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Method and apparatus to direct sound

  • US 7,577,260 B1
  • Filed: 09/29/2000
  • Issued: 08/18/2009
  • Est. Priority Date: 09/29/1999
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A method of causing plural input signals representing respective channels to appear to emanate from respective different positions in space, said method comprising:

  • providing a sound reflective or resonant surface at each of said positions in space;

    providing, in one enclosure, an array of at least 6 output transducers distal from said positions in space; and

    directing, using said array of output transducers, sound waves of each channel towards the respective position in space to cause said sound waves to be re-transmitted by said reflective or resonant surface;

    said step of directing comprising;

    obtaining, in respect of each transducer, a delayed replica of each input signal delayed by a respective delay selected in accordance with the position in the array of the respective output transducer and said respective position in space such that replicas for transducers closer to the respective position in space are delayed more than replicas for transducers further from the position in space such that the sound waves of the channel are directed towards the position in space in respect of that channel;

    summing, in respect of each transducer, the respective delayed replicas of each input signal to produce an output signal; and

    routing the output signals to the respective transducers.

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