Home entertainment apparatus and method

• US 20050278764A1
• Filed: 06/01/2004
• Published: 12/15/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/01/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Craig Barr
• Original Assignee: Craig Barr
• Inventors: Barr, Craig
• Granted Patent: US 7,542,814 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 725/100
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/036 Insert-editing
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/10 Indexing; Addressing; Timing or synchronising; Measuring tape travel
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2368 Multiplexing of audio and video streams
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42204 User interfaces specially adapted for controlling a client device through a remote control device; Remote control devices therefor constructive details of casings for the remote control device H01H9/0235; user interfaces for controlling a tuning device of a television receiver through a remote control H03J9/00; remote control of peripheral devices connected to a television receiver through the remote control device of the television receiver H04B1/205
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4341 Demultiplexing of audio and video streams
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/439 Processing of audio elementary streams
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4852 for modifying audio parameters, e.g. switching between mono and stereo
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8106 involving special audio data, e.g. different tracks for different languages
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/607 for more than one sound signal, e.g. stereo, multilanguages H04N5/602 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/765 Interface circuits between an apparatus for recording and another apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/775 between a recording apparatus and a television receiver
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/85 on discs or drums
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/907 using static stores, e.g. storage tubes or semiconductor memories H04N5/91 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/163 by receiver means only
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 3/002 Damping circuit arrangements for transducers, e.g. motional feedback circuits

Abstract

A home entertainment system or home theatre includes an audio/visual program source with a stereo or surround sound system. An apparatus and method according to the present invention adds supplemental audio content to live or pre-recorded events, such as football games, baseball games, and other sporting events in a spontaneous dynamic environment promoting group participation and enthusiasm. Random access to the supplemental audio content instantaneously and by remote control affords a user of the apparatus an opportunity to creatively add to the viewing experience at home. Additional treatment of the supplemental audio content is effected so that home viewers of the event perceive a seamless audio content including the supplemental audio. Audio effects, such as a simulation of the reverberation of a stadium or large hall, can also be added to further increase the sensation of attending a live sporting event.

Claims

1. A combination home audio-visual entertainment system comprising:

a visual display unit having a display for presenting to a user the visual portion of an audio-visual program;

an audio output signal originating with the audio-visual program;

a speaker for receiving an audio signal and providing an audible output to the user;

an audio supplementation device receiving said audio output signal and also storing multiple supplemental audio files for selective mixing with said audio output signal under user control for providing said audio signal to said speaker;

said audio supplementation device including a controller receiving and storing user input information for execution under user control in controllably mixing said audio signal and a selected one of said supplemental audio files to provide said audio signal, said controller effecting random access to any one of said multiple supplemental audio files immediately in response to a user input command;

whereby, said audio supplementation device promotes a spontaneous dynamic environment for a user of the device in which the user may supplement the audio content of an audio-visual program by substantially instantaneously adding a selected one of said multiple audio files with a single push of a remote control button.

2. The combination home audio-visual entertainment system of claim 1 in which said audio supplementation device includes a microprocessor based controller.

3. The combination home audio-visual entertainment system of claim 2 in which said audio supplementation device includes facility for receiving input commands from a hand-held remote control.

4. The combination home audio-visual entertainment system of claim 2 in which said audio supplementation device includes facility for receiving input commands from a wireless remote control.

5. The combination home audio-visual entertainment system of claim 1 in which said audio supplementation device includes an audio mixer receiving said audio output signal and also receiving a selected one of said multiple audio files, and providing said audio signal by combining said audio output signal and said selected one of said multiple audio files under user control.

6. The combination home audio-visual entertainment system of claim 1 in which said audio supplementation device includes provision for said controller to control the relative volume level of said selected one audio file in comparison to said audio output signal.

7. The combination home audio-visual entertainment system of claim 6 in which said controller controls the relative volume level of said selected one audio file in comparison to said audio output signal from substantially a zero audio volume level at file start upwardly to a selected volume level in a selected time interval after file start, and from said selected volume level back to substantially zero volume level during a selected time interval immediately preceding file ending.

8. The combination home audio-visual entertainment system of claim 1 in which said audio supplementation device provides for operation in a “

momentary”

mode in which a selected audio file plays when the user presses and holds a selected button of said remote control, and the selected audio file continues playing until the user releases the pressed button; and

alternatively provides for operation in a “

toggle”

mode in which a press and immediate release of said button on said remote control starts the selected audio file playing and the selected audio file continues playing until either the end of the file occurs, or until the user presses the same or another button on said remote control.

9. The combination home audio-visual entertainment system of claim 5 in which said device further includes a stereo digital to analog converter receiving said selected one audio file and providing to said mixer an analog conversion of said selected one audio file.

10. The combination home audio-visual entertainment system of claim 9 in which said device further includes a stereo analog reverberation effect generator, said reverberation effect generator receiving said analog conversion of said selected one audio file and providing to said audio mixer.

11. The combination home audio-visual entertainment system of claim 1 in which said device further includes a digital audio file storage apparatus receiving a removable digital storage media.

12. The combination home audio-visual entertainment system of claim 1 in which said device further includes an infrared receiving port for receiving an input command from a hand-held infrared remote control.

13. The combination home audio-visual entertainment system of claim 1 in which said device further includes an interface port selected from the group consisting of:

a USB port, and an Ethernet port, whereby said interface port may be utilized to access said stored multiple supplemental audio files for addition, removal, or replacement; and

may also be utilized to store and implement said user input commands in said system.

14. The combination home audio-visual entertainment system of claim 1 in which said device further includes a bank of plural indicator lamps each controlled by said controller and indicating to a user of said device the one of said multiple audio files which is selected for mixing with said audio output signal upon receipt of a user input command.

15. A home entertainment device for use in conjunction with a television providing an audio output signal originating with an audio-visual television program the visual part of which is displayed on the television, said entertainment device comprising:

digital random access memory for storing a plurality of audio files;

an audio mixer for receiving said audio output signal and also receiving a selected one of said plurality of audio files, and said mixer mixing said audio signal and said selected one of said plurality of audio files to provide an audio signal to be heard by a user of the device;

a controller receiving and storing user input information for execution under user control in controllably mixing said audio signal and said selected one of said audio files to provide said audio signal, said controller effecting said mixing to provide said audio signal substantially immediately in response to a user input command;

an audio mixer receiving said audio output signal and also receiving a selected one of said multiple audio files, and providing said audio signal by combining said audio output signal and said selected one of said multiple audio files under user control;

said controller controlling said audio mixer to effect the relative volume level of said selected one audio file in comparison to said audio output signal from substantially a zero audio volume level at file start upwardly to a selected volume level in a selected time interval after file start, and from said selected volume level back to substantially zero volume level during a selected time interval immediately preceding file ending;

whereby, said device promotes a spontaneous dynamic environment for a user of the device in which the user may supplement the audio content of a television program by substantially instantaneously adding a selected one of said plural audio files.

16. The device of claim 15 further including a stereo digital to analog converter receiving said selected one audio file and providing to said mixer an analog conversion of said selected one audio file.

17. The device of claim 16 in which said device further includes a stereo analog reverberation effect generator, said reverberation effect generator receiving said analog conversion of said selected one audio file and providing to said audio mixer.

18. The device claim 15 further including a digital audio file storage apparatus receiving a removable digital storage media.

19. The device of claim 15 further including an infrared receiver for receiving an input command from a hand-held infrared remote control.

20. The device of claim 15 further including an interface port selected from the group consisting of:

a USB port, and an Ethernet port.

21. A method of supplementing the audio content of an audio-visual program by providing a selected one of plural supplemental audio files mixed substantially instantaneously in response to a user input command with the audio content of the audio-visual program so as to promote a spontaneous dynamic and creative environment for a user of the device, said method comprising steps of:

accessing an audio output signal originating with the audio-visual program;

utilizing a speaker to receive an audio signal consisting of the output signal and a selected one of said supplemental audio files, and providing an audible output to the user;

storing said plural supplemental audio files in random access digital memory for selective mixing with said audio output signal under user control for providing said audio signal to said speaker;

providing an audio mixer receiving said audio output signal and also receiving a selected one of said multiple audio files and combining said audio output signal and said selected one of said multiple audio files under user control;

providing a stereo digital to analog converter receiving said selected one audio file and providing to said mixer an analog conversion of said selected one audio file; and

utilizing a controller to receive and store user input information for execution under user control, and enabling said controller to effect mixing of said audio output signal and a selected one of said supplemental audio files at said stereo analog mixer so as to provide said audio signal, providing for said controller to effect random access to any one of said plural supplemental audio files immediately in response to a user input command.