Patent ID: 6829361
Filing Date: 2004-12-07
Classification: H04S

Abstract:
A sound reproducing system including at least one external sound source, headphones and means for generating an input sound signal for said at least one external sound source and said headphones, said headphones comprising:sound generating means for receiving said input sound signal; and means for controlling an output signal generated by said sound generating means for simulating external sound sources, characterized in that said controlling means comprises: a microphone positioned in close proximity to said sound generating means, said microphone receiving a first sound signal from said sound generating means and a second sound signal from said external sound source, said microphone generating a resultant signal; means for modifying the input sound signal applied to said sound generating means; means coupled to receive said resultant signal for adjusting said modifying means until said resultant signal is substantially zero, whereby the user of the headphones hears nothing; means for recording settings of said adjusting means; and means for applying said input sound signal to said at least one external sound source during a set-up mode while said adjusting means adjusts said modifying means, and for removing said input sound signal from said at least one external sound source and for causing said adjusting means to use said recorded settings during a operating mode, whereby in said operating mode, a user or the headphones perceives a phantom sound source corresponding to said at least one external sound source.