Loeb & Loeb LLP
Sound-image position control apparatus
 In order to obtain a sound-broadened image and a clear sound-image discrimination image when producing plural kinds of sounds, the electronic musical instrument and the like provides a sound-image position control apparatus. This apparatus at least provides a signal mixing portion (e.g., matrix controller) and a virtual-speaker position control portion. Herein, the signal mixing portion mixes plural audio signals supplied from a sound source and the like in accordance with a predetermined signal mixing procedure so as to output plural mixed signals. In order to control positions of virtual speakers which are emerged as sound-producing points as if each kind of sounds is produced from each of these points, the virtual-speaker position control portion applies different delay times to each of plural mixed signals so as to output delayed signals as right-side and left-side audio signals to be respectively supplied to right-side and left-side speakers. Thus, the sound-image positions formed by the virtual speakers are controlled well, so that the person can clearly discriminate and recognize each of the sound-image positions. When applying this apparatus to the game device providing a display unit which displays an animated image representing a visual image of the air plane and the like, by adequately controlling the sound-image position, it is possible to obtain a brand-new live-audio effect, by which the point of producing the sounds corresponding to the animated image can be moved in accordance with the movement of the animated image which is moved by the player of the game. 
Yamaha Corporation
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Sekine Junichi Yasutake
Satoshi Fujimori Suzuki