Enhanced concert audio process utilizing a synchronized headgear system

• US 5,822,440 A
• Filed: 04/07/1997
• Issued: 10/13/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 01/16/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: The Headgear Company
• Original Assignee: The Headgear Company
• Inventors: Oltman, Randy, Jakubowski, David, Schaffer, Ken, Nusbaum, Perry L.
• Primary Examiner(s): CHIN, VIVIAN C
• Application Number:
  US08/835,205
• Time in Patent Office: 554 Days
• Field of Search: 381/77, 381/79, 381/80, 381/82, 381/83, 381/97, 381/183
• US Class Current: 381/82
• CPC Class Codes: H04S 1/007 in which the audio signals are in digital form data reduction aspects thereof based on psychoacoustics G10L19/02

Abstract

An audio enhancement system and method is provided wherein a wireless headphone system comprises a transmitter and a receiver. The transmitter for this system broadcasts a Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum (DSSS) CDMA signal on a number of separate code channels in the 902-928 MHz ISM band. Each successive code channel will have its audio signal delayed by a preset period, e.g. 30 mS, relative to the previous channel. A reference signal on one or more separate time synchronized code channels will be simultaneously transmitted from multiple dedicated transmitters within the venue. Analysis of these multiple code channels by the electronics in the headset will provide the headset with an approximate radial distance from the stage. The headset receiver, supporting position location signals, and associated hardware will select the appropriate audio code depending on the listener'"'"'s distance from the main loudspeakers. These code channels are laid out such that when in a large venue, and if the proper channel is chosen, the sound received electronically over the wireless channel will be slightly behind the phase of the sound arriving to the listener from the main loudspeakers. The headgear associated with this system also enhances the quality of the music delivered to the transient listener.

Claims

1. An audio enhancing system for delivering an enhanced audio signal from a primary source to a plurality of discrete locations located within an arena, said audio enhancing system comprising:

an audio source means for generating a first audio signal and for converting said first audio signal to a first electromagnetic signal;

a primary signal propagating means for broadcasting said first audio signal;

a first transmitting means for transmitting said first electromagnetic signal via a wireless media;

a second transmitting means for transmitting an electromagnetic locating signal, said electromagnetic locating signal comprising information related to a relative position of said receiver means with respect to said primary signal propagating means;

a receiver means for receiving said first electromagnetic signal and said electromagnetic locating signal, said receiver means converting said first electromagnetic signal into a second audio signal and determining said relative position of said receiver based on said electromagnetic locating signal.

2. The audio enhancing system according to claim 1, wherein said first transmitting means divides said first electromagnetic signal into a plurality of channels which are time-delayed with respect to one another prior to being transmitted by said first transmitting means.

3. The audio enhancing system according to claim 2, wherein said receiver means selects one channel of said plurality of channels based on said relative position of said receiver means.

4. The audio enhancing system according to claim 1, wherein said receiver means automatically delays said first electromagnetic signal based on said relative position of said receiver means.

5. The audio enhancing system according to claim 1, wherein said receiver means intentionally broadcasts said second audio signal a predetermined time period later than said first audio signal is delivered to said receiver means.

6. The audio enhancing system according to claim 5, wherein said predetermined time period is about 5-10 mS.

7. The audio enhancing system according to claim 2, wherein said second transmitting means comprises at least one dedicated electromagnetic transmitter transmitting said electromagnetic locating signal.

8. The audio enhancing system according to claim 1, further comprising a synchronization means for synchronizing said second audio signal generated by said receiving means with said first audio signal based on said relative position.

9. The audio enhancing system according to claim 8, wherein said second audio signal is transmitted by said receiver a predetermined time period after said first audio signal arrives at said receiving means.

10. The audio enhancing system according to claim 9, wherein said predetermined time period is about 5-10 mS.

11. The audio enhancing system according to claim 8, wherein said first transmitting means divides said first electromagnetic signal into a plurality of channels which are time-delayed with respect to one another prior to being transmitted by said first transmitting means, and wherein said synchronization means tunes said receiving means to one of said channels based on said relative position.

12. The audio enhancing system according to claim 1, wherein said second transmitting means comprises a plurality of dedicated transmitters transmitting said electromagnetic locating signal in the form of reference signals at regular intervals, wherein a radial distance of said receiver means from said transmitting means is calculated based on said reference signals.

13. The audio enhancing system according to claim 1, wherein both said receiver means and said synchronization means are positioned on a portable headset worn by a transient listener.

14. The audio enhancing system according to claim 13, wherein said portable headset is substantially acoustically transparent to thereby increase an amount of said first audio signal that is received by said transient listener.

15. An audio enhancing system for delivering an enhanced audio signal from a primary source to a plurality of discrete locations located within an arena, said audio enhancing system comprising:

an audio source means for generating a first audio signal and for converting said first audio signal to a first electromagnetic signal;

a primary signal propagating means for broadcasting said first audio signal;

a first transmitting means for transmitting said first electromagnetic signal via a wireless media;

a second transmitting means for transmitting an electromagnetic locating signal;

a receiver means for receiving said first electromagnetic signal and said electromagnetic locating signal, said receiver means converting said first electromagnetic signal into a second audio signal and determining a relative position of said receiver with respect to said primary signal propagating means based on said electromagnetic locating signal,

wherein said receiver means intentionally broadcasts said second audio signal a predetermined time period later than said first audio signal arrives at said receiver means.

16. The audio enhancing system according to claim 15, wherein said predetermined time period is about 5-10 mS.

17. The audio enhancing system according to claim 15, wherein said receiver means is worn by a transient listener and is substantially acoustically transparent to thereby increase an amount of said first audio signal that is received by said transient listener.

18. The audio enhancing system according to claim 17, wherein said second audio signal compensate for a portion of said first audio signal that is not adequately heard by said transient listener.

19. The audio enhancing system according to claim 15, wherein said first transmitting means divides said first electromagnetic signal into a plurality of channels which are time-delayed with respect to one another prior to being transmitted by said first transmitting means.

20. The audio enhancing system according to claim 15, wherein said receiver means selects one channel of said plurality of channels based on said position of said receiver means.

21. The audio enhancing system according to claim 15, wherein said receiver means automatically delays said first electromagnetic signal based on said position of said receiver means.

22. The audio enhancing system according to claim 15, wherein said second transmitting means comprises at least one dedicated electromagnetic transmitter transmitting said electromagnetic locating signal.