阅读说明：本技术 用于扬声器调谐和自动数字信号处理配置的设备和方法 (Apparatus and method for speaker tuning and automatic digital signal processing configuration ) 是由 C.斯普林克尔 于 2018-06-01 设计创作，主要内容包括：提供了一种扬声器系统,所述扬声器系统包括扬声器阵列、音频控制器,以及一个或多个可插入的柱。所述扬声器阵列被配置成在收听环境中回放音频输出。所述音频控制器被配置成将所述音频输出提供到所述扬声器阵列。所述一个或多个可插入的柱定位在所述音频控制器与所述扬声器之间,以调整所述扬声器阵列相对于所述音频控制器的高度。(A speaker system is provided that includes a speaker array, an audio controller, and one or more insertable posts. The speaker array is configured to play back audio output in a listening environment. The audio controller is configured to provide the audio output to the speaker array. The one or more insertable posts are positioned between the audio controller and the speaker to adjust a height of the speaker array relative to the audio controller.)

1. A speaker system, comprising:

a speaker array configured to play back audio output in a listening environment;

an audio controller configured to provide the audio output to the speaker array; and

one or more insertable posts positioned between the audio controller and the speaker to adjust a height of the speaker array relative to the audio controller.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein each insertable post comprises at least one resistor.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the audio controller is further configured to measure an electrical output across the at least one resistor of each insertable post.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the audio controller is further configured to adjust a tuning parameter associated with the speaker array based on the measured electrical output.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the tuning parameters correspond to delay, equalization, and parametric parameters.

6. The system of claim 1, further comprising at least one speaker separated from the speaker array by the one or more insertable posts.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the at least one speaker is a woofer, and wherein the speaker array includes at least one of any number of tweeters and any number of mid-range speakers.

8. The system of claim 6, wherein the audio controller is further configured to inhibit transmission of the audio output to the at least one speaker in response to detecting the speaker array being electrically disconnected from the audio controller.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more insertable posts enable electrical communication between the audio controller and the speaker array.

10. A speaker system, comprising:

a speaker array configured to play back audio output in a listening environment;

an audio controller configured to provide the audio output to the speaker array; and

one or more insertable posts positioned between the audio controller and the speaker array to adjust a height of the speaker array relative to the audio controller based on a size of the listening environment.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein each insertable post comprises at least one resistor.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the audio controller is further configured to measure an electrical output across the at least one resistor of each insertable post.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the audio controller is further configured to adjust a tuning parameter associated with the speaker array based on the measured electrical output.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the tuning parameters correspond to delay, equalization, and parametric parameters.

15. A speaker system, comprising:

a speaker array configured to play back audio output in a listening environment;

one or more insertable posts electrically connected to the speaker array; and

an audio controller configured to provide the audio output to the speaker array via the one or more insertable posts.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the one or more insertable posts increase an overall height of the speaker array relative to a speaker enclosure including at least one speaker.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein each insertable post comprises at least one resistor.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the audio controller is further configured to measure an electrical output across the at least one resistor of each insertable post.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the audio controller is further configured to adjust a tuning parameter associated with the speaker array based on the measured electrical output.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the tuning parameters correspond to delay, equalization, and parametric parameters.

Technical Field

Aspects disclosed herein relate generally to a system and method for speaker tuning and automatic Digital Signal Processing (DSP) configuration.

Background

U.S. patent No. 9,615,163 to Nachman et al discloses a speaker port that may include tunable physical components to tune the port to different frequencies to improve speaker efficiency at those frequencies. The ports may be activated by at least partially opening the associated shutter or deactivated by closing the associated shutter. The activated ports may enhance speaker efficiency over a range of frequencies. However, activated ports may also introduce acoustic artifacts, thereby degrading sound quality. Thus, ports may be disabled where appropriate to reduce their negative impact on sound quality. A Digital Signal Processor (DSP) may determine the frequency components of the sound being played to determine when to open the port and how to tune the port. Thus, the speaker may benefit from the improved efficiency facilitated by the port while also avoiding typical drawbacks created by the port.

Disclosure of Invention

In at least one embodiment, a speaker system is provided. The speaker system includes a speaker array, an audio controller, and one or more insertable posts. The speaker array is configured to play back audio output in a listening environment. The audio controller is configured to provide the audio output to the speaker array. The one or more insertable posts are positioned between the audio controller and the speaker to adjust a height of the speaker array relative to the audio controller.

In at least another embodiment, a speaker system is provided. The speaker system includes a speaker array, an audio controller, and one or more insertable posts. The speaker array is configured to play back audio output in a listening environment. The audio controller is configured to provide the audio output to the speaker array. The one or more insertable posts are positioned between the audio controller and the speaker array to adjust a height of the speaker array relative to the audio controller based on a size of the listening environment.

In at least one embodiment, a speaker system is provided. The speaker system includes a speaker array, one or more insertable posts, and an audio controller. The speaker array is configured to play back audio output in a listening environment. The one or more insertable posts are electrically connected to the speaker array. The audio controller is configured to provide the audio output to the speaker array via the one or more insertable posts.

Drawings

Embodiments of the present disclosure are particularly pointed out in the appended claims. However, other features of the various embodiments will become more apparent and will be best understood by referring to the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

fig. 1 generally depicts a speaker system for automatic DSP adjustment based on a first length, according to one embodiment;

fig. 2 generally depicts a speaker system for automatic DSP adjustment based on a second length, according to one embodiment;

fig. 3 generally depicts a speaker system for automatic DSP adjustment based on a third length in accordance with one embodiment;

fig. 4 generally depicts a more detailed implementation of a speaker system for automatic DSP adjustment based on a first length, according to one embodiment;

FIG. 5 generally depicts a more detailed implementation of a speaker system for automatic DSP adjustment based on a second length according to one embodiment;

fig. 6 generally depicts a more detailed implementation of a speaker system for automatic DSP adjustment based on a third length in accordance with one embodiment;

fig. 7 generally depicts a more detailed implementation of a speaker system according to one embodiment; and

fig. 8 generally depicts a method for automatic DSP adjustment, according to one embodiment.

Detailed Description

As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention that may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale; some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention.

Embodiments of the present disclosure generally provide a plurality of circuits or other electrical devices. All references to circuits and other electrical devices and the functions provided by each are not intended to be limited to only encompassing what is shown and described herein. Although particular tags may be assigned to the various circuits or other electrical devices disclosed, such tags are not intended to limit the operating range of the circuits or other electrical devices. Such circuitry and other electrical devices may be combined with each other and/or separated in any manner based on the particular type of electrical implementation desired. It should be appreciated that any of the circuits or other electrical devices disclosed herein may include any number of microcontrollers, Graphics Processor Units (GPUs), integrated circuits, memory devices (e.g., flash memory, Random Access Memory (RAM), Read Only Memory (ROM), Electrically Programmable Read Only Memory (EPROM), Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EEPROM), or other suitable variations thereof), and software that cooperate with one another to perform the operations disclosed herein. Additionally, any one or more of the electrical devices may be configured to execute a computer program embodied in a non-transitory computer readable medium programmed to perform any number of the functions as disclosed.

Aspects disclosed herein provide a speaker system that includes an audio controller that detects a voltage and/or other mechanical switches that indicate a physical configuration of at least one speaker and automatically adjust Digital Signal Processing (DSP) tuning parameters based on the voltage or the output of the mechanical switches. The speaker system includes an audio controller that provides audio input signals to at least one speaker for audio playback. One or more insertable posts may be positioned between the audio controller and the at least one speaker to adjust a distance (or height) between the audio controller and the at least one speaker based on a desired audio output from the at least one speaker. In one example, each post may include any number of resistors and various wires to connect to the connector of at least one speaker. The audio controller measures the voltage across the resistor and also determines whether at least one speaker is connected to a wire of the system. The audio controller adjusts the tuning parameters of the at least one speaker based on the number of connected resistors (i.e., based on the measured voltage that varies according to the height of the at least one speaker relative to the audio controller). The number of resistors implemented in the speaker system is based on the total height of the at least one speaker to the audio controller. As the height increases, the number of resistors increases and the total resistance increases. Conversely, as the height decreases, the number of resistors connected to the audio controller decreases and the overall resistance decreases. Additionally, if the at least one speaker is disconnected from the audio controller, the audio controller mutes the at least one speaker and the woofer to play back the sound of the audio input signal.

Fig. 1 generally depicts a speaker system 10 for automatic DSP adjustment based on a first length according to one embodiment. The system 10 generally includes an audio controller 12 and a speaker array 14. The number of speakers implemented in the array 14 may vary based on desired criteria for a particular implementation. The audio controller 12 is generally configured to transmit audio input signals to the speaker array 14. The speaker array 14 plays back audio input signals for the user. The speaker array 14 may play back audio input signals at any frequency in excess of 300 Hz. For example, the speaker array 14 may include any number of tweeters and/or mid-frequency domain speakers to play back audio input signals for the proposed frequencies.

Audio controller 12 includes at least one speaker 16, which may be any number of low frequency speakers and plays back audio input signals at a frequency of less than 300 Hz. The speaker housing 15 includes the audio controller 12 and at least one speaker 16. The overall height between audio controller 12 and speaker array 14 as shown in fig. 1 may correspond to a default height that is not necessary for audio controller 12 to adjust various DSP-related tuning parameters of speaker array 14. However, system 10 enables a user to adjust the height (or distance) between audio controller 12 and speaker array 14 to accommodate playback of audio input signals in a larger room or venue. As shown in fig. 1, the user increases the height between the speaker array 14 and the speaker housing 15. Additionally, the user may desire to adjust the height to accommodate the viewer position/seat. To this end, fig. 2 depicts a speaker system 10 in which a user may increase the height between the audio controller 12 and the speaker array 14 by adding one or more insertable posts (or spacers) 18. For example, a user may insert a post 18 between the audio controller 12 and the speaker array 14. The user may also choose to remove the post 18 as needed to return the speaker system 10 to its default position for audio playback. As shown in fig. 2, the speaker system 10 provides a single post 18 between the audio controller 12 and the speaker array 14.

Fig. 3 generally depicts speaker system 10 with posts 18a and 18b (i.e., a plurality of posts) interposed between audio controller 12 and speaker array 14. As shown, the addition of posts 18a and 18b increases the height between audio controller 12 and speaker array 14 (or speaker housing 15). It should be generally recognized that as the height between audio controller 12 and speaker array 14 changes, the tuning parameters may need to be changed to ensure that speaker array 14 in conjunction with speakers 16 properly plays back the audio input signals accordingly. The audio controller 12 includes a digital signal processor (not shown) that includes various tuning parameters that can be varied based on the overall height of the speaker array 14. Each post 18 generally includes a first pair of wires 20a-20b and a second pair of wires 22a-22 b. The first wire 20a includes at least one resistor 23. It should be appreciated that any number of resistors 23 may be implemented in a single post 18. The speaker array 14 generally includes a third pair of wires 24a-24b and a fourth pair of wires 26a-26 b. The audio controller 12 is electrically connected to a first pair of wires 20a-20b, a second pair of wires 22a-22b, a third pair of wires 24a-24b, and a fourth pair of wires 26a-26b, respectively. Each of the posts 18 may be coupled to each other or to the speaker array 14 via a snap lock arrangement or via an interference fit with its ends (i.e., the ends of the posts 18).

Generally, the first pair of wires 20a-20b is electrically connected to the third pair of wires 24a-24b, respectively, and the second pair of wires 22a-22b is electrically connected to the fourth pair of wires 26a-26b, respectively. As shown, the third pair of wires 24a-24b forms a circuit with the first pair of wires 20a-20b and the audio controller 12. Likewise, the fourth pair of wires 26a-26b forms an electrical circuit with the second pair of wires 22a-22 b. In operation, audio controller 12 measures the voltage across resistor 23 and adjusts various DSP tuning related parameters to account for the height of speaker array 14. As expected, the measured voltage corresponds to the resistance value of the total resistance of the resistor 23 and the wires 20a, 20b, 22a, 22b, 24a, 24b, etc. themselves. In addition to the overall height (or length) of these wires relative to audio controller 12 (or the portion of housing 15 in which audio controller 12 is located), the overall resistance of wires 20a, 20b, 22a, 22b, 24a, 24b may also be attributed to the type and/or gauge of the wires. Each post 18 may include an electrical connector (not shown) for coupling various electrical wires 20a, 20b, 22a, 22b, 24a, 24b, etc. For example, audio controller 12 may control parameters such as, but not limited to, delay, EQ, parametric parameters, and the like based on a measured voltage (or current) (or a measured electrical output) (e.g., height of speaker array 14). With the height increased and tuning parameters adjusted, the system 10 avoids the user from perceiving source separation of sounds from different locations. Instead, the speaker array 14 and speakers 16 play back audio input signals seamlessly and this may be true for any height. For example, when the speaker array 14 is at its lowest position, the user is not given the impression that the speaker array 14 and the speakers 16 compete with each other (such as a trailing sound). In fact, there is a good and smooth mixing of audio between the speaker array 14 and the speakers 16.

Thus, depending on the number of posts 18 inserted between the audio controller 12 and the speaker array 14, the voltage measured across the resistor 24 varies accordingly, and the audio controller 12 adjusts the tuning parameters of the speaker array 14 based on the measured voltage. This condition is based on the total height of the speaker array 14. Likewise, when the speaker array 14 is electrically disconnected from the audio controller 12 (e.g., the wires 26a-26b are disconnected from the second pair of wires 22a-22b or from an input pin (not shown) of the audio controller 12), the audio controller 12 detects an open circuit condition and stops transmitting audio input signals (e.g., muting the speaker array 14). Audio controller 12 also disables the transmission of audio input signals to speaker 16 (or to a woofer) when an open circuit condition is detected.

Fig. 4 is a more detailed view of the system 10 shown in fig. 1. In this case, the system 10 is in a default position, whereby no posts 18 are interposed between the audio controller 12 and the speaker array 14. Fig. 5 is a more detailed view of the system 10 shown in fig. 2. In this case, a single post 18 (e.g., a single resistor 23) is inserted between the audio controller 12 and the speaker array 14. Inserting a single post 18 between the audio controller 12 and the speaker array 14 corresponds to a first predetermined height, and the audio controller 12 adjusts the tuning parameters of the speaker array 14 for playback of the audio input signal based on the first predetermined height (or the voltage measured across the resistor 23).

Fig. 6 is a more detailed view of the system shown in fig. 3. In this case, two posts 18a and 18b are interposed between the audio controller 12 and the speaker array 14 (e.g., a plurality of resistors 23 provided in series). The insertion of the two posts 18a and 18b between the audio controller 12 and the speaker array 14 corresponds to a second predetermined height, and the audio controller 12 adjusts the tuning parameters of the speaker array 14 for playback of the audio input signal based on the second predetermined height (or the voltage measured across the resistor 23). As described above, when speaker array 14 is removed from system 10, audio controller 12 detects an open circuit condition and stops transmitting or providing audio input signals until speaker array 14 is electrically coupled back to audio controller 12. Audio controller 12 also disables the transmission of audio input signals to speaker 16 (or to a woofer) when an open circuit condition is detected.

Fig. 7 depicts a more detailed view of audio controller 12. Audio controller 12 includes microprocessor 40, rechargeable battery 42, transceiver 44, speaker 16 (or a low frequency speaker), user interface 48, and DSP tuning parameters 50. As shown, the microprocessor 40 is electrically coupled to the various posts 18a and 18b (i.e., resistors 23) and to the speaker array 14. The microprocessor 40 generally includes a voltage measurement circuit (not shown) for measuring the voltage across the resistor 23. Likewise, the voltage measurement circuit may also detect an open circuit condition with the speaker array 14 removed from the system 10.

Transceiver 44 enables audio controller 12 to wirelessly receive an audio input signal from another audio source (not shown). In one example, audio controller 12 may communicate wirelessly with other audio sources via a bluetooth, WiFi, or other suitable wireless interface. It should be appreciated that the audio controller 12 may also wirelessly transmit audio input signals to another playback device, such as a mobile device, headset, tablet, etc. The user interface 48 includes various switches (not shown) to enable a user to adjust the volume, select various channels, bass controls, reverberation controls, treble controls, and the like. Although not shown, audio controller 12 may also include a USB port for charging and/or receiving audio input signals for playback. It should be appreciated that audio controller 12 may include any number of channels for mixing different audio signals.

Fig. 8 generally depicts a method 100 for automatic DSP adjustment, according to one embodiment. In operation 102, audio controller 12 measures the voltage (or current) across each pair of wires 20a-20b, 22a-22b, 24a-24b, and/or 26a-26 b. With the post 18 not attached to the speaker array 14, the audio controller 12 may measure the voltage (or current) across the wires 24a-24b and 26a-26 b. In operation 104, audio controller 12 determines whether an open circuit condition exists. If audio controller 12 determines that an open circuit condition exists, method 100 moves to operation 106. If not, the method 100 moves to operation 108.

In operation 106, audio controller 12 disables transmission of audio input signals to speaker array 14 and to speakers 16 (e.g., attenuates sound for audio playback). In operation 108, audio controller 12 determines whether the voltage drop across wires 20a-20b and 24a-24b is less than a predetermined minimum voltage amount. If audio controller 12 determines that the voltage will be less than the predetermined minimum voltage amount, method 100 moves to operation 110. In this case, the height of the speaker array 14 is not moved and is in a default position (i.e., none of the posts are coupled to the audio controller 12). If not, the method 100 moves to operation 112. In operation 110, audio controller 12 avoids adjusting any tuning parameters of speaker array 14 because there is no change in the height of speaker array 14. In operation 112, audio controller 12 adjusts the tuning parameters based on the measured voltage corresponding to the height of speaker array 14.

While exemplary embodiments are described above, these embodiments are not intended to describe all possible forms of the invention. Rather, the words used in the specification are words of description rather than limitation, and it is understood that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Furthermore, features of the various implemented embodiments may be combined to form further embodiments of the invention.