Multiple channel system

• US 6,849,794 B1
• Filed: 05/14/2002
• Issued: 02/01/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/14/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Michael P. Lau, Ronnie C. Lau
• Original Assignee: Michael P. Lau, Ronnie C. Lau
• Inventors: Lau, Ronnie C., Lau, Michael P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Fletcher, Marlon T.
• Application Number:
  US10/144,033
• Time in Patent Office: 994 Days
• Field of Search: 84600-602, 84609-610, 846/15, 84622-626, 84633-634, 846/45, 84649-650, 846/53, 84659-662, 846/66
• US Class Current: 84/622
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 1/0041 in coded form
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 1/0091 Means for obtaining special acoustic effects combined with modulation G10H1/043
• 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

Abstract

A server stores audio and coordinated video digital files in a library, and upon requests supplies individual files to multiple dedicates processors under sole control of the server. Music files have separate vocal and specific instrument channels. The processor supplies single channels to amplifiers and speakers having controlled frequency ranges capable of reproducing only the frequencies on the individual channels. Images from the video files are projected on screens around and above an audience seated on swivel chairs. Coordinated sounds emanate from speakers distributed over the screens. Bus-like wiring extends, from the processor. Individual speaker wires connect to ends of bundled conductors.

Claims

1. A multiple channel sound system music process comprising storing multiple channel audio files in multiple separate channels in a dedicated server, connecting the server to multiple separate storage channels in each of multiple dedicated audio processors, downloading the audio files from the server to the processors under the sole control of the server upon off-line requests from owners of the processors, wherein the dedicated server downloads the audio files in the multiple separate channels only to the multiple separate channels in only the dedicated processors.

2. The process of claim 1, further comprising cataloging and managing the audio files in the server, assigning security patterns, communicating with the multiple dedicated audio processors though any available communications, policing for illegal use of files, and enabling recording of files on the dedicated processors before the downloading.

3. The process of claim 1, further comprising associating video files coordinated with the audio files, and storing and downloading the video files with the audio files under the sole control of the server.

4. The process of claim 3, further comprising displaying video from the video files and playing sound from the audio files in a theater, providing a main screen, side screens and a top screen, projecting images from the video files on the screens, and concurrently producing coordinated sounds from the audio files on individual speakers positioned along the screens.

5. The process of claim 4, wherein the side screens are movable.

6. The process of claim 4, wherein the main screen, side screens and top screen form a dome having curved side walls, wherein the images from the video are projected over the dome and curved side wall screens, wherein the speakers are provided behind the dome and side wall screens, and wherein the coordinated sound is produced over the screens.

7. The process of claim 4, wherein the speakers are connected to amplifiers and to one of the dedicated processors by a managed wiring system having bundled parallel wires, an end with pins for connecting to one of the dedicated processors, and a connector with connections for receiving ends of speaker wires.

8. The multiple channel sound system music process of claim 1, further comprising providing the server as a digital music source having multiple distinct tracks, each track being dedicated to a particular musical instrument or to voice, providing a player having multiple distinct channels, each channel being assigned to one distinct track, and each distinct channel having a particular frequency range with a center frequency associated with the particular musical instrument or voice assigned to that channel, providing multiple individual distinct amplifiers in the player, each distinct amplifier being assigned to a particular channel and having a frequency range associated with the particular musical instrument or voice to which that amplifier and that particular channel is assigned, providing multiple connectors connected individually to the multiple amplifiers, providing multiple individual speakers connected individually to the multiple connectors, each speaker having a particular limited frequency range with a particular center frequency associated with the particular musical instrument or voice to which the particular distinct track, the particular distinct channel and the particular distinct amplifier are assigned.

9. The music system process of claim 8, further comprising providing a ribbon connector system for the music system having multiple laterally joined conductors, providing first connectors on first ends of the conductors for connecting the multiple wires to individual outputs of multiple amplifiers, and providing second connectors on second ends of the conductors for individually connecting the conductors to separate speaker wires.

10. A multiple channel sound system music process of claim 1, further comprising providing a digital music source having multiple distinct tracks, each track being dedicated to a distinct sound of a particular musical instrument or voice, supplying each track separately as a channel to the server, providing a player having multiple channels, each channel being assigned to one distinct channel, providing multiple individual distinct amplifiers, each distinct amplifier being connected to and assigned to a particular channel and having a frequency range associated with the sound of the particular musical instrument or voice to which that amplifier and that particular channel is assigned, providing multiple connectors connected individually to the multiple amplifiers, providing multiple individual speakers connected individually to the multiple connectors, each speaker having a particular limited frequency range with a particular center frequency associated with the sound of the particular musical instrument or voice to which the particular distinct track, the particular channel and the particular distinct amplifier are assigned.

11. The sound system process of claim 10, wherein each channel is dedicated only to the sound assigned to it.

12. The sound system process of claim 10, wherein each channel provides a mono output to a particular speaker dedicated to play that particular channel'"'"'s sound.

13. The sound system process of claim 10, wherein the providing multiple tracks, channels, amplifiers and speakers comprise providing ten or more tracks, channels amplifiers and speakers.

14. The sound system process of claim 10, wherein, for example, the providing further comprises providing two individual tracks, channels, amplifiers and speakers handling mid ranges for human voice, providing two tracks, channels, amplifiers and speakers handling ranges for percussion instruments, providing one channel, amplifier and speaker assigned to keyboard, one channel, amplifier and speaker assigned to rhythm guitar, one to lead guitar, and one to base or any other combinations and assignments of sound to the tracks, the channels, the amplifiers and the speaker.

15. The sound system process of claim 10, wherein different individual track, channel, amplifier and speaker combinations are assigned to individual instrument sections of an orchestra.

16. The sound system process of claim 10, further comprising providing coordinated video reproduction apparatus for projecting video images near the speakers.

17. The sound system process of claim 16, wherein the providing video reproduction apparatus comprises providing multiple video projectors.

18. The sound system process of claim 16, wherein the providing video reproduction apparatus comprises providing multiple video projectors and multiple screens for displaying the video images.

19. The music process of claim 1, further comprising providing a processor for instrument or voice, providing a player having multiple channels, each channel being assigned to one distinct channel of the server, providing multiple individual distinct amplifiers, each distinct amplifier being connected to and assigned to a particular channel and having a frequency range associated with the sound of the particular musical instrument or voice to which that amplifier and that particular channel is assigned, providing multiple connectors connected individually to the multiple amplifiers, providing multiple individual speakers connected, individually to the multiple connectors, each speaker having a particular limited frequency range with a particular center frequency associated with the sound of the particular musical instrument or voice to which the particular distinct track, the particular channel and the particular distinct amplifier are assigned.

20. The music system process of claim 19, further comprising providing a server for transmitting music files to the processor and providing storage in the processor for storing the music files.

21. The music system process of claim 19, further comprising providing the server for transmitting music files in the multiple channels to the processor and providing storage in the processor for storing the music files in the multiple channels, and providing a control in the server for activating the storage in the processor for receiving the music files from the server.

22. The music system process of claim 20, wherein the providing the processor further comprises providing song file select and volume controls in the processor.

23. The music system process of claim 22, wherein the processor has no digital data transfer control.

24. A multiple channel sound system music process comprising storing multiple channel audio files in multiple separate channels in a dedicated server, connecting the server to multiple separate storage channels in each of multiple dedicated audio processors, downloading the audio files from the server to the processors under the sole control of the server upon requests from owners of the processors, wherein the dedicated server downloads the audio files in the multiple separate channels only to the multiple separate channels in only the dedicated processors.

25. The music system of claim 24, wherein the requests are off-line requests.

26. The sound system process of claim 24, wherein the providing multiple tracks, channels, amplifiers and speakers comprise providing two or more tracks, channels amplifiers and speakers.

27. The sound system process of claim 24, wherein, for example, the providing further comprises providing one or multiple individual tracks, channels, amplifiers and speakers handling mid ranges for human voice, providing one or multiple tracks, channels, amplifiers and speakers handling ranges for percussion instruments, providing one or multiple channels, amplifier and speaker assigned to keyboard, one or multiple channels, amplifiers and speakers assigned to rhythm guitar, one or multiple to lead guitar, and one or multiple to base or any other combinations and assignments of sound to the tracks, the channels, the amplifiers and the speaker.