US3746792A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Multidirectional sound system
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1970-06-15
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Granted: 1973-07-17
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Expires: 1990-06-15
Abstract
Abstract There is disclosed a sound system for producing at least three and typically four sound outputs from respectively different directions from the listener wherein the sound content per se and the directional information are encoded on a conventional standardized two-channel record or on a transmission by a conventional two-channel broadcasting medium such as stereo FM. The system is maximally compatible with existing systems in the sense that reproduction on existing two-direction (stereo) or one-direction (mono) sound systems is completely satisfactory although, of course, the extent of directionality reproduction is limited by the inherent characteristics of such existing systems. In a typical example, the system provides for four directional sound inputs with equal, 90* separation around a circle. The four sound inputs are fed to two sound channels, for example stereo recording or transmission channels. Each of the four sound input channels is fed in part to each of the two stereo channels but the polarity and/or amplitude of each sound input channel is different in each of the stereo channels. Conventional analog computer electronic circuits may be utilized to transform the four sound input signals into two stereo channels according to prescribed formulae. The system provides for reproduction of sound from four loudspeakers located in the four corners of a room and having nominal positions with respect to the listener of left front, right front, left rear and right rear. The two stereo channels are combined according to different formulae setting forth different amplitudes and/or polarities to produce four output sound channels. Assuming these four directions correspond to directions of the four input sound channels, and sound originating from a particular sound input channel is reproduced predominantly in the corresponding loudspeaker. Refinements for the system control the gain for the respective loudspeakers to permit sound from a particular input sound channel to be localized to a particular corresponding output loudspeaker. In generalizations of the system, the number of inputs and the number of loudspeakers may be greater or less than four (but always more than two) and the numbers and/or directions of the input sound channels may not correspond to the numbers and directions of the outputs feeding the loudspeakers.
Inventors
- 👤 P Scheiber
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 10:42
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04S; H04S3/00; H04S3/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
296 words
In a multidirectional sound system for encoding at least three directonal input sound signals on A and B audio channels and reproducing from the A and B channels at least three directional output sound signals correlated with the input signals, encoder apparatus comprising at least three inputs for input sound signals having respective position agnles associated therewith, first means for generating an A channel signal connected to at least three of said inputs, said first means causing the amplitude of each said input sound signal in said A channel to be substantially proportional to the cosine of one half the angular difference between the input position angle and the angle assigned to the A channel, second means for generating a B channel signal connected to at least three of said inputs, said second means causing the amplitude of each said input sound signal in said B channel to be substantially proportional to the cosine of one half the angular difference between the input position angle and the angle assigned to the B channel, the angles assigned to said A and B channels differing by approximately 180 degrees, decoder apparatus comprising an A channel input and a B channel input, means for communicating said A channel and B channel signals to said decoder apparatus inputs, first, second and third means for generating first, second and third directional sound output signals each having a respective position angle associated therewith, each said means being connected to each of said A and B inputs and causing the amplitude of each of said A and B inputs in said output sound signal to be substantially proportional to the cosine of one half the angular difference between the output position angle and the angle assigned to the respective A or B input.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
296 words
In a multidirectional sound system for encoding at least three directonal input sound signals on A and B audio channels and reproducing from the A and B channels at least three directional output sound signals correlated with the input signals, encoder apparatus comprising at least three inputs for input sound signals having respective position agnles associated therewith, first means for generating an A channel signal connected to at least three of said inputs, said first means causing the amplitude of each said input sound signal in said A channel to be substantially proportional to the cosine of one half the angular difference between the input position angle and the angle assigned to the A channel, second means for generating a B channel signal connected to at least three of said inputs, said second means causing the amplitude of each said input sound signal in said B channel to be substantially proportional to the cosine of one half the angular difference between the input position angle and the angle assigned to the B channel, the angles assigned to said A and B channels differing by approximately 180 degrees, decoder apparatus comprising an A channel input and a B channel input, means for communicating said A channel and B channel signals to said decoder apparatus inputs, first, second and third means for generating first, second and third directional sound output signals each having a respective position angle associated therewith, each said means being connected to each of said A and B inputs and causing the amplitude of each of said A and B inputs in said output sound signal to be substantially proportional to the cosine of one half the angular difference between the output position angle and the angle assigned to the respective A or B input.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said A channel and B channel generating means cause the polarity of at least one of said input sound signals in said A channel to be opposite to its polarity in said B channel.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
60 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said first, second and third means for generating output signals cause at least one of said A and B channel signals in one of said outputs to be opposite to its polarity in at least one other of said outputs and the same as its polarity in at least another of said outputs.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein said A channel and B channel generating means cause the polarity of at least one of said input sound signals in said A channel to be opposite to its polarity in said B channel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
188 words
In a multidirectional sound system for encoding at least three directional input sound signals on A and B audio channels and reproducing from the A and B channels at least three directional output sound signals correlated with the input signals, encoder apparatus comprising at least three inputs for input sound signals having respective position angles associated therewith, first means for generating an A channel signal connected to at least three of said inputs, said first means causing the amplitude of each said input sound signal in said A channel to be substantially proportional to the cosine of one half the angular difference between the input position angle and the angle assigned to the A channel, and second means for generating a B channel signal connected to at least three of said inputs, said second means causing the amplitude of each said input sound signal in said B channel to be substantially proportional to the cosine of one half the angular difference between the input position angle and the angle assigned to the B channel, the angles assigned to said A and B channels differing by approximately 180 degrees.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
188 words
In a multidirectional sound system for encoding at least three directional input sound signals on A and B audio channels and reproducing from the A and B channels at least three directional output sound signals correlated with the input signals, encoder apparatus comprising at least three inputs for input sound signals having respective position angles associated therewith, first means for generating an A channel signal connected to at least three of said inputs, said first means causing the amplitude of each said input sound signal in said A channel to be substantially proportional to the cosine of one half the angular difference between the input position angle and the angle assigned to the A channel, and second means for generating a B channel signal connected to at least three of said inputs, said second means causing the amplitude of each said input sound signal in said B channel to be substantially proportional to the cosine of one half the angular difference between the input position angle and the angle assigned to the B channel, the angles assigned to said A and B channels differing by approximately 180 degrees.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
41 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein said A channel and B channel generating means cause the polarity of at least one of said input sound signals in said A channel to be opposite to its polarity in said B channel.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
145 words
In a multidirectional sound system for encoding at least three directional input sound signals on A and B audio channels and reproducing from the A and B channels at least three directional output sound signals correlated with the input signals, decoder apparatus comprising an A input and a B input, at least three directional sound signal outputs, first, second and third means for generating first, second and third directional sound output signals each having a respective position angle associated therewith, each said means being connected to each said input and causing the amplitude of each said input in said output sound signal to be substantially proportional to the cosine of one half the angular difference between the output position angle and the angle assigned to the respective A or B input, the angles assigned to said A and B inputs differing by approximately 180 degrees.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
145 words
In a multidirectional sound system for encoding at least three directional input sound signals on A and B audio channels and reproducing from the A and B channels at least three directional output sound signals correlated with the input signals, decoder apparatus comprising an A input and a B input, at least three directional sound signal outputs, first, second and third means for generating first, second and third directional sound output signals each having a respective position angle associated therewith, each said means being connected to each said input and causing the amplitude of each said input in said output sound signal to be substantially proportional to the cosine of one half the angular difference between the output position angle and the angle assigned to the respective A or B input, the angles assigned to said A and B inputs differing by approximately 180 degrees.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
60 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 7 wherein said first, second and third means for generating output signals cause at least one of said A and B channel signals in one of said outputs to be opposite to its polarity in at least one other of said outputs and the same as its polarity in at least another of said outputs.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
141 words
In a multidirectional sound system for encoding at least three directional input sound signals on A and B audio channels and reproducing from the A and B channels four directional output sound signals correlated with the input signals, decoder apparatus comprising an A input and a B input, first, second, third and fourth means for generating first, second, third and fourth directional sound output signals each having a respective position angle associated therewith, at least three of said means being connected to each said input and causing the amplitude of each said input in said output sound signal to be substantially proportional to the cosine of one half the angular difference between the output position angle and the angle assigned to the respective A or B input, the angles assigned to said A and B inputs differing by approximately 180 degrees.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
141 words
In a multidirectional sound system for encoding at least three directional input sound signals on A and B audio channels and reproducing from the A and B channels four directional output sound signals correlated with the input signals, decoder apparatus comprising an A input and a B input, first, second, third and fourth means for generating first, second, third and fourth directional sound output signals each having a respective position angle associated therewith, at least three of said means being connected to each said input and causing the amplitude of each said input in said output sound signal to be substantially proportional to the cosine of one half the angular difference between the output position angle and the angle assigned to the respective A or B input, the angles assigned to said A and B inputs differing by approximately 180 degrees.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
138 words
In a multidirectional sound system for encoding at least three directional input sound signals on A and B audio channels and reproducing from the A and B channels four directional output sound signals correlated with the input signals, decoder apparatus comprising an A input and a B input, first, second, third and fourth means for generating first, second, third and fourth directional sound output signals each having a respective position angle associated therewith, each said means being connected to each said input and causing the amplitude of each said input in said output sound signal to be substantially proportional to the cosine of one half thE angular difference between the output position angle and the angle associated to the respective A or B input, the angles assigned to said A and B inputs differing by approximately 180 degrees.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
138 words
In a multidirectional sound system for encoding at least three directional input sound signals on A and B audio channels and reproducing from the A and B channels four directional output sound signals correlated with the input signals, decoder apparatus comprising an A input and a B input, first, second, third and fourth means for generating first, second, third and fourth directional sound output signals each having a respective position angle associated therewith, each said means being connected to each said input and causing the amplitude of each said input in said output sound signal to be substantially proportional to the cosine of one half thE angular difference between the output position angle and the angle associated to the respective A or B input, the angles assigned to said A and B inputs differing by approximately 180 degrees.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
122 words
In a multidirectional sound system for encoding at least three directional input sound signals on A and B audio channels and reproducing from the A and B channels four directional output sound signals correlated with the input signals, decoder apparatus comprising an A input and a B input, first, second, third and fourth means for generating first, second, third and fourth directional sound output signals, each having a respective position angle associated therewith, each said means being connected to each said input and causing the amplitude of each said input in said output sound signal to be substantially proportional to a function of the angular difference between the output position angle and the angle assigned to the respective A or B input.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
122 words
In a multidirectional sound system for encoding at least three directional input sound signals on A and B audio channels and reproducing from the A and B channels four directional output sound signals correlated with the input signals, decoder apparatus comprising an A input and a B input, first, second, third and fourth means for generating first, second, third and fourth directional sound output signals, each having a respective position angle associated therewith, each said means being connected to each said input and causing the amplitude of each said input in said output sound signal to be substantially proportional to a function of the angular difference between the output position angle and the angle assigned to the respective A or B input.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
147 words
In a multidirectional sound system for encoding at least four directional input sound signals on A and B audio channels and reproducing from the A and B channels at least four directional output sound signals correlated with the input signals, decoder apparatus comprising an A input and a B input, at least four directional sound signal outputs, first, second, third and fourth means coupled to said A and B inputs for generating first, second, third and fourth directional sound output signals each having a respective position angle associated therewith, each said means causing the amplitude of each said input in said output sound signal to be substantially proportional to the cosine of one half the angular difference between the output position angle and the angle assigned to the respective A or B input, the angles assigned to said A and B inputs differing by approximately 180* .
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
147 words
In a multidirectional sound system for encoding at least four directional input sound signals on A and B audio channels and reproducing from the A and B channels at least four directional output sound signals correlated with the input signals, decoder apparatus comprising an A input and a B input, at least four directional sound signal outputs, first, second, third and fourth means coupled to said A and B inputs for generating first, second, third and fourth directional sound output signals each having a respective position angle associated therewith, each said means causing the amplitude of each said input in said output sound signal to be substantially proportional to the cosine of one half the angular difference between the output position angle and the angle assigned to the respective A or B input, the angles assigned to said A and B inputs differing by approximately 180* .
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
61 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 12 wherein said first, second, third and fourth means for generating output signals cause at least one of said A and B channel signals in one of said outputs to be opposite to its polarity in at least one other of said outputs and the same as its polarity in at least another of said outputs.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
122 words
In a multidirectional sound system for encoding at least three directional input sound signals on A and B audio channels and reproducing from the A and B channels four directional output sound signals correlated with the input signals, decoder apparatus comprising an A input and a B input, first, second, third and fourth means coupled to said A and B inputs for generating first, second, third and fourth directional sound output signals each having a respective position angle associated therewith, each said means causing the amplitude of each said input in said output sound signal to be substantially proportional to a function of the angular difference between the output position angle and the angle assigned to the respective A or B input.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
122 words
In a multidirectional sound system for encoding at least three directional input sound signals on A and B audio channels and reproducing from the A and B channels four directional output sound signals correlated with the input signals, decoder apparatus comprising an A input and a B input, first, second, third and fourth means coupled to said A and B inputs for generating first, second, third and fourth directional sound output signals each having a respective position angle associated therewith, each said means causing the amplitude of each said input in said output sound signal to be substantially proportional to a function of the angular difference between the output position angle and the angle assigned to the respective A or B input.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-07-16 | 1977-01-15 | 1977-07-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-07-16 | 1981-01-15 | 1981-07-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-07-16 | 1985-01-15 | 1985-07-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |