Integrated audio video signal processing system using centralized processing of signals

• US 8,200,349 B2
• Filed: 06/21/2006
• Issued: 06/12/2012
• 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): Mei, Xu
• Application Number:
  US11/425,510
• Publication Number:
  US 20060229752A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,183 Days
• Field of Search: 700/94, 381/61, 381/119, 381/98, 381/99, 361/683, 704/270, 704/272
• US Class Current: 700/94
• 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. An integrated audio processing system, comprising:

an audio source;

a central processing unit adapted to be responsive to an audio signal from the audio source;

a digital crossover module generating a plurality of speaker driving signals having different ranges of frequencies from the audio signal processed by the central processing unit, wherein the frequency ranges of the speaker driving signals are dynamically adjustable;

an amplifier generating a speaker driving current in response to a speaker driving signal; and

a dummy speaker directly driven by the speaker driving current from the amplifier,

wherein the central processing unit provides a digital signal to the digital crossover module, and the digital signal remains digital until converted into the driving current by the amplifier.

2. The integrated audio processing system of claim 1, wherein the speaker driving signals include a driving signal having a high frequency range and a driving signal having a low frequency range.

3. The integrated audio processing system of claim 2, wherein the amplifier comprises:

a first amplifier generating a high frequency speaker driving current in response to the high frequency driving signal; and

a second amplifier generating a low frequency speaker driving current in response to the low frequency driving signal.

4. The integrated audio processing system of claim 3, wherein the speaker driving signals include a driving signal having a mid frequency range that comprises frequencies that are between the high frequency driving signal and the low frequency driving signal.

5. The integrated audio processing system of claim 4, wherein the amplifier further comprises a third amplifier generating a mid frequency speaker driving current in response to a mid frequency driving signal.

6. The integrated audio processing system of claim 3, further comprising a dummy speaker driven by at least one speaker driving current from the amplifier.

7. The integrated audio processing system of claim 5, further comprising a dummy speaker driven by at least one speaker driving current from the amplifier.

8. The integrated audio processing system of claim 6, wherein the dummy speaker comprises a first speaker unit driven by the low frequency driving current and a second speaker unit driven by the high frequency driving current.

9. The integrated audio processing system of claim 7, wherein the dummy speaker comprises a first speaker unit driven by the low frequency driving current, a second speaker unit driven by the high frequency driving current, and a third speaker unit driven by the mid frequency driving current.

10. The integrated audio processing system of claim 1, further comprising a subwoofer receiving the speaker driving current.

11. The integrated audio processing system of claim 6, further comprising a subwoofer receiving at least one speaker driving current.

12. The integrated audio processing system of claim 1, wherein the audio signal from the audio source is the digital signal.

13. The integrated audio processing system of claim 1, wherein the audio signal from the audio source is an analog signal.

14. The integrated audio processing system of claim of claim 13, wherein the central processing unit converts the analog signal from the audio source to the digital signal.

15. The integrated audio processing system of claim 1, further comprising an upsampler module increasing the sampling rate of the audio signal from the audio source.

16. The integrated audio processing system of claim 15, wherein the upsampler module is software.

17. The integrated audio processing system of claim 15, wherein the upsampler module is a peripheral device in communication with the central processing unit.

18. The integrated audio processing system of claim 1, wherein the central processing unit processes the audio signal from the audio source to control a volume and tone of audio output.

19. The integrated audio processing system of claim 18, wherein the central processing unit controls the volume and tone of the audio signal through software.

20. The integrated audio processing system of claim 1, further comprising a filtering module adjusting the characteristics of audio output.

21. The integrated audio processing system of claim 20, wherein the filtering module is software.

22. The integrated audio processing system of claim 20, wherein the filtering module is a peripheral device in communication with the central processing unit.

23. The integrated audio processing system of claim 1, wherein the amplifier is a digital amplifier.

24. The integrated audio processing system of claim 3, wherein at least one of the first amplifier and the second amplifier is a digital amplifier.

25. The integrated audio processing system of claim 3, wherein at least one of the first amplifier and the second amplifier is an analog amplifier.

26. The integrated audio processing system of claim 3, wherein the first amplifier generating a high frequency speaker driving current is an analog amplifier and the second amplifier generating a low frequency speaker driving current is a digital amplifier.

27. The integrated audio processing system of claim 1, wherein the amplifier is a hybrid amplifier that comprises a first analog amplifier and a second digital amplifier.

28. The integrated audio processing system of claim 1, further comprising a housing containing the central processing unit and the digital crossover module.

29. The integrated audio processing system of claim 28, wherein the housing contains the audio source.

30. The integrated audio processing system of claim 1, wherein the system is based on a personal computer architecture.

31. The integrated audio processing system of claim 30, wherein the personal computer architecture is IBM\Wintel compatible.

32. The integrated audio processing system of claim 30, wherein the personal computer architecture is Apple compatible.

33. The integrated audio processing system of claim 30, further comprising a power tank preventing the system from shutting down when experiencing a power level in excess of a personal computer power threshold.

34. The integrated audio processing system of claim 1, wherein the dummy speaker includes a plurality of speaker units.

35. The integrated audio processing system of claim 34, wherein the plurality speaker units are removably coupled to the dummy speaker.

36. The integrated audio processing system of claim 1, wherein the digital crossover module is software.

37. The integrated audio processing system of claim 1, wherein the digital crossover module is a peripheral device in communication with the central processing unit.

38. The integrated audio processing system of claim 1, further comprising a mass storage device.

39. The integrated audio processing system of claim 38, further comprising a network connection.

40. The integrated audio processing system of claim 39 further comprising an input device.

41. The integrated audio processing system of claim 40, wherein the input device comprises a microphone.

42. The integrated audio processing system of claim 40, wherein the input device comprises an image capture device.

43. The integrated audio processing system of claim 38 further comprising an input device.

44. The integrated audio processing system of claim 43, wherein the input device detects listening environment characteristics.

45. The integrated audio processing system of claim 44, wherein the detected listening environment characteristics include room characteristics of a room where the system is located.

46. The integrated audio processing system of claim 44, wherein the detected listening environment characteristics include characteristics of an audience.

47. The integrated audio processing system of claim 46, wherein the audience characteristics include at least one of:

a distance to the audience;

a posture of the audience;

a position of the audience;

a motion of the audience;

or

a number of people in the audience.

48. The integrated audio processing system of claim 44, wherein the detected listening environment characteristics include characteristics of system speakers.

49. The integrated audio processing system of claim 48, wherein the system speaker characteristics includes at least one of:

optimal frequency range of each speaker;

a power capability of each speaker;

a position of each speaker in the listening environment;

or

a relative position of each speaker compared to other speakers.

50. The integrated audio processing system of claim 44, wherein the central processing unit determines an audio signal adjustment based on the detected listening environment characteristics from the input device.

51. The integrated audio processing system of claim 50, wherein the central processing unit adjusts the audio signal based on the audio signal adjustment.

52. The integrated audio processing system of claim 38, wherein the central processing unit analyzes audio media stored on the mass storage device.

53. The integrated audio processing system of claim 52, wherein the central processing unit determines an audio signal adjustment based on the analysis of stored audio media.

54. The integrated audio processing system of claim 53, wherein the central processing unit adjusts the audio signal based on the audio signal adjustment.

55. The integrated audio processing system of claim 53, wherein the audio signal adjustment is stored in the mass storage device.

56. The integrated audio processing system of claim 53, further comprising a network connection over which a stored audio signal adjustment may be communicated.

57. The integrated audio processing system of claim 50, wherein the audio signal adjustment is stored in the mass storage device.

58. The integrated audio processing system of claim 57, further comprising a network connection over which the stored audio signal adjustment may be communicated.

59. A method for reproducing sound, comprising:

capturing an audio signal from an audio source;

processing the captured audio signal in a central processing unit;

dividing the processed audio signal into a plurality of speaker driving signals having different frequency ranges;

generating a plurality of speaker driving currents in response to the corresponding plurality of speaker driving signals; and

driving a plurality of speakers with the plurality of speaker driving currents to reproduce sound,

wherein the different frequency ranges are dynamically configurable,

wherein the processed audio signal is a digital signal, and the digital signal remains digital until the plurality of speaker driving currents are generated, and

wherein the plurality of speakers comprise at least one dummy speaker directly driven by the speaker driving current from the amplifier.

60. The method of claim 59, wherein the audio signal is processed in a digital format.

61. The method of claim 59, further comprising:

detecting listening environment information; and

providing the listening environment information to the central processing unit.

62. The method of claim 61, wherein the listening environment information includes audience information.

63. The method of claim 62, wherein the audience information includes at least one of:

a distance to the audience;

a posture of the audience;

a position of the audience;

a motion of the audience;

or

a number of people in the audience.

64. The method for reproducing sound of claim 61, wherein the listening environment information includes system speaker information.

65. The method of claim 64, wherein the system speaker information includes at least one of:

optimal frequency range of each speaker;

a power capability of each speaker;

a position of each speaker in the listening environment; and

a relative position of each speaker compared to other speakers.

66. The method of claim 61, wherein the listening environment information includes room information.

67. The method of claim 61, further comprising calculating an audio signal adjustment according to the listening environment information.

68. The method of claim 67, further comprising adjusting the audio signal according to the calculated audio signal adjustment.

69. The method of claim 63, further comprising:

calculating an audio signal adjustment according to the listening environment information; and

adjusting the audio signal according to the calculated audio signal adjustment.

70. The method of claim 69, wherein adjusting the audio signal comprises shifting a phantom center according to at least one of the position of the audience or the posture of the audience.

71. The method of claim 69, wherein adjusting the audio signal comprises adjusting a scope of a phantom center according the number of people in the audience.

72. The method of claim 66, wherein adjusting the audio signal comprises adjusting volume according to the motion of the audience.

73. The method of claim 59, further comprising:

determining content information of the audio signal; and

providing the content information to the central processing unit.

74. The method of claim 73, further comprising:

calculating an audio signal adjustment according to the content information; and

adjusting the audio signal according to the audio signal adjustment.

75. The method of claim 74, wherein the main processor determines the content information by reviewing the audio signal of media when the source is not in use.

76. The method of claim 75, further comprising:

storing the audio signal adjustment on a storage device;

adjusting the audio signal according to the stored audio signal adjustment retrieved from the storage device.

77. The method of claim 67, further comprising:

storing the audio signal adjustment on a storage device;

adjusting the audio signal according to the stored audio signal adjustment retrieved from the storage device.

78. The method of claim 76, further comprising communicating the stored audio signal adjustment over a network connection.

79. The method of claim 77, further comprising communicating the stored audio signal adjustment over a network connection.

80. The method of claim 59, wherein the audio source is delivered over a network connection.