Patent US3784744A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3784744A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Decoders for quadruphonic sound utilizing wave matching logic
Assignee: CBS Broadcasting Inc
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Filing: 1971-02-24
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Granted: 1974-01-08
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Expires: 1991-02-24
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for decoding four separate channels of information transduced from a medium having only two separate tracks and presenting it on four loudspeakers to give the listener the illusion of sound coming from a corresponding number of separate sources. The realism is enhanced by a decoding system which accepts the two outputs from the medium, which may be a disc record, one for each track, separates them into four independent channels each carrying predominantly the information contained in the originally recorded sound signals, and, utilizing a novel wave-matching technique, derives control signals for controlling the gains of amplifiers associated with the four looudspeakers. The use of the wave-matching technique improves the separation of the four independent channels, particularly the generally ''''front'''' from the generally ''''back'''' signals, thereby to enhance the realism of four-channel simulation.
Inventors
- 👤 B Bauer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 10:39
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11B; G11B20/00; G11B20/00992; H; H04; H04S; H04S3/00; H04S3/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
468 words
In combination: decoder apparatus adapted to receive first and second composite signals LT and RT respectively containing dominant signals Lf and Rf and each including two sub-dominant signal components Lb and Rb, said signal component Lb being of substantially equal magnitude and in substantially quadrature relationship in said first and second composite signals, and in one of said first and second composite signals in leading relationship with that in the other, and said signal component Rb being of substantially equal magnitude and in substantially quadrature relationship in said first and second composite signals, and in said one of said first and second signals in lagging relationship with that in the other, and including at least two phase-shifting networks operative to shift the phase of one of said first and second composite signals relative to the other by substantially 90* to cause the signal components Lb and Rb in one of said relatively phase-shifted composite signals to be in phase coincidence or in phase opposition with corresponding signal components in the other relatively phase-shifted composite signal, combining networks operative to derive from said relatively phase-shifted composite signals third and fourth composite signals respectively containing dominant signal components Lb and Rb and each including two subdominant signal components Lf and Rf, said signal component Lf being of substantially equal magnitude and in phase coincidence or phase opposition in said third and fourth composite signals, and said signal component Rf being of substantially equal magnitude and in phase coincidence or phase opposition in said third and fourth composite signals, and means for applying composite signals respectively containing dominant signal components Lf, Rf, Lb and Rb to first, second, third and fourth gain control amplifiers, respectively, for reproduction over four corresponding loudspeaker circuits, and a control circuit for enhancing the realism of the four channel sound produced by the loudspeakers, siad control circuit comprising: first circuit means for comparing said relatively phase-shifted first and second composite signals and operative to produce a signal indicative of whether they contain substantially equal amplitude signals in phase coincidence or phase opposition, second circuit means for comparing said third and fourth composite signals and operative to produce a signal indicative of whether they contain substantially equal amplitude signals in phase coincidence or phase opposition, and third circuit means operative in response to signals from said first and second circuit means to enhance the gain of said first and second gain control amplifiers relative to said third and fourth gain control amplifiers when said relatively phaseshifted first and second composite signals do not contain said signal components Lb and Rb, and to enhance the gain of said third and fourth gain control amplifiers relative to said first and second gain control amplifiers when said third and fourth signals do not contain said signal components Lf and Rf.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
468 words
In combination: decoder apparatus adapted to receive first and second composite signals LT and RT respectively containing dominant signals Lf and Rf and each including two sub-dominant signal components Lb and Rb, said signal component Lb being of substantially equal magnitude and in substantially quadrature relationship in said first and second composite signals, and in one of said first and second composite signals in leading relationship with that in the other, and said signal component Rb being of substantially equal magnitude and in substantially quadrature relationship in said first and second composite signals, and in said one of said first and second signals in lagging relationship with that in the other, and including at least two phase-shifting networks operative to shift the phase of one of said first and second composite signals relative to the other by substantially 90* to cause the signal components Lb and Rb in one of said relatively phase-shifted composite signals to be in phase coincidence or in phase opposition with corresponding signal components in the other relatively phase-shifted composite signal, combining networks operative to derive from said relatively phase-shifted composite signals third and fourth composite signals respectively containing dominant signal components Lb and Rb and each including two subdominant signal components Lf and Rf, said signal component Lf being of substantially equal magnitude and in phase coincidence or phase opposition in said third and fourth composite signals, and said signal component Rf being of substantially equal magnitude and in phase coincidence or phase opposition in said third and fourth composite signals, and means for applying composite signals respectively containing dominant signal components Lf, Rf, Lb and Rb to first, second, third and fourth gain control amplifiers, respectively, for reproduction over four corresponding loudspeaker circuits, and a control circuit for enhancing the realism of the four channel sound produced by the loudspeakers, siad control circuit comprising: first circuit means for comparing said relatively phase-shifted first and second composite signals and operative to produce a signal indicative of whether they contain substantially equal amplitude signals in phase coincidence or phase opposition, second circuit means for comparing said third and fourth composite signals and operative to produce a signal indicative of whether they contain substantially equal amplitude signals in phase coincidence or phase opposition, and third circuit means operative in response to signals from said first and second circuit means to enhance the gain of said first and second gain control amplifiers relative to said third and fourth gain control amplifiers when said relatively phaseshifted first and second composite signals do not contain said signal components Lb and Rb, and to enhance the gain of said third and fourth gain control amplifiers relative to said first and second gain control amplifiers when said third and fourth signals do not contain said signal components Lf and Rf.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
82 words
The combination defined by claim 1 wherein said first circuit means includes first and second rectifiers for separately rectifying said relatively phase-shifted first and second composite signals and means for subtracting one from the other the rectified outputs therefrom to produce a first difference signal, and said second circuit means includes third and fourth rectifiers for separately rectifying said third and fourth composite signals and means for subtracting one from the other the rectified outputs therefrom to produce a second difference signal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The combination defined in claim 2 wherein said rectifiers are full-wave rectifiers and each includes means for integrating the output thereof.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The combination defined by claim 2 further including fifth and sixth rectifiers for separately rectifying said first and second difference signals, respectively.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The combination defined by claim 4 wherein said rectifiers are full-wave rectifiers and each includes means for integrating the output thereof.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
43 words
The combination defined by claim 2 wherein said third circuit means includes first and second subtracting means to both of which said first and second difference signals are applied in complementary subtracting relationship and operative to produce first and second control signals, respectively.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
The combination defined by claim 6 wherein said control circuit further includes first and second wave-shaping networks having substantially identical transfer functions for separately shaping said first and second difference signals.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
The combination defined by claim 7 further including fifth and sixth rectifiers for separately rectifying said shaped first and second difference signals, respectively.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
271 words
A system for processing sound reproducing signals comprising, in combination, decoder means adapted to receive first and second composite signals LT and RT respectively containing dominant signals Lf and Rf and each including two sub-dominant signal components Lb and Rb, said signal components Lb and Rb in said first composite signal being in substantially quadrature relationship with the corresponding signal components in said second composite signal, and including decoding means including at least first and second all-pass phase-shifting networks to which said first and second composite signals are respectively applied for shifting the phase of one of said first and second composite signals relative to the other by substantially 90* and signal-combining networks for combining said relatively phase-shifted first and second composite signals to derive third and fourth composite signals respectively containing dominant signal components Lb and Rb, means for applying composite signals respectively containing said signal components Lf, Lb, Rb and Rf as predominant components to first, second, third and fourth gain control means, respectively, for reproduction over four corresponding loudspeaker circuits, control circuit means operative in response to at least said relatively phase-shifted first and second composite signals to detect whether said relatively phase-shifted first and sEcond composite signals contain substantially equal amplitude signal components in phase coincidence or in phase opposition and to produce a control signal operative to enhance the gain of the first and second gain control means when said relatively phase-shifted first and second composite signals do not contain said signal components Lb and Rb, and means for applying said control signal to said first and second gain control means for controlling the gain thereof.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
271 words
A system for processing sound reproducing signals comprising, in combination, decoder means adapted to receive first and second composite signals LT and RT respectively containing dominant signals Lf and Rf and each including two sub-dominant signal components Lb and Rb, said signal components Lb and Rb in said first composite signal being in substantially quadrature relationship with the corresponding signal components in said second composite signal, and including decoding means including at least first and second all-pass phase-shifting networks to which said first and second composite signals are respectively applied for shifting the phase of one of said first and second composite signals relative to the other by substantially 90* and signal-combining networks for combining said relatively phase-shifted first and second composite signals to derive third and fourth composite signals respectively containing dominant signal components Lb and Rb, means for applying composite signals respectively containing said signal components Lf, Lb, Rb and Rf as predominant components to first, second, third and fourth gain control means, respectively, for reproduction over four corresponding loudspeaker circuits, control circuit means operative in response to at least said relatively phase-shifted first and second composite signals to detect whether said relatively phase-shifted first and sEcond composite signals contain substantially equal amplitude signal components in phase coincidence or in phase opposition and to produce a control signal operative to enhance the gain of the first and second gain control means when said relatively phase-shifted first and second composite signals do not contain said signal components Lb and Rb, and means for applying said control signal to said first and second gain control means for controlling the gain thereof.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
149 words
The combination in accordance with claim 9 wherein said third and fourth composite signals respectively contain dominant signal components Lb and Rb and two subdominant signal components Lf and Rf, said signal component Rf being of substantially equal magnitude and in phase coincidence or phase opposition in said third and fourth composite signals, and said signal component Rf being of substantially equal magnitude and in phase coincidence or phase opposition in said third and fourth composite signals, and said control circuit means further comprises first circuit means for comparing said first and second composite signals and operative to produce a signal indicative of whether they contain substantially equal amplitude signals in phase coincidence or phase opposition, and second circuit means for comparing said third and fourth composite signals and operative to produce a signal indicative of whether they contain substantially equal amplitude signals in phase coincidence or phase opposition.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
314 words
A system for receiving and processing sound reproducing signals comprising first, second, third and fourth gain control amplifiers connected to respectively receive first, second, third and fourth composite signals for reproduction over four corresponding loudspeaker circuits, the first, second, third and fourth composite signals containing respectively a dominant signal component a and subdominant signal components c and d, a dominant signal component b and sub-dominant signal components c and d, a dominant signal component c and sub-dominant signal components a and b, and a dominant signal component d and sub-dominant signal components a and b, and a control circuit for the gain control amplifiers connected to receive said composite signals in a form such that in the first and second composite signals and also in the third and fourth composite signals like sub-dominant signal components are of substantially equal magnitude and are substantially in phase coincidence or phase oposition, the control circuit comprising: a first circuit for comparing the first and second composite signals and operative to produce a signal indicative of whether they contain substantially equal amplitude signals which are either in phase coincidence or phase opposition, a second circuit for comparing the third and fourth composite signals and operative to produce a signal indicative of whether they contain substantially equal amplitude signals which are either in phase coincidence or in phase opposition, and a third circuit operative in response to signals from the first and second circuits to enhance the gain of the first and second gain control amplifiers relative to the third and fourth gain control amplifiers when the first and second composite signals do not contain the signal components c and d and to enhance the gain of the third and fourth gain control amplifiers relative to the first and second gain control amplifiers when the third and fourth composite signals do not contain the signal components a and b.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
314 words
A system for receiving and processing sound reproducing signals comprising first, second, third and fourth gain control amplifiers connected to respectively receive first, second, third and fourth composite signals for reproduction over four corresponding loudspeaker circuits, the first, second, third and fourth composite signals containing respectively a dominant signal component a and subdominant signal components c and d, a dominant signal component b and sub-dominant signal components c and d, a dominant signal component c and sub-dominant signal components a and b, and a dominant signal component d and sub-dominant signal components a and b, and a control circuit for the gain control amplifiers connected to receive said composite signals in a form such that in the first and second composite signals and also in the third and fourth composite signals like sub-dominant signal components are of substantially equal magnitude and are substantially in phase coincidence or phase oposition, the control circuit comprising: a first circuit for comparing the first and second composite signals and operative to produce a signal indicative of whether they contain substantially equal amplitude signals which are either in phase coincidence or phase opposition, a second circuit for comparing the third and fourth composite signals and operative to produce a signal indicative of whether they contain substantially equal amplitude signals which are either in phase coincidence or in phase opposition, and a third circuit operative in response to signals from the first and second circuits to enhance the gain of the first and second gain control amplifiers relative to the third and fourth gain control amplifiers when the first and second composite signals do not contain the signal components c and d and to enhance the gain of the third and fourth gain control amplifiers relative to the first and second gain control amplifiers when the third and fourth composite signals do not contain the signal components a and b.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
186 words
A system in accordance with claim 11, further including decoder apparatus for deriving the said first, second, third and fourth composite signals from first and second input signals respectively containing dominant signals a and b and each including two subdominant signal components c and d, the two signal components c being of substantially equal magnitude and in substantially quadrature phase relationship and the two signal components d being of substantially equal magnitude and in substantially quadrature phase relationship, the signal components c and d in one of the input signals being in leading and lagging relationship, respectively with the signal components c and d in the other of the input signals, said decoder apparatus including all-pass phase-shifting means operative to shift the phase of at least one of the input signals to obtain phase-shifted signals wherein the signal components c and d in one are in phase coincidence or in phase opposition with corresponding signal components in the other, and signal combining networks operative to derive from the said phase-shifted signals the first, second, third and fourth composite signals for application to said gain control amplifiers.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
318 words
In apparatus for reproducing on three or more sound-reproducing devices a like number of directional audio information signals contained in first and second composite signals each of which includes at least three of said audio information signals in preselected amplitude and phase relationships, two of which are common to both composite signals with said common signals in one of said composite signals in substantially quadrature relationship with corresponding ones of said common signals in the other of said composite signals, the combination comprising: decoding circuit means including at least first and second all-pass phase-shifting means connected to receive said first and second composite signals and operative in response thereto to shift the phase of one of said first and second composite signals relative to the other by substantially 90* and to produce third and fourth composite signals each of which includes a combination of at least three of said audio information signals and respectively containing a different one of said common signals as its predominant component, signal amplitude-modifying means connected to receive and operative to couple said first and second relatively phase-shifted first and second composite signals and said third and fourth composite signals to respective ones of said sound-reproducing devices, control signal generating means connected to receive and operative in response to at least said relatively phase-shifted first and second composite signals to detect whether said relatively phase-shifted first and second composite signals contain substantially equal amplitude signal components in phase coincidence or in phase opposition and to produce a first control signal operative to enhance the gain of the signal amplitude-modifying means receiving said first and second relatively phase-shifted composite signals when said relatively phase-shifted first and second composite signals do not contain said common signals either in phase coincidence or in phase opposition, and means for applying said first control signal to the signal amplitude-modifying means receiving said relatively phase-shifted first and second composite signals.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
318 words
In apparatus for reproducing on three or more sound-reproducing devices a like number of directional audio information signals contained in first and second composite signals each of which includes at least three of said audio information signals in preselected amplitude and phase relationships, two of which are common to both composite signals with said common signals in one of said composite signals in substantially quadrature relationship with corresponding ones of said common signals in the other of said composite signals, the combination comprising: decoding circuit means including at least first and second all-pass phase-shifting means connected to receive said first and second composite signals and operative in response thereto to shift the phase of one of said first and second composite signals relative to the other by substantially 90* and to produce third and fourth composite signals each of which includes a combination of at least three of said audio information signals and respectively containing a different one of said common signals as its predominant component, signal amplitude-modifying means connected to receive and operative to couple said first and second relatively phase-shifted first and second composite signals and said third and fourth composite signals to respective ones of said sound-reproducing devices, control signal generating means connected to receive and operative in response to at least said relatively phase-shifted first and second composite signals to detect whether said relatively phase-shifted first and second composite signals contain substantially equal amplitude signal components in phase coincidence or in phase opposition and to produce a first control signal operative to enhance the gain of the signal amplitude-modifying means receiving said first and second relatively phase-shifted composite signals when said relatively phase-shifted first and second composite signals do not contain said common signals either in phase coincidence or in phase opposition, and means for applying said first control signal to the signal amplitude-modifying means receiving said relatively phase-shifted first and second composite signals.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
75 words
Apparatus according to claim 13 wherein said control signal generating means further comprises: means connected to receive and operative to compare said third and fourth composite signals and to produce a second control signal when said third and fourth composite signals do not contain substantially equal signals either in phase coincidence or in phase opposition, and means for applying said second control signal to the signal amplitude-modifying means receiving said third and fourth composite signals.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
48 words
Apparatus according to claim 14 wherein said means for applying said first and second control signals to said signal amplitude-modifying means, respectively, includes means for subtracting said second control signal from said first control signal, and means for subtracting said first control signal from said second control signal.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
177 words
Apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said control signal generating means includes means connected to receive said relatively phase-shifted first and second composite signals and operative to derive therefrom first, second, third and fourth auxiliary composite signals respectively containing in the same relative phase relationship the signal components contained in said relatively phase-shifted first and second composite signals and in said third and fourth composite signals, first circuit means connected to receive and operative to compare said first and second auxiliary composite signals and to produce a first signal indicative of whether they contain substantially equal amplitude signals in phase coincidence or in phase opposition, second circuit means connected to receive and operative to compare said third and fourth auxiliary composite signals and to produce a second signal indicative of whether they contain substantially equal amplitude signals in phase coincidence or in phase opposition, means for subtracting said second signal from said first signal to produce said first control signal, and means for subtracting said first signal from said second signal to produce said second control signal.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
77 words
Apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said first circuit means includes means for separately rectifying said first and second auxiliary composite signals and means for subtracting one from the other the rectified output signals therefrom to produce a first difference signal, and said second circuit means includes means for separately rectifying said third and fourth auxiliary composite signals and means for subtracting one from the other the rectified output signals therefrom to produce a second difference signal.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
303 words
In a system for reproducing on four sound-reproducing devices a like number of directional audio information signals contained in first and second composite signals each of which includes at least three of said audio information signals in preselected amplitude and phase relationships, two of which are common to both composite signals with said common signals in one of said composite signals in substantially quadrature relationship with corresponding ones of said common signals in the other of said composite signals, including decoding means connected to receive said first and second composite signals and operative to shift the phase of one of said composite signals relative to the other by substantially 90* and to produce first, second, third and fourth output composite signals respectively containing a different one of said audio information signals as its predominant component and signal amplitude-modifying means connected to receive and operative to couple said first, second, third and fourth output composite signals to respective ones of said sound-reproducing devices, a logic circuit for identifying the signal or signals instantaneously present in said output composite signals and for producing signals for controlling said signal amplitude-modifying means to enhance said instantaneously present signal or signals at said sound-reproducing devices relative to other signals, and logic circuit comprising: means connected to receive and operative in response to at least said relatively phase-shifted first and second composite signals to detect whether said relatively phase-shifted first and second composite signals contain substantially equal amplitude signal components in either phase coincidence or in phase opposition, and to produce a first control signal operative when applied to the signal amplitude-modifying means receiving said first and second output composite signals to enhance the gain thereof when said relatively phase-shifted first and second composite signals do not contain said common signals either in phase coincidence or in phase opposition.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
303 words
In a system for reproducing on four sound-reproducing devices a like number of directional audio information signals contained in first and second composite signals each of which includes at least three of said audio information signals in preselected amplitude and phase relationships, two of which are common to both composite signals with said common signals in one of said composite signals in substantially quadrature relationship with corresponding ones of said common signals in the other of said composite signals, including decoding means connected to receive said first and second composite signals and operative to shift the phase of one of said composite signals relative to the other by substantially 90* and to produce first, second, third and fourth output composite signals respectively containing a different one of said audio information signals as its predominant component and signal amplitude-modifying means connected to receive and operative to couple said first, second, third and fourth output composite signals to respective ones of said sound-reproducing devices, a logic circuit for identifying the signal or signals instantaneously present in said output composite signals and for producing signals for controlling said signal amplitude-modifying means to enhance said instantaneously present signal or signals at said sound-reproducing devices relative to other signals, and logic circuit comprising: means connected to receive and operative in response to at least said relatively phase-shifted first and second composite signals to detect whether said relatively phase-shifted first and second composite signals contain substantially equal amplitude signal components in either phase coincidence or in phase opposition, and to produce a first control signal operative when applied to the signal amplitude-modifying means receiving said first and second output composite signals to enhance the gain thereof when said relatively phase-shifted first and second composite signals do not contain said common signals either in phase coincidence or in phase opposition.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
75 words
A logic circuit according to claim 18 further including circuit means connected to receive and operative to cOmpare said third and fourth output composite signals and to produce a second control signal operative when applied to the signal ampltiude-modifying means receiving said third and fourth output composite signals to enhance the gain thereof when said third and fourth output composite signals do not contain substantially equal signals either in phase coincidence or in phase opposition.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
74 words
A logic circuit according to claim 18, wherein said last-mentioned means includes cicuit means operative in response to said relatively phase-shifted first and second composite signals to produce first, second, third and fourth auxiliary composite signals respectively containing in the same relative phase relationship the signal components contained in said first, second, third and fourth output composite signals, and means connected to receive and operative to compare said first and second auxiliary composite signals.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3632886A
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US3708631A
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-01-07 | 1977-07-09 | 1978-01-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-01-07 | 1981-07-09 | 1982-01-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-01-07 | 1985-07-09 | 1986-01-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |