http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/26/microsoft-developing-virtual-headphone-algorithm/ Engadget Comments for Microsoft developing virtual headphone algorithm http://www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/26/microsoft-developing-virtual-headphone-algorithm/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/26/microsoft-developing-virtual-headphone-algorithm/All the honking, the shouting etc.. Can They get that to work?]]>Mar 26th 2007 7:47AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/03/26/microsoft-developing-virtual-headphone-algorithm/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/26/microsoft-developing-virtual-headphone-algorithm/Mar 26th 2007 7:55AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/03/26/microsoft-developing-virtual-headphone-algorithm/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/26/microsoft-developing-virtual-headphone-algorithm/Mar 29th 2007 9:23PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/03/26/microsoft-developing-virtual-headphone-algorithm/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/26/microsoft-developing-virtual-headphone-algorithm/
Get a sound proof room? probably be cheaper]]>Mar 26th 2007 7:59AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/03/26/microsoft-developing-virtual-headphone-algorithm/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/26/microsoft-developing-virtual-headphone-algorithm/Mar 26th 2007 8:38AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/03/26/microsoft-developing-virtual-headphone-algorithm/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/26/microsoft-developing-virtual-headphone-algorithm/> If Vista was selling beyond Microsoft's expectations, they would
> still be looking into other technology. Thanks for letting the
> bias show through more, Engadget. I registered to comment just
> because of how disgusting I've been at the lack of journalism
> here.

Yes, you're right; you've been disgusting. You registered to comment on an insignificant Blog-entry in a largely insignificant blog. "Blog" being the operative word here, you really should realize that there can be no "lack of journalism" in a blog, as journalism has nothing to do with blogging and you really shouldn't let anyone tell you otherwise.]]>Mar 26th 2007 9:57AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/03/26/microsoft-developing-virtual-headphone-algorithm/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/26/microsoft-developing-virtual-headphone-algorithm/
@Microsoft (not that I think they'd read this, but) - This isn't a new idea - it's just a variation on the LRAD (Noisemaker) concept. I think the army want to be digging out their patents and suing Microsoft.]]>Mar 26th 2007 9:03AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/03/26/microsoft-developing-virtual-headphone-algorithm/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/26/microsoft-developing-virtual-headphone-algorithm/
but really, good luck with that. the physics of what they "want" to do is pretty ridiculous. its not that hard to create a "sweet spot", but making it so that you theoretically only hear it in that one spot and not anywhere else is pretty out there. as far as i know, sound isn't really inclined to have that small of a path. it really wants to go out. i mean we're talking about air pressure. can you really control that to the extent that's required for this? i'm guessing not from microsoft. try meyer or a company that's actually in the music industry.]]>Mar 26th 2007 9:22AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/03/26/microsoft-developing-virtual-headphone-algorithm/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/26/microsoft-developing-virtual-headphone-algorithm/http://www.engadget.com/2007/02/15/yamahas-ysp-900-digital-sound-projector-a-5-1-sound-bouncer-th/]]>Mar 26th 2007 10:21AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/03/26/microsoft-developing-virtual-headphone-algorithm/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/26/microsoft-developing-virtual-headphone-algorithm/Mar 26th 2007 10:53AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/03/26/microsoft-developing-virtual-headphone-algorithm/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/26/microsoft-developing-virtual-headphone-algorithm/
There is a more novel application of this technology that's related to holographic sound reproduction. Basicially, they alter the timing of certain signals so that they interfere with each other at various points, creating a 3D sound field that you can walk through and experience. Way cooler and more novel than just focusing sound on a tiny spot. For that, why not just stick with headphones?

On an unrelated note, I'm really craving the lingonberry juice from the ikea cafeteria.]]>Mar 26th 2007 10:45AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/03/26/microsoft-developing-virtual-headphone-algorithm/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/26/microsoft-developing-virtual-headphone-algorithm/Mar 27th 2007 9:19AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/03/26/microsoft-developing-virtual-headphone-algorithm/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/26/microsoft-developing-virtual-headphone-algorithm/http://www.atcsd.com/), but not ultrasonic?]]>Mar 26th 2007 12:04PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/03/26/microsoft-developing-virtual-headphone-algorithm/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/26/microsoft-developing-virtual-headphone-algorithm/http://www.holosonics.com.

]]>Mar 26th 2007 11:48AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/03/26/microsoft-developing-virtual-headphone-algorithm/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/26/microsoft-developing-virtual-headphone-algorithm/Mar 26th 2007 2:14PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/03/26/microsoft-developing-virtual-headphone-algorithm/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/26/microsoft-developing-virtual-headphone-algorithm/ But, as the article points out, Microsoft wants this to be used for VoIP/computer-based communication technology, so as long as they can provide adequate coverage of the vocal frequency range, things should be alright. After all, traditional phone service does the same thing, only over a handset. Don't expect to get any drum and bass out of this thing though.]]>Mar 26th 2007 1:54PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/03/26/microsoft-developing-virtual-headphone-algorithm/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/26/microsoft-developing-virtual-headphone-algorithm/
See the exhibit at the DeCordova Museum.

I'm sure Microsoft will patent it and claim that there's no prior art.
]]>Mar 26th 2007 11:35PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/03/26/microsoft-developing-virtual-headphone-algorithm/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/26/microsoft-developing-virtual-headphone-algorithm/Mar 26th 2007 10:38PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/03/26/microsoft-developing-virtual-headphone-algorithm/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/26/microsoft-developing-virtual-headphone-algorithm/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A3D]]>Mar 27th 2007 2:22AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/03/26/microsoft-developing-virtual-headphone-algorithm/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/26/microsoft-developing-virtual-headphone-algorithm/
nate w my guess is that they will achieve this by controlled use of constructive and destructive interference of sound waves so they will probably use multiple sound sources (drivers) to create different wave patterns simultaneously accross the same space.

The simplest form of such an audio beam forming device would be an array of tiny drivers on a flat square or disk and they all get the same audio signal. This will naturally form good on-axis response and a falloff to the sides. To compensate for the fact that this beaming works better on higher frequencies and to focus on differently shaped regions (other than a conical beam) all sorts of weightings and delays can be added to the audio signals for the different drivers and at different frequencies.

rp I agree that they will probably have to filter out low frequencies (where the wavelength is close to the size of the entire device) because you need a very big device to effectively focus the sound. And even then I doubt if the device will be perfect but I'd be interested to see how well this works.]]>Mar 27th 2007 5:54AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/03/26/microsoft-developing-virtual-headphone-algorithm/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/26/microsoft-developing-virtual-headphone-algorithm/2. It's not based on LRAD or ultrasound
3. It's called Wavefield Sysnthesis

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wavefield_synthesis

oh, and microsoft are obviously not the first]]>Mar 27th 2007 8:58AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/03/26/microsoft-developing-virtual-headphone-algorithm/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/26/microsoft-developing-virtual-headphone-algorithm/
lol

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