RECONFIGURABLE AUDIO-VIDEO SURROUND SOUND RECEIVER (AVR) AND METHOD
First Claim
1. A method for providing selective operation of surround channel speakers in configurations wherein said surround channel speakers are placed in close proximity to main channel speakers or in configurations wherein said surround channel speakers are placed in locations distant from the main channel speakers by more than one meter, comprising:
- receiving a selection indication directing simulation of a surround sound environment for said close proximity speaker configuration;
receiving main channel information;
receiving surround channel information; and
responsive to said selection indication directing simulation of said surround sound environment, generating at least one of a first speaker output signal and a second speaker output signal in conformity with both said received main channel and said received surround channel information according to a controlled signal relationship, such that propagation of said surround channel information is provided in a directivity pattern having substantial attenuation along a direct path to a predetermined listening position and at least one lobe having a directivity peak directed away from said predetermined listening position.
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Abstract
A reconfigurable audio-video surround sound receiver (AVR) and method provide flexible surround speaker placement and a low cost simulated surround sound implementation. A processing circuit within an audio device or audio/visual (AV) device such as an audio-video receiver (AVR) generates signals for surround and main channel speakers that provide selectable operation between speaker placement in ordinary surround sound installation, or in a simulated surround sound installation with speakers placed at one end of a listening room. An electronic network within the audio device selects between a normal surround sound mode, in which the surround information is provided to surround channel outputs and main channel information is supplied to main channel outputs, or a simulated surround mode in which the main and surround channel outputs receive surround channel information in a phase-controlled relationship, directing the surround information away from a direct path toward the listening area, to diffuse the surround information.
37 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for providing selective operation of surround channel speakers in configurations wherein said surround channel speakers are placed in close proximity to main channel speakers or in configurations wherein said surround channel speakers are placed in locations distant from the main channel speakers by more than one meter, comprising:
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receiving a selection indication directing simulation of a surround sound environment for said close proximity speaker configuration; receiving main channel information; receiving surround channel information; and responsive to said selection indication directing simulation of said surround sound environment, generating at least one of a first speaker output signal and a second speaker output signal in conformity with both said received main channel and said received surround channel information according to a controlled signal relationship, such that propagation of said surround channel information is provided in a directivity pattern having substantial attenuation along a direct path to a predetermined listening position and at least one lobe having a directivity peak directed away from said predetermined listening position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. An electronic device, comprising:
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a first audio output; a second audio output; and an electronic circuit for receiving surround channel information and main channel information and supplying a first signal to said first audio output and a second signal to said second audio output, wherein said electronic circuit has a selectable operating mode, wherein at least one of said first and second signals are generated in conformity with both said surround channel information and said main channel information when a first operating mode is selected, and wherein said first signal and said second signal have a controlled response to said surround channel information when said first operating mode is selected, such that propagation of said surround channel information is provided in a directivity pattern having substantial attenuation along a direct path to a predetermined listening position and at least one lobe having a directivity peak directed away from said predetermined listening position, when a pair of speakers in proximity of less than one meter are each coupled to a corresponding one of said first and second audio outputs. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. An audio device, comprising:
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a pair of internal speakers; a stereo audio output connection; a source of audio program information; and an electronic circuit for receiving surround channel information and main channel information and supplying a first set of signals to said pair of internal speakers and a second pair of signals to said stereo audio output connection, wherein said electronic circuit has a selectable operating mode, wherein at least one of said first and second pairs of signals are generated in conformity with both said surround channel information and said main channel information when a first operating mode is selected, and wherein said first signal and said second signal have a controlled response to said surround channel information when said first operating mode is selected, such that propagation of said surround channel information is provided in a directivity pattern having substantial attenuation along a direct path to a predetermined listening position and at least one lobe having a directivity peak directed away from said predetermined listening position, when a pair of speakers in proximity of less than one meter to audio device are each coupled to said stereo audio output connection, and wherein said second pair of signals is generated only in conformity with said surround channel information when a second operating mode is selected. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification