US5590207A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Sound reproducing array processor system
Assignee: TAPS Inc
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Filing: 1994-05-17
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Granted: 1996-12-31
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Expires: 2014-05-17
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for dynamic, adaptive mapping of three-dimensional aural phenomenon to a two-dimensional sound reproducing surface. The surface is comprised of sound pixels that are discrete, addressable output locations. Actual or synthetic recorded audio material is decomposed into discrete sound sources which are then mapped to the sound pixels. This mapping occurs during the production phase by means of computer-aided design (CAD) system. The CAD system guides the sound designer in the implementation of complex acoustical designs by automating the most complex and computationally intensive functions. The mapping function can be extended to integrate real-time human interaction, ultimately creating a participatory, interactive virtual sound environment.
Inventors
- 👤 Stephen F. Taylor
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 17:06
CPC Classifications
G; G10; G10H; G10H1/00; G10H1/0091; A; A63; A63F; A63F13/00; A63F13/50; A63F13/54; G06; G06T; G06T17/00; G10H1/32; G11; G11B; G11B31/00; G11B31/006; H; H04; H04N; H04N5/00; H04N5/44; H04N5/60; H04N5/602; H04R; H04R1/00; H04R1/20; H04R1/32; H04R1/40; H04R1/403; H04S; H04S3/00; H04S3/008; A63F2300/00; A63F2300/60; A63F2300/6063; A63F2300/6081; G10H2210/00; G10H2210/155; G10H2210/265; G10H2210/295; G10H2240/00; G10H2240/171; G10H2240/281; G10H2240/311; G10H2250/00; G10H2250/471; G10H2250/511; G10H2250/531; G11B20/00; G11B20/00992; H04N5/64; H04N5/642; H04R2430/00; H04R2430/20; H04R3/00; H04R3/12; H04S7/00; H04S7/40
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
200 words
An acoustical modeling and playback system, comprising: (a) a computer comprising: (1) means for modeling acoustical properties of a three dimensional space, (2) means for placing and moving a propagating acoustical energy source in the three dimensional space, (3) means for modeling acoustical characteristics of the propagating acoustical energy source as it is placed and moved in the three dimensional space, (4) means for modeling an intersection of the propagating acoustical energy source with a surface in the three dimensional space, (5) means for translating the modeled acoustical properties, the modeled acoustical characteristics, and the modeled intersection into a plurality of data streams, and (6) means for storing the data streams on a data storage device; and (b) a playback system, coupled to the data storage device, the playback system comprising: (1) a plurality of sound pixels, each comprising addressable transducers for generating acoustical energy, (2) means for retrieving at least one data stream from the data storage device, (3) means for transmitting each of the data streams to specific sound pixels, and (4) means for operating the sound pixels as directed by the data streams to recreate the modeled acoustical properties, the modeled acoustical characteristics, and the modeled intersection.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
200 words
An acoustical modeling and playback system, comprising: (a) a computer comprising: (1) means for modeling acoustical properties of a three dimensional space, (2) means for placing and moving a propagating acoustical energy source in the three dimensional space, (3) means for modeling acoustical characteristics of the propagating acoustical energy source as it is placed and moved in the three dimensional space, (4) means for modeling an intersection of the propagating acoustical energy source with a surface in the three dimensional space, (5) means for translating the modeled acoustical properties, the modeled acoustical characteristics, and the modeled intersection into a plurality of data streams, and (6) means for storing the data streams on a data storage device; and (b) a playback system, coupled to the data storage device, the playback system comprising: (1) a plurality of sound pixels, each comprising addressable transducers for generating acoustical energy, (2) means for retrieving at least one data stream from the data storage device, (3) means for transmitting each of the data streams to specific sound pixels, and (4) means for operating the sound pixels as directed by the data streams to recreate the modeled acoustical properties, the modeled acoustical characteristics, and the modeled intersection.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
The acoustical modeling and playback system of claim 1, further comprising a sound bubble having a deformable two-dimensional sound reproducing surface configured as an enclosure, wherein the sound pixels are integrated into the sound reproducing surface of the sound bubble.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
112 words
The acoustical modeling and playback system of claim 2, further comprising a computer, coupled to the sound bubble and having a monitor and a data storage means attached thereto, for interacting with an operator under the control of a computer program, wherein the means for interacting comprises means for retrieving at least one data stream from the data storage means, means for transmitting the data streams to specific sound pixels in the sound bubble, and means for modifying the data streams in response to the input from the operator, wherein the sound pixels are synchronized and interlinked by the data streams to reproduce an acoustical energy source represented in the computer program.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
43 words
The acoustical modeling and playback system of claim 1, further comprising a sound helmet having a deformable two-dimensional sound reproducing surface configured to fit over an operator's head, wherein the sound pixels are integrated into the sound reproducing surface of the sound bubble.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
67 words
The acoustical modeling and playback system of claim 4, further comprising means, coupled to the sound helmet, for retrieving a plurality of data streams from a data storage device, for transmitting the data streams to specific sound transducers, and for operating the sound transducers according to the data streams, wherein the sound transducers are synchronized and interlinked by the data streams to reproduce an acoustical energy source.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
57 words
The acoustical modeling and playback system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of sound pixels are integrated into a deformable two-dimensional sound reproducing surface, the sound pixels being arranged in a matrix having vertical and horizontal axes so as to support propagation and movement of the acoustical energy along the vertical and horizontal axes of the matrix.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
43 words
The acoustical modeling and playback system of claim 6, wherein the sound pixels are synchronized and interlinked by the data streams to reproduce a time line for the acoustical energy source radiating and moving through the vertical and horizontal axes of the matrix.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
The acoustical modeling and playback system of claim 6, wherein the surface is defined by the acoustical energy generated by the sound pixels.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The acoustical modeling and playback system of claim 6, wherein the surface is defined by outer edges of the transducers.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
The acoustical modeling and playback system of claim 6, wherein the surface is deformable into three dimensions.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
The acoustical modeling and playback system of claim 6, wherein the surface supports propagation and movement of the acoustical energy in three dimensions.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
The acoustical modeling and playback system of claim 1, further comprising means for accepting input from sensors.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
The acoustical modeling and playback system of claim 12, further comprising means for modifying the data streams in response to the input from the sensors.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
The acoustical modeling and playback system of claim 1, further comprising means for accepting audio input and for modifying the data streams in response thereto.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
24 words
The acoustical modeling and playback system of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of satellite sound pixels coupled to one of the sound pixels.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
35 words
The acoustical modeling and playback system of claim 15, wherein each satellite sound pixel further comprises means for receiving and processing the data streams for the coupled sound pixel to alter sound generating characteristics therein.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
25 words
The acoustical modeling and playback system of claim 16, wherein the altered sound generating characteristics are selected from a group comprising gain, delay, and frequency.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
21 words
The acoustical modeling and playback system of claim 1, further comprising means for interconnecting multiple sound reproducing surfaces to each other.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
106 words
A method of acoustical modeling, comprising the steps of: (a) modeling a conceptual surface in a computer, modeling a propagation of acoustical energy within an environment in the computer, recording characteristics of the acoustical energy intersecting the conceptual surface, and creating an array of data streams for a plurality of sound transducers from the recorded characteristics, wherein the data streams each comprise a spatial portion of the acoustical energy intersecting the conceptual surface; (b) transmitting the array of data streams to the sound transducers; and (c) operating the sound transducers together in accordance with the transmitted data streams to create a unified surface of acoustical energy.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
106 words
A method of acoustical modeling, comprising the steps of: (a) modeling a conceptual surface in a computer, modeling a propagation of acoustical energy within an environment in the computer, recording characteristics of the acoustical energy intersecting the conceptual surface, and creating an array of data streams for a plurality of sound transducers from the recorded characteristics, wherein the data streams each comprise a spatial portion of the acoustical energy intersecting the conceptual surface; (b) transmitting the array of data streams to the sound transducers; and (c) operating the sound transducers together in accordance with the transmitted data streams to create a unified surface of acoustical energy.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
115 words
A method of acoustical modeling, comprising the steps of: (a) modeling a conceptual surface in a computer, modeling a propagation of acoustical energy within an environment in the computer, recording characteristics of the acoustical energy intersecting the conceptual surface at discrete points thereon, and creating an array of data streams for a plurality of sound transducers from the recorded characteristics corresponding to the discrete points, wherein the data streams each comprise a spatial portion of the acoustical energy intersecting the conceptual surface; (b) transmitting the array of data streams to the sound transducers; and (c) operating the sound transducers together in accordance with the transmitted data streams to create a unified surface of acoustical energy.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
115 words
A method of acoustical modeling, comprising the steps of: (a) modeling a conceptual surface in a computer, modeling a propagation of acoustical energy within an environment in the computer, recording characteristics of the acoustical energy intersecting the conceptual surface at discrete points thereon, and creating an array of data streams for a plurality of sound transducers from the recorded characteristics corresponding to the discrete points, wherein the data streams each comprise a spatial portion of the acoustical energy intersecting the conceptual surface; (b) transmitting the array of data streams to the sound transducers; and (c) operating the sound transducers together in accordance with the transmitted data streams to create a unified surface of acoustical energy.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
74 words
A method of acoustical modeling, comprising the steps of: (a) manually creating an array of data streams for a plurality of sound transducers, wherein the data streams each comprise a spatial portion of an acoustical energy source intersecting a conceptual surface; (b) transmitting the array of data streams to the sound transducers; and (c) operating the sound transducers together in accordance with the transmitted data streams to create a unified surface of acoustical energy.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
74 words
A method of acoustical modeling, comprising the steps of: (a) manually creating an array of data streams for a plurality of sound transducers, wherein the data streams each comprise a spatial portion of an acoustical energy source intersecting a conceptual surface; (b) transmitting the array of data streams to the sound transducers; and (c) operating the sound transducers together in accordance with the transmitted data streams to create a unified surface of acoustical energy.
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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) | 1999-12-31 | 2000-07-01 | 2000-12-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-12-31 | 2004-07-01 | 2004-12-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-12-31 | 2008-07-01 | 2008-12-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |