Abstract:
A system for sharing acoustical signal control among acoustical virtual environments generally includes a number of acoustic performance modules, a single acoustical system, and a switchable, single control system. The switchable single control system is interfaced to each of the acoustic performance modules and is operably connected to the single acoustical system. The control system is switchable to one of the acoustic performance modules whereby acoustic signals are able to flow between the performance module and the acoustical system; acoustic signals between all other performance modules and the acoustic system are blocked.

Description:
CLAIM TO PRIORITY  
       [0001]     The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/499,770, filed Sep. 3, 2003 and entitled “ENHANCED VIRTUAL ACOUSTIC PRACTICE ROOM.” The identified provisional patent application is hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present invention relates to acoustical virtual environments and, more specifically, relates to the ability to utilize a single acoustical signal control system to produce a desired acoustical environment in each one of a selected plurality of a closed acoustical environment.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     Musicians and speech givers spend many hours rehearsing their pieces. In the past, this practice occurred in small acoustically isolated rehearsal areas which allowed the performer the opportunity to hear themselves clearly. In conventional rehearsal rooms, the rehearsal room is constructed of sound blocking materials to isolate the rehearsal area from the external sounds of the surrounding areas. Within the room, reverberations of the sounds generated by the performer are frequently absorbed by the room walls, floor and/or ceiling to prevent the reverberations of the performance from overwhelming the performer.  
         [0004]     In contrast to a small rehearsal room, the reverberations of a performance hall or auditorium echo through the larger space of the performance hall creating a very different acoustical environment. A performance hall typically includes space dedicated to holding an audience while a conventional rehearsal room does not. It is the differences in the direction of the reverberations, sound intensity and time lag of the reverberations through the differing volumes of physical space which create the acoustical environment of a room. For the performer, the difference in the acoustical environments between a small rehearsal room and large performance hall can hinder performances.  
         [0005]     Frequently, the performer does not have access to the performance hall or may not have access for a sufficient amount of time to become accustomed to the acoustical environment of the performance hall. In conventional rehearsal rooms, the dimensions and construction materials of the room cannot be easily changed to alter the acoustical environment to simulate a performance environment.  
         [0006]     With the advent of electronics, electroacoustic systems using microphones, speakers and other electronic devices can enhance the acoustical environment of large performance halls to solve acoustical problems, such as inadequate reverberation time or level, insufficient lateral energy or excessive time delay, stemming from the basic problems of speaker placement, microphone placement, and acoustic feedback in the large hall. Unfortunately, many of these systems are expensive, use complex designs that are not easily changed or incorporated in small rehearsal rooms and may require a dedicated operator to use.  
         [0007]     In addition, these systems are not readily adaptable to placement in a small physical area such as a rehearsal or practice room because they are not designed to compensate for the strong sound coloration and acoustic feedback in a small enclosed space. In a small enclosed space, sound waves bounce off the walls and swirl back on themselves even as new sound waves are produced. It is difficult to isolate and capture the desired sound waves from the reverberating waves in a small enclosed space.  
         [0008]     Home entertainment systems which try to simulate the listening environment of a larger auditorium in a home encounter the same problems of sound coloration and acoustic feedback as well as the problem of distinguishable echoes emanating from individual speakers as the listener moves around the room.  
         [0009]     A rehearsal room which provides an acoustically isolated practice area and is readily adaptable to simulate a variety of acoustical environments during a performance would be greatly appreciated and has been provided by Wenger Corporation. Such a rehearsal room is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,525,765, the contents of which is incorporated herein by reference. What is more desirable yet is the ability to utilize a single acoustical signal control system to produce a desired acoustical environment in each one of a selected plurality of a closed acoustical environments.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0010]     The needs described above are in large part met by a system for sharing acoustical signal control among acoustical virtual environments of the present invention. The system generally includes a number of acoustic performance modules, a single acoustical system, and a switchable, single control system. The switchable single control system is interfaced to each of the acoustic performance modules and is operably connected to the single acoustical system. The control system is switchable to one of the acoustic performance modules whereby acoustic signals are able to flow between the performance module and the acoustical system; acoustic signals between all other performance modules and the acoustic system are blocked.  
         [0011]     The control system is able to adjust to a correct acoustic signal calibration level according to the size of the selected performance module. The signal flow between the performance module and single acoustical system produces a desired acoustical environment, e.g., a performance venue that is selectable from Arena, Baroque, Cathedral, Small Auditorium, Medium Auditorium, Large Auditorium, Medium Recital Hall, and Large Recital Hall.  
         [0012]     A method for sharing acoustical signal control among acoustical virtual environments, includes the steps of: (1) switchably interfacing a single acoustical system to acoustic performance modules; (2) selecting a first acoustic performance module from among the acoustic performance modules; (3) switching the single acoustical system to communicate only with the first acoustic performance module; (4) simulating a desired acoustical environment within the first acoustic performance module through use of the single acoustical system and the acoustical elements within the first acoustic performance module; (5) selecting a second acoustic performance module from among the acoustic performance modules; (6) switching the single acoustical system to communicate only with the second acoustic performance module; and (7) simulating a desired acoustical environment within the second acoustic performance module through use of the single acoustical system and the acoustical elements within the second acoustic performance module.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0013]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the acoustic performance module in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0014]      FIG. 2  is a rear perspective view of the acoustic performance module;  
         [0015]      FIG. 3  is a top plan view of the acoustic performance module with the ceiling removed for clarity;  
         [0016]      FIG. 4  is an elevational view of the inner surface of side walls of the acoustic performance module;  
         [0017]      FIG. 5  is an elevational view of inner surface of front wall of the acoustic performance module;  
         [0018]      FIG. 6  is an elevational view of the inner surface of the rear wall of the acoustic performance module;  
         [0019]      FIG. 7  is a bottom plan view of the inside top wall (the ceiling) of the acoustic performance module;  
         [0020]      FIG. 8  is a schematic diagram of the electroacoustic system in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0021]      FIG. 9  is an elevational view of the inner surface of side walls of the acoustic performance module in accordance with an alternate embodiment;  
         [0022]      FIG. 10  is an elevational view of inner surface of front wall of the acoustic performance module in accordance with an alternate embodiment;  
         [0023]      FIG. 11  is an elevational view of the inner surface of the rear wall of the acoustic performance module in accordance with an alternate embodiment; and  
         [0024]      FIG. 12  is a diagram illustrating how the electronics of single acoustic performance module can be shared with one or more additional acoustic performance modules. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0025]     Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote like elements throughout the several views, an acoustic performance module  10 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 1, 2  and  3 , broadly includes a performing space  12  defined by front wall  14 , opposed side walls  16 ,  18 , rear wall  20 , floor  22  and ceiling  24 , and electroacoustic system  26 .  
         [0026]     Each of walls  14 ,  16 ,  18 ,  20  carries an upper wall margin  28 , lower wall margin  30 , opposed side margins  31 , inner surface  32  and outer surface  34 . Each of the walls  14 ,  16 ,  18 ,  20  presents a characteristic height of at least seven and a half feet.  
         [0027]     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the outer surface  34  of each of the walls  14 ,  16 ,  18 ,  20  may include one or more facades  35 . The facades  35  may vary in construction and material and provide an aesthetically pleasing look to the outer surface  34  of the walls  14 ,  16 ,  18 ,  20 .  
         [0028]     The inner surface  32  of each of the walls  14 ,  16 ,  18 ,  20  includes a plurality of vertical modular panels  36 ,  38 ,  40 ,  42  of substantially uniform height but which may vary in width and construction. For example, modular panel  38  presents relatively narrow characteristic width in comparison to modular panel  36 . Modular panel  40  includes a swinging door  44  with glass panel  46 . Modular panel  42  includes perforated inner liners  48  housing one or more sound absorption panels  50 .  
         [0029]     Referring to  FIGS. 4-6 , each of the inner surfaces  32  of each of walls  14 ,  16 ,  18 ,  20  includes a plurality of sound absorption panels  50  protected by inner liners  48  mounted on one or more modular panels  42 . The absorption panels  50  are made of material with anechoic characteristics, such as, for example, absorption panels of the model no. 2540000 series manufactured by Wenger Corporation of Owatonna, Minn.  
         [0030]     The floor  22  is generally horizontal and extends along and between the lower wall margins  30  of the walls  14 ,  16 ,  18 ,  20 . The floor is of sufficient size to accommodate several chairs or individuals. The floor  22  may be constructed of various nonporous materials. In the preferred embodiment, the floor  22  is constructed of wood.  
         [0031]     Referring to  FIG. 7 , the ceiling  24  extends along and between the upper wall margins  28  of the walls  14 ,  16 ,  18 ,  20  (shown in shadow). In the preferred embodiment, the ceiling  24  broadly includes a plurality of microphones  58 , a speaker array  60 , an inner ceiling  62 , an outer shield  63 , a right inner corner  64  and left inner corner  66 . Referring to  FIGS. 9-11 , in an alternate embodiment, at least a portion of the speaker array  60  is positioned in one or more walls  14 ,  16 ,  18 ,  20  and one or more microphones  58  are positioned in one or more walls  14 ,  20 .  
         [0032]     The microphones  58  are mounted against the ceiling  24  an equidistance from the center of the performing space  12  and are positioned relative to a predetermined pattern of the speaker array  60 . In the preferred embodiment, the microphones  58  are adjacent to the right inner corner  64  and left inner corner  66  of the ceiling  24 . Referring to  FIGS. 10 and 11 , in an alternate embodiment, each of the microphones  58  are positioned in opposed walls  14 ,  18  at least 5 feet from the lower wall margin  30  and equidistant from opposed side margins  31 . More specifically, each microphone  58  is mounted  72 ″ from the lower wall margin  30 . In the alternate embodiment, the microphones  58  are at least 3 feet from any one of the speakers in the speaker array  60 . Each of the microphones  58  are directed into the performance space  12  and positioned at least eighteen inches from any possible source of sound within the performing space  12 . In the alternate embodiment, each of the microphones are directed to the floor  22 . The microphones are of a flat frequency response type with low self noise, such as, for example, SM102 series microphones of SHURE.  
         [0033]     The speaker array  60  includes a plurality of speakers  68 ,  69 ,  70 ,  71 ,  72 ,  73 ,  74 ,  75 ,  76 ,  77 ,  78 ,  79  mounted against the ceiling  24  in a predetermined pattern and aligned with each other speaker  68 ,  69 ,  70 ,  71 ,  72 ,  73 ,  74 ,  75 ,  76 ,  77 ,  78 ,  79  along the same medial plane. In an alternate embodiment, the speaker array  60  includes a plurality of speakers  68 ,  69 ,  70 ,  71 ,  72 ,  73 ,  74 ,  75 ,  76 ,  77 ,  78 ,  79 ,  81 ,  83 ,  85 ,  87  for a total of sixteen speakers in speaker array  60 . Speakers  68 ,  69 ,  70 ,  71 ,  72 ,  73 ,  74 ,  75 ,  76 ,  77 ,  78 ,  79  are mounted against the ceiling  24  in a predetermined pattern and aligned with each other speaker  68 ,  69 ,  70 ,  71 ,  72 ,  73 ,  74 ,  75 ,  76 ,  77 ,  78 ,  79  along the same medial plane.  
         [0034]     Referring to  FIGS. 9-11 , in an alternate embodiment, speakers  81 ,  83 ,  85 ,  87  are mounted adjacent to the lower wall margins  30  of the walls  14 ,  16 ,  18 ,  20 . More specifically, each of the speakers  81 ,  83 ,  85 ,  87  are recessed into a wall  14  at the corners of the room, i.e., adjacent to lower wall margins  30  and side margins  31  of two adjacent walls  14 ,  16 ,  18 ,  20 .  
         [0035]     The speakers  68 ,  69 ,  70 ,  71 ,  72 ,  73 ,  74 ,  75 ,  76 ,  77 ,  78 ,  79 ,  81 ,  83 ,  85 ,  87  may possess similar or different properties. In the preferred embodiment, the speakers  68 ,  69 ,  70 ,  71 ,  72 ,  73 ,  74 ,  75 ,  76 ,  77 ,  78 ,  79 ,  81 ,  83 ,  85 ,  87  are of similar make and construction and provide performance levels of ±2 dB from 70 Hz-20 kHz (on axis 0°) and ±2 dB from 70 Hz-15 kHz (off axis 30°). Each of the speakers includes a transformer  81  operably attached to the speaker  68 ,  69 ,  70 ,  71 ,  72 ,  73 ,  74 ,  75 ,  76 ,  77 ,  78 ,  79 ,  81 ,  83 ,  85 ,  87 .  
         [0036]     The speaker array  60  pattern is predetermined to provide even sound coverage of the performance space  12  and reduce sound distortions occurring when the ear distinguishes the sounds of one speaker  68  from those of another  69 . Those skilled in the art will recognize that other speaker arrays  60  are possible.  
         [0037]     In the preferred embodiment, the speaker array  60  includes three speakers positioned in each of four zones A, B, C, D. For purposes of discussion, the ceiling  24  is divided into eight generally parallel channels  80 ,  82 ,  84 ,  86 ,  88 ,  90 ,  92 ,  94  and four zones. The zones are labeled A, B, C and D beginning in the left inner corner  66  and moving clockwise around the ceiling  24 . Each channel  80  extends between side walls  16 ,  18 .  
         [0038]     The speaker positions in zones A and C are mirror images of each other along vertical plane along line X-X and the speaker positions in zones B and D are mirror images of each other along line Y-Y.  
         [0039]     More specifically, in the preferred embodiment, in zone A, speakers  68 ,  73  are placed equidistant from side wall  20  and vertical plane X-X in channels  80 ,  86  and speaker  70  is positioned adjacent to side wall  20  in channel  84 . In zone B, a speaker  69  is placed equidistant from side wall  14  and vertical plane X-X in channel  80 . In channel  84  in zone B speakers  71 ,  72  are placed adjacent to side wall  14  and adjacent to vertical plane X-X. In zone C, speakers  74 ,  79  are placed equidistant from side wall  14  and vertical plane X-X in channels  88 ,  94 . Speaker  77  is placed adjacent to side wall  14  in channel  90 . In zone D, speaker  78  is placed equidistant from side wall  20  and vertical plane X-X in channel  94 . In channel  90  in zone D speakers  75 ,  76  are placed adjacent to side wall  20  and adjacent to vertical plane X-X.  
         [0040]     In addition, each of the speakers  68 ,  69 ,  70 ,  71 ,  72 ,  73 ,  74 ,  75 ,  76 ,  77 ,  78 ,  79  are positioned such that each speaker is connected to the electroacoustic system  26  via a different channel than adjacent speakers. For example, referring to  FIG. 7 , speakers  68 ,  72 ,  76  are connected to the electroacoustic system  26  through the same channel; speakers  69 ,  73 ,  77  are connected to the electroacoustic system  26  through the same channel but a different channel than that which connects speakers  68 ,  72 ,  76  to the electroacoustic system  26 . Speakers  70 ,  74 ,  78  are connected to the electroacoustic system  26  through a third channel and speakers  71 ,  75 ,  79  are connected to the electroacoustic system  26  through a fourth channel. In the alternate embodiments, each of the four speakers  81 ,  83 ,  85 ,  87  is connected to the electroacoustic system  26  through a different channel than the other speakers  81 ,  83 ,  85 ,  87 .  
         [0041]     The inner ceiling  62  extends along and between the walls  14 ,  16 ,  18 ,  20  adjacent to the speakers  68 . The inner ceiling is formed of perforated metal. The outer shield  63  is secured to the ceiling  24  and extends downwardly along at least a portion of the walls  14 ,  16 ,  18 ,  20 .  
         [0042]     The walls  14 ,  16 ,  18 ,  20 , floor  22  and ceiling  24  are secured together to form a rigid box-like structure. It is understood that the width and length of the performing space  12  defined by the walls  14 ,  16 ,  18 ,  20 , floor  22  and ceiling  24  may vary according to whether the rehearsal room is designed to accommodate individual performers, an ensemble or larger performing groups such as a band. It will be understood that an increase in the length and width of the performing space  12  will require a corresponding increase in the number of speakers in the speaker array  60 .  
         [0043]     Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 8 , the electroacoustic system  26  broadly includes remote user input device  96  and computer-based acoustical control system  98 . The remote user input device  96  is mounted within the performance space  12  and operably connected to the acoustical control system  98 . It will be understood that the user input device  96  may be, for example, a computer keyboard and monitor, a series of dials, buttons, levers or a computer touchscreen. In an alternate embodiment, the user input device  96  may be a MIDI control device, such as, for example, MRC panel by Lexicon of Waltham, Mass., which is connected to the acoustical control system  98  through a port connection  100  in the floor  22  (shown in  FIG. 3 ).  
         [0044]     As shown in  FIG. 8 , the acoustical control system  98  is operably attached to the microphones  58  and speaker array  60  but located at a location remote from the performing space  12 . The acoustical control system  98  includes a plurality of microphone pre-amplifiers  102 , a plurality of twenty eight band graphic equalizers  104 , a digital sound processor  106  and a plurality of amplifiers  108 . The microphone pre-amplifiers  102  are preferably operated with a low signal to noise ratio and are transformer coupled, such as Model MP-2 manufactured by Gaines Audio. The equalizers  104  perform within ±2 dB signal to noise ratio with balanced input and outputs, such as, for example, Model MPE28 manufactured by Rane Corporation of Mukilteo, Wash. The sound processor  106  is a system, such as the LARES system sold by Lexicon of Waltham, Mass., which is capable of providing time-variant synthetic reverberation of sound with at least 4 channels output and controlled via RS-422 remote selection or MIDI. The amplifiers  108  preferably have a low signal to noise ratio with a minimum of 50 watts per channel at 8 ohms. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the acoustical control system  98  may include sound recording equipment for permanent storage of performances.  
         [0045]     In operation, a performer  110  enters the performance space  12  and selects the type of acoustical environment desired by entering user selected data into the user input device  96 . It is understood that the performer may be an individual or a group of persons. The performer  110  then begins to produce sound, such as, for example, by speaking or playing a musical instrument. The sound waves produced move out from the performer into the performance space  12 . As the sound waves contact the sound absorption panels  50 , the sound is absorbed and little or no reverberation is produced. The placement of the sound absorption panels  50  along the walls  14 ,  16 ,  18 ,  20  of the performance space  12  produces a semi-anechoic environment.  
         [0046]     As the sound waves travel toward the ceiling  24 , walls  14 ,  16 ,  18 ,  20  and floor  22  the sound is captured by the microphones  58 , channeled through the electroacoustic system  26  and then broadcast to the performer  110  through speaker array  60 .  
         [0047]     As those skilled in the art understand, in the alternate embodiment, placement of the microphones  58  in opposed walls  14 ,  20  offers a logarithmic gain in sound with the increased distance from the speakers  68 ,  69 ,  70 ,  71 ,  72 ,  73 ,  74 ,  75 ,  76 ,  77 ,  78 ,  79 ,  81 ,  83 ,  85 ,  87 . Thus, the captured sound can be broadcast back to the performer at higher decibel levels such that the room sounds louder. Greater control of the volume of the sound maximizes the ability to mimic smaller, more intimate performance halls with greater accuracy.  
         [0048]     The predetermined pattern of the speaker array  60  and the placement of the speakers  68 ,  69 ,  70 ,  71 ,  72 ,  73 ,  74 ,  75 ,  76 ,  77 ,  78 ,  79  in the same medial plane well above the head of the performer  110  minimizes the ability of the performer&#39;s ears to distinguish the exact origin of the sound. In an alternate embodiment of the predetermined pattern of the speaker array  60 , the placement of the speakers  68 ,  69 ,  70 ,  71 ,  72 ,  73 ,  74 ,  75 ,  76 ,  77 ,  78 ,  79 ,  81 ,  83 ,  85 ,  87  in both the walls  14 ,  16 ,  18 ,  20  and against the ceiling  24  enhances the sound of the room by surrounding the performer more completely with sound. To the performer&#39;s ear, the alternate embodiment minimizes the decay of sound traveling from the speakers  68 ,  69 ,  70 ,  71 ,  72 ,  73 ,  74 ,  75 ,  76 ,  77 ,  78 ,  79  mounted against the ceiling by providing sound from speakers  81 ,  83 ,  85 ,  87 . The broadcast sound blends clearly. The alternate embodiment minimizes the problem of having all the sound originate from above the performer as if the performer was performing in a well. The speaker array  60  provides even sound coverage of the room regardless of the exact position of the performer within the performing space  12 .  
         [0049]     In order to provide a variety of acoustical environments, the electroacoustic system  26  alters the sound wave to simulate the direction of reverberations, sound intensity and time lag of reverberations that would be produced if the sound wave was echoing in a large concert hall or auditorium. The sound absorption panels  50  help simulate the anechoic nature of large performance halls provided by the audience space. Because of the placement and arrangement of the speaker array  60 , the auralization effect simulates the acoustical environment of a large performance hall though the performer  110  is actually in a small enclosed rehearsal room. The performer  110  hears the performance as it would sound in the large performance hall.  
         [0050]     It will be understood that by changing the simulated sound, parts of the room may give the auralization effect of performing on a more enclosed stage in a large performance hall while the remainder of the room may simulate the unencumbered audience portion of the performance hall. Further, it will be understood that by changing the simulated sound the auralization effect can be adjusted to simulate numerous performance venues including, but not limited to: Arena; Baroque; Cathedral; Small Auditorium; Medium Auditorium; Large Auditorium; Medium Recital Hall; Large Recital Hall.  
         [0051]     The inner ceiling  62  secures the speakers  68 ,  69 ,  70 ,  71 ,  72 ,  73 ,  74 ,  75 ,  76 ,  77 ,  78 ,  79  from theft and provides a uniform visual surface. The outer shield  63  provides additional protection to the electroacoustic system and enhances the sound isolation of the room from external noises. In an alternate embodiment, panels  57  protect speakers  81 ,  83 ,  85 ,  87  from theft while permitting sound to broadcast from the speakers  81 ,  83 ,  85 ,  87 . Location of the acoustical system  98  in a secure location from the performing space  12  allows for increased security of the equipment and operation of the rehearsal room with a rehearsal room operation in attendance.  
         [0052]      FIG. 12  depicts a system for sharing the acoustical system  98  among a plurality of acoustic performance modules  10 . While  FIG. 12  depicts only two acoustic performance modules  10 , i.e., practice room  200  and practice room  300 , by way of example, it should be understood that the acoustical system  98  can be used with more than two acoustic performance modules through use of the matrix control system  100 .  
         [0053]     The system of  FIG. 12  allows a single acoustical system  98  electronics package to be shared between a number of practice rooms that are equipped with microphones, e.g.,  204  and  304 , with speakers, e.g.,  206  and  306 , and a control panel found in control room  202 ,  302 . The system utilizes a matrix control system  100  that enables the functionality of acoustical system  98  to be switched between practice rooms,  200  and  300 . A master control for room selection  108  is provided and enables a user to select a desired practice room with which the user wishes to use the acoustical system  98 . The selection of the desired practice room is transferred from the master control  108  to the matrix control system  100 . The matrix control system  108  utilizes a plurality of switches to control routing of the various signals, e.g., the amplifier outputs (channels 1-4)  102 , Mic lines  104 , and control line  106 , to the desired practice room. The switching system within the matrix control system  100  preferably includes an automatic adjustment for correct calibration level depending on the room selected, i.e., smaller rooms attenuate signals at a different level than larger rooms, such that a consistent environment is maintained when a user is moving from practice room to practice room. In other words, the matrix control system  100  is operable with a plurality of practice rooms regardless or the practice room size. In a preferred embodiment the matrix control system  100  is a stand-alone unit that can be integrated with any new or existing acoustical system.  
         [0054]     Numerous characteristics and advantages of the invention have been set forth in the foregoing description. It will be understood, of course, that this disclosure is, in many respects, only illustrative. Changes can be made in details, particularly in the matters of shape, size and arrangement of parts without exceeding the scope of the invention. The invention scope is defined by the language by which the appended claims are expressed.