Patent Publication Number: US-8121318-B1

Title: Two channel audio surround sound circuit with automatic level control

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to surround sound processors and more specifically to a two channel audio surround sound circuit with automatic level control, which is less complicated than that of the prior art. 
     2. Discussion of the Prior Art 
     Surround sound processors are normally used to decode surround sound audio signals, which are recorded on the sound tracks of video cassettes and discs. Surround sound processors will also enhance the imaging of audio recordings. However, these surround sound processors use complicated circuitry to create a three dimensional sound field using as many as five speakers. The five speakers create a three dimensional sound field similar to that found in a modern movie theater. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,495,637 to Bruney discloses an apparatus and method for enhanced psychoacoustic imagery using asymmetric cross-channel feed. The Bruney patent includes asymmetric bi-directional audio signal cross-feed established between first and second audio sign processing channels. U.S. Pat. No. 4,748,669 to Klayman discloses a stereo enhancement system. The Klayman patent includes a stereo enhancement system which provides an enhanced wider stereo image and a wider listening area, and further provides perspective correction for achieving correct stereo sound perspective with speakers at different locations and with headphones. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,420,929 to Geddes et al. discloses a signal processor for sound image enhancement. The Geddes et al. patent includes providing fluctuating coherence between the left channel and right channel outputs by crossfeeding a high pass portion of the left channel to the right output and like portion of the right channel to the left output. U.S. Pat. No. 5,434,921 to Dombrowski, Jr. et al. discloses a stereo image control circuit. The Dombrowski, Jr. patent includes a stereo circuit which ranges between a mono mode through a stereo mode to a wide mode. 
     Patent application no. 2006/0215848 to Ambourn discloses a simplified amplifier providing sharing of music with enhanced spatial presence through multiple headphone jacks. The Ambourn patent includes a personal listening device used in connection with the amplification of signals for enhancing the perceived quality and ambiance of sound heard by a listener using stereo headphones or small speakers. 
     Accordingly, there is a clearly felt need in the art for a two channel audio surround sound circuit with automatic level control, which provides improved imaging and has a less complicated design than that of the prior art. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a two channel audio surround sound circuit with automatic level control, which is less complicated than that of the prior art. The two channel audio surround sound circuit with automatic level control (surround sound circuit) includes a right amplifier, a left amplifier, a right automatic level control and a left automatic level control. A right input is coupled to a positive input of the left amplifier through the right automatic gain control. The right input is coupled to a negative input of the right amplifier and coupled to the output of the right amplifier through one resistor. A left input is coupled to a positive input of the right amplifier through the left automatic gain control. The left input is coupled to a negative input of the left amplifier and coupled to the output of the left amplifier through another resistor. 
     Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a surround sound circuit that provides improved imaging. 
     Finally, it is another object of the present invention to provide a surround sound circuit, which has a less complicated design than that of the prior art. 
     These and additional objects, advantages, features and benefits of the present invention will become apparent from the following specification. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a surround sound circuit in accordance with the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     With reference now to the drawings, and particularly to  FIG. 1 , there is shown a surround sound circuit  1 . The surround sound circuit  1  includes a right amplifier  10 , a left amplifier  12 , a left automatic level control  14  and a right automatic level control  16 . A right input line is coupled to a negative input of the right amplifier  10  through an input capacitor C 1  and a resistor R 1 . The negative input of the right amplifier  10  is coupled to an output of the right amplifier  10  through a resistor R 3 . A right output signal passes through an output capacitor C 3 . The right input line is also coupled to a positive input of the left amplifier  12  through the right automatic level control  16 . 
     It is preferably to insert a potentiometer P 2  before an input of the right automatic level control  16  and the input capacitor C 1  to provide for tuning of a left audio surround field. It is also preferably to insert a right frequency pass filter  20  between an output of the right automatic level control  16  and the positive input of the left amplifier  12  to improve audio sound quality. The positive input of the left amplifier  12  is pulled-up with pull-up resistors R 5  and R 6 . 
     A left input line is coupled to a negative input of the left amplifier  12  through an input capacitor C 2  and a resistor R 2 . The negative input of the left amplifier  12  is coupled to an output of the left amplifier  12  through a resistor R 4 . A left output signal passes through an output capacitor C 4 . The left input line is also coupled to a positive input of the right amplifier  10  through the left automatic level control  14 . It is preferably to insert a potentiometer P 1  between an input of the left automatic level control  14  and the input capacitor C 2  to provide for tuning of a right audio surround field. It is also preferably to insert a left frequency pass filter  18  between an output of the left automatic level control  14  and the positive input of the right amplifier  10  to improve audio sound quality. The positive input of the right amplifier  12  is pulled-up with pull-up resistors R 7  and R 8 . 
     The following component values are given by way of example and not by way of limitation. Satisfactory results have been found when input capacitors C 1  and C 2  have a value of 10 microfarads; resistors R 1  and R 2  have a value of 4.7 kilohms; and resistors R 3  and R 4  have a value of 30 kilohms. It is preferably to use the first and second amplifiers contained in a National Semiconductor LM4808 chip and the first and second automatic level control circuits in a Maxim MAX9756 chip. The potentiometers P 1  and P 2  have a preferably value of between 5-10 kilohms. The first and second frequency pass filters preferably allow signals above 100 hertz to pass, but other values may also be used. The pull-up resistors R 5 -R 8  all have a preferable value of 100 kilohms. Output capacitors C 3 , C 4  have a preferably value of at least 100 microfarads. 
     While particular embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the invention in its broader aspects, and therefore, the aim in the appended claims is to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.