Computer game apparatus for providing independent audio in multiple player game systems
First Claim
1. A computer game apparatus for providing separate and independent audio to a first and a second user, comprising:
- storage means for storing sound data;
processor means operating under the control of a program and coupled to said storage means, for selecting and retrieving first sound data for said first user and second sound data for said second user;
sound synthesizer means coupled to receive said first and second sound data and converting said sound data into first and second digital audio signals, respectively;
digital to audio converter (DAC) means for receiving said first and second digital audio signals from said sound synthesizer means and converting said first and second digital audio signals into corresponding first and second analog audio signals;
routing means coupled to receive said first and second analog audio signals and selectively providing said first analog audio signals to said first user and said second analog audio signals to said second user;
a listening device coupled to said routing means and provided to said first and second users to convert said first and selectively second analog audio signals to sound waves such that said first user hears said first analog audio signals and said second user hears said second analog audio signals.
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Abstract
The present invention has application to dedicated multimedia game systems and computer game programs executed by personal computers. A central processing unit (CPU) is coupled to a mass storage device, such as for example, a read-only memory game cartridge, CD-ROM, floppy disk or hard disk drive. The mass storage device stores an application game program which is executed by the CPU and further stores a library of sound data. A sound synthesizer circuit is coupled to the CPU for generating digital audio signals from the sound data stored in said mass storage device. Under program control the CPU selectively provides sound data for a player of the game program to the sound synthesizer circuit. A digital to audio converter (DAC) is coupled to receive the digital audio signals from the sound synthesizer circuit and convert the digital audio signals into analog audio signals. A listening device, such as a headphone, is coupled to the DAC to covert the analog audio signals into sound waves to be heard by the player. Under program control the CPU directs certain of the sound data to each of the players, such that the players hear separate and independent audio as required by the game program.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. A computer game apparatus for providing separate and independent audio to a first and a second user, comprising:
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storage means for storing sound data; processor means operating under the control of a program and coupled to said storage means, for selecting and retrieving first sound data for said first user and second sound data for said second user; sound synthesizer means coupled to receive said first and second sound data and converting said sound data into first and second digital audio signals, respectively; digital to audio converter (DAC) means for receiving said first and second digital audio signals from said sound synthesizer means and converting said first and second digital audio signals into corresponding first and second analog audio signals; routing means coupled to receive said first and second analog audio signals and selectively providing said first analog audio signals to said first user and said second analog audio signals to said second user; a listening device coupled to said routing means and provided to said first and second users to convert said first and selectively second analog audio signals to sound waves such that said first user hears said first analog audio signals and said second user hears said second analog audio signals. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A computer game apparatus for providing separate and independent audio to a first and a second user, comprising:
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storage means for storing sound data; processor means operating under the control of a program and coupled to said storage means, for selecting and retrieving first sound data for said first user and second sound data for said second user; sound synthesizer means coupled to receive said first and said second sound data and converting said sound data into first and second digital audio signals, respectively; controller means coupled to said sound synthesizer to receive said first and second digital audio signals, said controller means further coupled to a bus to provide said first digital signal to a first user and said second digital signal to a second user; a first and a second receiving device coupled to said bus for receiving said first and second digital audio signals, respectively; conversion means coupled to each of said receiving devices for converting said received first and second digital audio signals into corresponding first and second analog audio signals; a listening device coupled to each of said conversion means for converting said first and second analog audio signals to sound waves such that said first user hears said first analog audio signals and said second user hears said second analog audio signals. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification