US5689570A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Sound reproducing array processor system
Assignee: Taylor Group of Companies Inc
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Filing: 1996-02-27
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Granted: 1997-11-18
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Expires: 2016-02-27
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 Francis Taylor
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 17:09
CPC Classifications
G; G10; G10H; G10H1/00; G10H1/0091; A; A63; A63F; A63F13/00; 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; A63F13/25; A63F13/50; A63F13/54; 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: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
196 words
A video game system, comprising: (a) a sound bubble comprising a deformable two-dimensional sound reproducing surface configured as an enclosure, wherein the surface is comprised of a plurality of sound pixels, the sound pixels comprise addressable transducers for generating acoustical energy, and the sound pixels are arranged in an array having rows and columns so as to support propagation and movement of the acoustical energy along the rows and columns of the array; and (b) a computer, coupled to the sound bubble, a monitor and a data storage means, for interacting with an operator under the control of a video game program, wherein the means for interacting comprises means for retrieving at least one audio data stream from the data storage means for each of the sound pixels, means for transmitting each of the audio data streams to a specific sound pixel in the sound bubble, and means for modifying the audio data streams in response to the input from the operator, wherein the sound pixels are synchronized and interlinked by the audio data streams to reproduce a time line for the acoustical energy source radiating and moving through the rows and columns of the array.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
196 words
A video game system, comprising: (a) a sound bubble comprising a deformable two-dimensional sound reproducing surface configured as an enclosure, wherein the surface is comprised of a plurality of sound pixels, the sound pixels comprise addressable transducers for generating acoustical energy, and the sound pixels are arranged in an array having rows and columns so as to support propagation and movement of the acoustical energy along the rows and columns of the array; and (b) a computer, coupled to the sound bubble, a monitor and a data storage means, for interacting with an operator under the control of a video game program, wherein the means for interacting comprises means for retrieving at least one audio data stream from the data storage means for each of the sound pixels, means for transmitting each of the audio data streams to a specific sound pixel in the sound bubble, and means for modifying the audio data streams in response to the input from the operator, wherein the sound pixels are synchronized and interlinked by the audio data streams to reproduce a time line for the acoustical energy source radiating and moving through the rows and columns of the array.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
50 words
The video game system of claim 1, further comprising means for creating a model of an acoustical playback environment, means for creating a model of the acoustical energy source within the acoustical playback environment, and means for transforming the model of the acoustical energy source into the audio data streams.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
51 words
The video game system of claim 1, further comprising means for decomposing combined audio and video material into a plurality of the audio data streams and at least one discrete video data stream, and means for storing the audio data streams and the video data stream on the data storage means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
53 words
The video game system of claim 1, wherein the computer further comprises means for retrieving the audio and video data streams from the data storage means, means for controlling the sound pixels in response to the retrieved audio data streams, and means for controlling the monitor in response to the video data stream.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
The video game system of claim 1, wherein the sound pixels each comprise a full range audio transducer that generates sound under control of the audio data streams.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The video game system of claim 1, wherein the computer further comprises means for modifying the audio data streams in response to external stimuli.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
The video game system of claim 1, wherein the computer further comprises means for accepting audio input and for modifying the audio data streams in response thereto.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
156 words
An audio system, comprising: (a) a deformable two-dimensional sound reproducing surface, wherein the surface is comprised of a plurality of addressable transducers for generating acoustical energy, and the transducers are arranged in an array having rows and columns so as to support propagation and movement of the acoustical energy along the rows and columns of the array; and (b) a computer, coupled to the sound reproducing surface and a data storage means, for interacting with an operator under the control of a computer program, wherein the means for interacting comprises means for retrieving at least one audio data stream from the data storage means for each of the transducers, and means for transmitting each of the audio data streams to a specific transducer, wherein the transducers are synchronized and interlinked by the audio data streams to reproduce a time line for the acoustical energy source radiating and moving through the rows and columns of the array.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
156 words
An audio system, comprising: (a) a deformable two-dimensional sound reproducing surface, wherein the surface is comprised of a plurality of addressable transducers for generating acoustical energy, and the transducers are arranged in an array having rows and columns so as to support propagation and movement of the acoustical energy along the rows and columns of the array; and (b) a computer, coupled to the sound reproducing surface and a data storage means, for interacting with an operator under the control of a computer program, wherein the means for interacting comprises means for retrieving at least one audio data stream from the data storage means for each of the transducers, and means for transmitting each of the audio data streams to a specific transducer, wherein the transducers are synchronized and interlinked by the audio data streams to reproduce a time line for the acoustical energy source radiating and moving through the rows and columns of the array.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
49 words
The audio system of claim 8, further comprising means for creating a model of an acoustical playback environment, means for creating a model of the acoustical energy source within the acoustical playback environment, and means for transforming the model of the acoustical energy source into the audio data streams.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
The audio system of claim 8, further comprising means for accepting audio input and for modifying the audio data streams in response thereto.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
50 words
The audio system of claim 8, further comprising means for decomposing combined audio and video material into a plurality of the audio data streams and at least one discrete video data stream, and means for storing the audio data streams and the video data stream on the data storage means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
59 words
The audio system of claim 8, further comprising a monitor coupled to the computer, and the computer further comprises means for retrieving the audio and video data streams from the data storage means, means for controlling the transducers in response to the retrieved audio data streams, and means for controlling the monitor in response to the video data stream.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
26 words
The audio system of claim 8, wherein the transducers each comprise a full range audio transducer that generates sound under control of the audio data streams.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
25 words
The audio system of claim 8, wherein the computer further comprises dynamic mode means for modifying the audio data streams in response to external stimuli.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
127 words
A method of generating audio, comprising the steps of: (a) retrieving at least one audio data stream from a data storage device coupled to a computer, (b) transmitting each of the audio data streams to a specific transducer of a deformable two-dimensional sound reproducing surface coupled to the computer, wherein the surface is comprised of a plurality of addressable transducers for generating acoustical energy, the transducers are arranged in an array having rows and columns so as to support propagation and movement of the acoustical energy along the rows and columns of the array, and the transducers are synchronized and interlinked by the audio data streams to reproduce a time line for the acoustical energy source radiating and moving through the rows and columns of the array.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
127 words
A method of generating audio, comprising the steps of: (a) retrieving at least one audio data stream from a data storage device coupled to a computer, (b) transmitting each of the audio data streams to a specific transducer of a deformable two-dimensional sound reproducing surface coupled to the computer, wherein the surface is comprised of a plurality of addressable transducers for generating acoustical energy, the transducers are arranged in an array having rows and columns so as to support propagation and movement of the acoustical energy along the rows and columns of the array, and the transducers are synchronized and interlinked by the audio data streams to reproduce a time line for the acoustical energy source radiating and moving through the rows and columns of the array.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method of generating audio of claim 15, further comprising the steps of creating a model of an acoustical playback environment, creating a model of the acoustical energy source within the acoustical playback environment, and transforming the model of the acoustical energy source into the audio data streams.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of generating audio of claim 15, further comprising the steps of accepting audio input and modifying the audio data streams in response thereto.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
51 words
The method of generating audio of claim 15, further comprising the steps of decomposing combined audio and video material into a plurality of the audio data streams and at least one discrete video data stream, and storing the audio data streams and the video data stream on the data storage device.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
51 words
The method of generating audio of claim 15, further comprising the steps of retrieving the audio and video data streams from the data storage device, controlling the transducers in response to the retrieved audio data streams, and controlling a monitor coupled to the computer in response to the video data stream.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of generating audio of claim 15, wherein the transducers each comprises a full range audio transducer that generates sound under control of the audio data streams.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of generating audio of claim 15, further comprising the step of modifying the audio data streams in response to external stimuli.
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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) | 2000-11-17 | 2001-05-19 | 2001-11-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-11-17 | 2005-05-19 | 2005-11-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-11-17 | 2009-05-19 | 2009-11-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |