Video camera controlled surround sound

• US 6,741,273 B1
• Filed: 08/04/1999
• Issued: 05/25/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 08/04/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Research Laboratories, Inc. (Mitsubishi Electric Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Research Laboratories, Inc. (Mitsubishi Electric Corporation)
• Inventors: Waters, Richard C., Russell, Franklin J. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): PHILIPPE, GIMS S
• Application Number:
  US09/368,603
• Time in Patent Office: 1,756 Days
• Field of Search: 348/61, 348/64, 348/738, 348/169, 348/462, 348/484, 348/722, 382/103, 381/307, 381/107, 381/98, 700/94, 846/62
• US Class Current: 348/61
• CPC Class Codes: H04S 7/302 Electronic adaptation of stereophonic sound system to listener position or orientation H04S7/301 takes precedence

Abstract

A system for adjusting delivery of sound to loudspeakers in a home theater includes a plurality of loudspeakers located in an area. The loudspeakers are coupled to a sound generating source. A camera is oriented to acquire images of the area. An image processing system and controller is coupled to the camera and the sound generating source. Image processing system identifies the positions of the speakers and a position of the listener in the area from the images. The controller adjusts the deliver of the sound according to the relative positions of the loudspeakers and the listener.

Claims

1. A system for adjusting delivery of sound to loudspeakers, comprising:

a plurality of loudspeakers, located in an area and coupled to a sound generating source;

a camera oriented to acquire images of the area;

a controller, coupled to the camera and the sound generating source, identifying positions of the loudspeakers and a position of a listener in the area from the images, the controller automatically adjusting the sound according to the relative positions of the loudspeakers and the listener.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the camera is calibrated.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein multiple cameras are used.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the volume of the sound is adjusted.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the phase and delay of the sound is adjusted.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein the sound is adjusted for multiple listeners.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein the sound generating source includes a video display unit.

8. A method for adjusting delivery of sound to loudspeakers, comprising the steps of:

positioning a plurality of loudspeakers coupled to a sound generating source in an area;

acquiring images of the area by a camera;

identifying positions of the speakers and a position of a listener in the area from the images using an image processing system coupled to the camera and the sound generating source;

adjusting sound according to the relative positions of the loudspeakers and the listener.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein the camera is calibrated.

10. The method of claim 8 wherein multiple cameras are used.

11. The method of claim 8 wherein the volume of the sound is adjusted.

12. The method of claim 8 wherein the phase and delay of the sound is adjusted.

13. The system of claim 8 wherein the sound is adjusted for multiple listeners.