Sound bubble structures for sound reproducing arrays

• US 6,154,553 A
• Filed: 11/25/1997
• Issued: 11/28/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 12/14/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: The Taylor Group Incorporated
• Original Assignee: The Taylor Group Incorporated
• Inventors: Taylor, Stephen Francis
• Primary Examiner(s): CHIN, VIVIAN C
• Application Number:
  US08/977,729
• Time in Patent Office: 1,099 Days
• Field of Search: 381/332, 381/182, 381/385, 381/376, 381/374, 381/381, 381/334, 381/336, 381/333, 381/335, 381/74, 381/18, 381/23, 381/17, 244/1 N
• US Class Current: 381/332
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/00 Video games, i.e. games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions gaming systems which provide a financial reward G07F17/32
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/52 involving aspects of the displayed game scene
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/54 involving acoustic signals, e.g. for simulating revolutions per minute [RPM] dependent engine sounds in a driving game or reverberation against a virtual wall
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/6063 for sound processing
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/6081 generating an output signal, e.g. under timing constraints, for spatialization
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/66 for rendering three dimensional images
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 17/00 Three dimensional [3D] modelling, e.g. data description of 3D objects
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 1/0091 Means for obtaining special acoustic effects combined with modulation G10H1/043
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 1/32 Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2210/295 Spatial effects, musical uses of multiple audio channels, e.g. stereo Helmholtz resonance effects G10H2210/275; reverberation or echo G10H2210/281
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2210/301 Soundscape or sound field simulation, reproduction or control for musical purposes, e.g. surround or 3D sound; Granular synthesis
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2240/311 MIDI transmission G10H2240/056 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 2250/531 Room models, i.e. acoustic physical modelling of a room, e.g. concert hall reverberation or echo G10H2210/281; soundscape or sound field simulation G10H2210/301
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 20/00 Signal processing not specific to the method of recording or reproducing; Circuits therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 20/00992 Circuits for stereophonic or quadraphonic recording or reproducing
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 31/00 Arrangements for the associated working of recording or reproducing apparatus with related apparatus with cameras or projectors G03B31/00 ; recording/reproducing of music for electrophonic musical instruments G10H1/0033; automatic arrangements for answering calls or for recording messages for absent subscribers H04M1/64; telephonic communication systems adapted for combination with dictation recording and playback systems H04M11/10; connection of TV recorder with other related apparatus, e.g. TV camera or receiver, in which the TV signal is significantly involved H04N, e.g. H04N23/00, H04N5/765; combination of radio or TV with other apparatus, e.g. with vehicles H05K11/00
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 31/006 with video camera or receiver
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/602 for digital sound signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/642 Disposition of sound reproducers
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/403 loud-speakers
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2420/07 : Applications of wireless loudspeakers or wireless microphones
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2430/20 : Processing of the output signals of the acoustic transducers of an array for obtaining a desired directivity characteristic H04R2203/12 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 3/12 : for distributing signals to two or more loudspeakers specially adapted for hearing aids H04R25/407
• CPC Class Codes: H04S 3/008 : in which the audio signals are in digital form, i.e. employing more than two discrete digital channels data reduction aspects thereof based on psychoacoustics G10L19/02
• CPC Class Codes: H04S 7/40 : Visual indication of stereophonic sound image

Abstract

A sound bubble for generating three-dimensional aural phenomenon from a two-dimensional sound reproducing surface. The surface is comprised of sound pixels that are discrete, addressable output locations for audio data streams.

Claims

1. A sound bubble, comprising a plurality of sound pixels integrated into a deformable surface, the sound pixels comprising addressable transducers for generating acoustical energy, the sound pixels being arranged in a matrix having vertical and horizontal axes so as to support propagation and movement of the acoustical energy along the vertical and horizontal axes of the matrix, and the sound pixels being coupled to a playback device for producing at least one data stream for each of the sound pixels, wherein the sound pixels are synchronized and interlinked by the data streams to reproduce a time line for the acoustical energy source radiating and moving through the vertical and horizontal axes of the matrix.

2. The sound bubble of claim 1, wherein the deformable surface is comprised of a flexible material.

3. The sound bubble of claim 1, wherein the deformable surface is comprised of a collapsible material.

4. The sound bubble of claim 1, wherein the deformable surface is comprised of a transparent material.

5. The sound bubble of claim 1, wherein the deformable surface comprises a canopy.