US4382157A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Multiple speaker type sound producing system
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1979-06-28
•
Granted: 1983-05-03
•
Expires: 1999-06-28
Abstract
Abstract A plurality of speaker devices are driven by two stereophonic audio signal sources through a signal distributing circuit having impedance means for equalizing the amplitudes of the driving signals applied to the speaker devices. The speaker devices thereby radiate sound to a point of listening symmetry for a more accurate reproduction of the sound radiation pattern corresponding to the stereophonic recordings from which the audio signal sources are derived.
Inventors
- 👤 Kenneth P. Wert, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 06:57
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04S; H04S3/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
374 words
An apparatus for generating at least four audio output channels from first and second stereophonically related audio signals, said output channels including a leftmost channel, a rightmost channel, and at least two intermediate channels, said apparatus comprising: a plurality of speakers, each said audio output channel being operatively connected to one of said speakers, said speakers being oriented in an ordered series in front of a listener such that the leftmost speaker, for output of said leftmost channel, is at the listener's left; the rightmost speaker, for output of said rightmost channel, is at the listener's right; and each intermediate speaker, for output of each said intermediate channel, is positioned therebetween, with half on one side of a midpoint between said leftmost and rightmost speakers and half on the opposite side; means for attenuating said first signal out as an unmixed signal of said leftmost output channel; means for attenuating said second signal out as an unmixed signal of said rightmost output channel; and means in each said intermediate channel for coupling a portion of each said first and second signals out as said intermediate output channels including: means for mixing a predetermined amplitude portion of said first audio signal with a predetermined amplitude portion of said second audio signal said means comprising: means for coupling a lesser amplitude portion from said signal to each said intermediate channel, the amplitude thereof being a function of the distance that the corresponding intermediate speaker is away from said leftmost speaker and nearer to said rightmost speaker; and means for coupling a lesser amplitude portion from said second signal to each said intermediate channel, the amplitude thereof being a function of the distance that the corresponding intermediate speaker is away from said rightmost speaker and nearer to said leftmost speaker to the same extent that said amplitude portion from said first signal is lessened in amplitude in the opposite direction from said leftmost speaker; said attenuating means and mixing means including equalizer means, for equalizing the relative amplitudes of said unmixed and mixed signals, such that the output from each intermediate channel is of substantially the same relative amplitude as the output of said first and second signals attenuated in said leftmost channel and said rightmost channel.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
374 words
An apparatus for generating at least four audio output channels from first and second stereophonically related audio signals, said output channels including a leftmost channel, a rightmost channel, and at least two intermediate channels, said apparatus comprising: a plurality of speakers, each said audio output channel being operatively connected to one of said speakers, said speakers being oriented in an ordered series in front of a listener such that the leftmost speaker, for output of said leftmost channel, is at the listener's left; the rightmost speaker, for output of said rightmost channel, is at the listener's right; and each intermediate speaker, for output of each said intermediate channel, is positioned therebetween, with half on one side of a midpoint between said leftmost and rightmost speakers and half on the opposite side; means for attenuating said first signal out as an unmixed signal of said leftmost output channel; means for attenuating said second signal out as an unmixed signal of said rightmost output channel; and means in each said intermediate channel for coupling a portion of each said first and second signals out as said intermediate output channels including: means for mixing a predetermined amplitude portion of said first audio signal with a predetermined amplitude portion of said second audio signal said means comprising: means for coupling a lesser amplitude portion from said signal to each said intermediate channel, the amplitude thereof being a function of the distance that the corresponding intermediate speaker is away from said leftmost speaker and nearer to said rightmost speaker; and means for coupling a lesser amplitude portion from said second signal to each said intermediate channel, the amplitude thereof being a function of the distance that the corresponding intermediate speaker is away from said rightmost speaker and nearer to said leftmost speaker to the same extent that said amplitude portion from said first signal is lessened in amplitude in the opposite direction from said leftmost speaker; said attenuating means and mixing means including equalizer means, for equalizing the relative amplitudes of said unmixed and mixed signals, such that the output from each intermediate channel is of substantially the same relative amplitude as the output of said first and second signals attenuated in said leftmost channel and said rightmost channel.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1, including a central speaker located substantially at said midpoint, and a fifth audio output channel through which mixed and attenuated signals drive the central speaker at substantially the same amplitude as the other speakers.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said attenuating means includes a pair of resistors respectively transmitting the first and second audio signals directly to the leftmost and rightmost speakers.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein said mixing means includes a plurality of voltage dividing resistors interconnecting the leftmost and rightmost channels to form junctions therebetween to which the intermediate and central speakers are coupled by the attenuating means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein the attenuating means includes pairs of transformers respectively coupling both of the leftmost and rightmost channels to each of the central and intermediate speakers.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
The signal distributing network as defined in claim 2 wherein said attenuating means includes pairs of resistors respectively connecting both of the leftmost and rightmost channels to each of the central and intermediate speakers.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system as defined in claim 2 wherein said central speaker is located in symmetrical relation to the other of the speakers.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1986-05-02 | 1986-11-01 | 1987-05-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-05-02 | 1990-11-01 | 1991-05-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-05-02 | 1994-11-01 | 1995-05-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |