Apparatus and method for down converting multichannel programs to dual channel programs using a smart coefficient generator

Abstract

An apparatus for recording a multichannel program includes an audio converter adapted to convert said multichannel program at least partially into a modified program requiring less channels than said multichannel program. The audio converter including control elements used to modify the conversion process used to generate said modified program. A coefficient generator coupled to said converter to generate a coefficient indicative of the operation of said controls. A mixer is arranged to mix the coefficient with program data. A recorder is arranged to record the mixed data on a medium, whereby the medium can be played either using a multichannel player device or a reduced channel player device by using said coefficient.

1 - 2 . (canceled) 
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 17  wherein said audio converter includes a variable resistor having a resistor position, and wherein said coefficient generator includes a sensor that senses the position of said variable resistor. 
   
   
       4 . (canceled) 
   
   
       5 . An apparatus for generating conversion coefficients characteristic of a process for converting a multichannel program into a modified program, said apparatus comprising:
 an audio converter including an input for receiving multichannel signals of a multichannel program and a control circuit adapted to operate on said signals to generate modified signals of a modified program in accordance with a selectable parameter; and   a sensor adapted to determine said parameter and to generate a coefficient corresponding to said parameter.   
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 5  wherein said audio converter is adapted to generate modified signals defining a dual channel program from said multichannel signals. 
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 5  wherein said control circuit includes a plurality of control elements, each element having a plurality of positions and wherein said sensor detects said positions and generates coefficients indicative of said positions. 
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 5  wherein said control elements include a variable resistor which is adjusted by an operator and said sensor is adapted to sense a current value of said variable resistor, said coefficient being dependent on said current value. 
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 5  wherein said control circuit includes a variable resistor with a shaft that can be rotated to alter a current resistor value and wherein said sensor is adapted to sense a position of said shaft. 
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 9  wherein said sensor includes a shaft encoder that generates a shaft signal, said sensor generating said coefficient based on said shaft signal. 
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 5  wherein said control circuit includes a variable resistor, and said sensor includes a voltage detector for detecting a current voltage on said variable resistor. 
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein said voltage detector detects an analog voltage and said sensor further includes an analog-to-digital converter that converts said analog voltage into said coefficient. 
   
   
       13 - 16 . (canceled) 
   
   
       17 . An apparatus for recording a multichannel program comprising:
 an audio converter adapted to convert said multichannel program at least partially into a modified program requiring less channels than said multichannel program, said audio converter including control elements used to modify the conversion process used to generate said modified program and a plurality of controls adapted to be activated by an operator, said plurality of controls having corresponding positions;   a coefficient generator coupled to said converter to generate a coefficient indicative of the operation of said controls, said coefficient generator including sensors arranged to sense the positions of said controls and being adapted to translate said positions into coefficients;   a mixer arranged to mix said coefficient with program data corresponding to said program; and   a recorder arranged to record the mixed data on a medium, whereby the medium can be played either using a multichannel player device or a reduced channel player devices by using said coefficient.