阅读说明：本技术 用于控制密封式扩音器偏移的可变频率滑动频带均衡 (Variable frequency sliding band equalization for controlling sealed loudspeaker excursion ) 是由 D·曼德尔 于 2018-04-16 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明揭示用于产生用于驱动密封式扬声器的扬声器馈入的方法及系统,其包含：产生指示所述扬声器的偏移的反馈；响应于所述反馈,均衡输入信号以产生所述扬声器馈入,使得所述扬声器馈入经均衡以用于将所述扬声器驱动成：在所述扬声器的共振频率以上得到期望频率响应；且在不超过所述扬声器的偏移极限的情况下在可变亚共振均衡频带内得到至少大体上平坦的频率响应,其中所述亚共振均衡频带从所述共振频率向下扩展到可变截止频率,且响应于所述反馈而确定所述截止频率。所述扬声器馈入是在受反馈控制的滤波器中产生的,所述受反馈控制的滤波器经配置以提升处于所述亚共振均衡频带内的频率的所述输入信号,所述提升具有倾斜频率-振幅响应,所述倾斜频率-振幅响应的斜率被设定为克服或消除所述扬声器在所述扬声器的弹簧加压式区域中的自然衰减。(Methods and systems for generating speaker feeds for driving sealed speakers are disclosed, including: generating feedback indicative of an offset of the speaker; in response to the feedback, equalizing an input signal to generate the speaker feed such that the speaker feed is equalized for driving the speaker: obtaining a desired frequency response above a resonant frequency of the loudspeaker; and deriving an at least substantially flat frequency response within a variable sub-resonance equalization band without exceeding an excursion limit of the loudspeaker, wherein the sub-resonance equalization band extends from the resonance frequency down to a variable cut-off frequency, and determining the cut-off frequency in response to the feedback. The speaker feed is generated in a feedback controlled filter configured to boost the input signal at frequencies within the sub-resonant equalization band, the boost having a ramped frequency-amplitude response, the slope of the ramped frequency-amplitude response being set to overcome or eliminate natural attenuation of the speaker in a spring-loaded region of the speaker.)

1. A method for generating a speaker feed for driving a sealed speaker having a resonant frequency, the method comprising the steps of:

Generating feedback indicative of an offset of the speaker in response to the speaker feed; and

In response to the feedback, equalizing an input signal to generate the speaker feed such that the speaker feed is equalized for driving the speaker:

Obtaining a desired frequency response above the resonant frequency; and is

An at least substantially flat frequency response is obtained within a variable sub-resonance equalization band without exceeding an excursion limit of the loudspeaker, wherein the sub-resonance equalization band extends from the resonance frequency down to a variable cut-off frequency, and the cut-off frequency is determined in response to the feedback.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein said feedback is indicative of a peak amplitude of a frequency content fed by the loudspeaker within a sub-resonance frequency range of the loudspeaker.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the cut-off frequency is determined in response to the feedback such that the sub-resonance equalization frequency band has a width that is a decreasing function of the peak amplitude of the frequency content fed into the loudspeaker within the sub-resonance frequency range.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the cutoff frequency is determined in response to the feedback such that the sub-resonance equalization frequency band has a width that is inversely proportional to the peak amplitude of the frequency content that the loudspeaker feeds into within the sub-resonance frequency range.

5. The method according to one of claims 1-4, wherein the step of equalizing the input signal comprises: boosting the input signal at a frequency within the sub-resonance equalization band.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the step of boosting the input signal at frequencies within the sub-resonance equalization band is performed such that the boosting has a ramped frequency-amplitude response that at least substantially cancels natural attenuation of a frequency response of the speaker below the resonance frequency.

7. a method according to any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the desired frequency response above the resonance frequency is at least substantially flat above the resonance frequency up to an upper limit frequency.

8. The method according to one of claims 1-7, wherein equalizing the input signal to generate the speaker feed includes:

Implementing a biquadratic function having a pair of complex poles at a controllable frequency and a pair of complex zeros chosen to at least substantially cancel poles forming a resonance of the speaker; and

Setting the controllable frequency to the cutoff frequency.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

Adjusting the controllable frequency based on the feedback signal.

10. The method of any of claims 1-9, wherein the resonant frequency is at least substantially equal to 67 Hz.

11. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the sub-resonance equalization frequency band extends at least one octave below the resonance frequency.

12. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the sub-resonance equalization frequency band extends at least 1.5 octaves below the resonance frequency.

13. An equalizer for producing a speaker feed for driving a sealed speaker having a resonant frequency, the equalizer comprising:

A feedback generation subsystem coupled and configured to generate a feedback signal indicative of an offset of the speaker in response to the speaker feed; and

An equalization subsystem coupled to the feedback generation subsystem, wherein the equalization subsystem has at least one input coupled to receive an input signal, and is coupled and configured to equalize the input signal in response to the feedback signal so as to generate the speaker feed such that the speaker feed is equalized for driving the speaker:

Obtaining a desired frequency response above the resonant frequency; and is

An at least substantially flat frequency response is obtained within a variable sub-resonance equalization frequency band without exceeding an excursion limit of the loudspeaker, wherein the sub-resonance equalization frequency band extends from the resonance frequency down to a variable cut-off frequency, and the cut-off frequency is determined in response to the feedback signal.

14. The equalizer of claim 13, wherein the feedback signal is indicative of a peak amplitude of frequency content fed by the speaker within a sub-resonant frequency range of the speaker.

15. The equalizer of claim 14, wherein the equalization subsystem is configured to determine the cutoff frequency in response to the feedback signal such that the sub-resonance equalization frequency band has a width that is a decreasing function of the peak amplitude of the frequency content fed by the speaker within the sub-resonance frequency range.

16. the equalizer of any one of claims 14 or 15, wherein the equalization subsystem is configured to determine the cutoff frequency in response to the feedback signal such that the sub-resonant equalization frequency band has a width that is inversely proportional to the peak amplitude of the frequency content that the speaker feeds into within the sub-resonant frequency range.

17. the equalizer of any one of claims 13-16, wherein the equalization subsystem is configured to equalize the input signal, the equalizing including by boosting the input signal at frequencies within the sub-resonant equalization frequency band.

18. The equalizer of claim 17, wherein the equalization subsystem is configured to boost the input signal at frequencies within the sub-resonant equalization band such that the boosting has a ramped frequency-amplitude response that at least substantially cancels natural attenuation of a frequency response of the speaker below the resonant frequency.

19. The equalizer of any one of claims 13 to 18, wherein the desired frequency response above the resonant frequency is at least substantially flat above the resonant frequency up to an upper limit frequency.

20. The equalizer of any one of claims 13 to 19, wherein

The equalization subsystem implements a biquadratic function having a pair of complex poles at a controllable frequency and a pair of complex zeros chosen to at least substantially cancel the poles that form a resonance of the speaker; and is

The equalization subsystem is configured to set the controllable frequency to the cutoff frequency.

21. The equalizer of claim 20, wherein the equalization subsystem is further configured to adjust the controllable frequency based on the feedback signal.

22. The equalizer of any one of claims 13-21, wherein the resonant frequency is at least substantially equal to 67 Hz.

23. The equalizer of any one of claims 13-22, wherein the sub-resonant equalization frequency band extends at least one octave below the resonant frequency.

24. The equalizer of any one of claims 13-23, wherein the sub-resonant equalization frequency band extends at least 1.5 octaves below the resonant frequency.

25. A system, comprising:

A sealed speaker having a resonant frequency; and

the equalizer of any one of claims 13 to 24,

Wherein the equalizer is coupled to the speaker and configured for generating a speaker feed for driving the speaker.

26. A system, comprising:

A sealed speaker having a resonant frequency; and

A speaker feed subsystem coupled to the speaker and configured for generating speaker feeds for driving the speaker, the speaker feed subsystem including:

A feedback generation subsystem coupled and configured to generate a feedback signal indicative of an offset of the speaker in response to the speaker feed; and

An equalization subsystem coupled to the feedback generation subsystem, wherein the equalization subsystem has at least one input coupled to receive an input signal, and is coupled and configured to equalize the input signal in response to the feedback signal so as to generate the speaker feed such that the speaker feed is equalized for driving the speaker:

Obtaining a desired frequency response above the resonant frequency; and is

An at least substantially flat frequency response is obtained within a variable sub-resonance equalization frequency band without exceeding an excursion limit of the loudspeaker, wherein the sub-resonance equalization frequency band extends from the resonance frequency down to a variable cut-off frequency, and the cut-off frequency is determined in response to the feedback signal.

27. the system according to any one of claims 26 or 27, wherein the feedback signal is indicative of a peak amplitude of frequency content fed by the loudspeaker within a sub-resonant frequency range of the loudspeaker.

28. The system of claim 27, wherein the equalization subsystem is configured to determine the cutoff frequency in response to the feedback signal such that the sub-resonance equalization frequency band has a width that is a decreasing function of the peak amplitude of the frequency content fed by the speaker within the sub-resonance frequency range.

29. The system according to any one of claims 27 or 28, wherein said equalization subsystem is configured to determine, in response to the feedback signal, the cutoff frequency such that the sub-resonance equalization frequency band has a width that is inversely proportional to the peak amplitude of the frequency content that the speaker feeds into within the sub-resonance frequency range.

30. the system of any of claims 25-29, wherein the equalization subsystem is configured to equalize the input signal, the equalization including by boosting the input signal at frequencies within the sub-resonant equalization band.

31. The system of claim 30, wherein the equalization subsystem is configured to boost the input signal at frequencies within the sub-resonant equalization band such that the boost has a ramped frequency-amplitude response that at least substantially cancels natural attenuation of a frequency response of the speaker below the resonant frequency.

32. A system according to any of claims 25 to 31, wherein the desired frequency response above the resonant frequency is at least substantially flat above the resonant frequency up to an upper limit frequency.

33. the system of any one of claims 25 to 32, wherein

The equalization subsystem implements a biquadratic function having a pair of complex poles at a controllable frequency and a pair of complex zeros chosen to at least substantially cancel the poles that form a resonance of the speaker; and is

The equalization subsystem is configured to set the controllable frequency to the cutoff frequency.

34. The system of claim 33, wherein the equalization subsystem is further configured to adjust the controllable frequency based on the feedback signal.

35. A system according to any of claims 25 to 34, wherein the sub-resonance equalization frequency band extends at least one octave below the resonance frequency.

36. A system according to any of claims 25 to 35, wherein the sub-resonance equalization frequency band extends at least 1.5 octaves below the resonance frequency.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to audio signal processing. Some embodiments relate to generating a speaker feed-in response to feedback indicative of speaker excursion for driving a sealed speaker (e.g., to obtain a substantially flat frequency response over as wide a sub-resonant frequency range as possible) at a frequency below a resonant frequency of the sealed speaker without exceeding an excursion limit of the speaker. Some embodiments are methods for equalizing an input signal to produce a signal for driving a sealed loudspeaker to obtain a desired (e.g., flat) frequency response over a range of frequencies without exceeding the excursion limit of the loudspeaker, wherein the range extends below the resonant frequency of the loudspeaker to a variable feedback-determined sub-resonant frequency, and wherein the range preferably also extends upward above the resonant frequency.

Background

Herein, the expression "excursion limit of a loudspeaker (or a driver comprised in a loudspeaker") is used to denote a limitation of the amplitude of a physical displacement of at least one moving element of a driver of the loudspeaker during operation (i.e. while the driver is being driven by a loudspeaker feed). It is often important to drive the speaker so as not to exceed the excursion limit of the speaker (or the excursion limit of each driver of the speaker) to prevent excessive excursion from causing physical damage to the speaker and/or unacceptable distortion to the sound emitted from the speaker.

Herein, the expression "maximum output level of a speaker (or a driver included in the speaker)" denotes a maximum sound pressure level of a sound that can be emitted from the speaker without driving the speaker to be excessively offset. Thus, a speaker operating at an output level less than the maximum output level is being driven such that the peak sound pressure level of the sound emitted from the speaker is less than the maximum sound pressure level of the sound that can be emitted without driving the speaker to an excessive offset.

Herein, the expressions "resonance frequency (of the loudspeaker)" and "resonant frequency" are used as synonyms, and the expression "sub-resonance frequency" is used to denote a frequency of the drivable loudspeaker that is lower than the resonance frequency of the loudspeaker. Also herein, the expression "sealed speaker" is used to denote a speaker having a sealed enclosure, and the expression "phase inversion speaker (ported speaker)" is used to denote a speaker having a phase inversion enclosure.

The speaker may include a single driver or multiple drivers. Since a single driver in a loudspeaker enclosure has a particular physically determined offset limit, a loudspeaker containing multiple drivers in an enclosure has (in the general case where each driver has different characteristics) multiple offset limits: one offset limit for each of the drivers. Thus, in some embodiments of the present invention where a speaker includes N drivers (where N is an integer greater than 1), N speaker feeds (each generated according to the present invention) are generated. One speaker feed is generated for each driver (i.e., multiple speaker feeds are generated for a speaker with multiple drivers). Such embodiments are applicable in cases where the low frequency characteristics of the drivers in a single speaker do not closely match each other. However, in some other embodiments of the present invention (e.g., in the case where the speaker has multiple drivers whose low frequency characteristics are sufficiently closely matched), a single speaker feed is generated (in accordance with the present invention) for all drivers whose low frequency characteristics of one speaker are sufficiently closely matched (e.g., one speaker feed may be generated for a speaker).

Preliminary estimates indicate that the acoustic response of a sealed speaker (i.e., the driver within the sealed speaker) is approximately flat above its resonant frequency and begins to drop (beginning at the resonant frequency of the speaker) as the frequency decreases at a rate substantially equal to the 12 dB/octave ("2 pole") rate. At output levels less than or equal to the maximum output level, it is generally believed that the best possible frequency response (of a sealed loudspeaker) is one that is substantially flat until it falls to resonance and then falls at a rate equal to (or substantially equal to) the 2 pole rate as the frequency falls below the resonance frequency. The inventors have recognized that at output levels less than the maximum output level (i.e., when the speaker is driven such that the peak sound pressure level of sound emitted from the speaker is less than the maximum sound pressure level of sound that may be emitted from the speaker without driving the speaker to an excessive excursion), it is generally desirable to drive the sealed speaker so as to achieve a frequency response that is the "best" frequency response, in the sense that the "best" frequency response is substantially flat until dropping to resonance and from resonance to a level-determined sub-resonance frequency and then drops at a rate equal to (or substantially equal to) the 2-pole rate as the frequency drops below the level-determined sub-resonance frequency.

As the frequency decreases, the acoustic response of the phase inversion speaker (i.e., the driver within the phase inversion speaker) typically drops much faster (starting at the resonant frequency of the speaker) than the acoustic response of the sealed speaker. Preliminary estimates, the acoustic response of a phase-inverted speaker typically begins to decrease (beginning at the resonant frequency) as the frequency decreases at a rate equal to (or substantially equal to) the 24 dB/octave ("4 poles") rate.

The frequency dependent maximum output level of a sealed loudspeaker (i.e. the maximum sound pressure level of the sound that can be emitted from the loudspeaker without driving the loudspeaker to an excessive excursion, which is a function of the frequency of the sound) has exactly the same shape as the frequency response of the loudspeaker in the frequency range starting at the resonance frequency and extending from the resonance frequency down to the minimum frequency, because in this frequency range (sometimes referred to as the "spring loaded region") the output level is limited by the maximum excursion of the loudspeaker cone. For example, the spring-loaded region of curve A of FIG. 1this is done. Curve a (also shown in fig. 2) is the frequency response of the sealed speaker driven at the maximum output level, and where the spring-loaded region of the speaker's response is dropped from the resonant frequency (indicated in fig. 1 and 2) to the minimum frequency F_minThe frequency range of (c).

Fig. 1 is a graph in which the vertical distance above the horizontal axis indicates the sound pressure level and increasingly larger horizontal distances to the right of the vertical axis indicate higher than the minimum frequency F_minOf the frequency. In fig. 1, curve a indicates a downward extension from above the resonance frequency of the loudspeaker to a minimum frequency F_minThe sealed-in-range speaker of (a) is responsive to a maximum output level as a function of frequency from a speaker feed (e.g., a sinusoidal speaker feed whose frequency sweeps through the entire frequency range down to a minimum frequency and has the largest possible peak amplitude at each frequency within the range without driving the speaker over-excursion at that frequency; or a speaker feed having multiple frequency components, each of which has the largest possible peak amplitude at frequencies within the range without driving the speaker over-excursion at the frequency).

The inventors have recognized that it is desirable to operate a sealed loudspeaker so as to achieve the advantage of accurately reproducing frequencies below the resonant frequency (without driving the loudspeaker to excessive excursion), and operating the loudspeaker as such requires an equalizer whose response varies with the maximum excursion of the loudspeaker so that the response remains within the excursion limits of the loudspeaker system, but produces an equalized loudspeaker feed for driving the loudspeaker to a flat (or substantially flat) response within a variable sub-resonant frequency band (this frequency band is variable as this frequency band has a width that drops from the resonant frequency to a variable feedback-determined frequency). The inventors have also realized that this variable width is preferably determined by feedback indicative of the peak speaker excursion (e.g., feedback indicative of the peak level of the frequency component fed by the equalized speaker in the spring-pressurized region or some other measured characteristic), and should preferably be as wide as possible without causing excessive excursion.

Since the offset required for the cone of a loudspeaker to generate a particular sound pressure level is inversely proportional to the square of the frequency, a substantially larger cone offset is required to reproduce low frequencies compared to high frequencies. Thus, for any given audio signal reproduced through the loudspeakers, in most cases the lowest frequency determines the cone offset. This excursion is limited by the physical properties of the speaker and it is highly desirable to avoid driving the speaker into an excessive excursion. One conventional approach to preventing excessive excursion is to use a feedback limiter in which feedback indicative of a version of the signal driving the loudspeaker is generated, and if it is determined that the level of the feedback exceeds a threshold, the input gain to the system is reduced in order to prevent excessive excursion. However, this approach unnecessarily reduces the signal that the speaker may have reproduced.

variable frequency (sliding) high pass filters are also commonly used in conjunction with equalization of the response of the loudspeaker, including by controlling the sliding high pass filter using feedback indicative of the characteristics of a certain version of the loudspeaker feed signal. However, prior to the present invention, feedback-controlled equalization has not been used to generate a loudspeaker feed for driving a sealed loudspeaker to obtain a flat or substantially flat equalized response in a frequency band extending below resonance, where the width of the frequency band below resonance varies in response to feedback indicative of loudspeaker excursion or loudspeaker feed level (e.g., the frequency band is made as wide as possible without allowing excessive excursion).

A predetermined sub-resonance frequency band is also typically selectively included in (or removed from) the speaker feed in response to feedback (e.g., indicating a level of the speaker feed), where the frequency band has a fixed predetermined width and a maximum frequency that is the resonant frequency of the speaker to be driven. However, this approach has several limitations and disadvantages, including that it can remove more (e.g., much more) sub-resonant frequencies than are needed to protect the speaker, and while the speaker is also protected, the best possible frequency response (e.g., an at least substantially flat response over the widest possible frequency range) will generally not be achieved.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the equalizer is controlled (e.g., by adjusting parameters of a second order equalization filter in response to feedback) so as to boost the gain applied to the sub-resonant frequency of the input signal (relative to the gain applied to higher frequency components of the input signal) to produce a speaker for reproducing as much of the input signal as possible (e.g., without allowing excessive excursion (e.g., with a flat equalized frequency response) (e.g., without unnecessarily reducing the gain of the sub-resonant frequency components and without allowing excessive excursion, for reproducing as many of the frequency components of the input signal as possible, contained within as wide a sub-resonant frequency range) rather than simply varying the level of the frequency content of the input signal (or selectively removing the frequency content of the input signal) at all frequencies (or at all frequencies below a cutoff frequency or within a predetermined frequency band) Gain of the input signal (e.g., in response to feedback).

Disclosure of Invention

the inventors have recognized that with the advent of relatively inexpensive DSPs (digital signal processing), it should be possible to equalize sealed speakers (e.g., small sealed subwoofers (powered subwoofers) or other small sealed speakers) to enable reproduction of sound using more of the speaker's available capacity without exceeding the excursion limit of the speaker. In particular, the inventors have recognized that the frequency response of a sealed speaker may be equalized such that the speaker operates to obtain a flat or substantially flat frequency response over a range extending substantially below (and substantially above) its resonant frequency without exceeding the excursion limit of the speaker. Of course, this equalizer must take into account the physical limitations of each driver/enclosure combination of the speaker.

in one class of embodiments of the invention, the equalizer generates a speaker feed for driving the sealed speaker at frequencies within a range including frequencies below its resonant frequency without exceeding the excursion limit of the speaker, where the range extends below resonance and has a variable width (e.g., extends below the resonant frequency to a variable feedback-dependent sub-resonant frequency). While preventing excessive excursion of the loudspeaker, the range is preferably as wide as possible, and preferably also extends above the resonant frequency. Preferably, the loudspeaker feeds are generated so as to equalize the response of the loudspeaker over the range such that the equalized response is at least substantially flat over the range. Typically, the speaker feed is generated in response to feedback proportional to or otherwise indicative of speaker excursion at least one sub-resonant frequency (e.g., the feedback is indicative of a peak amplitude of frequency content of the speaker feed within the sub-resonant frequency range of the speaker, where such peak amplitude may be indicative of a peak excursion of the speaker in a spring-loaded region). Some embodiments are methods for equalizing an input signal to produce an equalized signal for driving a sealed speaker (e.g., a sealed subwoofer) to obtain an at least substantially flat frequency response over a frequency range without exceeding a excursion limit of the speaker, wherein the range extends (has a variable width) below a resonant frequency of the speaker to a feedback-determined sub-resonant frequency (wherein the variable width is preferably as wide as possible while preventing excessive excursion, e.g., in some cases at least substantially equal to 1.5 octaves below resonance), and the range preferably also extends above the resonant frequency to up to an upper frequency.

A first exemplary embodiment is a method for generating a speaker feed (where the speaker feed may be an equalized signal generated by equalizing an input signal) for driving a sealed speaker (or another speaker with a slow decay, such as a decay at a 2-pole rate, from its resonant frequency down to a minimum frequency). The loudspeaker feed-in is produced with the following characteristics:

(a) The speaker feeds are equalized for driving the speaker above the resonant frequency to obtain a desired frequency response (e.g., a frequency response that is at least substantially flat or as flat as may actually be achieved above the resonant frequency); and is

(b) The loudspeaker feed is equalized for driving the loudspeaker to obtain a desired frequency response within a variable sub-resonance equalization frequency band (typically, a frequency response that is at least substantially flat or as flat as may actually be achieved within the sub-resonance equalization frequency band) without exceeding an excursion limit of the loudspeaker, wherein the sub-resonance equalization frequency band extends from the resonance frequency down to a variable cut-off frequency, and wherein the cut-off frequency is controlled (i.e., determined in response to the feedback signal) by a feedback signal indicative of loudspeaker excursion (e.g., the feedback signal is indicative of a peak level of frequency content of the equalized loudspeaker feed within the sub-resonance frequency range). Typically, the cut-off frequency is determined in response to the feedback signal such that the sub-resonance equalization frequency band is as wide as possible (i.e. the cut-off frequency is as low as possible). Typically, the feedback signal is indicative of a peak level of frequency content of the equalized speaker fed into a sub-resonant frequency range (e.g., in a spring-loaded region), and the width of the sub-resonant equalization band is a decreasing function of the peak amplitude (e.g., inversely proportional to the peak amplitude). Typically, the equalization includes boosting the input signal at frequencies within the sub-resonance equalization band, wherein the boosting has a ramped frequency-amplitude response (with a slope set to overcome or eliminate slow (e.g., a "2 pole") natural attenuation of the speaker in a spring-loaded region of the speaker) to achieve an equalized speaker feed having a flat or substantially flat (e.g., as flat as may actually be achieved) frequency-amplitude spectrum within the sub-resonance equalization band.

typically, the speaker feed is generated to be suitable for driving the speaker to a frequency response that results in natural attenuation (e.g., at a "2 pole" rate) below the sub-resonance equalization band. Typically, this is achieved by boosting the input signal at frequencies below the sub-resonance equalization band by a small amount (e.g., not boosting the input signal, or not applying equalization to the input signal) (e.g., where frequency components of the input signal having frequencies below the sub-resonance equalization band are unbalanced).

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention produce an equalized speaker feed for driving a small sealed speaker, e.g., a small sealed speaker having a resonant frequency equal to about 67Hz, such as a soundbar intended for use as a subwoofer.

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention allow for the use of a speaker substantially below its resonance (e.g., by creating a speaker feed for driving a sealed subwoofer until dropping at least 1.5(1 plus 1/2) octaves below resonance to obtain an at least substantially flat response).

In a typical embodiment of the present invention, equalizing the input signal to generate the speaker feed comprises: implementing a biquadratic function having a pair of complex poles at a controllable frequency and a pair of complex zeros chosen to at least substantially cancel poles forming a resonance of the speaker; and setting the controllable frequency to the cutoff frequency. For example, the method may include adjusting the controllable frequency based on the feedback signal.

Other aspects of the disclosure include systems and apparatus (e.g., equalizers) configured to perform any of the embodiments of the inventive methods.

These and other embodiments and aspects are described in more detail below.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is a graph in which curve A indicates a downward extension from above the resonant frequency of the loudspeaker to a minimum frequency F_minIn response to a speaker feed (the maximum possible output level without driving the speaker to an excessive excursion) as a function of frequency.

fig. 2 is a graph in which each of curves A, B, C and D indicates the output level of a sealed speaker as a function of frequency (achieved without exceeding the excursion limit of the speaker and thus without driving the speaker to excessive excursion) when the speaker is driven by an equalized speaker feed generated in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Plot a of fig. 2 is the same as plot a of fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a block diagram of an embodiment of an inventive equalization system.

Notation and nomenclature

Throughout the present invention, including the claims, the following expressions and terms have the following definitions:

The terms "speaker" and "loudspeaker" are used synonymously to denote any sound emitting transducer. This definition includes loudspeakers implemented as multiple transducers (e.g., a bass unit and a treble unit in a single speaker box);

The expression "loudspeaker feed" is used to denote an audio signal applied directly to a loudspeaker or an audio signal applied in series to an amplifier and loudspeaker;

The term "channel" (or "audio channel") is used to denote a mono audio signal;

The expression "performing an operation on (e.g., filtering, scaling, transforming, or applying a gain to) a signal or data" is used broadly to mean performing the operation directly on the signal or data or on a processed version of the signal or data (e.g., on a version of the signal that has undergone preliminary filtering or preprocessing prior to performing the operation on the signal);

The expression "system" is used broadly to mean a device, system or subsystem. For example, a subsystem that implements processing may be referred to as a processing system, and a system that includes such a subsystem (e.g., a system that generates multiple output signals in response to X inputs, where the subsystem generates M of the inputs, and the other X-M inputs are received from an external source) may also be referred to as a processing system; and is

the terms "coupled" or "coupled" are used to mean either a direct or an indirect connection. Thus, if a first device couples to a second device, that connection may be made through a direct connection or through an indirect connection via other devices and connections.

Detailed Description

examples of embodiments of the present invention are described herein with reference to fig. 1, 2, and 3.

As described above with reference to fig. 1, in the spring-loaded region (starting at the resonant frequency and extending down to the minimum frequency), the maximum output level as a function of frequency (i.e., the maximum sound pressure level as a function of frequency of sound that can be emitted from the speaker without driving the speaker to excessive excursion) of the sealed speaker happens to have the same shape as the frequency response of the speaker. Curve a of fig. 1 decreases from the indicated resonance frequency to a minimum frequency F_minAs is the case in the spring-loaded region of (a). Curve a indicates a drop from the resonance frequency of the loudspeaker to a minimum frequency F_minWithin a range of maximum output levels of the sealed speaker as a function of frequency in response to speaker feed.

Fig. 2 is a graph of four curves: curve a (which is shown in fig. 1 and 2 and described with reference to fig. 1) and curves B, C and D. Each of the curves indicates the output level of the sealed speaker as a function of frequency, which is rising from a minimum frequency (below resonance) up to an upper frequency (above resonance). Curve a is flat above the resonant frequency of the loudspeaker; curve B is above the resonance frequency of the loudspeaker and decreases from the resonance frequency to the sub-resonance frequency F₁Is flat within the sub-resonance equalization band; curve C is above the resonance frequency of the loudspeaker and decreases from the resonance frequency to the sub-resonance frequency F₂Is flat within the sub-resonance equalization band; and curve D is above the resonance frequency of the loudspeaker and decreases from the resonance frequency to the sub-resonance frequency F₃Is flat within the sub-resonance equalization band.

In fig. 2, the vertical distance above the horizontal axis indicates the sound pressure level, and the increasingly larger horizontal distance to the right of the vertical axis indicates a frequency above the minimum frequency F_minOf the frequency.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, an equalized speaker feed is generated that is adapted to drive a sealed speaker to obtain an at least substantially flat equalized response within a sub-resonance equalization frequency band (e.g., the sub-resonance equalization frequency band of curve B, C or D). In such embodiments, the low frequency limit (cut-off frequency) of the sub-resonant equalization band is determined to be as low as possible (e.g., by determining the equalization settings of the equalizer in response to feedback) subject to the constraint that the speaker does not reach excessive excursion when driven by the equalized speaker feed. Typically, all available equalization settings boost the input signal at frequencies within the sub-resonance equalization band so that the resulting equalized signal (equalized speaker feed) can drive the speaker to get a flat (i.e., as flat as can actually be achieved) equalized response within the sub-resonance equalization band. To determine the optimal equalization setting, a mapping is implemented between the measured equalized speaker feed levels (at least within sub-regions of the sub-resonance equalization frequency band) and the corresponding one of the available settings. An "optimal" equalization setting is typically one that boosts the sub-resonance frequency of the input signal from the resonance frequency down to the lowest sub-resonance frequency (up to which both achieve the desired (e.g., flat) equalized response without causing excessive shifts), i.e., corresponding to the sub-resonance equalization band with the lowest cutoff frequency, and does not boost the sub-resonance frequency of the input signal below this lowest sub-resonance frequency sufficiently to cause excessive shifts. Each equalization setting (e.g., each setting ranging from "zero" to "maximum" boost) generally corresponds to a feedback-dependent determined level of the equalized signal. Typically, this level is indicative of (e.g., proportional to) the maximum excursion of the speaker (e.g., the peak level of the frequency component of the equalized signal is measured to be within a range below the resonant frequency, and this peak level is indicative of the maximum excursion of the speaker).

The inventors have realized that when driving a sealed loudspeaker at an output level that is less than the maximum output level (e.g. at the maximum output level indicated by curve B, or the maximum output level indicated by curve C, or the maximum output level indicated by curve D), it is generally desirable to drive the sealed loudspeaker so as to achieve a frequency response that is the best possible frequency response, in the sense that:

The best possible frequency response is at least substantially flat (at a sub-maximum output level) from the upper frequency down to resonance and within a sub-resonance equilibrium frequency band below resonance down to a level-dependent sub-resonance frequency; and is

At frequencies below the sub-resonance equalization band, the best possible frequency response naturally decays with decreasing frequency (e.g., at the 2 pole rate of the sealed speaker indicated by curves A, B, C and D of fig. 2).

in one class of embodiments of the present invention, an equalizer (e.g., the embodiment of equalizer 1 of fig. 3) generates an equalized speaker feed (e.g., the output signal of fig. 3) for driving a sealed speaker to obtain an equalized frequency response (preferably, an at least substantially flat equalized frequency response) within a sub-resonance range containing frequencies below its resonant frequency without exceeding the excursion limit of the speaker, wherein the sub-resonance range extends (has a variable width) below the resonant frequency of the speaker to a sub-resonance frequency determined from the feedback. The sub-resonance range is preferably as wide as possible while preventing excessive excursion of the speaker. Preferably, an equalized speaker feed is generated to drive the speaker to obtain a desired equalized frequency response (preferably, an at least substantially flat equalized frequency response) at frequencies above the resonant frequency. Typically, the equalized speaker feed is generated in response to feedback (e.g., feedback generated by elements 5, 7, 9, and 11 of fig. 3) proportional to or otherwise indicative of the maximum speaker excursion that would result from driving the speaker with the equalized speaker feed.

An exemplary embodiment of such an embodiment will be described with reference to fig. 2. The exemplary embodiment is a method for equalizing an input signal to produce an equalized signal for driving a sealed speaker (or another speaker with a slow attenuation, such as an attenuation at a 2-pole rate, from its resonant frequency down to a minimum frequency) to get an at least substantially flat frequency response within a sub-resonance frequency band and not exceeding the excursion limit of the speaker (e.g., an equalized signal for driving a speaker to get a frequency response indicated by curve B, C or D of fig. 2, where the selection of curve B, C or D is determined by feedback indicating speaker excursion), where the sub-resonance range is expanded (with variable width) below the resonant frequency of the speaker to the sub-resonance frequency determined by the feedback. This variable width varies with the peak level of the equalized signal (e.g., the peak level of the maximum amplitude frequency component of the equalized signal in a frequency range below the resonant frequency), but is preferably as wide as possible while preventing excessive drift at any time during generation of the equalized signal. Where the frequency response of the loudspeaker (when driven by the equalized signal) is preferably a flat (or as flat as may actually be achieved) sub-resonant range. Preferably, an equalized signal is generated sufficient to drive the loudspeaker to obtain a desired equalized frequency response (preferably an at least substantially flat equalized frequency response) at frequencies above the resonance frequency (e.g., up to an upper frequency above the resonance frequency).

in an example embodiment, an equalized signal is generated for use in feeding a speaker for driving a speaker (of the type) having a resonant frequency (e.g., for driving a speaker resulting in a frequency response indicated by curve B, C or D), in this way the equalized signal has the following characteristics:

(a) The equalized signals are equalized for driving the speaker above the resonant frequency to obtain a desired frequency response (e.g., a frequency response that is at least substantially flat or as flat as may actually be achieved above the resonant frequency, such as an equalized frequency response corresponding to each of curves B, C or D above the indicated resonant frequency); and is

(b) The equalized signal is equalized for driving the loudspeaker to obtain a desired frequency response within the variable sub-resonance equalization frequency band without exceeding an excursion limit of the loudspeaker (typically, at least substantially flat or as flat as practically achievable frequency response within the sub-resonance equalization frequency band), wherein the sub-resonance equalization frequency band extends from the resonance frequency down to a variable cut-off frequency, and wherein the cut-off frequency is controlled in response to feedback (e.g., feedback indicative of a signal level) such that the sub-resonance equalization frequency band is as wide as possible. Examples of equalized signals that have been so equalized within this sub-resonance equalization band include: at a frequency falling from the resonance frequency to the frequency F₁corresponds to the equalized signal of curve B within the sub-resonance equalization band; at a frequency falling from the resonance frequency to the frequency F₂Corresponds to the equalized signal of curve C within the sub-resonance equalization band; and at a frequency falling from the resonance frequency to a frequency F₃Corresponds to the equalized signal of curve D within the sub-resonance equalization band. The width of the sub-resonant equalization band is variable and is controlled to be as wide as possible in response to feedback (e.g., feedback indicative of the peak level of the equalized signal). For example, when the width of the sub-resonance equalization band is controlled in response to feedback indicative of the peak level of the equalized signal (e.g., the peak level of the maximum amplitude frequency component of curve B, C or D in a frequency range below the resonant frequency), the sub-resonance equalization band has a first width (from the resonant frequency to frequency F) in response to the equalized signal having the peak level of curve B₁) The sub-resonant equalization band has a larger width (from the resonant frequency to frequency F) in response to the equalized signal having the (relatively lower) peak level of curve C₂) And the sub-resonant equalization band has an even larger width (from the resonant frequency to frequency F) in response to the equalized signal having an (even lower) peak level of curve D₃). Typically, this is achieved by boosting the input signal at frequencies within the sub-resonance equalization band, where the boosting has a ramped frequency-amplitude response (with the slope set to overcome or eliminate the slow (e.g., "2-pole") natural attenuation of the speaker in the spring-loaded region below the resonance frequency) to achieve an equalized speaker feed for driving the speaker to achieve a response that is as flat as can actually be achieved above the cutoff frequency of the sub-resonance equalization band. To generate an equalized signal (e.g., an equalized signal corresponding to curve B, C or D), an input signal (e.g., a signal input to element 3 of fig. 3) at a frequency within the sub-resonance equalization band is boosted (e.g., by equalizer element 3 of fig. 3), wherein the boosting has a ramped frequency response (where the slope is set to overcome or eliminate the slow (e.g., "2") natural attenuation of the speaker in the spring-stressed region below the resonant frequency) in order to achieve a cut-off pole for driving the speaker to be within the sub-resonance equalization bandAn equalized speaker feed above the stop frequency (e.g., the output of element 3 of fig. 3) that results in a response that is as flat as practically achievable; and is

(c) the equalized signal is generated for driving the speaker to obtain a frequency response that naturally attenuates as the frequency decreases below the sub-resonant equalization band (e.g., at a "2 pole" rate). Typically, this is achieved by boosting the input signal at frequencies below the sub-resonance equalization band by a small amount (e.g., without boosting the input signal). For example, the equalized signal corresponding to curve B may drive the speaker to the lowest frequency (F) in its sub-resonant equalization band₁) Following a frequency response that falls at a natural (2-pole) rate, the equalized signal corresponding to curve C can drive the speaker to the lowest frequency (F) at its sub-resonant equalization band₂) The following frequency response falls at a natural (2-pole) rate, and the equalized signal corresponding to curve D can drive the speaker to the lowest frequency (F) at its sub-resonant equalization band₃) The following frequency response falls at a natural (2-pole) rate. To produce an equalized signal corresponding to curve B, C or D, frequency components of the input signal (e.g., the signal input to equalizer 1 of fig. 3) that are below the sub-resonance equalization frequency band are not boosted (e.g., by equalization filter 3 of fig. 3) or boosted (e.g., by equalization filter 3 of fig. 3) by an amount that is less than the frequency components within the sub-resonance equalization frequency band.

According to an example embodiment, an equalized speaker feed (e.g., of the type corresponding to curve B, C or D of fig. 2) may be generated (by equalizing the input signal) to drive the type of speaker to a level that does not exceed the peak output level of the correlation curve (e.g., the peak level of curve B, C or D), where the peak output level is less than the maximum output level corresponding to curve a, such that the speaker does not reach excessive excursion. By boosting at a sub-resonance equilibrium band (e.g. from frequency F for curve D)₃To resonant frequency, from frequency F for curve C₂To the resonance frequency, or from frequency F for curve B₁to a resonant frequency) to produce an equalized speaker signal,wherein the boost has a ramped frequency-amplitude response with the slope set to overcome or cancel the natural (e.g., 2-pole) attenuation of the speaker below the resonant frequency such that the equalized speaker feed has a frequency-amplitude spectrum that is as flat as practically achievable within the sub-resonant equalization band. Below sub-resonance equilibrium band (e.g., below frequency F for curve D) without boosting₃For curve C is lower than frequency F₂Or below frequency F for curve B₁) Or by boosting the input signal at a frequency below the sub-resonance equalization band by a smaller amount than the input signal at a frequency within the sub-resonance equalization band, the equalized speaker signal may be generated and thus allow the frequency response of the speaker being fed into the drive by the equalized speaker to drop (with decreasing frequency) at a natural (e.g., 2-pole) rate at frequencies below the sub-resonance equalization band. The generation of frequency components of the equalized loudspeaker signal (for frequencies above resonance) is achieved by equalizing the input signal (at frequencies above resonance) such that the equalized loudspeaker signal has a frequency-amplitude spectrum that is as flat as practically achievable from the resonance frequency up to the upper limit frequency.

An equalizer that produces a speaker feed that drives a speaker to have the frequency responses of curves B, C and D may also produce a speaker feed that drives a speaker to have the frequency response of curve a (of fig. 1 or 2). In this case, the input signal to the equalizer has a maximum output level at each frequency within the full range indicated in fig. 1, and the equalizer will not modify (e.g., boost) the frequency components of the input signal at frequencies below the resonant frequency (because the input signal is already sufficient to drive the speaker at the maximum output level without excessive excursion at frequencies below the resonant frequency), and will equalize the input at frequencies above the resonant frequency as needed to produce an equalized speaker feed that is sufficient to drive the speaker (at frequencies above the resonant frequency up to the upper limit frequency) at the maximum output level without excessive excursion with a flat (or substantially flat) frequency response. When the loudspeaker is passedWhen equalizing the loudspeaker feed drive, at frequencies falling from resonance to a minimum F_minAt each frequency within the range of (a), the output level will decrease at a rate equal to (or substantially equal to) the 2 pole rate as the frequency decreases.

In FIG. 2, from the sub-resonance frequency F₁Down to a sub-resonance frequency F₂Curve a coincides with curve B (i.e., section a2 of curve a coincides with section B1 of curve B, as indicated in fig. 2). From frequency F₂Down to a sub-resonance frequency F₃curve a coincides with each of curves B and C (such that section B2 of curve B and section C1 of curve C coincide with section A3 of curve a, as indicated in fig. 2). From frequency F₃down to frequency F_minCurve D coincides with each of curves A, B and C (such that section D1 of curve D, section B3 of curve B, and section C2 of curve C coincide with section a4 of curve a, as indicated in fig. 2).

In fig. 2, the sections B1, B2 and B3 of curve B (the portion of curve B below its sub-resonance equalization band) indicate, and the sections C1 and C2 of curve C (the portion of curve C below its sub-resonance equalization band) indicate, and the section D1 of curve D (the portion of curve D below its sub-resonance equalization band) indicates that the frequency of the loudspeaker drops from the lower frequency limit of the sub-resonance equalization band to the minimum frequency F with frequency_minBut a variable maximum output level (maximum sound pressure level that can be emitted without excessively offsetting the speaker). In the case of a sealed speaker, this maximum output level drops at a natural rate at least substantially equal to the 2-pole rate (as the frequency drops from the lower frequency limit of the sub-resonant equalization band down to the minimum frequency).

the speaker may be driven by a speaker feed whose frequency components (for frequencies below the resonant frequency) have the same peak amplitude, where this peak amplitude is greatest, to have a frequency response (below its resonant frequency) that matches the corresponding portion of the frequency-amplitude spectrum of curve a of fig. 2, in a sense that the frequency components may drive the speaker to emit sound with the greatest sound pressure level that can be emitted without over-offsetting the speaker. Similarly, the speaker may be driven by a speaker feed whose frequency components (for frequencies below the sub-resonance equalization band) have the same peak amplitude to have a frequency response that matches the corresponding portion of the frequency-amplitude spectrum of curve B (or C or D) at frequencies below the sub-resonance equalization band of curve B (or C or D), where this peak amplitude is the largest, in a sense that the frequency components may drive the speaker to emit sound with the largest sound pressure level that can be emitted without over-offsetting the speaker.

Each of curves A, B, C and D assumes: the loudspeaker is driven by an equalized loudspeaker feed to emit sound at frequencies above the resonant frequency with a frequency-amplitude spectrum that is flat with frequency variation (at frequencies above the resonant frequency). Curve a assumes: the equalized speaker feeds in a frequency component having a maximum peak level (at each indicated frequency above the resonant frequency), in a sense that causes the speaker to emit sound having a maximum sound pressure level that can be emitted without over-offsetting the speaker (e.g., the sound pressure level indicated as "maximum level" in curve a). Curve B assumes: the equalized speaker feed has a frequency component (at each indicated frequency above the resonant frequency) with a peak amplitude less than maximum. Curve C assumes: the equalized speaker feed has a peak amplitude that is less than the peak amplitude of curve B feed frequency components (at each frequency above the resonant frequency) for the same frequency. Curve D assumes: the equalized speaker feed with a peak amplitude that is less than the peak amplitude of curve C feeds frequency components (at each indicated frequency above the resonant frequency) for the same frequency.

When a sealed speaker is driven by a speaker feed (e.g., a speaker feed used to drive a speaker to obtain a response corresponding to curve a of fig. 2) whose frequency components are the largest (in a sense that each of the frequency components causes the speaker to emit sound having the largest sound pressure level that can be emitted without excessive excursion), it is generally believed that the best possible frequency response for the speaker is one in which the frequency response is substantially flat until it drops to resonance and then drops at a rate equal to (or substantially equal to) the 2 pole rate as the frequency drops (i.e., one in the shape of curve a). However, when such a speaker is driven by a speaker feed (e.g., a speaker feed used to drive the speaker for a response corresponding to curve B, C or D) whose frequency components are less than maximum (in a sense that each of the frequency components causes the speaker to emit sound at less than the maximum sound pressure level that can be emitted without excessive excursion), the inventors have recognized that the speaker feed can be equalized, including by boosting at frequencies in a range below the resonant frequency, and that excessive excursion can not be achieved by driving the speaker through the equalized (boosted) speaker feed to accurately reproduce frequencies below the resonant frequency. For example, if a wideband speaker feeds bass components 12dB below maximum output (i.e., each bass component 12dB below the amplitude that would cause the sealed speaker to reach excessive excursion), then this bass may be reproduced down one octave below the resonant frequency of the system. The inventors have recognized that if such a broadband speaker feed is equalized, including by boosting bass components within a suitably determined sub-resonant band, and the speaker can be driven by the equalized speaker feed to reproduce the boosted bass without excessive excursion.

When the sealed speaker is being driven low enough to enable (without reaching excessive excursion) the speaker to fall to some minimum frequency Fc (e.g., equal to frequency F of fig. 2)_minFc) to reproduce the level of the signal, the inventors have realized that if the equalizer (e.g., implemented as a biquadratic IIR filter) implements a biquadratic function having a pair of complex poles at a controllable frequency (such that the equalizer may be controlled to set this frequency to Fc or any of a plurality of frequencies greater than Fc) and a pair of complex zeros chosen to just cancel the poles that form the primary resonance of the speaker system, the equalizer may be employed to achieve a response that is at least substantially flat from above the resonant frequency of the speaker down to Fc. Accordingly, in a method, apparatus and system according to exemplary embodiments of the inventionIn an alternative system and method, equalizing an input signal to generate a speaker feed may include implementing a biquadratic function having a pair of complex poles at a controllable frequency and a pair of complex zeros selected to at least substantially cancel the poles that form a resonance of the speaker. The biquadratic function may further have a suitable quality factor Q (e.g., Q0.7071 1/v 2). When the controllable frequency of the pole pair is set to Fc, the equalizer is operable to boost the sub-resonant frequency of the input speaker feed (to produce an equalized speaker feed) so that the resulting overall response (of the speaker to the equalized speaker feed) is substantially flat until Fc drops, and then rolls off at 12 dB/octave (as the frequency drops below Fc). As the level required by the system increases (i.e., as the speaker feed level, and thus the excursion of the speaker driven by the speaker feed, increases), the equalizer needs to be controlled to increase the controllable frequency of the pole pair of the equalizer to a frequency Fc '(where Fc' is greater than Fc) to prevent the speaker from being driven beyond its excursion limit. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the frequency Fc' is the lower frequency limit or cutoff frequency of the inventive sub-resonant equalization band corresponding to the speaker feed level (and speaker offset value). When the controllable frequency of the pole pair is set to Fc ', the equalizer is operable to boost the sub-resonant frequency of the input speaker feed (to produce an equalized speaker feed) so that the resulting overall response (of the speaker to the equalized speaker feed) is substantially flat until dropping to Fc', and then rolls off at 12 dB/octave (as the frequency drops below Fc). Therefore, in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the controllable frequency is set to the cutoff frequency. In general, the controllable frequency may be adjusted based on the feedback signal.

In an exemplary embodiment, the variable pole pair frequency of the equalizer is adjusted as follows. A feedback system is employed that measures a signal proportional to the loudspeaker displacement (excursion) in the spring-loaded region of operation of the loudspeaker and uses this signal as a feedback signal to adjust the pole-pair frequency of the equalizer to produce an output for driving the loudspeaker so that the excursion limit is not exceeded.

Fig. 3 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a system including a sealed speaker 13 and an equalizer 1, where equalizer 1 is an example of an equalizer configured according to an embodiment of the present invention to generate an output (of the type described in the previous paragraph) for driving speaker 13.

In the embodiment of fig. 3, the equalizer 1 is configured to equalize an input signal (not equalized speaker feed) in order to generate an output signal (equalized speaker feed). The output signal is asserted to speaker 13, and speaker 13 is driven for an equalized response (e.g., one of the types described herein) that includes a sub-resonant equalization frequency band. The loudspeaker 13 is a sealed loudspeaker (or falls from its resonance frequency to a minimum frequency F)_minAnother speaker with a slow decay, such as a decay at a2 pole rate). The equalizer 1 includes an equalization filter 3 (the equalization subsystem of the equalizer 1 having an input coupled to receive an input signal fed for an unequalized speaker) and a control subsystem (the feedback signal generation subsystem comprising a detector filter 5, a level detector 7, a comparator 9 and a smoothing filter 11 coupled as shown). The control subsystem is coupled and configured to control parameters of the filter 3 (i.e., determine equalization settings of the filter 3) in response to feedback generated by the control subsystem. The feedback is generated by filter 11 and asserted from element 11 to filter 3. In operation, an exemplary implementation of filter 3 operates at a feedback-determined setting (as a sliding band equalizer that boosts frequency components of the input signal within a sliding sub-resonance band having a sliding feedback-determined cutoff frequency) to produce an output such that the output is a loudspeaker feed adapted to drive loudspeaker 13 resulting in an equalized response that is at least substantially flat within the sub-resonance equalization band, with the constraint that loudspeaker 13 does not reach excessive excursion when driven by the output, setting the low frequency limit (cutoff frequency) of the sub-resonance equalization band as low as possible. In some implementations, elements 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11 operate in the frequency domain (where element 3 operates on frequency components of a frequency domain representation of an input signal) to determine a frequency domain representation of an output signal (in response to the output signal)A time domain output signal may be generated by a subsystem not explicitly shown in fig. 3 for assertion to speaker 13). In some alternative implementations, elements 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11 operate in the time domain (with element 3 operating on a time domain input signal) to determine a time domain output signal for assertion to speaker 13.

In the exemplary embodiment, equalization filter 3 is implemented as a variable pole biquadratic IIR filter for generating an output signal for driving speaker 13. The loudspeaker 13 has a known resonant frequency, a known minimum output level (where the minimum output level is sufficiently low that at the minimum output level the loudspeaker can drop to the known minimum frequency F without reaching an excessive excursion_minBut the reproduced signal) and a known maximum output level (the maximum sound pressure level of sound that can be emitted from the speaker without driving the speaker to an excessive excursion). In this embodiment, the filter 3 may be adapted to generate the output signal such that the output signal is suitable for driving the loudspeaker from above the resonance frequency of the loudspeaker down to F_minIs an at least substantially flat response. In such an embodiment, filter 3 is implemented with a controllable frequency Fc '(where Fc' may be set equal to F)_minor is set to be greater than F_minBut no greater than any of a plurality of frequencies of the resonance frequency), an appropriate quality factor Q (e.g., Q-0.7071-1/v 2), and a biquadratic function of a pair of complex-zero points selected to just cancel the poles that form the main resonance of the loudspeaker. When the controllable frequency Fc' of the pole pair is set to F_minand the input signal level corresponds to the minimum output level, the equalizer is operable to raise the sub-resonant frequency of the input signal (not fed by the equalized speaker) so as to produce an output signal (fed by the equalized speaker) such that the resulting overall response (of the speaker to the equalized speaker) falls until F falls_minAre substantially flat and then roll off at 12 dB/octave (as the frequency decreases below F)_min). As the level required by the system increases above the minimum output level (and therefore, as the input signal level increases, and the bias of the loudspeaker driven by the output signal of the filter 3 increasesShift up), the filter 3 needs to be controlled to increase the controllable frequency of the pole pair to be larger than F_minto prevent the loudspeaker from being driven beyond its excursion limit. In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, when the controllable frequency of the pole pair is set to a frequency Fc 'that is less than the resonant frequency, the frequency Fc' is the lower frequency limit or cutoff frequency of the inventive sub-resonant equalization band corresponding to the speaker feed level (and speaker offset value). When the controllable frequency of the pole pair is set to this frequency Fc ', the equalizer is operable to boost the sub-resonant frequency of the input speaker feed (to produce an equalized speaker feed) so that the resulting overall response (of the speaker to the equalized speaker feed) is substantially flat until it drops to Fc', and then rolls off at 12 dB/octave (as the frequency drops below Fc).

in the exemplary embodiment, the controllable pole pair of the filter 3 is adjusted in frequency as follows. The feedback signal output from element 11 is proportional to the loudspeaker displacement (excursion) in the spring-loaded region of operation of loudspeaker 13. The controllable pole pair frequency Fc' of the filter 3 is set to a value determined by the feedback signal to cause the equalizer to generate an output for driving the speaker so that the speaker does not reach an excessive offset.

In an exemplary embodiment of the equalizer 1 of fig. 3:

The detector filter 5 is a low-pass filter (e.g., a second-order low-pass filter) configured to pass only sub-resonant frequencies (e.g., frequency components) of the output signal to the level detector 7. For example, filter 5 may be configured to pass only frequency components of the output signal that are within a range that falls from the resonant frequency of speaker 13 (or a sub-resonant frequency that is slightly below the resonant frequency of speaker 13) to some minimum frequency (e.g., the minimum frequency of the spring-loaded region of speaker 13);

Level detector 7 is coupled and configured to identify a peak level of the output signal within a frequency range that filter 5 allows passage of (e.g., an absolute value of a maximum amplitude frequency component of the output signal within this frequency range);

The comparator 9 is coupled and matchedto compare the peak level determined by the detector 7 with a reference level and to generate a normalized signal in response to the peak level determined by the detector 7 or the reference level, whichever is larger. The normalization signal indicates a value equal to N-G-R, where G is the larger of the peak level determined by the detector 7 and the reference level, and R is the reference level. The normalized signal is asserted to the smoothing filter 11. When the peak level (determined by the detector 7) exceeds the reference level, the normalized signal value (N) is zero. When the reference level exceeds the peak level (determined by the detector 7), the normalized signal value (N) is greater than zero. Each value of N corresponds to (and can be set to) a value of the controllable frequency of the pole pair of the filter 3. For example, N-0 may correspond to the minimum value F of the controllable frequency of a pole pair_minAnd an increased value of N (up to a value corresponding to the maximum output level of the loudspeaker) may correspond to an increased value Fc' of the controllable frequency of the pole pair (up to a maximum value Fc equal to the resonance frequency of the loudspeaker 13); and is

the limiting smoothing filter 11 is configured to smooth the normalized signal asserted thereto from the comparator 9 to produce a smoothed signal asserted (as a feedback signal) to the filter 3. For example, the filter 11 may generate the smoothed signal such that the smoothed signal is indicative of a series of smoothed values, wherein each of the smoothed values is an average of the values of the normalized signal over a moving time window of predetermined duration. Each value of the smoothed signal corresponds to one of the values (N) of the normalized signal and thus to (and is used to determine) the value of the controllable frequency of the pole pair of the filter 3. Thus, in an exemplary embodiment, the cut-off frequency of the sub-resonance equalization band of filter 3 is controlled (i.e., determined by the smoothed signal) in response to the smoothed signal such that the sub-resonance equalization band has a width that is inversely proportional to the peak amplitude of the frequency content of the output signal within the sub-resonance frequency range that filter 5 allows passage.

In some embodiments of the present invention that generate equalized speaker feeds for speakers, the speakers include a single driver. Some other embodiments of the present invention generate a single equalized speaker feed for all drivers of a speaker, where the speaker includes multiple drivers whose low frequency characteristics are sufficiently closely matched to each other so that all drivers can be driven by the single speaker feed to each of a range of output levels without any of the drivers being driven to excessive offset.

In other embodiments of the present invention, N speaker feeds (where N is an integer greater than 1) are each generated in accordance with the present invention (e.g., by a different one of N examples of equalizer 1 of fig. 3) for driving a different one of the drivers of a speaker including N drivers. One speaker feed is generated for each of the drivers of the multi-driver speaker. Such embodiments are applicable in cases where the low frequency characteristics of the drivers in the speaker do not closely match each other.

Examples of embodiments of the invention (EEEs) include the following:

EEE 1. a method for generating a loudspeaker feed-in for driving a sealed loudspeaker having a resonance frequency, the method comprising the steps of:

Generating feedback indicative of an offset of the speaker in response to the speaker feed; and

in response to the feedback, equalizing an input signal to generate the speaker feed such that the speaker feed is equalized for driving the speaker:

Obtaining a desired frequency response above the resonant frequency; and is

An at least substantially flat frequency response is obtained within a variable sub-resonance equalization band without exceeding an excursion limit of the loudspeaker, wherein the sub-resonance equalization band extends from the resonance frequency down to a variable cut-off frequency, and the cut-off frequency is determined in response to the feedback.

EEE 2. the method of EEE 1, wherein the feedback indicates a peak amplitude of frequency content fed by the speaker within a sub-resonant frequency range of the speaker.

EEE 3. the method according to EEE 2, wherein the cut-off frequency is determined in response to the feedback such that the sub-resonance equalization frequency band has a width that is a decreasing function of the peak amplitude of the frequency content fed into the loudspeaker in the sub-resonance frequency range.

EEE 4. the method of EEE 3, wherein the cutoff frequency is determined in response to the feedback such that the sub-resonance equalization band has a width that is inversely proportional to the peak amplitude of the frequency content that the speaker feeds into the sub-resonance frequency range.

EEE 5. the method according to any of EEEs 1, 2, 3 or 4, wherein the step of equalizing the input signal comprises: boosting the input signal at a frequency within the sub-resonance equalization band.

EEE 6. the method according to EEE 5, wherein the step of boosting the input signal at frequencies within the sub-resonance equalization band is performed such that the boosting has a ramped frequency-amplitude response that at least substantially cancels natural attenuation of the frequency response of the loudspeaker below the resonance frequency.

EEE 7. the method of any of EEEs 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6, wherein the desired frequency response above the resonant frequency is at least substantially flat above the resonant frequency up to an upper limit frequency.

EEE 8. the method according to any of EEEs 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7, wherein the resonance frequency is at least substantially equal to 67 Hz.

EEE 9. the method of any of EEEs 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8, wherein the sub-resonance equalization band extends at least one octave below the resonance frequency.

EEE 10. the method of EEE 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8, wherein the sub-resonance equalization band extends at least 1.5 octaves below the resonance frequency.

EEE 11. an equalizer for generating a loudspeaker feed-in for driving a sealed loudspeaker having a resonance frequency, the equalizer comprising:

A feedback generation subsystem coupled and configured to generate a feedback signal indicative of an offset of the speaker in response to the speaker feed; and

An equalization subsystem coupled to the feedback generation subsystem, wherein the equalization subsystem has at least one input coupled to receive an input signal, and is coupled and configured to equalize the input signal in response to the feedback signal so as to generate the speaker feed such that the speaker feed is equalized for driving the speaker:

Obtaining a desired frequency response above the resonant frequency; and is

An at least substantially flat frequency response is obtained within a variable sub-resonance equalization frequency band without exceeding an excursion limit of the loudspeaker, wherein the sub-resonance equalization frequency band extends from the resonance frequency down to a variable cut-off frequency, and the cut-off frequency is determined in response to the feedback signal.

EEE 12. the equalizer of EEE 11, wherein the feedback signal indicates a peak amplitude of a frequency content fed by the speaker within a sub-resonant frequency range of the speaker.

EEE 13. the equalizer of EEE 12, wherein the equalization subsystem is configured to determine the cutoff frequency in response to the feedback signal such that the sub-resonant equalization band has a width that is a decreasing function of the peak amplitude of the frequency content the speaker feeds into in the sub-resonant frequency range.

EEE 14. the equalizer of any one of EEEs 12, wherein the equalization subsystem is configured to determine the cutoff frequency in response to the feedback signal such that the sub-resonant equalization band has a width that is inversely proportional to the peak amplitude of the frequency content of the speaker feed in the sub-resonant frequency range.

EEE 15. the equalizer of any of EEEs 11, 12, 13, or 14, wherein the equalization subsystem is configured to equalize the input signal, the equalization including by boosting the input signal at frequencies within the sub-resonant equalization band.

EEE 16. the equalizer of EEE 15, wherein the equalization subsystem is configured to boost the input signal at frequencies within the sub-resonant equalization band such that the boost has a ramped frequency-amplitude response that at least substantially cancels natural attenuation of the frequency response of the speaker below the resonant frequency.

EEE 17. the equalizer according to any of EEEs 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, or 16, wherein the desired frequency response above the resonant frequency is at least substantially flat above the resonant frequency up to an upper limit frequency.

EEE 18. the equalizer according to any one of EEEs 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, or 17, wherein the resonant frequency is at least substantially equal to 67 Hz.

EEE 19. the equalizer according to any one of EEEs 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, or 18, wherein the sub-resonant equalization band extends at least one octave below the resonant frequency.

EEE 20. the equalizer according to any one of EEEs 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, or 18, wherein the sub-resonant equalization band extends at least 1.5 octaves below the resonant frequency.

EEE 21, a system, comprising:

A sealed speaker having a resonant frequency; and

A speaker feed subsystem coupled to the speaker and configured for generating speaker feeds for driving the speaker, the speaker feed subsystem including:

A feedback generation subsystem coupled and configured to generate a feedback signal indicative of an offset of the speaker in response to the speaker feed; and

An equalization subsystem coupled to the feedback generation subsystem, wherein the equalization subsystem has at least one input coupled to receive an input signal, and is coupled and configured to equalize the input signal in response to the feedback signal so as to generate the speaker feed such that the speaker feed is equalized for driving the speaker:

Obtaining a desired frequency response above the resonant frequency; and is

an at least substantially flat frequency response is obtained within a variable sub-resonance equalization frequency band without exceeding an excursion limit of the loudspeaker, wherein the sub-resonance equalization frequency band extends from the resonance frequency down to a variable cut-off frequency, and the cut-off frequency is determined in response to the feedback signal.

EEE 22. the system of EEE 21, wherein the feedback signal is indicative of a peak amplitude of frequency content fed by the speaker in a sub-resonant frequency range of the speaker.

EEE 23. the system of EEE 22, wherein the equalization subsystem is configured to determine the cutoff frequency in response to the feedback signal such that the sub-resonant equalization band has a width that is a decreasing function of the peak amplitude of the frequency content the speaker feeds into in the sub-resonant frequency range.

EEE 24. the system of EEE 22, wherein the equalization subsystem is configured to determine the cutoff frequency in response to the feedback signal such that the sub-resonant equalization band has a width that is inversely proportional to the peak amplitude of the frequency content that the speaker feeds into in the sub-resonant frequency range.

EEE 25. the system of any of EEEs 21, 22, 23, or 24, wherein the equalization subsystem is configured to equalize the input signal, the equalization including by boosting the input signal at frequencies within the sub-resonant equalization band.

EEE 26. the system of EEE 25, wherein the equalization subsystem is configured to boost the input signal at frequencies within the sub-resonant equalization band such that the boost has a ramped frequency-amplitude response that at least substantially cancels natural attenuation of the frequency response of the speaker below the resonant frequency.

EEE 27. the system according to any of EEEs 21, 22, 23, 24, 25 or 26, wherein the desired frequency response above the resonance frequency is at least substantially flat above the resonance frequency up to an upper limit frequency.

EEE 28. the system according to any of EEEs 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, or 27, wherein the sub-resonance equalization band extends at least one octave below the resonance frequency.

EEE 29. the system according to any of EEEs 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, or 27, wherein the sub-resonance equalization band extends at least 1.5 octaves below the resonance frequency.

Aspects of embodiments of the invention include the methods described herein within the scope of EEEs, as well as modifications and variations thereof, as well as systems or devices configured (e.g., programmed) to perform any embodiment of the inventive methods (e.g., systems that are or include equalization systems configured to perform embodiments of the inventive methods). For example, the inventive system may be or include a programmable general purpose processor, digital signal processor, or microprocessor programmed with software or firmware and/or otherwise configured to perform any of a variety of operations on data, including data indicative of input, i.e., not being fed through an equalized speaker, including embodiments of the inventive method or steps thereof. Such a general-purpose processor may be or include a computer system that includes an input device, a memory, and a processing circuit programmed (and/or otherwise configured) to perform an embodiment of the inventive method (or steps thereof) in response to data asserted thereto.

Several embodiments of the invention have been described. It will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Many modifications and variations of embodiments of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the embodiments of the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein.