阅读说明：本技术 低层再现 (Lower layer reproduction ) 是由 安德烈亚斯·沃尔瑟 雅尼克·格瑞 朱利安·克拉普 于 2020-04-15 设计创作，主要内容包括：用于再现多声道音频的音频处理器包括普通层处理和低层处理。普通层处理被配置用于处理属于普通层的对象特定音频或多声道音频的一个或多个声道。低层处理被配置为处理属于低层的对象特定音频或多声道音频的至少一个声道或多个声道。低层处理被配置为将属于低层的一个声道或多个声道的至少一个信号馈送到超低音扬声器输出。(An audio processor for reproducing multi-channel audio includes a general layer process and a lower layer process. The common layer processing is configured to process one or more channels of object-specific audio or multi-channel audio belonging to the common layer. The lower layer processing is configured to process at least one channel or a plurality of channels of object-specific audio or multi-channel audio belonging to the lower layer. The lower layer processing is configured to feed at least one signal of the channel or channels belonging to the lower layer to the subwoofer output.)

1. An audio processor (10, 10') for reproducing object specific audio or multi-channel audio (MCA), comprising:

a common layer processing (12, 12') configured for processing a layer belonging to the common layer (MCA)_N) One or more channels of the object-specific audio or multi-channel audio (MCA);

a lower layer processing (14, 14') configured for processing data belonging to a lower layer (MCA)_L) At least one channel or a plurality of channels of said object specific audio or multi-channel audio (MCA),

wherein the lower layer treatment (14, 14') is configured to belong to the lower layer (MCA)_L) Is fed to the subwoofer output (14 o).

2. The audio processor (10, 10 ') according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the lower layer processing (14, 14') is configured to belong to the lower layer (MCA)_L) Is fed to a first subwoofer output (14o) and will belong to the lower layer (MCA)_L) At least another signal of the second channel of the one or more channels is fed to a second subwoofer.

3. The audio processing according to claim 2, wherein the first subwoofer output (14o) is assigned to a first lateral room direction, and wherein the second subwoofer output (14o) is assigned to a second lateral room direction different from the first room direction.

4. The audio processing according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the lower layer (MCA)_L) Comprises only frequency portions above the frequency portions of the one or more LFE channels, or is higher than the normal layer (MCA)_N) Or higher than the common layer (MCA)_N) And/or frequency portions of selected cross frequencies of one or more channels, and/or

Wherein the lower layer (MCA)_L) Comprises only frequency portions comprising frequencies above 80Hz, above 100Hz, above 120Hz, above 150Hz, above 200Hz, above 300Hz, above 500Hz, above 1000 Hz.

5. The audio processing according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the lower layer (MCA)_L) The frequency of the frequency portion of the one or more channels is sufficiently high to enable localization of the sound.

6. The audio processing according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising an LFE/bass processing (16, 16 '), the LFE/bass processing (16, 16') being configured to convert one or more LFE channels of the object-specific audio or multi-channel audio (MCA) or the common layer (MCA)_N) The low frequency part of one or more channels of the audio system is fed to a subwoofer.

7. The audio processing according to claim 6, wherein the low isA layer process configured to configure the lower layer (MCA)_L) To the LFE/bass processing (16, 16').

8. The audio processor (10, 10 ') according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the low-layer processing (14, 14') comprises defining the low layer (MCA)_L) A band pass filter of the frequency range of the one or more channels; or

Wherein the low layer treatment (14, 14') comprises a treatment for defining the low layer (MCA)_L) And a bandpass filter for the virtualization process.

9. The audio processor (10, 10 ') of claim 8, wherein the lower layer processing (14, 14') is configured to be lower than the lower layer (MCA)_L) To the LFE/bass processing (16, 16 '), wherein the low frequency portion processed by the LFE/bass processing (16, 16') produces a signal complementary to the signal produced by the bandpass filtered lower portion.

10. The audio processor (10, 10 ') according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the lower layer processing (14, 14') is configured to configure the lower layer (MCA)_L) Is routed to the normal layer processing (12, 12') such that the high frequency part of the one or more channels of the lower layer is in communication with the normal layer (MCA)_N) Are reproduced together.

11. The audio processor (10, 10') according to claim 10, wherein the low layer (MCA) is implemented by using and passing_L) -rendering the lower layer (MCA) via the normal layer processing (12, 12') as compared to the reduced or adjusted magnification of the rendered part_L) And/or via a higher frequency part of one or more channels, in a delayed manner compared to the part reproduced via said lower layer processing (14, 14')/or via a higher frequency part of one or more channelsThe normal layer processing (12, 12') reproduces the high frequency part.

12. The audio processor (10, 10') according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the common layer (MCA) is reproduced using a soundbar (20) or an audio system_N)。

13. An audio processor, wherein the common layer (MCA)_N) Is a listening layer located within the height of the listener's head from the point of view of the listener, wherein the common layer (MCA) is seen from the point of view of the listener_N) Located in the lower layer (MCA)_L) Above.

14. The audio processor (10, 10') according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the audio processing comprises elevation layer processing for processing one or more channels of the object specific audio or multi-channel audio (MCA) belonging to an elevation layer.

15. The audio processor (10, 10') according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a calibration unit for performing a calibration procedure, wherein the calibration procedure comprises a calibration unit for calibrating the lower layer (MCA) reproduced using subwoofer output (14o)_L) Of one or more channels.

16. The audio processor (10, 10 ') according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the audio processor (10, 10') comprises an upmix/downmix unit configured to perform the lower layer (MCA)_L) With the common layer (MCA)_N) For example for conventional stereo or multi-channel audio (MCA), and/or configured to render objects arranged at lower positions to the lower layer (MCA)_L) For object specific audio.

17. An audio system for reproducing multi-channel audio, comprising:

audio processor (10, 10') for reproducing multi-channel audio (MCA) according to one of the preceding claims;

at least one sound bar (20) or sound system for reproducing a common layer (MCA)_N)；

At least one subwoofer (22,22l,22r) or at least one two-way audio speaker or at least one multi-way speaker for reproducing the lower layer (MCA)_L)。

18. The audio system according to claim 17, wherein the at least one subwoofer (22,22l,22r) or the at least one two-way audio speaker or the at least one multi-way audio speaker is arranged at the floor.

19. The audio system of claim 17 or 18, wherein the at least one subwoofer (22,22l,22r) or the at least one two-way audio speaker or the at least one multi-way audio speaker comprises a midrange transducer or a tweeter.

20. A method for reproducing multi-channel audio, comprising:

the treatment is of the common layer (MCA)_N) One or more channels of object-specific audio or multi-channel audio (MCA);

the treatment belongs to the lower layer (MCA)_L) At least one channel or a plurality of channels of object-specific audio or multichannel audio (MCA);

wherein the lower layer (MCA)_L) Comprises belonging to said lower layer (MCA)_L) Is fed to the subwoofer output (14 o).

21. A computer program for performing the method according to claim 20 when run on a computer.

Embodiments of the present invention relate to an audio processor and a corresponding method for reproducing multi-channel audio. Another embodiment relates to an audio system for reproducing multi-channel audio including an audio processor. The preferred embodiment relates to low-level reproduction of soundbars. In general, the invention is in the field of audio reproduction technology using specific hardware and/or specific signal processing.

For sound reproduction, in particular movie sound reproduction, there are different kinds of systems, the complexity and reproduction quality of which differ. The reference for the movie sound is the movie theater. Cinema offers multi-channel surround sound, with speakers mounted not only in front of the screen, but also on the sides and behind. The side and rear speakers may achieve surround and immersive surround sound.

With the advent of immersive, interactive, and object-based audio content, additional dimensions, such as height, have been added.

Enhanced reproduction settings for realistic sound reproduction not only use loudspeakers mounted in a horizontal plane (typically at or near the ear height of the listener), but also loudspeakers that are spread out in a vertical direction. These speakers are, for example, elevated (mounted on the ceiling, or at an angle above the head height) or placed below the ear height of the listener (e.g., on the floor, or at some intermediate or specific angle).

With the latest coding techniques, the underlying multi-channel audio content can be used not only in professional environments, but also conveniently delivered to the consumer's home.

In a home environment, only the feverists may install the number of speakers needed to replicate the speaker settings used in the professional environment and the research laboratory. A convenient alternative to those rather complex arrangements is a compact reproduction system, using signal processing means to generate a spatial auditory perception comparable or similar to the loudspeaker arrangement. One particular type of such compact reproduction system is commonly named by names like soundbar, audio source, speakers, etc., and for simplicity, will be referred to hereinafter simply as a soundbar. Many variations of such soundbars exist on the market. Soundbars are a practical and attractive solution for enhancing audio reproduction that is easy to install. Typically, they are fully integrated active audio playback systems, including all components required for audio playback in a single device. Most of them have external wireless or wired subwoofer to support low frequency reproduction, and some models provide additional wireless connected satellite surround speakers.

The increased height dimension in the new reproduction format also provides new possibilities for processing and spatially distributing additional signals for the soundbar class.

Systems have been marketed that address the reproduction of height signals from above the ear height of a listener. These use, for example, specially inclined loudspeakers or loudspeaker arrays to produce sound reproduction perceived from above by means of ceiling reflections.

However, true 3D sound reproduction should of course also take into account sounds that reach the listener from below the head height. Some enhanced production and reproduction systems take into account sound coming from below. Some available systems feature a low floor that includes three speakers (see "The 22.2multichannel sources and its reproduction at home and personal environment", Kimio Hamasaki, AES, 43 th international conference, korea, 2011, 9-29-10-1).

The object of the invention is the problem of how to conveniently reproduce a height signal from below the ear compared to a height signal from above.

It is therefore a technical object to provide a concept for reproducing lower layer signals, in particular by means of an easy to install sound system.