Patent Application
20060147067
The present invention relates to large format television monitors and surround sound systems and methods. More particularly, the present invention relates to methods for assuring that purchasers of large format television systems will be satisfied with their purchase and be able to recreate movie experiences through the use of surround sound tower systems and methods.
One of the fastest growing consumer products in the electronic field is large format television for home theater systems. Types of large format monitors include projection receivers, plasma monitors and other flat panel monitors. Such monitors are frequently but not always equipped with two low power speakers. The investment required of the consumer to purchase such monitors ranges from a low of $1500 for a low end projector to over $10,000 for a large plasma monitor. Frequently, consumers purchase a so-called home theater in a box system at the same time which includes small surround sound speakers combined with a DVD player/receiver. Customers who purchase such systems are often dissatisfied with the resulting experience when their expectations are based upon movie house experiences. The consumer often attempts to play music through such a system and is or will be disappointed that the experience is inferior to their old stereo system.
Installing a home theater system which recreates the acoustic experience of any given music or movie soundtrack is vital to meeting the electronic consumer's expectations. A system that is capable of recreating the music/movie experience in a home theater surround sound system typically comprises compact disc/digital video discs (CD/DVD) or super audio compact disk (SACD) players or changers, audio/visual (A/V) monitors, tuners, equalizers, headphones, satellite speakers, center channel speakers, woofers or subwoofers. This is often not appreciated by the average purchaser of a large format television receiver. A current need exists for a system to educate and guide the purchaser of a large format television receiver to realize the expectation of recreating the music/movie experience in the home.
The present invention addresses the current needs for a system to educate and guide the purchaser of a large format television receiver to realize the expectation of recreating the music/movie experience in the home. The method first includes a demonstration of what good sound reproduction sounds like. Then the experience of good sound is applied to movie soundtrack experience. This procedure educates the purchaser of a large format television receiver as to exactly how to maximize reproduction of the movie experience in their own living room.
The first step is to refresh the audio memory of the purchaser of a large format television receiver as to what exactly good stereo music reproduction from a CD with a high quality surround sound system sounds like. The purchaser of a large format television receiver is next shown how much power is needed to recreate that sound. Next, the demonstration is repeated with a MP3 player. Once it is established to the purchaser exactly what good audio comprises, the purchaser of a large format television receiver is shown how the quality standards apply to reproduction of movies in a home theater. The purchaser of a large format television receiver is then shown the performance of a high quality home theater sound system in conjunction with a large format television receiver. The same experience is repeated with a home theater in a box and the purchaser of a large format television receiver is guided to conclude that the sound reproducing components of a home theater system are as important to the experience as the quality of the video display. The purchaser of a large format television receiver is next shown what components make this experience possible. Finally, the purchaser of a large format television receiver is given the opportunity to obtain and purchase such components.
The method may further include procedures for certification and training of personnel and quality standards for venues used in practicing the method. The method may also include procedures for setting up and conducting each of the experiences.
The apparatus of the invention includes suitable demonstration rooms and furniture for practicing the method. The apparatus further includes suitable audio/video equipment for practicing the method along with program material which demonstrates the strengths and weaknesses of various component combinations.
For a better understanding of the present invention, reference is made to the below referenced accompanying Drawing(s). Reference numbers refer to the same or equivalent parts of the present invention throughout the several figures of the Drawing(s).
The procedure is then repeated with a playing of an identical recording through MP3 play back device 14. The purchaser of a large format television receiver will note that there is very little difference between the MP3 and the CD when played through the above configuration.
The next step is to provide the movie experience with a quality surround system. This step is accomplished in this embodiment by playing a disk on player 1 containing portions of movies. The chosen source is a demonstration DVD disk produced by THX Ltd. of San Rafael, Calif. entitled THX® ULTIMATE DEMO DISC. The opening of the disk includes a picture of the THX logo which shatters with a fanfare. During this demonstration the meters on amplifiers 5 will go from 1 to 350 watts. Next, the demonstration is repeated with a clip from an actual movie. A movie that this embodiment has been successfully practiced with is the opening sequence of Walt Disney production of ATLANTIS THE LOST CONTINENT, distributed by Buena Vista of Anaheim, Calif. Again, the power meters on amplifier 5 will go to over 300 watts and the sound serves to draw the viewer into the movie.
The above experience continues with activation of game player 13. The purchaser of a large format television receiver experiences game play through the surround sound system.
The next experience is that of music reproduction through the system. The purchaser of a large format television receiver is made aware that large qualities of music have been remastered for DVD audio and SACD formats. A recording that the purchaser of a large format television receiver has likely heard many times is inserted into player 1 in either of these formats. In the embodiment being described the recording of Hotel California by the Eagles in DVD Audio format was used satisfactory. The purchaser of a large format television receiver is then asked if it sounds different from the other times they have heard the music. Next, the system is demonstrated by laying in player a recording that has an extremely large dynamic range. In the embodiment being described the recording of Tchaikovsky 1812 overture by Telearc designated as 1812 DVD-A track 1 in DVD Audio format was used satisfactory and asked to observe the power meters on amplifier 5. In this demonstration the power will go from 140 to 400 watts simultaneously on all five channels when the cannons fire.
The next experience is playing the same high dynamic range disk on the Home Theater in a box player 12. The purchaser of a large format television receiver is allowed to draw their own conclusions. It will be apparent that there is no real comparison possible between the two systems with the component system being clearly superior.
The final step in the process is showing and making available to the equipment to the purchaser of a large format television receiver. Details of each component of the system are explained to the purchaser of a large format television receiver, along with the function of each component and the effect of that component on the sound just experienced. The purchaser of a large format television receiver is then given the opportunity to purchase those components which they do not already own in order to experience the full audio/visual experience at their own home.
It is anticipated that the above process will be conducted on the premises of a retailer of audio/visual equipment. It may be considered to be an integrated sales and merchandising program implemented through a product program. In order to assure proper following of the method, a certification program for personnel and locations is contemplated. Certified dealers will be presented with a certificate
Similarly, presenters will be certified and given a card
Information as herein shown and described in detail is fully capable of attaining the above-described object of the invention, the presently preferred embodiment of the invention, and is, thus, representative of the subject matter which is broadly contemplated by the present invention. The scope of the present invention fully encompasses other embodiments which become obvious to those skilled in the art, and is to be limited, accordingly, by nothing other than the appended claims, wherein reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean “one and only one” unless explicitly so stated, but rather “one or more.” All structural and functional equivalents to the elements of the above-described preferred embodiment and additional embodiments that are known to those of ordinary skill in the art are hereby expressly incorporated by reference and are intended to be encompassed by the present claims.
Moreover, no requirement exists for a device or method to address each and every problem sought to be resolved by the present invention, for such to be encompassed by the present claims. Furthermore, no element, component, or method step in the present disclosure is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether the element, component, or method step is explicitly recited in the claims. However, various changes and modifications in form, material, and fabrication detail can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the inventions as set forth in the appended claims should be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. No claim herein is to be construed under the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112, sixth paragraph, unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase “means for.”
The present invention applies industrially to surround sound systems and methods. More particularly, the present invention applies industrially to surround sound tower systems and methods. Even more particularly the present invention applies industrially to surround sound positioning tower systems and methods.
