Range finding audio system

Abstract

A range finding audio system automatically modifies the audio output of an audio source based on the distance of a listener from the speakers. A speaker in an audio system may include a range device coupled with a controller. The range device may utilize infrared, laser, or acoustic technology to determine the distance between the speaker and the listener. The controller may transfer distance information to an audio interface of a processor unit. The audio interface may include a positioning routine to modify the audio output according to the distance from the speaker to the listener. Alternatively, the controller may perform the functions ascribed to the positioning routine making the necessary modifications to the audio output based on the distance information.

1 - 16 . (canceled)  
     
     
         17 . A system comprising: 
 a plurality of speakers;    a plurality of range devices associated with respective speakers, each range device adapted to generate an indication representing a distance of the respective speaker to a listener; and    a module operatively coupled to the plurality of range devices, the module adapted to modify a timing of an audio signal transmitted to at least one of the plurality of speakers based on the indications of distances to the listener generated by the range devices.    
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the plurality of speakers comprise two speakers.  
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the plurality of speakers comprise five speakers.  
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the module comprises a central processing unit of a computer.  
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the module comprises a microprocessor in a stereo system.  
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the range devices comprise infrared range devices.  
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the range devices comprise acoustic range devices.  
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the range devices comprise laser range devices.  
     
     
         25 . A method to adjust audio output at plural speakers, comprising: 
 receiving signals representing distances of respective speakers to a listener;    modifying timings of audio output signals based on the signals; and    sending the audio output signals having the modified timings to respective speakers.    
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25 , further comprising modifying a power output of at least one of the audio output signals in response to the signals representing distances.  
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 25 , further comprising modifying an intensity of at least one of the audio output signals in response to the signals representing distances.  
     
     
         28 . An apparatus comprising: 
 a processor;    a routine executable on the processor to: 
 receive indications of distances from respective output speakers to a listener; and  
 modify a timing of at least one of audio output signals provided to respective output speakers based on the indications of distances.  
   
     
     
         29 . The apparatus of  claim 28 , the routine executable to further: 
 modify an intensity of at least one of the audio output signals provided to the output speakers based on the indications of distances.    
     
     
         30 . The apparatus of  claim 29 , wherein the routine is executable to receive the indications of distances from range devices associated with respective output speakers.