US5155510A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Digital sound system for motion pictures with analog sound track emulation
Assignee: BEAUFORT CALIFORNIA Inc A CALIFORNIA Corp
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Filing: 1991-12-20
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Granted: 1992-10-13
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Expires: 2011-12-20
Abstract
Abstract A signal conditioner is provided for the output of a digital sound source in a dual digital/analog motion picture theater sound system so that the digitally derived audio signal emulates the analog sound track signal. This allows the digital source to be easily integrated into the overall sound system, without displacing the existing analog sound track system. The theater sound playback mechanism is provided with the conditioned audio signal when the digital sound source is actuated, and receives the analog sound track signal at other times. The conditioning circuit includes an adjustable impedance to match the current from the digital sound source to the current from the analog sound track reader, a high frequency variable signal adjuster that is complimentary to a high frequency emphasis built into the theater playback system, and an optional subwoof output.
Inventors
- 👤 Terry D. Beard
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 15:41
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11B; G11B20/00; G03; G03B; G03B31/00; G03B31/02; G11B20/00007; G11B27/00; G11B27/10; G11B27/19; G11B27/28; G11B27/32; G11B27/322; G11B27/323; G11B7/00; G11B7/002; G11B7/003; G11B7/0032; G11B20/00992; G11B2220/00; G11B2220/20; G11B2220/25; G11B2220/2537; G11B2220/2545; G11B2220/90; G11B2220/91; G11B2220/913
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
116 words
In a digital sound system for a motion picture theater, the sound system including means for reading a motion picture analog sound track, a motion picture analog sound track playback means, means for supplying a signal read by said reading means from a motion picture analog sound track to said playback means, and a motion picture digital sound source, comprising: signal conditioning means for conditioning an audio signal from said digital sound source to emulate a signal supplied by said analog sound track reading means in response to its reading a motion picture analog sound track, and means for supplying said conditioned audio signal from said digital sound source to said analog sound track playback means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
116 words
In a digital sound system for a motion picture theater, the sound system including means for reading a motion picture analog sound track, a motion picture analog sound track playback means, means for supplying a signal read by said reading means from a motion picture analog sound track to said playback means, and a motion picture digital sound source, comprising: signal conditioning means for conditioning an audio signal from said digital sound source to emulate a signal supplied by said analog sound track reading means in response to its reading a motion picture analog sound track, and means for supplying said conditioned audio signal from said digital sound source to said analog sound track playback means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
The digital sound system of claim 1, further comprising means for switching said playback means between said analog sound track signal supply means and said digital audio signal conditioning means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
43 words
The digital sound system of claim 2, said switch means including means for switching said playback means to said digital audio signal conditioning means when said digital sound source is actuated, and to said analog sound track signal supply means at other times.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
The digital sound system of claim 1, said signal conditioning means including adjustable impedance means for matching the current from said digital sound source to the current from said analog sound track reading means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
41 words
The digital sound system of claim 1, wherein said playback means includes a high frequency signal emphasis means, and said signal conditioning means includes a high frequency signal adjustment means that is generally complementary to said high frequency signal emphasis means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
The digital sound system of claim 5, wherein said high frequency signal adjustment means includes means for varying its degree of adjustment so that it can be adjusted to complement different degrees of high frequency signal emphasis.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The digital sound system of claim 5, said high frequency signal attenuation means comprising a low pass filter.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The digital sound system of claim 1, said signal conditioning means further supplying a subwoof output.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
104 words
A digital sound system for a motion picture theater, said theater having a motion picture sound signal playback means with a frequency-dependent gain over the audio spectrum that is generally complementary to the signal characteristic of a motion picture analog sound track reader, comprising: a motion picture digital sound source having a generally flat frequency output characteristic over the audio range, means for adjusting the output of said digital sound source over the audio range in a manner generally complementary to the frequency-dependent gain of said playback means, and means for connecting the adjusted output of said digital sound source to said playback means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
104 words
A digital sound system for a motion picture theater, said theater having a motion picture sound signal playback means with a frequency-dependent gain over the audio spectrum that is generally complementary to the signal characteristic of a motion picture analog sound track reader, comprising: a motion picture digital sound source having a generally flat frequency output characteristic over the audio range, means for adjusting the output of said digital sound source over the audio range in a manner generally complementary to the frequency-dependent gain of said playback means, and means for connecting the adjusted output of said digital sound source to said playback means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
40 words
The digital sound system of claim 9, further comprising adjustable impedance means for adjusting the output current of said digital sound source, thereby enabling said digital sound source to match the current from a motion picture analog sound track reader.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
41 words
The digital sound system of claim 9, wherein said playback means provides a high frequency signal emphasis, and said digital sound source output adjusting means includes a high frequency signal attenuator that is generally complementary to said high frequency signal emphasis.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
36 words
The digital sound system of claim 11, wherein said high frequency signal attenuator includes means for adjusting its degree of attenuation so that it can be adjusted to complement different degrees of high frequency signal emphasis.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
The digital sound system of claim 12, said high frequency signal attenuator comprising a low pass filter.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
15 words
The digital sound system of claim 9, said adjusting means further supplying a subwoof output.
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) | 1995-10-13 | 1996-04-13 | 1996-10-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-10-13 | 2000-04-13 | 2000-10-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-10-13 | 2004-04-13 | 2004-10-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |