Multichannel audio system, and head unit and slave unit used for the same

• US 20040249490A1
• Filed: 04/28/2004
• Published: 12/09/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/06/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha (Mitsubishi Electric Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha (Mitsubishi Electric Corporation)
• Inventors: Sakai, Kenji
• Application Number:
  US10/833,310
• Publication Number:
  US 20040249490A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/94
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/28 Arrangements for simultaneous broadcast of plural pieces of information
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/83 not sharing the network with any other service

Abstract

A multichannel audio system is provided which is suitable for optimally utilizing a plurality of amplifiers on a network for multichannel reproduction. It includes a head unit and slave units interconnected with each other via a network. The head unit assigns a channel and transmits multichannel data to each of the slave units. The slave units each generate an audio signal in response to data of the channel assigned by the head unit, the data being extracted from the received multichannel data received from the head unit.

Claims

1. A multichannel audio system including a head unit for transmitting multichannel data, slave units for receiving the multichannel data, and a network for connecting the head unit and the slave units, wherein

said head unit assigns a channel and transmits multichannel data to each of said slave units;

and

said slave units each generate an audio signal in response to data of a channel assigned by said head unit, the data of the channel being extracted from the multichannel data received from said head unit.

2. The multichannel audio system according to claim 1, wherein said head unit comprises:

a sound source for generating multichannel data;

a network interface for transmitting the multichannel data generated by said sound source to the network;

a channel decider for assigning the channel to each of said slave units and to said head unit;

a channel extractor for extracting data of the channel assigned by said channel decider from the multichannel data generated by said sound source; and

an amplifier for amplifying the extracted channel signal obtained by said channel extractor.

3. The multichannel audio system according to claim 2, wherein said channel decider assigns the channel in response to audio reproduction competence data representing audio reproduction competence of said slave units and said head unit.

4. The multichannel audio system according to claim 2, wherein said head unit further comprises a frequency characteristic converter for converting frequency characteristics of the extracted channel signal obtained by said channel extractor.

5. The multichannel audio system according to claim 1, wherein said slave units each comprise:

a channel extractor for extracting data of the channel assigned by said channel decider from the multichannel data transmitted from said head unit via said network; and

an amplifier for amplifying an extracted channel signal obtained by said channel extractor.

6. The multichannel audio system according to claim 5, wherein said slave units each comprise a frequency characteristic converter for converting frequency characteristics of the extracted channel signal obtained by said channel extractor.

7. A head unit comprising:

a sound source for generating multichannel data;

a network interface for transmitting the multichannel data generated by said sound source to a network;

a channel decider for assigning a channel to each of said slave units and to said head unit which are connected to the network;

a channel extractor for extracting data of the channel assigned by said channel decider from the multichannel data generated by said sound source; and

an amplifier for amplifying the extracted channel signal obtained by said channel extractor.

8. The head unit according to claim 7, wherein said channel decider assigns the channel in response to audio reproduction competence data representing audio reproduction competence of said slave units and said head unit which are connected to the network.

9. The head unit according to claim 8, further comprising a frequency characteristic converter for converting frequency characteristics of the extracted channel signal obtained by said channel extractor.

10. A slave unit comprising:

a channel extractor for extracting data of a preassigned channel from multichannel data transmitted from a network; and

an amplifier for amplifying an extracted channel signal obtained by said channel extractor.

11. The slave unit according to claim 10, further comprising a frequency characteristic converter for converting frequency characteristics of the extracted channel signal obtained by said channel extractor.