user located between the front and the rear loudspeakers that has a predetermined head position in which one ear of the virtual user is directed towards one of front or rear loudspeakers and the other ear of the virtual user being directed towards the other of the front or rear loudspeakers. The audio processing system may adapt the front and/or rear audio signal channels based on the determined loudness and localisation.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 24, 2012Publication date: September 27, 2012Applicant: HARMAN BECKER AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS GMBHInventor: Wolfgang Hess
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Patent number: 8275160Abstract: A delay time calculation apparatus that enables all of speaker units constituting a speaker array to contribute to the formation of a combined wavefront directed to an area specified by a user. The delay time calculation apparatus includes a delay time calculation unit that calculates delay times of delayed audio signals supplied to the speaker units such that a ratio at which an evaluation object area is occupied by an area to which an acoustic wave output from each speaker unit reaches earlier than acoustic waves output from the other speaker units falls within a predetermined range. The evaluation object area is a target area to which a combined wavefront of acoustic waves output from the speaker units is directed, or is a perspective projection image of the target area onto a predetermined evaluation plane.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2009Date of Patent: September 25, 2012Assignee: Yamaha CorporationInventors: Koji Kushida, Takashi Yamakawa
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Patent number: 8274611Abstract: Systems and methods that facilitate the use and operation of a television (TV) with an integrated sound projection system. The sound projector preferably comprises an array of speakers configurable to project beams that reflect off the walls and ceiling to create surround sound. In one embodiment, the user can use a graphical user interface-base menu system to move the sound beams around the viewing room while being presented with a graphical representation of the same. In another embodiment, a TV remote control unit can be equipped with a embedded microphone and microprocessor control to measure the audio level and transmit the level back to the TV to be used to automatically setup audio levels and delays in surround systems. In another embodiment, individual audio settings could be saved per each activity for a preferred viewing experience for a given activity.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2009Date of Patent: September 25, 2012Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Visual Solutions America, Inc.Inventors: Frank DeMartin, David Naranjo, Jeffrey Whitelaw, Peter Mortensen
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Patent number: 8275159Abstract: A media playback media playback apparatus having user-selectable shapes is disclosed. In accordance with the media playback apparatus having user-selectable shapes in accordance with the present invention, speakers are attached to a media playback unit via rotatable connecting means such that a user may select a shape of the media playback apparatus according to his or her preference.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2008Date of Patent: September 25, 2012Assignee: Neofidelity, Inc.Inventor: Duck Soo Lee
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Patent number: 8270641Abstract: I describe and claim a multiple audio signal presentation system and method. The multiple audio signal presentation system includes a presentation system to present a plurality of audio signals, and a controller to manipulate one or more of the audio signals, where the audio signals, when concurrently presented by the presentation system, are audibly differentiable responsive to the manipulation.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2005Date of Patent: September 18, 2012Assignee: Pixelworks, Inc.Inventor: Robert Y. Greenberg
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Patent number: 8270618Abstract: In processing a multi-channel audio signal having at least three original channels, a first downmix channel and a second downmix channel are provided, which are derived from the original channels. For a selected original channel of the original channels, channel side information are calculated such that a downmix channel or a combined downmix channel including the first and the second downmix channels, when weighted using the channel side information, results in an approximation of the selected original channel. The channel side information and the first and second downmix channels form output data to be transmitted to a decoder, which, in case of a low level decoder only decodes the first and second downmix channels or, in case of a high level decoder provides a full multi-channel audio signal based on the downmix channels and the channel side information.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2008Date of Patent: September 18, 2012Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der Angewandten Forschung E.V.Inventors: Juergen Herre, Johannes Hilpert, Stefan Geyersberger, Andreas Hölzer, Claus Spenger
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Patent number: 8265283Abstract: An acoustic processing device, includes an inputting section which receives a first audio signal and a second audio signal, a first input signal amplifying section which amplifies the first audio signal at an amplification factor, a second input signal amplifying section which amplifies the second audio signal at an amplification factor, a first initial delayed amplifying section, a first adding section which adds the first audio signal amplified by the first amplifying portion and the first audio signal amplified by the first input signal amplifying section, a second adding section which adds the first audio signal amplified by the second amplifying portion and the second audio signal amplified by the second input signal amplifying section, a first supplying section which supplies an audio signal output from the first adding section to a first sound emitting section, and a second supplying section which supplies an audio signal output from the second adding section to a second sound emitting section differenType: GrantFiled: November 26, 2008Date of Patent: September 11, 2012Assignee: Yamaha CorporationInventor: Masayuki Iwamatsu
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Patent number: 8259970Abstract: Provided is an adaptive remastering apparatus and method for a rear channel, which emphasizes only signals of the rear channel while maintaining signals of other channels of a multi-channel audio signal. According to the adaptive remastering apparatus and method for a rear channel, virtual rear left and right channel audio signals are generated by multiplying a predetermined gain by ambient signals extracted from front left and right channel audio signals and are combined with input rear left and right channel audio signals, thereby increasing powers of signals of the rear channel.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2009Date of Patent: September 4, 2012Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventor: Sun-min Kim
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Patent number: 8254604Abstract: Provided are an array speaker system and a method of implementing the same. The array speaker system includes a group setting unit setting one or more combinations of a plurality of speakers included in an array speaker system into at least one group according to a predetermined adjustment factor, a signal assignment unit dividing an input signal into at least one sound source signal according to the adjustment factor and selectively assigning the divided sound source signal(s) to the set group(s), a sound adjustment unit adjusting a sound source signal to be output through speakers within the group according to sound source characteristics of the group, and a signal output unit outputting the adjusted sound source signal through the speakers within the group.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2008Date of Patent: August 28, 2012Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventor: Sang-chul Ko
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Patent number: 8254612Abstract: A sound system (30) for a portable electronic device (20) is provided. The sound system includes a sound generator (28), a sound processor (25), and a speaker subsystem (24). The sound generator is configured for generating sound recordings with single sound format. The sound processor electronically connects with the sound generator and is configured for receiving the sound recordings with single sound format transmitted from the sound processor. The sound processor is configured for processing the sound recordings with single sound format into sound recordings with 5.1 surround format. The speaker subsystem electronically connects with the sound processor and is configured for receiving the sound recordings with 5.1 surround format transmitted from the sound processor and playing the sound recordings with 5.1 surround format.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2007Date of Patent: August 28, 2012Assignee: Chi Mei Communication Systems, Inc.Inventor: Meng-Chun Chen
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Publication number: 20120201405Abstract: A combination of techniques for modifying sound provided to headphones to simulate a surround-sound speaker environment with listener adjustments. In one embodiment, Head Related Transfer Functions (HRTFs) are grouped into multiple groups, with four types of HRTF filters or other perceptual models being used and selectable by a user. Alternately, a custom filter or perceptual model can be generated from measurements of the user's body, such as optical or acoustic measurements of the user's head, shoulders and pinna. Also, the user can select a speaker type, as well as other adjustments, such as head size and amount of wall reflections.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 1, 2008Publication date: August 9, 2012Applicant: Logitech Europe S.A.Inventors: Milan Slamka, Ivo Mateljan, Michael Howes
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Patent number: 8238564Abstract: A sound recording and reproduction system for testing hearing and hearing aids is disclosed. Recordings of sound are made in a real word acoustic environment, for example, which are stored as audio signals. In a testing environment, a plurality of loudspeakers is located about a listening position where a test subject is placed during a testing procedure. The plurality of loudspeakers receive at least a portion of the plurality of the stored audio signals, and convert those audio signals received into a combination of sounds that produce, at the listening position, acoustic elements of the real world acoustic environment where the recordings were made. The system enables, in a clinical or other test setting, the evaluation of hearing and/or hearing aid performance as if in a real world environment.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2007Date of Patent: August 7, 2012Inventors: Lawrence J. Revit, Robert B. Schulein
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Patent number: 8218798Abstract: A sound processor includes N (N is an integer of five or more) speakers, a sound source configured to output N sound signals an additional sound source configured to output an additional sound signal and a coefficient data input section configured to input N pieces of position information indicating respectively positions of the N speakers and N coefficients indicating respectively volumes of sounds outputted from the N speakers based on the additional sound signal a coefficient data analysis section configured to generate M (M is an integer equal to or greater than two and smaller than N) adjustment coefficients based on said N pieces of position information and the N coefficients wherein the M adjustment coefficients indicate volumes of sounds outputted from M speakers of the N speakers based on the additional sound signal.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2008Date of Patent: July 10, 2012Assignee: Renesas Electronics CorporationInventor: Takeharu Nakamura
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Patent number: 8213622Abstract: This invention is a method for binaural localization using a cascade of resonators and anti-resonators to implement an HRTF (head-related transfer function). The spectrum of the cascade reproduces the magnitude spectrum of a desired HRTF. The proposed method provides a considerably more computationally efficient implementation of HRTF filters with no detectable deterioration of output quality while saving memory when storing a large quantity of HRTFs due to the parameterization of its resonators and anti-resonators. Finally, the method offers additional flexibility since the resonators and anti-resonators can be manipulated individually during the design process, making it possible to interpolate smoothly between HRTFs, reduce spectral coloring or achieve higher accuracy at perceptually relevant frequency regions. These HRTF are useful in stereo enhancement and multi-channel virtual surround simulation.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2010Date of Patent: July 3, 2012Assignee: Texas Instruments IncorporatedInventors: Atsuhiro Sakurai, Steven Trautmann
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Publication number: 20120155681Abstract: An audio system including a first speaker and a second speaker that are arranged in front of a predetermined listening position to be substantially bilaterally symmetrical with respect to the listening position; a third speaker and a fourth speaker that are arranged in front of the predetermined listening position to be substantially bilaterally symmetrical with respect to the listening position; a first attenuator that attenuates components that are equal to or less than a predetermined first frequency of an input audio signal; and an output controller that outputs sounds that are based on the input audio signal from the first speaker and the second speaker and outputs sounds that are based on the first audio signal in which components that are equal to or less than the first frequency of the input audio signal from the third speaker and the fourth speaker.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 6, 2011Publication date: June 21, 2012Inventor: Kenji NAKANO
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Patent number: 8204237Abstract: A stereo audio signal is processed to determine primary and ambient components by transforming the signal into vectors corresponding to subband signals, and decomposing the left and right channel vectors into ambient and primary components by matrix and vector operations. Principal component analysis is used to determine a primary component unit vector, and ambience components are determined according to a correlation-based cross-fade or an orthogonal basis derivation.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2009Date of Patent: June 19, 2012Assignee: Creative Technology LtdInventor: Michael M. Goodwin
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Patent number: 8204262Abstract: There are provided: a means (101a) for storing standard head related transfer functions for reference positions from a virtual listener; a means (101) for, when given information (DIR, DIST) about a virtual sound source position, forming head related transfer functions (hL(k), hR(k)) as left ear and right ear head related transfer functions by selecting one of the stored standard head related transfer functions or by selecting two or more of them and interpolating; means (102, 103) for imprinting a sense of direction and distance on the audio listening signal by using the head related transfer functions thus obtained; and means (104, 105) for correcting a distance related to the obtained head related transfer functions and the sense of distance to the virtual sound source position, in the audio listening signals (sL(n), sR(n)) given the sense of direction and distance or the source audio listening signal (s(n)). A highly precise sense of distance can be provided in a small structure.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 2008Date of Patent: June 19, 2012Assignee: Oki Electric Industry Co., Ltd.Inventor: Hiromi Aoyagi
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Patent number: 8199940Abstract: An audio reproduction system includes: a first speaker arranged near a listener and behind a head of the listener with a speaker unit being held by first holding means to make it possible to mix sounds emitted from front and rear of a vibration plate of the speaker; second and third speakers held by second holding means and arranged near the listener and on left and right of the first speaker; separating means for separating and obtaining low-frequency components and medium- and high-frequency components for left and right channels from an input audio signal; means for supplying the low-frequency components separated by the separating means to the first speaker; and means for supplying the medium- and high-frequency components for the left and right channels separated by the separating means to the second and third speakers.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2008Date of Patent: June 12, 2012Assignee: Sony CorporationInventor: Teppei Yokota
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Publication number: 20120140960Abstract: An integrated speaker and a home theater sound system having the same are provided. The integrated speaker includes: a first speaker that is configured to stand on a floor; and a second speaker mounted to an upper end of the first speaker, wherein the second speaker is a height speaker.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 19, 2011Publication date: June 7, 2012Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.Inventor: Dong-uk JANG
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Publication number: 20120140959Abstract: A sound reproduction system comprises a left and right speakers located in close proximity, and a sound processor which provides audio signals to the pair of speakers. The sound processor preferably derives a cancellation signal from the difference between the left and right channels. The resulting difference signal is scaled, delayed (if necessary), and spectrally modified before being added to the left channel and, in opposite polarity, to the right channel. The spectral modification to the difference channel preferably takes the form of a low-frequency boost over a specified frequency range, in order to restore the correct timbral balance after the differencing process. Additional phase-compensating all-pass networks may be inserted in the difference channel to correct for any extra phase shift contributed by the spectral modifying circuit. The technique may be used in a surround sound system.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 6, 2011Publication date: June 7, 2012Inventor: Lawrence R. Fincham
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Patent number: 8194863Abstract: A speaker array is provided which can increase the orientation when reproducing front channels of a surround sound, increase the density effect, improve the narrow directivity when reproducing a stereo sound and increase the selectivity in selecting reproduction methods which match setting environments. When reproducing a stereo sound by a speaker array for reproducing a surround sound by converting a sound into a beam of sound, the speaker array is divided into a sound reproducing region for an L system and a sound reproducing region for an R system at a central portion thereof. Then, each of the reproducing regions so divided is further divided in to bands. In addition, since a high frequency reproducing region has a high directivity and a strong orientation when the sound is attempted to be reproduced simultaneously by the plurality of speakers as is described above, a reproducing region is limited to part of the reproducing regions.Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 2005Date of Patent: June 5, 2012Assignee: Yamaha CorporationInventors: Susumu Takumai, Yusuke Konagai
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Patent number: 8194898Abstract: A sound reproducing system includes a first speaker that is supplied with audio signals of a first channel and that is placed so that a reproduced sound image generated by the audio signals of the first channel is localized in a position in a front direction of a listener; a pair of second speakers that are supplied with audio signals on which a virtual sound source process is performed; a virtual sound source processing unit to perform the virtual sound source process on the audio signals of a plurality of channels; a volume detecting unit to detect the volumes of the first channel and the other channels; a volume comparing unit to compare the volume of the first channel with each of the volumes of the other channels; and a control unit to control the gains of the audio signals of the first channel and the other channels.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2007Date of Patent: June 5, 2012Assignee: Sony CorporationInventor: Teppei Yokota
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Patent number: 8184835Abstract: A transducer array includes speaker drivers having nonuniform asymmetric spacing. The array includes at least three drivers formed along a line or arc. The first of the drivers is positioned having a first spacing from an adjacent second driver that is different from a second spacing between the second driver and its adjacent third driver.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2005Date of Patent: May 22, 2012Assignee: Creative Technology LtdInventor: Michael M. Goodwin
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Patent number: RE44170Abstract: A home theater system, an audio output adjusting device of a home theater system and methods thereof allow a prescribed or three-dimension audio configuration state for at least one prescribed position even when the prescribed location and/or a configuration of the speakers in a home theater system are modified. The device can include a checker for analyzing at least one of volume and delay time of a test audio signal outputted from speakers and providing the analyzed information to a controller. The controller can control output level and timing of audio signals subsequently output from the speakers based on the analyzed information.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2010Date of Patent: April 23, 2013Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventor: Jeong-Hyun Park