1847 results about "Sound system" patented technology

The interactive authentication system allows a consumer to interact with a base station, such as broadcast media (e.g., television and radio) or PC, to receive coupons, special sales offers, and other information with an electronic card. The electronic card can also be used to transmit a signal that can be received by the base station to perform a wide variety of tasks. These tasks can include launching an application, authenticating a user at a website, and completing a sales transaction at a website (e.g., by filling out a form automatically). The interaction between the base station and the electronic card is accomplished by using the conventional sound system in the base station so that a special reader hardware need not be installed to interact with the electronic card. The user is equipped with an electronic card that can receive and transmit data via sound waves. In the various embodiments, the sound waves can be audible or ultrasonic (which can be slightly audible to some groups of people).

An interactive directed beam system is provided. In one implementation, the system includes a projector, a computer and a camera. The camera is configured to view and capture information in an interactive area. The captured information may take various forms, such as, an image and / or audio data. The captured information is based on actions taken by an object, such as, a person within the interactive area. Such actions include, for example, natural movements of the person and interactions between the person and an image projected by the projector. The captured information from the camera is then sent to the computer for processing. The computer performs one or more processes to extract certain information, such as, the relative location of the person within the interactive area for use in controlling the projector. Based on the results generated by the processes, the computer directs the projector to adjust the projected image accordingly. The projected image can move anywhere within the confines of the interactive area.

A personal sound system is described that includes a wireless network supporting an ear-level module, a companion module and a phone. Other audio sources are supported as well. A configuration processor configures the ear-level module and the companion module for private communications, and configures the ear-level module for a plurality of signal processing modes, including a hearing aid mode, for a corresponding plurality of sources of audio data. The ear module is configured to handle variant audio sources, and control switching among them.

A method of generating a personalized sound system hearing profile for a user. The method begins by selecting an initial profile, based on selected factors of user input. In an embodiment, the initial profile is selected based on demographic factors. Then the system identifies one or more alternate profiles, each having a selected relationship with the initial profile. The relationship between alternate profiles and the initial profile can be based on gain as a function of frequency, one alternate profile having a higher sensitivity at given frequencies and the other a lower sensitivity. The next step links at least one audio sample with the initial and alternate profiles and then plays the selected samples for the user. The system then receives identification of the preferred sample from the user; and selects a final profile based on the user's preference. An embodiment offers multiple sound samples in different modes, resulting in the selection of multiple final profiles for the different modes. Finally, the system may apply the final profile to the sound system.

A button mounting structure for a car audio system includes a button including a pushing unit having a pushing part which protrudes forward, a locking piece provided above the pushing unit to be spaced apart from the pushing unit by a predetermined interval with first locking recesses provided on both sides of the locking piece, and connecting parts to connect the pushing unit to the locking piece. The structure further includes a front panel having an opening into which the pushing part is inserted, with first locking protrusions provided on opposite sides of the front panel, each of the first locking protrusions comprising an upper thin plate to cover an upper surface of opposite sides of the locking piece, a lower thin plate to cover a lower surface of the opposite sides of the locking piece, and a fitting rib provided between the upper and lower thin plates to engage with an associated first locking recess.

PCT No. PCT / DK95 / 00089 Sec. 371 Date Dec. 27, 1996 Sec. 102(e) Date Dec. 27, 1996 PCT Filed Feb. 27, 1995 PCT Pub. No. WO95 / 23493 PCT Pub. Date Aug. 31, 1995A method and apparatus for simulating the transmission of sound from sound sources to the ear canals of a listener encompasses novel head-related transfer functions (HTFs), novel methods of measuring and processing HTFs, and novel methods of changing or maintaining the directions of the sound sources as perceived by the listener. The measurement methods enable the measurement and construction of HTFs for which the time domain descriptions are surprisingly short, and for which the differences between listeners are surprisingly small. The novel HTFs can be exploited in any application concerning the simulation of sound transmission, measurement, simulation, or reproduction. The invention is particularly advantageous in the field of binaural synthesis, specifically, the creation, by means of two sound sources, of the perception in the listener of listening to sound generated by a multichannel sound system. It is also particularly useful in the designing of electronic filters used, for example, in virtual reality systems, and in the designing of an "artificial head" having HTFs that approximate the HTFs of the invention as closely as possible in order to make the best possible representation of humans by the artificial head, thereby making artificial head recordings of optimal quality.

Speakers deployed in a space and divided into groups associated with different zones produce a mix of sounds that create internal noise pollution and, combined with external noise, an unpleasant environment for occupants. The present invention contemplates sound systems and methods for creating personalized sound zones to address these and related problems.

The invention comprises music and information delivery systems and methods. One system comprises a voice activated sound system wherein a user speaks and the sound system recognizes the speech and searches an internet database like Rhapsody™ to obtain a list of matching audio files and display the list on a dashboard screen of a vehicle. The user is able to identify the audio file by voice activation and the system is configured to receive the audio file.

Method and apparatus for producing, combining, and customizing virtual sound environments. A binaural sound system (400) includes a transceiver (492) configured for receiving a signal (600) containing at least a first type of information and a second type of information. The first type of information includes enunciated data (602). The enunciated data specifies certain information intended to be audibly enunciated to a user. The second type of information comprises first type of metadata (604-1) and a second type of metadata (604-2). The first type of metadata includes information which identifies a characteristic of the enunciated data exclusive of spatial position information. The second type of metadata identifies a spatial position information associated with the enunciated data.

An augmented reality sound systems is disclosed. An augmented reality sound system includes a at least one microphone for receiving ambient sound and a memory storing one or more augmented reality sound profiles and a respective set of processing parameters. The system further includes a processor coupled to the memory and configured to generate augmented ambient sound from the ambient sound by reproducing the ambient sound in conjunction with processed sound superimposed over the ambient sound as directed by one or more of the set of processing parameters retrieved from the memory based on a selected augmented reality sound profile.

In general, techniques are described for image generation for a collaborative sound system. A headend device comprising a processor may perform these techniques. The processor may be configured to determine a location of a mobile device participating in a collaborative surround sound system as a speaker of a plurality of speakers of the collaborative surround sound system. The processor may further be configured to generate an image that depicts the location of the mobile device that is participating in the collaborative surround sound system relative to the plurality of other speakers of the collaborative surround sound system.

There is disclosed a method for setting up a Sound Projector such that it is suitable for a variety of functions, including surround sound. The method allows a semi-automatic or automatic set-up to be accomplished whereby the Sound Projector emits test signals and these are received by one or more microphones in order to detect the position and angles of the major reflecting surfaces in the room. In a preferred embodiment, the room is scanned by a moving directional sound beam and the first reflection of said sound beam is detected at a microphone in order to determine the distance of the reflective surfaces from the Sound Projector for all or most possible angles of sound beams.

A gaming machine for conducting a wagering game includes a sound system for presenting audio directly related to the game or indirectly related as background sound or music. The audio files contain markers that initiate other events and are instrumental in synchronizing the audio to the events.

A surround sound reproduction system uses a series of filters and a system of main and sub-speakers to produce phantom rear surround sound channels or a phantom surround sound effect from a loudspeaker system or pair of loudspeaker systems located in front of the listener. The sound system includes left and right surround input signals, and left and right front input signals. Left and right sub-speakers, and left and right main speakers are located in front of a listening location. Spacing between respective main and sub-speakers is approximately equal to ear spacing for an average person. The input to the left sub-speaker comprises the right surround signal subtracted from the left surround signal each signal having previously passed through a front-to-back filter and a series of high and low pass filters. The input into the left main speaker comprises the left front signal added to the left surround signal after the left surround signal has passed through a front-to-back filter. The input into the right sub-speaker comprises the left surround signal subtracted from the right surround signal each signal having previously passed through a front-to-back filter and a series of high and low pass filters. The input into the right main speaker comprises the right front signal added to the right surround signal after the right surround signal has passed through a front-to-back filter.

Method and apparatus for producing, combining, and customizing virtual sound environments. A binaural sound system (400) includes a transceiver (492) configured for receiving a signal (600) containing at least a first type of information and a second type of information. The first type of information includes enunciated data (602). The enunciated data specifies certain information intended to be audibly enunciated to a user. The second type of information comprises first type of metadata (604-1) and a second type of metadata (604-2). The first type of metadata includes information which identifies a characteristic of the enunciated data exclusive of spatial position information. The second type of metadata identifies a spatial position information associated with the enunciated data.

A method and a system for simultaneously generating configurable three-dimensional (3D) sounds are provided. A 3D sound processing application (3DSPA) in operative communication with a microphone array system (MAS) is provided on a computing device. The MAS forms acoustic beam patterns and records sound tracks from the acoustic beam patterns. The 3DSPA generates a configurable sound field on a graphical user interface using recorded or pre-recorded sound tracks. The 3DSPA acquires user selections of configurable parameters associated with sound sources from the configurable sound field. The 3DSPA dynamically processes the sound tracks using the user selections to generate a configurable 3D binaural sound, surround sound, and / or stereo sound. The 3DSPA measures head related transfer functions (HRTFs) in communication with a simulator apparatus that simulates a human's upper body. The 3DSPA generates the binaural sound by processing the sound tracks with the HRTFs based on the user selections.

A seatback audio system having one or more speakers mounted in a surface of a seatback or a headrest. The speakers may be separated by a sound barrier to reduce cross-talk between the speakers. The surface may have a concave area where the speakers and the sound barrier are mounted. Alternatively, the surface may have two concave areas, and one speaker may be mounted in each concave area. The system may include a manual or an automated positioning system for one or both of the speakers. The system may also include a soft-cell waveguide having a plurality of tubes to direct the sound from one or both of the speakers. The seatback may include a backrest and a removable headrest, each including an electrical connector, where the one or more speakers are mounted to the headrest and the electrical connectors form a circuit when the headrest is mounted to the backrest.

In accordance with the invention, the disclosure presents a flat panel displaying and sounding system integrating a flat panel display with a flat panel sounding unit array. Generally, the flat panel displaying and sounding system comprises a panel surface for both displaying picture and emanating audible sound, a flat panel display means for said displaying picture and a flat panel sounding unit array means for said emanating audible sound. The flat panel system may be made by attaching a flat panel displaying layer with a flat panel sounding unit array. Furthermore, the flat panel system may be made by disposing a flat panel displaying layer inside layers of a flat panel sounding unit array. Furthermore, layer level integration may be used to implement function needed for displaying and function necessary for sounding on one integrated layer.

Methods and systems for processing audio data, such as spatial audio data, in which one or more sound characteristics of a given component of a spatial audio signal are modified in dependence on a relationship between a direction characteristic of the given component and a defined range of direction characteristics; this enhances the listening experience of the listener. A spatial audio in a format using a spherical harmonic representation of sound components is decoded by performing a transform on the spherical harmonic representation, in which the transform is based on a predefined speaker layout and a predefined rule, the predefined rule indicating a speaker gain of each speaker arranged according to the predefined layout, when reproducing sound incident form a given direction; this provides an alternative to existing method of decoding spatial audio streams, which focus on soundfield reconstruction. A plurality of matrix transforms is combined into a combined transform, and the combined transform is performed on an audio signal; this saves processing resources of the audio system being used.

A system is disclosed including an electronic device having a case housing an operative portion, such as a sound system, CD Player, or the like. A bay is formed in the case and includes a communication channel interface electrically coupled to the operative portion. The system further includes a portable computer, such as a personal digital assistant (PDA). The portable computer is sized to fit within the bay having a communication channel thereof in data communication with the communication channel interface. The portable computer stores applications including one or more control applications programmed to generate control signals in response to user inputs. Applications may display an interface on a touch screen and receive user inputs therefrom. The control signals are transmitted to the operative portion which responds to the control signals by playing music, adjusting a volume level, and the like.

A method of identifies an appropriate wireless communication channel in an audio receiving device, that comprises 1) a wireless receiver receiving an audio signal on a particular transmission channel selected among a predefined number of possible transmission channels, and 2) a microphone for picking up a sound in the environment of the audio receiving device. The method comprises a) selecting a channel as the receiving channel among a predefined number of possible transmission channels; b) analyzing the received signal received and the signal picked up by the microphone; c) determining whether a predefined criterion concerning the degree of similarity of the received signal and the signal picked up by the microphone is fulfilled; d) KEEPING the channel as the receiving channel, if the predefined criterion is fulfilled; and e) CHANGING the receiving channel to another channel if the predefined criterion is NOT fulfilled.

A multimedia fireplace console comprising a heating unit, a supporting device defining an air chamber, and an entertainment assembly which allows a user to enjoy a movie or music in 3d surround sound in a warm and comfortable environment. The heating unit is housed within the air chamber and is able to generate warm air to be blown towards the user through an air outlet. The entertainment assembly is further comprised of a sound system that is supported at a position that faces the user by the supporting device, which allows the sounds system to be heard at an optimal distance from the user. The support device is allows a displayed device such as a television to be support on a top surface and allows the television to be viewed at an optimal height.

A gaming machine for conducting a wagering game includes a sound system for presenting audio directly related to the game or indirectly related as background sound or music. The audio files contain markers that initiate other events and are instrumental in synchronizing the audio to the events.

A remote control with a built-in miniature television screen and sound system manages settings and display of media on an associated television screen. The remote control's user interface permits media guide perusal and channel selection for display on both of the main and miniature television screens. Media guides can be downloaded per request to, or cached within, the remote control for display on the miniature screen. The remote control supports media swapping between the main and miniature television screens and associated sound systems. The sound system of the remote control includes built in speakers and external wired and wireless headphone support. Media and media guides may be located and downloaded from Internet servers via a web browser and associated search engine tailored for remote control usage. Transcoding functionality is employed at various network nodes, such as a set top box, remote control, an intranet or Internet linked device, and television.