Patent ID: 7676049

Claim:
A method for providing selective operation of surround channel speakers in configurations wherein said surround channel speakers are placed in close proximity to main channel speakers or in configurations wherein said surround channel speakers are placed in locations distant from the main channel speakers by more than one meter, comprising: receiving a selection indication directing simulation of a surround sound environment for said close proximity speaker configuration; receiving main channel information; receiving surround channel information; responsive to said selection indication directing simulation of said surround sound environment, generating a first speaker output signal and a second speaker output signal in dependence on both said received main channel and said received surround channel information according to a controlled signal relationship, such that propagation of said surround channel information is provided in a directivity pattern having substantial attenuation along a direct path to a predetermined listening position and at least one lobe having a directivity peak directed away from said predetermined listening position; receiving another selection indication indicating that said surround sound environment is not to be simulated; and responsive to receiving said other selection indication, generating said first speaker output signal from the received main channel information and generating the second speaker output signal from said received surround channel information, such that the main channel information and the surround channel information are provided separately in the first and second speaker output signals.