Systems, methods, and apparatus for controlling sounds in a three-dimensional listening environment

• US 8,477,970 B2
• Filed: 04/13/2010
• Issued: 07/02/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 04/14/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Strubwerks LLC
• Original Assignee: Strubwerks LLC
• Inventors: Strub, Tyner Brentz
• Primary Examiner(s): Tsang, Fan
• Assistant Examiner(s): Zhao, Eugene
• Application Number:
  US12/759,366
• Publication Number:
  US 20100260342A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,176 Days
• Field of Search: 381/1, 381 17- 23, 381309-311, 381/119, 381/740
• US Class Current: 381/310
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: H04S 7/301 Automatic calibration of stereophonic sound system, e.g. with test microphone
• CPC Class Codes: H04S 7/304 For headphones

Abstract

Certain embodiments of the invention may include systems, methods, and apparatus for controlling sounds in a three dimensional listening environment. According to an example embodiment of the invention, a method is provided for controlling the apparent localization of sounds in a 3-dimensional listening environment. The method can include receiving one or more audio channels, receiving decode data associated with the one or more audio channels, routing the one or more audio channels to a plurality of processing channels, selectively processing audio associated with the plurality of processing channels based at least in part on the received decode data, and outputting processed audio to a plurality of speakers.

Claims

1. A method for controlling the apparent localization of sounds in a 3-dimensional listening environment, the method comprising:

receiving one or more audio channels;

receiving decode data associated with the one or more audio channels;

routing the one or more audio channels to a plurality of processing channels;

selectively processing audio associated with the plurality of processing channels based at least in part on the received decode data, wherein the processing comprises sound localization is performed using a map comprising a plurality of regions oriented on at least three vertical levels, each of the vertical levels comprising a substantially horizontal plane, and the audio is customized for each of the plurality of regions according to a predefined table; and

outputting processed audio to a plurality of speakers.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein selectively processing audio comprises adjusting one or more of delay, equalization, or volume.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving decode data associated with the one or more audio channels comprises receiving routing data.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein routing the one or more audio channels is based at least in part on the routing data.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein routing comprises duplicating or splitting at least one of the one or more audio channels.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein routing comprises routing the one or more audio channels to six or more processing channels.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising amplifying the processed audio.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein selectively processing audio comprises placing sounds in any one of 5 or more apparent locations in the 3-dimensional listening environment.

9. A system for controlling the apparent localization of sounds in a 3-dimensional listening environment, the system comprising:

a plurality of speakers;

at least one input for receiving one or more audio channels;

at least one processor in communication with the at least one input, the processor configured to;

receive decode data associated with the one or more audio channels;

route the one or more audio channels to a plurality of processing channels;

selectively process audio associated with the plurality of processing channels based at least in part on the received decode data, wherein the processing comprises sound localization is performed using a map comprising a plurality of regions oriented on at least three vertical levels, each of the vertical levels comprising a substantially horizontal plane, and the audio is customized for each of the plurality of regions according to a predefined table; and

output processed audio; and

a plurality of amplifiers in communication with the plurality of processing channels and the plurality of speakers, and configured to amplify the processed audio.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the plurality of speakers, processing channels, and amplifiers comprise six or more speakers, six or more processing channels, and six or more amplifiers.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein the audio is selectively processed to adjust one or more of delay, equalization, or volume.

12. The system of claim 9, wherein decode data comprises routing data.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein audio channels are routed based at least in part on the routing data.

14. The system of claim 9, wherein the at least one processor is operable to route audio channels by duplicating or splitting one or more audio channels.

15. The system of claim 9, wherein the least one processor is operable to selectively processing audio to place sounds in any one of 5 or more apparent locations in the 3-dimensional listening environment.

16. An apparatus for controlling the apparent localization of sounds in a 3-dimensional listening environment, the system comprising:

at least one input for receiving one or more audio channels;

at least one processor in communication with the at least one input, the processor configured to;

receive decode data associated with the one or more audio channels;

route the one or more audio channels to a plurality of processing channels;

selectively process audio associated with the plurality of processing channels based at least in part on the received decode data, wherein the processing comprises sound localization is performed using a map comprising a plurality of regions oriented on at least three vertical levels, each of the vertical levels comprising a substantially horizontal plane, and the audio is customized for each of the plurality of regions according to a predefined table; and

output processed audio.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the plurality of processing channels comprise six or more processing channels.

18. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the audio is selectively processed to adjust one or more of delay, equalization, or volume.

19. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein decode data comprises routing data and wherein audio channels are routed based at least in part on the routing data.

20. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the least one processor is operable to selectively processing audio to place sounds in any one of 5 or more apparent locations in the 3-dimensional listening environment.