| Methods and apparatuses for recording and playing back audio signals -> Monitor Keywords |
|
|
  Methods and apparatuses for recording and playing back audio signalsUSPTO Application #: 20070121958Title: Methods and apparatuses for recording and playing back audio signals Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for recreating audio signals to sound as though the signals had been recorded in a different acoustic environment are provided. The methods and apparatus may include one or more inputs that receive an audio signal and an input that receives a selected acoustic environment signal, as well as processing circuitry that produces one or more output signals representative of the audio signal being played in the selected acoustic environment. The input, output and characterization signals may be processed and recorded to storage media, either individually or together. In some embodiments, the present invention interfaces with other technology and circuitry and in other embodiments the present invention is a complete stand-alone system, such as a piece of consumer electronics. (end of abstract)
Agent: Fish & NeaveIPGroup Ropes & Gray LLP - New York, NY, US Inventor: William Berson USPTO Applicaton #: 20070121958 - Class: 381061000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Electrical Audio Signal Processing Systems And Devices, Sound Effects The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070121958. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This patent application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/219,514, filed Sep. 2, 2005, which is a nonprovisional of U.S. Patent Provisional Application No. 60/658,635, filed Mar. 3, 2005. All of these prior applications are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entireties. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] This invention relates to multi-media recording, processing and playback of audio signals. More particularly, this invention relates to reproducing stored audio signals in a manner such that the reproduced signals sound as if the stored audio signals had been recorded in a particular acoustic environment. [0003] An acoustic environment is the culmination of anything that may affect the production, propagation or reverberation of an audio signal. More particularly, the acoustic environment is how sound waves interact with the surroundings. [0004] Audio signal recording, processing and playback techniques have traditionally been utilized to capture and playback sound. Audio signal recording techniques involve creating both representative and storage signals, which may be of different domains (e.g., mechanical, optical, electrical, etc.) than the original analog sound signals. For example, the audio signals may be converted into representative signals of electrical pulses, which may then be converted into storage signals such as the physical grooves in a vinyl record or the optical grooves in a compact disc (CD). The translation from the audio domain to a storage domain usually requires that the audio signals are processed by various audio, mechanical and/or electrical equipment (e.g., such as a microphone, audio mixer, digitizer, CD burner, etc.). [0005] In some instances, a microphone or other transducer may be used to convert the audio signals into representative signals. The representative signals may be further processed by a sound mixer and/or stored by a CD burner to a CD. The stored signals may be further processed and/or played back from the stored form. [0006] Audio, representative and storage signals are often processed by various types of equipment. The processing of the signals may result in improvements in the fidelity and accuracy of the sound compared to how the audio signals originally sounded. Current sound processing techniques, however, do not permit an audio signal recorded in one acoustic environment to be played back to sound as if it was originally recorded in one or more user-selectable other acoustic environments. [0007] High quality sound stereo systems enable a user to experience the finest quality of sound from the comfort of their home. However, even the most advanced or expensive sound systems do not currently allow users to experience audio performances that sound, for example, "live," unless the original recording was a "live" recording (versus a studio recording). This is because even the most advanced and expensive systems are limited to playing back the audio signals that were recorded with minor, uncoordinated modifications (such as adjusting bass or treble). [0008] For example, a person might have a recording of the songs from The Phantom of the Opera on CD or own a copy of The Phantom of the Opera on DVD (theatrically released in December of 2004). The audio of the CD or DVD will likely not sound the same in a user's home as the songs sounded when they are performed live in the Majestic Theater in New York City. One of the reasons for this is because sounds on CDs and DVDs are generally recorded in a recording studio (or other acoustically controlled environment). Each time a listener wants to hear how The Phantom of the Opera sounds live, the listener must purchase a ticket and attend a performance, regardless of their current home entertainment system (unless a "live" recording was made in the Majestic Theater). [0009] Some home entertainment systems may provide a user with a more advanced ability to alter the audio signals, such as surround sound or through an equalizer, but even this added capability does not permit a user to hear the sound as it would have been influenced by the acoustic environment during a "live" performance. [0010] Moreover, even "live" performances may not necessarily sound "live" when played back from a CD or DVD. This is because even when audio signals are recorded live (i.e., not in a recording studio) the signals are generally captured at the source of audio signals (e.g., near a speaker placed directly in front of the performer), which may prevent the audio signals from being affected by the acoustic environment of the venue. [0011] In addition, even when the audio signals are allowed to be influenced by the acoustics of a venue, the audio signals recorded are still limited to the acoustic environment of the location of the sound capturing device (e.g., microphone). For example, a live recording of the Broadway Musical The Phantom of the Opera in the Majestic Theater may differ depending where the recording transducer is located. When the recording apparatus is located in the balcony, the recorded audio signals will likely be influenced by a different acoustic environment than if the recording apparatus is located center stage. The prior art simply does not account for these differences in acoustic environments. [0012] Another deficiency with known recordings of audio signals is the requirement that the origin of the audio signal or signals has to be present in the acoustic environment with the sound capturing device to capture how that acoustic environment influences the sound. For example, if the late Johnny Cash never performed in the Majestic Theater, then it would be impossible to hear a Johnny Cash recording played back as it would have sounded "live" at the Majestic Theater. [0013] Along those same lines, if somebody always wanted to hear what they would sound like singing the National Anthem at Yankee Stadium, they would have had to have a recording made of them actually singing at Yankee Stadium. The user is unable to select different audio signals to be altered by user selected acoustic environments. These limitations currently exist regardless of the complexity or superiority of a user's home entertainment system (e.g., surround sound, Dolby digital, quadraphonic, and virtual sound imaging systems, to list a few). [0014] In view of the foregoing, it is an object of this invention to provide methods, systems and computer readable media to record, process and playback recreated acoustic signals as though the signals were influenced by one or more acoustic environments. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0015] These and other objects of the present invention are accomplished in accordance with the principles of the present invention by providing circuitry that utilizes at least two inputs to produce at least one output. In some embodiments of this invention, an audio signal input and a selected acoustic environment characterization input may be processed together to produce a modified audio output signal that essentially sounds as if it were recorded and/or played back in the acoustic environment represented by the selected acoustic characterization even though such a recording is not readily available. [0016] In other embodiments of the present invention, the audio signal input may be one or more audio signals emitted from an audio source or any other signal(s) representing such audio signals (e.g., digital signals stored on a hard drive in MP3 format). The acoustic environment input may be signals that represent the acoustics or acoustical characteristics of a particular acoustic environment (e.g., an actual concert hall, stadium, bar, etc.). [0017] In still more embodiments, the present invention may model one or more acoustic environments. The model of the acoustic environment may be used as the acoustic environment input of the present invention. [0018] The output signal may, in some embodiments of this invention, be one or more audio signals or other type of signals, which are substantially the same as the signal produced when the audio signal of the first input is acoustically influenced by the acoustic environment of the second input. Any input and/or output signal or signals may be recorded or saved on storage media. [0019] The input signals may, in other embodiments of the present invention, be provided by a storage medium, downloaded from a remote location (e.g., via the Internet), and/or provided from a sensor or other apparatus as streaming media. One or more of the input signals may be processed and/or played back by the present invention. [0020] It may be desirable, in some embodiments of the present invention, for the output to be a reproduction of audio signals that sound as if the audio signals have been influenced by an acoustic environment. [0021] In other embodiments of this invention, the output of the invention may be enhanced to provide an acoustical presence. For example, surround sound systems or other presently available technology may be utilized in connection with the present invention to provide a more realistic reproduction of the effects that an acoustic environment may have on an audio signal. In this manner, the present invention may improve upon existing recording, processing and projection of audio signals. Continue reading... Full patent description for Methods and apparatuses for recording and playing back audio signals Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Methods and apparatuses for recording and playing back audio signals patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Methods and apparatuses for recording and playing back audio signals or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Amusement ride with rider-selected integrated audio Next Patent Application: Headset power management Industry Class: Electrical audio signal processing systems and devices ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Methods and apparatuses for recording and playing back audio signals patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 2.13037 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Canon USA , Celera Genomics , Cephalon, Inc. , Cingular Wireless , Clorox , Colgate-Palmolive , Corning , Cymer , |
||
