Audio post processing in DVD, DTV and other audio visual products

• US 20030161479A1
• Filed: 05/30/2001
• Published: 08/28/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 05/30/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SONY CORPORATION AND SONY ELECTRONICS INC., JOINTLY AS TO SONY CORPORATION, Sony Electronics Inc. (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Du, Robert Weixiu, Yang, Chinping Q.
• Granted Patent: US 7,668,317 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 381/22
• CPC Class Codes: H04S 1/007 in which the audio signals are in digital form data reduction aspects thereof based on psychoacoustics G10L19/02
• CPC Class Codes: H04S 3/02 of the matrix type, i.e. in which input signals are combined algebraically, e.g. after having been phase shifted with respect to each other
• CPC Class Codes: H04S 7/307 Frequency adjustment, e.g. tone control H04S7/301 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04S 7/308 Electronic adaptation dependent on speaker or headphone connection

Abstract

The method and system of present invention sequences audio post-processing algorithms to simulate live or theater sound. An audio signal is selectively post-processed according to equipment availability and listener preferences. Downmixing or Prologic algorithms are applied to a signal arriving at sound system. A listener inputs their speaker configuration to a player console. Desired post-processing effects are likewise indicated to the console. For instance, if surround sound equipment is both available and selected, then surround portions of the audio signal are parsed to surround speakers. Bass management techniques then transfer low frequency channels of the signal to compatible speakers. VES or DCS algorithms further manipulate the surround portion of the signal to create an illusion of immersion, and a center channel equalizer balances the signal playback. Alternatively, the post-processed signal is transmitted to a headphone set.

Claims

1. An audio post processing method comprising the following sequenced steps:

matrix mixing an audio signal, then

decoding a surround channel of the audio signal, then

directing a low frequency input channel of the signal to a low frequency effect compatible speaker,

transmitting an ambient noise containing channel of the signal to a speaker system operable to create a three dimensional effect, then

center channel equalizing the input signal.

2. The audio post processing method according to claim 1, further comprising matrix mixing the signal by applying a downmixing algorithm.

3. The audio post processing method according to claim 1, further comprising matrix mixing the signal by applying a Prologic algorithm.

4. The audio post processing method according to claim 1, further comprising driving a centrally-located loudspeaker with a center channel of the signal.

5. The audio post-processing method according to claim 1, further comprising driving a plurality of loudspeakers positioned towards the rear and to the sides of the listener with a surround channel of the signal.

6. The audio post-processing method according to claim 1, further comprising using a bass channel of the signal to drive a low frequency effect loudspeaker.

7. The audio post-processing method according to claim 1, further comprising transmitting ambient noise to the plurality loudspeakers positioned towards the rear and the sides of the listener.

8. The audio post-processing method according to claim 1, further comprising transmitting ambient noise to a loudspeaker positioned towards the front of a listener to create a encompassed impression therein.

9. The audio post-processing method according to claim 1, further comprising inputting a listener preference and available equipment status into a player console, wherein the listener preference reflects a desired post processing effect.

10. An audio post processing method comprising the following ordered steps:

matrix mixing an audio signal, then

decoding a surround channel of the audio signal, then

directing low frequency input channels to a bass compatible speaker, then

applying a headphone algorithm

11. The audio post processing method according to claim 10, further comprising matrix mixing the signal by applying a downmixing algorithm.

12. The audio post processing method according to claim 10, further comprising matrix mixing the signal by applying a Prologic algorithm.

13. The audio post processing method according to claim 10, further comprising driving the headphone speaker with a center channel of the signal.

14. The audio post processing method according to claim 10, further comprising driving the headphone speaker with a surround channel of the signal.

15. The audio post processing method according to claim 10, further comprising transmitting ambient noise to the headphone speaker.

16. The audio post processing method according to claim 10, further comprising inputting a listener preference and available equipment status into a player console, wherein the listener preference reflects a desired post processing effect.

17. An audio post-processing system, comprising:

a plurality of decoders operable to perform the following sequenced steps;

matrix mixing an audio signal, then

decoding a surround channel of the audio signal, then

directing a low frequency input channel of the signal to a low frequency effect compatible speaker,

transmitting an ambient noise containing channel of the signal to a speaker system operable to create a three dimensional effect, then

center channel equalizing the input signal;

a player console operable to receive system listener input;

a signal source producing a signal comprised of a plurality of channels, each channel operable to drive a loudspeaker positioned at one or more of a plurality of destinations.

18. The audio post-processing system of claim 17, further comprising output amplifiers operable to drive a loudspeaker positioned at one or more of the following positions relative a listener:

front, right, left and rear.

19. The audio post-processing system of claim 17, farther comprising output amplifiers operable to drive a headphone speaker.

20. The audio post-processing system of claim 17, wherein said listener input reflects listener preference and the disposition of available equipment.

21. The audio post-processing system of claim 17, further comprising surround sound channel output amplifiers driving loudspeakers positioned towards the rear and toward the sides of the listener.

22. The audio post-processing system of claim 17, further comprising a center channel equalizer output amplifier driving a loudspeaker positioned towards the front and center of the listener.

23. The audio post-processing system of claim 17, further comprising a bass channel amplifier driving a low frequency effect loudspeaker.

24. The audio post-processing system of claim 17, wherein said decoders utilizes DCS techniques said to direct ambient noise channels of the audio signal to loudspeakers positioned towards the rear of the listener.

25. The audio post-processing system of claim 17, wherein said decoders utilize said VES algorithm to direct an ambient noise channel of the audio signal to loudspeakers positioned towards the front of the listener.

26. The audio post-processing system of claim 17, wherein said decoders create a center channel of the audio signal for driving a loudspeaker that is centrally located with respect to the listener.

27. The audio post-processing system of claim 17, wherein said decoders create a surround sound channel for ambient noise for driving two loudspeakers that are located to the right and left behind the listener.

28. An audio post-processing system, comprising:

a plurality of decoders operable to perform the following sequenced steps;

matrix mixing an audio signal, then

decoding a surround channel of the audio signal, then

directing low frequency input channels to a bass compatible speaker, then

applying a headphone algorithm;

a player console operable to receive system listener input;

a signal source producing a signal comprised of a plurality of channels, each channel operable to drive a loudspeaker positioned at one or more of a plurality of destinations.

29. An audio post processing method comprising performing a sequence selected from the group consisting of:

a) matrix mixing an audio signal and decoding a surround channel of the signal;

b) matrix mixing the signal, decoding the surround channel, and directing a low frequency input channel of the signal to a low frequency effect compatible speaker;

c) matrix mixing the signal and directing the low frequency input channel of the signal to the low frequency effect compatible speaker;

d) matrix mixing the signal, decoding the surround channel, directing the low frequency input channel of the signal to the low frequency effect compatible speaker, and transmitting an ambient noise containing channel of the signal to a speaker system operable to create a three dimensional effect;

e) matrix mixing the signal, decoding the surround channel, and transmitting the ambient noise containing channel of the signal to the speaker system operable to create the three dimensional effect;

f) matrix mixing the signal, directing the low frequency input channel of the signal to the low frequency effect compatible speaker, and transmitting the ambient noise containing channel of the signal to the speaker system operable to create the three dimensional effect;

g) matrix mixing the signal and transmitting the ambient noise containing channel of the signal to the speaker system operable to create the three dimensional effect;

h) matrix mixing the signal, decoding the surround channel, directing the low frequency input channel of the signal to the low frequency effect compatible speaker, transmitting the ambient noise containing channel of the signal to the speaker system operable to create the three dimensional effect, and center channel equalizing the input signal;

i) matrix mixing the signal, decoding the surround channel, and center channel equalizing the input signal;

j) matrix mixing the signal, directing the low frequency input channel of the signal to the low frequency effect compatible speaker, and center channel equalizing the input signal;

k) matrix mixing the audio signal, transmitting the ambient noise containing channel of the signal to the speaker system operable to create the three dimensional effect, and center channel equalizing the input signal;

l) matrix mixing the audio signal, decoding the surround channel of the signal, directing the low frequency input channel of the signal to the low frequency effect compatible speaker, and center channel equalizing the input signal;

m) matrix mixing the audio signal, directing the low frequency input channel of the signal to the low frequency effect compatible speaker, transmitting the ambient noise containing channel of the signal to the speaker system operable to create the three dimensional effect, and center channel equalizing the input signal;

n) matrix mixing and center channel equalizing the signal;

wherein matrix mixing always precedes decoding the surround channel, directing the low frequency input channel, transmitting the ambient noise containing channel, and center channel equalizing the signal,

wherein decoding the surround channel of the audio signal always precedes directing the low frequency input channel, transmitting the ambient noise containing channel, and center channel equalizing the signal,

wherein directing the low frequency input channel always precedes transmitting the ambient noise containing channel, and center channel equalizing the signal,

wherein transmitting the ambient noise containing channel always precedes center channel equalizing the signal.