IP Library Granted Patent US 7,457,421
Granted Patent B2
US 7,457,421 · App. 10/786,455 · Granted Nov 25, 2008

Circuit and program for processing multichannel audio signals and apparatus for reproducing same

View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,457,421
App. No.
10/786,455
Granted
Nov 25, 2008
Kind
B2
Abstract

A circuit for processing multichannel audio signals, comprises a frequency characteristics correction device and an output device. The frequency characteristics correction device corrects frequency characteristics of an audio signal of a channel including an audio signal component having a predetermined frequency band, of audio signals of a multichannel comprising at least a right channel and a left channel, in accordance with correction characteristics determined based on a head related transfer function. The output device mixes the audio signal component having the frequency characteristics corrected with an audio signal of the right channel and an audio signal of the left channel to generate mixed output audio signals, and outputting the mixed output audio signals as a right channel output audio signal and a left channel output audio signal.

Claims (19)

1. A circuit for processing audio signals in a plurality of channels comprising a right channel, a left channel and a central channel, the circuit comprising:

a frequency characteristics correction device for correcting frequency characteristics of an audio signal of the central channel, utilizing correction characteristics determined based on a head related transfer function to output a corrected signal; and

a band-pass filter for extracting a predetermined frequency band from the corrected signal from the frequency characteristics correction device to output an extracted signals;

a band eliminate filter for removing said predetermined frequency band from the corrected signal from the frequency characteristics correction device to output central channel audio signals;

an output device for mixing said extracted signal with an audio signal of the right channel and an audio signal of the left channel to generate mixed output audio signals, and outputting said mixed output audio signals as a right channel output audio signal and a left channel output audio signal.

2. The circuit as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising:

a device for mixing the audio signal of said right channel with the audio signal of said left channel to generate a mixed input audio signal, said frequency characteristics correction device correcting frequency characteristics of said mixed input audio signal.

3. The circuit as claimed in claim 1 , wherein:

said correction characteristics are determined based on a ratio of the head related transfer function for a sound, which is propagated in a straight direction to a front side of an audience, to the head related transfer function for a sound, which is propagated to the audience in a direction deviating rightward or leftward from said straight direction by a predetermined angle.

4. The circuit as claimed in claim 1 , wherein:

said predetermined frequency band comprises frequency bands corresponding to a human voice.

5. An apparatus for reproducing audio signals, comprising:

a decoder for decoding input audio stream data to generate audio signals of a plurality of channels; and

a circuit for processing audio signals in a plurality of channels comprising a right channel, a left channel and a central channel, said circuit comprising (i) a frequency characteristics correction device for correcting frequency characteristics of an audio signal of the central channel, utilizing correction characteristics determined based on a head related transfer function to output a corrected signal; (ii) a band-pass filter for extracting a predetermined frequency band from the corrected signal from the frequency characteristics correction device to output an extracted signal; (iii) a band eliminate filter for removing said predetermined frequency band from the corrected signal from the frequency characteristics correction device to output central channel audio signals; and (iv) an output device for mixing said extracted signal with an audio signal of the right channel and an audio signal of the left channel to generate mixed output audio signals, and outputting said mixed output audio signals as a right channel output audio signal and a left channel output audio signal.

6. A program for reproducing audio signals in a plurality of channels comprising a right channel, a left channel and a central channel, which is to be executed by a computer, to cause the computer to function as:

a frequency characteristics correction device for correcting frequency characteristics of an audio signal of the central channel, utilizing correction characteristics determined based on a head related transfer function to output a corrected signal; and

a band-pass filter for extracting a predetermined frequency band from the corrected signal from the frequency characteristics correction device to output an extracted signal;

a band eliminate filter for removing said predetermined frequency band from the corrected signal from the frequency characteristics correction device to output central channel audio signals;

an output device for mixing said extracted signal with an audio signal of the right channel and an audio signal of the left channel to generate mixed output audio signals, and outputting said mixed output audio signals as a right channel output audio signal and a left channel output audio signal.

Assignments (3)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 11, 2015
From: PIONEER CORPORATION
To: ONKYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA D/B/A ONKYO CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 035821/0047 →
CHANGE OF ADDRESS Recorded Dec 9, 2014
From: PIONEER CORPORATION
To: PIONEER CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 034545/0798 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 24, 2004
From: SAKAGAMI, KEI; HOSOI, SHINTARO; KAWAMURA, IKUKO
To: PIONEER CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 015034/0328 →