Method and device for developing a virtual speaker distant from the sound source

• US 6,229,899 B1
• Filed: 09/24/1998
• Issued: 05/08/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 07/17/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Turtle Beach Corporation
• Original Assignee: American Technology Incorporated (Emerson Electric Company)
• Inventors: Croft, James J. III, Norris, Elwood G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Harvey, Minsun Oh
• Application Number:
  US09/159,443
• Time in Patent Office: 957 Days
• Field of Search: 381/77, 381/79, 381/82, 381/160
• US Class Current: 381/77
• CPC Class Codes: G10K 15/02 Synthesis of acoustic waves synthesis of speech G10L13/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 11/00 Transmission systems employing sonic, ultrasonic or infrasonic waves
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2217/03 Parametric transducers where sound is generated or captured by the acoustic demodulation of amplitude modulated ultrasonic waves
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 23/00 Transducers other than those covered by groups H04R9/00 - H04R21/00 diaphragms for transducers of the distributed-mode type H04R7/045
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 3/02 for preventing acoustic reaction , i.e. acoustic oscillatory feedback specially adapted for hearing aids H04R25/453
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 5/02 Spatial or constructional arrangements of loudspeakers
• CPC Class Codes: H04S 1/002 Non-adaptive circuits, e.g. manually adjustable or static, for enhancing the sound image or the spatial distribution control circuits for electronic adaptation of the sound field H04S7/30
• CPC Class Codes: H04S 3/002 Non-adaptive circuits, e.g. manually adjustable or static, for enhancing the sound image or the spatial distribution control circuits for electronic adaptation of the sound field H04S7/30

Abstract

A method for providing multiple speaker locations around a listener in a room with a sound source at a single location. The method comprising the steps of a) generating primary audio output by emitting audio compression waves from audio speakers at the sound source which are oriented along a primary audio path directly toward the listener; b) generating secondary audio output from at least one virtual speaker remote from and electronically unconnected with the sound source by emitting ultrasonic sound from at least one parametric speaker positioned at the sound source and oriented toward at least one reflective surface within the room which is remote from the sound source and not along the primary audio path, thereby indirectly generating omni-directional sound from the reflective surface which is perceived as originating at the virtual speaker; and c) synchronizing the primary audio output of the audio speakers with the secondary audio output from the at least one parametric speaker such that the listener hears a unified sound experience from multiple directions.

Claims

1. A method for providing at least one virtual speaker location around a listener in a room or other at least partial reflective environment with a sound source at a single location, said method comprising the steps of:

a) generating a primary audio output by emitting audio compression waves from audio speakers at the sound source which are oriented along a primary audio path directly toward the listener;

b) generating secondary audio output from at least one virtual speaker remote from and electronically unconnected with the sound source by emitting ultrasonic sound from at least one parametric speaker positioned at the sound source and oriented toward at least one reflective surface which is remote from the sound source and not along the primary audio path, thereby indirectly generating substantially omni-directional sound from the reflective surface which is perceived as a virtual speaker; and

c) synchronizing the primary audio output of the audio speakers with the secondary audio output from the at least one parametric speaker such that the listener hears a unified sound experience from multiple directions.

2. A method as defined in claim 1, comprising the more specific step of providing the sound source with multichannel format wherein the primary audio output comprises at least one first channel, and the secondary audio output comprises at least one second channel.

3. A method as defined in claim 2, comprising the more specific step of providing a multichannel format wherein the primary audio output includes two separate channels of multichannel sound, and the secondary audio output comprises at least two channels of multichannel sound separate from the channels of the primary audio output.

4. A method as defined in claim 1, comprising the additional step of positioning at least one virtual speaker at a side wall with respect to the primary audio path.

5. A method as defined in claim 1, comprising the additional step of positioning at least one virtual speaker at a back wall with respect to the primary audio path.

6. A method as defined in claim 1, comprising the additional step of positioning at least one virtual speaker at a ceiling surface.

7. A method as defined in claim 1, comprising the additional step of positioning at least one virtual speaker at a floor surface.

8. A method as defined in claim 1, comprising the additional step of concurrently operating at least two virtual speakers at opposing side walls relative to the primary audio path.

9. A method as defined in claim 1, comprising the additional step of concurrently operating a plurality of virtual speakers at respective side and back walls relative to the primary audio path.

10. A method as defined in claim 1, comprising the additional step of concurrently operating a plurality of virtual speakers at opposing side walls relative to the primary audio path and at a ceiling surface.

11. A method as defined in claim 1, comprising the additional step of concurrently operating a plurality of virtual speakers at opposing side walls relative to the primary audio path and at a floor surface.

12. A method as defined in claim 1, comprising the additional step of concurrently operating a plurality of virtual speakers at opposing side walls relative to the primary audio path and at opposing floor and ceiling surfaces.

13. A method as defined in claim 1, further comprising the step of providing lateral movement of the at least one virtual speaker along the reflective surface to provide a sensation of motion for the listener.

14. A method as defined in claim 1, comprising the additional steps of concurrently operating a video system in combination with the at least one virtual speaker and coordinating secondary audio output with events represented on a video display.