Integrated audio video signal processing system using centralized processing of signals

• US 9,237,301 B2
• Filed: 06/22/2006
• Issued: 01/12/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 12/30/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mondo Systems, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Mondo Systems, Inc.
• Inventors: Chung, Chul
• Primary Examiner(s): Flanders, Andrew C
• Application Number:
  US11/425,923
• Publication Number:
  US 20060245600A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,491 Days
• Field of Search: 700/94
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/683 using metadata automatically derived from the content
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2803 Home automation networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2838 Distribution of signals within a home automation network, e.g. involving splitting/multiplexing signals to/from different paths adaptations of television systems for transmission by electric cable for domestic distribution H04N7/106; hybrid transport H04L12/6418; home network arrangements specially adapted for distribution of digital video signals H04N7/24
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/2849 Audio/video appliances
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/40 Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/775 between a recording apparatus and a television receiver
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/781 on disks or drums
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/85 on discs or drums
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/8042 involving data reduction
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 3/04 for correcting frequency response
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 3/14 Cross-over networks

Abstract

Integrated processing of audio/video signals can eliminate unnecessary signal processors and converters without losing the functionality of typical home entertainment system components. The integrated system includes a main player that captures and processes signals digitally, a dummy display, and a dummy speaker. The dummy display may only have a display panel and a panel driver. The dummy speaker may only have a driving unit and no crossover logic. The main player may have a PC architecture and process all signals digitally for outputting signals tailored for the display device and the individual driving units of the dummy speaker. The integrated system may also provide dynamic signal adjustments based on the surrounding environment. The main player may include a storage device and can process media content stored therein to produce supplemental information to provide an optimal audiovisual experience. This supplemental information can be shared among users over a network connection.

Claims

1. A speaker system, comprising:

a digital crossover unit implemented as a software module and configured to separate an input audio signal into different frequency ranges;

a hybrid amplifier configured to respectively receive the different frequency ranges output by the digital crossover unit and to generate a plurality of speaker driving currents corresponding to the different frequency ranges;

a first interchangeable speaker module comprising a woofer speaker unit configured to receive a low frequency driving current; and

a second interchangeable speaker module comprising a tweeter speaker unit configured to receive a high frequency driving current;

wherein;

the digital crossover unit and the amplifiers are not contained in any of the speaker units;

each speaker unit comprises a dummy speaker comprising a driving unit and no crossover logic;

the hybrid amplifier comprises;

at least one digital amplifier providing the low frequency speaker driving current to the woofer speaker unit; and

at least one analog amplifier providing the high frequency speaker driving current to the tweeter speaker unit; and

the digital crossover unit is configured to dynamically adjust the different frequency ranges while an audio source is playing.

2. The speaker system of claim 1, further comprising a speaker housing, wherein the first and second interchangeable speaker modules are removably couplable to the speaker housing.

3. The speaker system of claim 1, wherein each of the first and second interchangeable speaker modules are removably couplable to one another.