Power management in audio systems

Abstract

A power management system for managing power consumption of a digital signal processor (DSP) implementing a protection system, the power management system comprising: a power management block configured to: detect a parameter indicative of power of an input signal to the DSP; comparing the detected parameter with a threshold value; and in response to determining that the detected parameter is less than the threshold, causing one or more processing blocks of the DSP to enter a low-power mode of operation.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to power management in audio systems, and more particularly to power management in audio systems including digital signal processors (DSPs) that implement protection systems such as speaker protection systems and / or battery protection systems. Background Technology

[0002] Many audio systems include a digital signal processor (DSP) for processing one or more digital audio signals to generate an output audio signal, which can be supplied to an output stage (e.g., an audio amplifier) ​​that drives output transducers, such as speakers, headphones, and earphones. In many audio systems, the DSP is also configured to implement speaker protection systems to protect the output transducers and / or the batteries powering the audio system from potentially damaging conditions such as excessive speaker cone excursion, voice coil overheating, or excessive battery depletion.

[0003] Figure 1 This is a schematic representation of an example audio system. Audio system (in...) Figure 1 The circuit (generally shown as 100) includes a DSP 110 configured to receive one or more input digital audio signals (in this example, DSP 110 is configured to receive two input digital audio signals representing a left audio channel and a right audio channel) and output a digital output signal to the input of a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) 130. The output of DAC 130 is coupled to the input of an amplifier 140. Amplifier 140 may be, for example, a Class D amplifier. The output of amplifier 140 is coupled to the input of a speaker 150, such that amplifier 140 drives speaker 150 using the amplified audio signal.

[0004] In this example, the DSP 110 is configured to implement the aforementioned type of loudspeaker protection system. The DSP 110 includes multiple different processing blocks, each configured to perform a specific function. Figure 1 In the example shown, DSP 110 may include an audio enhancement or modulation block 112 for enhancing or modulating the input digital audio signal. The DSP 110 in the example further includes: a vibration displacement protection block 114 configured to protect the speaker 150 from excessive vibration displacement; a thermal protection block 116 configured to protect the speaker 150 from excessive voice coil temperature; a battery protection block 118 configured to protect the battery powering the audio system 100 from excessive voltage or current conditions; and a power optimizer block 120 configured to perform functions such as dynamic range compression based on parameters such as temperature and input signal level. DSP 110 may include other processing blocks, Figure 1 This is represented by block 122. Those skilled in the art will understand that DSP 110 may include components that are more complex than those in the present invention. Figure 1 The number of processing blocks shown may be more or less than the number of processing blocks, or may be related to... Figure 1 The processing blocks shown are different processing blocks. Processing blocks 112–122 can be configured to perform processing in the time domain or frequency domain. Further, processing blocks 112–122 can be configured to perform processing on full-band signals (i.e., the full bandwidth of the input digital audio signal) or sub-band signals (i.e., signals that include input digital audio signal components within a limited frequency band of the full bandwidth of the input digital audio signal). When processing blocks 112–122 are configured to perform sub-band processing, they can include multiple parallel sub-blocks, each configured to process a specific sub-band signal of the input digital audio signal.

[0005] When DSP 110 is active, each of its processing blocks 112–122 consumes power. At low input signal levels (e.g., when the amplitude of the input audio signal is low), the power consumption of amplifier 140 may be comparable to or lower than that of DSP 110. Summary of the Invention

[0006] According to a first aspect, the present invention provides a power management system for managing the power consumption of a digital signal processor (DSP) implementing a protection system, the power management system comprising: a power management block configured to: detect a parameter indicating the power of an input signal to the DSP; compare the detected parameter with a threshold; and, in response to determining that the detected parameter is less than the threshold, cause one or more processing blocks of the DSP to enter a low-power operation mode.

[0007] The power management block can be configured to detect the peak power of the input signal.

[0008] The power management block can be configured to compare a signal indicating the peak power of the input signal with a first threshold, and in response to determining that the peak power of the input signal is less than the first threshold, cause the vibration displacement protection block to enter a low-power operation mode.

[0009] In this low-power mode, one or more feedforward processing blocks and / or one or more feedback processing blocks of the vibration displacement protection block can be disabled.

[0010] In this low-power mode, the processing rate of one or more feedforward processing blocks and / or one or more feedback processing blocks of the vibration displacement protection block can be reduced.

[0011] The power management block can be configured to compare a signal indicating the peak power of the input signal with a first threshold, and in response to determining that the peak power of the input signal is less than the first threshold, to cause the battery protection block to enter a low-power operation mode.

[0012] In this low-power mode, one or more feedback processing blocks of the battery protection block can be disabled.

[0013] In this low-power mode, the processing rate of one or more feedback processing blocks of the battery protection block can be reduced.

[0014] The power management block can be configured to detect the average power of the input signal.

[0015] The power management block can be configured to compare a signal indicating the average power of the input signal with a second threshold, and in response to determining that the average power of the input signal is less than the second threshold, to cause the thermal protection block to enter a low-power operation mode.

[0016] In this low-power mode, one or more feedback processing blocks of the thermal protection block can be disabled.

[0017] In this low-power mode, the processing rate of one or more feedback processing blocks of the thermal protection block can be reduced.

[0018] The power management block can be configured to compare a signal indicating the peak power of the input signal with a first threshold, and in response to determining that the peak power of the input signal is less than the first threshold, to cause the DSP's power optimizer block and / or power limiter system block to enter a low-power operation mode.

[0019] The DSP may include a main audio signal chain, and the operation of the main audio signal chain may be unaffected by the power management block.

[0020] The DSP may include this power management block.

[0021] This parameter can be based, at least in part, on the level of the input signal.

[0022] This parameter can be based, at least in part, on the volume setting of the host device that incorporates the power management system.

[0023] The DSP can be configured to implement speaker protection systems and / or battery protection systems.

[0024] According to a second aspect, the present invention provides an integrated circuit including the power management system of the first aspect.

[0025] According to a third aspect, the present invention provides a host device that includes a power management system as described in the first aspect.

[0026] The host device may include a laptop computer, notebook computer, netbook computer or tablet computer, gaming device, game console, controller for game console, virtual reality (VR) or augmented reality (AR) device, mobile phone, portable audio player, portable device, accessory device for use with a laptop computer, notebook computer, netbook computer or tablet computer, gaming device, game console, VR or AR device, mobile phone, portable audio player or other portable device.

[0027] According to a fourth aspect, the present invention provides a digital signal processor (DSP) comprising: a vibration displacement protection block; a battery protection block; a thermal protection block; and a power management block, wherein the power management block is configured to: monitor the peak power and average power of an input signal of the DSP; control the operating mode of the vibration displacement protection block and / or the battery protection block based on the peak power of the input signal; and control the operating mode of the thermal protection block based on the average power of the input signal.

[0028] Throughout this specification, the word “comprise”, or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising”, shall be understood to mean including the stated element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but not excluding any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps. Attached Figure Description

[0029] Embodiments of the invention will now be described strictly by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0030] Figure 1 This is a schematic representation of an example audio system;

[0031] Figure 2 This is a schematic representation of an example audio system incorporating a power management system according to the present disclosure;

[0032] Figure 3 This is a schematic representation of an example power management block of a power management system according to this disclosure;

[0033] Figure 4 This is a schematic representation of a vibration displacement protection block according to the present disclosure. The operation of the vibration displacement protection block can be controlled or adjusted based on the output of the power management system.

[0034] Figure 5 This is a schematic representation of a battery protection block according to the present disclosure, the operation of which can be controlled or adjusted based on the output of the power management system;

[0035] Figure 6 This is a schematic representation of a thermal protection block according to the present disclosure, the operation of which can be controlled or adjusted based on the output of the power management system;

[0036] Figure 7 This is a schematic representation of a power optimizer block according to the present disclosure, the operation of which can be controlled or adjusted based on the output of a power management system; and

[0037] Figure 8 This is a schematic representation of a volume control block according to the present disclosure, the operation of which can be controlled or adjusted based on the output of the power management system. Detailed Implementation

[0038] Figure 2 This is a schematic representation of an example audio system incorporating a power management system according to this disclosure. The audio system (in...) Figure 2 The overall configuration (shown as 200) includes DSP 210, which is related to... Figure 1 The audio system 100 is similar to the DSP 110 in that it is configured to implement the aforementioned type of speaker protection system and has the features described in the reference above. Figure 1 The processing blocks 112–122 describe the types of processing.

[0039] DSP 210 and Figure 1 The difference between the DSP 110 and the DSP 210 is that the DSP 210 includes a power management system for managing the power consumption of the DSP 210. The power management system includes a power management block 220 (which may also be referred to as signal chain power management or SCPM block 220).

[0040] SCPM block 220 is configured to receive an input signal, which may be a "raw" audio input signal received at the input of DSP 210, or an enhanced or regulated version of the raw audio input signal output by audio enhancement or regulation block 112 (if present). SCPM block 220 is further configured to detect a parameter indicating the power of the input signal and to control the operation (e.g., operating mode) of one or more of the processing blocks 112–122 of DSP 210 based at least in part on the detected parameter. Specifically, SCPM block 220 is configured to compare the detected parameter indicating the power of the input signal with a threshold, and in response to determining that the detected parameter is less than the threshold, to cause one or more of the processing blocks 112–122 of DSP 210 to enter a low-power operating mode.

[0041] Figure 3 It is suitable for use as Figure 2 A schematic representation of an example power management block of the SCPM module 220 in the DSP 210.

[0042] Power management block (in) Figure 3 The DSP 210 (generally shown as 300) includes an average power estimation block 310 configured to generate an estimate of the average power of the input signal received at the input of the DSP 210. For example, the average power estimation block may generate an estimate of the mean square power of the input signal. The average power estimation block 310 outputs a signal indicating the average power estimate to a smoothing module 312, which generates and outputs a signal indicating the smoothed average power estimate. The estimate of the average power of the input signal may be based on the input signal level, or alternatively, it may be based on a combination of parameters, such as a combination of the input signal level and the volume setting of the host device incorporating the DSP 210.

[0043] The power management block 300 further includes a peak power estimation block 320 configured to generate an estimate of the peak power of the input signal received at the input of the DSP 210. The peak power estimation block 320 outputs a signal indicating the peak power estimate. Similarly, the estimate of the peak power of the input signal can be based on the input signal level, or alternatively, it can be based on a combination of parameters, such as a combination of the input signal level and the volume setting of the host device incorporating the DSP 210.

[0044] The power management block 300 further includes a first threshold logic block 330, a second threshold logic block 340, and a third threshold logic block 350.

[0045] The first threshold logic block 330 is configured to receive a signal indicating a smoothed mean power estimate from the smoothing block 312, and compare the received signal with a first threshold to generate a first threshold logic block output signal. If the signal indicating the smoothed mean power estimate is less than the first threshold, the first threshold logic block output signal adopts a first state (e.g., a logic low state); and if the signal indicating the smoothed mean power estimate is equal to or greater than the first threshold, the first threshold logic block output signal adopts a second state (e.g., a logic high state).

[0046] The first threshold logic block 330 may be implemented with a hysteresis (in a manner familiar to those skilled in the art) such that the threshold for determining whether the output signal of the first threshold logic block should transition from a first state to a second state is different from (e.g., lower than) the threshold for determining whether the output signal of the first threshold logic block should transition from a second state to a first state. Using a hysteresis in this way helps prevent the output signal of the first threshold logic block from transitioning between the first and second states in response to instantaneous changes in the smoothed mean power estimate signal.

[0047] The output signal of the first threshold logic block is output to the first input of the low-power mode activation block 360.

[0048] The second threshold logic block 340 is configured to receive a signal indicating a peak power estimate from the peak power estimation block 320, and compare the received signal with a second threshold to generate a second threshold logic block output signal. If the signal indicating the peak power estimate is less than the second threshold, the second threshold logic block output signal adopts a first state (e.g., a logic low state); and if the signal indicating the peak power estimate is equal to or greater than the second threshold, the second threshold logic block output signal adopts a second state (e.g., a logic high state).

[0049] Similar to the first threshold logic block 330, the second threshold logic block 340 may implement a hysteresis (in a manner also familiar to those skilled in the art) such that the threshold for determining whether the output signal of the second threshold logic block should transition from the first state to the second state is different from (e.g., lower than) the threshold for determining whether the output signal of the second threshold logic block should transition from the second state to the first state. Likewise, using a hysteresis in this way helps prevent the output signal of the second threshold logic block from transitioning between the first and second states in response to instantaneous changes in the peak power estimate signal.

[0050] The output signal of the second threshold logic block is output to the second input of the low-power mode activation block 360.

[0051] In this example, the low-power mode activation block 360 is configured to perform a logical OR operation on the output signals of the first and second threshold logic blocks, and assert or deassert the low-power mode status flag based on the result of the operation. Therefore, in this example, if both the first and second threshold logic block output signals are in a first state (e.g., both are at a logic low level), the low-power mode status flag is asserted; and if either the first or second threshold logic block output signal is in a second state (e.g., at a logic high level), the low-power mode status flag is deasserted. The operation of the vibration displacement protection block 114 and battery protection block 118 of the DSP 210 is controlled or adjusted based on the state of the low-power mode status flag (assertion or deassertion), as will be described in more detail below. The operation of other blocks of the DSP can also be controlled based on the state of the low-power mode status flag, as will also be described in more detail below.

[0052] The third threshold logic block 350 is configured to receive a signal indicating an average power estimate from the smoothing block 312, compare the received signal with a third threshold, and control the state of the low-power mode thermal status flag (assert or deassert) based on the comparison result. If the signal indicating the average power estimate is less than the threshold, the low-power mode thermal status flag is asserted, while if the signal indicating the average power estimate is equal to or greater than the third threshold, the low-power mode thermal status flag is deasserted.

[0053] Similar to the first threshold logic block 330 and the second threshold logic block 340, the third threshold logic block 350 may implement a hysteresis (in a manner also familiar to those skilled in the art) such that the threshold for determining whether the low-power mode thermal state flag should transition from an assertion state to a deassertion state is different from (e.g., lower than) the threshold for determining whether the low-power mode thermal state flag should transition from an assertion state to a deassertion state. Likewise, using a hysteresis in this way helps prevent the output signal of the third threshold logic block from transitioning between the deassertion state and the assertion state in response to instantaneous changes in the mean power estimate signal.

[0054] The output signal of the third threshold logic block is output to the thermal protection block 116 of the DSP 210. The operation of the thermal protection block 116 is controlled or adjusted based on the state of the low-power mode thermal status flag, as will be described in more detail below.

[0055] Figure 4 This is a schematic representation of a vibration displacement protection block, which is suitable for use as... Figure 2 The vibration displacement protection block 114 in the DSP 210 allows the operation of the vibration displacement protection block to be controlled or adjusted by the SCPM block 220.

[0056] Vibration displacement protection block (in) Figure 4 The overall structure (shown as 400) in this example includes an audio signal path that includes a delay / forward block 410 and a vibration displacement limiter block 420.

[0057] The delay / look-forward block 410 is configured to receive the input audio signal and apply a delay of sufficient duration to enable feedforward processing in the first and second feedforward paths of the vibration displacement protection block 400, as will be described in more detail below.

[0058] Vibration displacement limiter block 420 is configured to receive a delayed input audio signal and apply vibration displacement limiting processing based on the outputs of the first feedforward path and the second feedforward path, as well as the outputs of the first feedback path and the second feedback path, as will be described in more detail below.

[0059] The first feedforward path includes a feedforward vibration displacement estimator block 430, which is configured to receive an input audio signal and generate an output signal based on the input audio signal, indicating an estimate of the vibration displacement of the cone of the loudspeaker 150. The output of the feedforward vibration displacement estimator block 430 is coupled to a first input of an adder block 440.

[0060] The second feedforward path includes a DC offset compensation block 450, which is configured to receive the input audio signal and generate a DC offset compensation signal. The output of the DC offset compensation block 450 is coupled to the second input of the adder block 440.

[0061] Therefore, the feedforward vibration displacement estimator block 430 and the DC offset compensation block 450 constitute the feedforward processing block of the vibration displacement protection block 400.

[0062] Adder block 440 is configured to add the output signal of the feedforward vibration displacement estimator block to the DC offset compensation signal and output the sum signal to the first input of multiplier block 460.

[0063] The vibration displacement protection block 400 further includes a first feedback path comprising a post-limiter vibration displacement estimator block 470 configured to generate a post-limiter vibration displacement estimator block output signal indicating an estimated value of the vibration displacement of the speaker 150 cone after the application of limitation by the vibration displacement limiter block 420. The output of the post-limiter vibration displacement estimator block 470 is coupled to a first input of the supervisory correction block 480.

[0064] The vibration displacement protection block 400 further includes a second feedback path comprising a feedback vibration displacement estimator block 490 configured to receive a feedback signal (e.g., a monitored voltage and / or current signal) from the amplifier 140 and generate a vibration displacement estimate signal indicating the actual vibration displacement of the cone of the speaker 150. The output of the feedback vibration displacement estimator block 490 is coupled to a second input of the supervisory correction block 480.

[0065] Therefore, the rear limiter vibration displacement estimator block 470, the feedback vibration displacement estimator block 490, and the monitoring correction block 480 constitute the feedback processing block of the vibration displacement protection block 400.

[0066] The supervisory correction block is configured to generate a correction factor signal based on the vibration displacement estimate signal output by the feedback vibration displacement estimator block 490 and the output signal of the post-limiter vibration displacement estimator block. This correction factor signal is output to the second input of a multiplier block 460, which operates to multiply the sum signal received from the adder block 440 by the correction factor signal to generate a vibration displacement limiter control signal. The output of the multiplier block 460 is coupled to the input of a vibration displacement limiter block 420, which is configured to apply vibration displacement limiting processing to a delayed input audio signal based on the vibration displacement limiter control signal output by the multiplier block 460. For example, the gain of the vibration displacement limiter block 420 can be adjusted based on the vibration displacement limiter control signal, causing the vibration displacement limiter processing block 420 to attenuate the delayed audio input signal to reduce its amplitude to a level that will not cause excessive vibration displacement of the cone of the speaker 150. In this way, the vibration displacement limiter block can apply an appropriate level of vibration displacement limiting treatment to protect the loudspeaker 150 from potentially harmful excessive vibration displacement caused by high input signal levels.

[0067] The operation of the feedforward vibration displacement estimator block 430, DC offset compensation block 450, rear limiter vibration displacement estimator block 470, supervisory correction block 480 and feedback vibration displacement estimator block 490 is controlled based on the state of the low power mode state flag (assertion or deassertion).

[0068] Those skilled in the art will understand that the risk of excessive speaker vibration displacement is low at low input signal levels, and therefore, complex processing to achieve highly accurate vibration displacement protection may not be necessary for small input signals. Therefore, when the low-power mode status flag is asserted, the vibration displacement protection block can enter a low-power operation mode, in which one or more of the feedforward vibration displacement estimator block 430, DC offset compensation block 450, post-limiter vibration displacement estimator block 470, supervisory correction block 480, and feedback vibration displacement estimator block 490 are disabled to reduce the power consumption of the vibration displacement protection block 400. In this low-power operation mode of the vibration displacement protection block 400, the gain of the vibration displacement limiter block 420 is set to 1, so that no attenuation is applied to the delayed input audio signal when the low-power mode status flag is asserted. The internal state values ​​of the disabled blocks are maintained (e.g., stored in memory, registers, etc.) so that the vibration displacement protection block 400 can quickly resume normal operation when the low-power mode status flag is deasserted. It should be noted that when the low power state activity flag is asserted, the delay / look-forward block 410 and the vibration displacement limiter block 420 continue to operate normally, and therefore no audible sound artifacts, such as clicks or pops or other sound artifacts, are generated when the vibration displacement protection block 400 transitions between the low power state and the normal operating state.

[0069] Alternatively, in low-power operation mode, the processing rate of one or more of the following blocks can be reduced: feedforward vibration displacement estimator block 430, DC offset compensation block 450, post-limiter vibration displacement estimator block 470, supervisory correction block 480, and feedback vibration displacement estimation block 490. In some examples, the processing rate of the blocks is reduced, but the number of samples processed by the blocks remains unchanged, such that, for example, a sample set that would take 1 ms to process in normal operation mode would take 2 ms to process in low-power mode. In other examples, the processing rate of the blocks is reduced, and the samples passed to the blocks are downsampled by a downsampling factor corresponding to the reduction in processing rate (e.g., a downsampling factor of 2 is applied to the samples to be processed if the processing rate is halved), such that the number of samples processed by the blocks in low-power mode is less than the number of samples processed in normal operation mode in a given time period.

[0070] In an example where the vibration displacement protection block 400 is configured to perform sub-band processing (and thus include sub-blocks for processing different sub-bands of the input audio signal), individual sub-blocks within the sub-blocks can be disabled or operated at a lower processing rate in a low-power operating mode, such that in low-power mode, some sub-bands are not processed or are processed at a lower rate, while other sub-bands are processed at the normal processing rate.

[0071] It is important to remember that the state of the low power mode status flag (assert or deassert) is controlled by the low power mode activation block 360. If the output signal of the first threshold logic block or the output signal of the second threshold logic block is in the second state (e.g., at a logic high level), indicating that the average power of the input audio signal has reached the first threshold and / or the peak power of the input audio signal has reached the second threshold, then the low power mode activation block deasserts the low power mode activation flag.

[0072] Therefore, in response to a sudden or rapid increase in the level of the input audio signal, the vibration displacement protection block 400 can be triggered to resume normal operation by canceling the assertion low power mode activity flag, thereby protecting the speaker from the effects of excessive vibration displacement in the event of such an increase in the level of the input audio signal.

[0073] Once the average power and peak power of the input signal both drop below their respective thresholds, the low-power mode activity flag can be asserted again, causing the vibration displacement protection block to enter its low-power operation mode, in which one or more of the feedforward vibration displacement estimator block 430, DC offset compensation block 450, post-limiter vibration displacement estimator block 470, supervisory correction block 480, and feedback vibration displacement estimator block 490 are disabled to reduce the power consumption of the vibration displacement protection block 400.

[0074] Figure 5This is a schematic representation of a battery protection block, which is suitable for use as... Figure 2 The battery protection block 118 in the DSP 210 allows the operation of the vibration displacement protection block to be controlled or adjusted by the SCPM block 220.

[0075] Battery protection block (in) Figure 5 The audio signal path (generally shown as 500) in this example includes a compressor / limiter block 510 configured to receive an input audio signal and output a processed audio signal to an amplifier 140 to drive a speaker 150. The compressor / limiter block 510 is configured to selectively limit the signal level of the processed audio signal based on a power threshold signal, as will be described in more detail below.

[0076] The battery protection block 500 further includes an audio power calculation block 520, which is configured to receive an input audio signal and generate an audio power estimate signal Pest indicating the power of the input audio signal. The output of the audio power calculation block 520 is coupled to a first input of the compressor / limiter block 510, such that the compressor / limiter block 510 receives the audio power estimate signal Pest.

[0077] The battery protection block 500 further includes a feedback path comprising an amplifier calculation block 530, a battery parameter update block 540, and a maximum power threshold calculation block 550. The amplifier calculation block 530, battery parameter update block 540, and maximum power threshold calculation block 550 thus constitute the feedback processing block of the battery protection block 500.

[0078] The amplifier power calculation block 530 is configured to receive feedback signals (e.g., monitored voltage and / or current signals) from the amplifier 140 and generate an amplifier power estimate signal indicating the output power of the amplifier 140.

[0079] The output of amplifier power calculation block 530 is coupled to the first input of battery parameter update block 540, which receives a battery voltage signal at its second input indicating the voltage of the battery supplying power to audio system 200. Battery parameter update block 540 is configured to generate and output signals indicating battery resistance (Rbat) and battery voltage (Vbat) based on amplifier output power estimate signal and battery voltage signal.

[0080] The output of battery parameter update block 540 is coupled to the input of maximum power threshold calculation block 550, which generates a maximum power threshold signal indicating the maximum power threshold for the input audio signal based on battery resistance and battery voltage. The output of maximum power threshold signal calculation block is coupled to the second input of compressor / limiter block 510, so that the maximum power threshold signal is output to compressor / limiter block 510.

[0081] The compressor / limiter block 510 is configured to compare the estimated power of the input audio signal (represented by the audio power estimate signal Pest) with the maximum power threshold (represented by the maximum power threshold signal), and to apply attenuation to the input audio signal if the estimated power of the input audio signal is equal to or greater than the maximum power threshold.

[0082] The operation of amplifier power calculation block 530, battery parameter update block 540 and maximum power threshold calculation block 550 is controlled based on low power mode status flags.

[0083] Those skilled in the art will understand that at low input signal levels, the battery charge level will be within acceptable limits, thus eliminating the need for attenuation through compressor / limiter block 510. Therefore, when the low-power activity status flag is asserted, the battery protection block can enter a low-power operating mode, in which one or more of amplifier power calculation block 530, battery parameter update block 540, and maximum power threshold calculation block 550 are disabled to reduce the power consumption of battery protection block 500. The gain of compressor / limiter block 510 is set to 1 in low-power mode, preventing attenuation from being applied to the input audio signal. The internal state values ​​of the disabled blocks are maintained (e.g., stored in memory, registers, etc.) so that battery protection block 500 can quickly resume normal operation when the low-power mode status flag is deasserted. It should be noted that compressor / limiter block 510 continues to operate normally in low-power mode, and therefore no audible sound artifacts, such as clicks, pops, or other sound artifacts, are generated when transitioning between low-power mode and normal operating mode of battery protection block 500.

[0084] Alternatively, in low-power operation mode, the processing rate of one or more of the amplifier power calculation block 530, battery parameter update block 540, and maximum power threshold calculation block 550 can be reduced. In some examples, the processing rate of the blocks is reduced, but the number of samples processed by the blocks remains unchanged, such that a sample set that would take the blocks 1 ms to process in normal operation mode would take 2 ms to process in low-power mode. In other examples, the processing rate of the blocks is reduced, and the samples passed to the blocks are downsampled by a downsampling factor corresponding to the reduction in processing rate (e.g., a downsampling factor of 2 is applied to the samples to be processed if the processing rate is halved), such that the blocks process fewer samples in low-power mode than in normal operation mode in a given time period.

[0085] In an example where the battery protection block 500 is configured to perform sub-band processing (and thus include sub-blocks for processing different sub-bands of the input audio signal), individual sub-blocks within the sub-blocks can be disabled or operated at a lower processing rate in a low-power operating mode, such that in low-power mode, some sub-bands are not processed or are processed at a lower rate, while other sub-bands are processed at the normal processing rate.

[0086] It is important to remember that the state of the low power mode status flag (assertion or deassertion) is controlled by the low power mode activation block 360. If the output signal of the first threshold logic block or the output signal of the second threshold logic block is in the second state (e.g., at a logic high level), indicating that the average power of the input audio signal has reached the first threshold and / or the peak power of the input audio signal has reached the second threshold, then the low power mode activation block deassers the low power mode activation flag.

[0087] Therefore, in response to a sudden or rapid increase in the level of the input audio signal, the battery protection block 500 can be triggered to resume normal operation by de-asserting the low-power mode activity flag, thereby protecting the battery from excessive demand in the event of such an increase in the input audio signal level. Upon resuming normal operation, the battery resistance value Rbat and the battery voltage value Vbat are reset to their initial values ​​(e.g., predefined values ​​or values ​​calculated or otherwise determined and stored during the calibration or initialization process for the DSP 210). This prevents underestimation of the maximum power threshold and excessive compression / attenuation of the input audio signal when the low-power mode activity flag is de-asserted and the battery protection block 500 resumes normal operation.

[0088] Once both the average power and peak power of the input signal drop below their respective thresholds, the low power mode activity flag can be asserted again, causing the battery protection block 500 to enter a low power operation mode, in which one or more of the amplifier power calculation block 530, battery parameter update block 540, and maximum power threshold calculation block 550 are disabled or operate at a lower processing rate to reduce the power consumption of the battery protection block 500.

[0089] Figure 6 This is a schematic representation of a thermal protection block, which is suitable for use as... Figure 2 The thermal protection block 116 in the DSP 210 allows the operation of the thermal protection block to be controlled or adjusted by the SCPM block 220.

[0090] Thermal protection block (in) Figure 6 The overall section (shown as 600) in this example includes an audio signal path, which includes a thermal limiter block 610 and a thermal rate limiter block 620.

[0091] The thermal protection block 600 further includes a feedback path comprising a DC resistance measurement block 630, a temperature estimator block 640, a thermal gain calculation block 650, a derivative / rate calculation block 660, and a thermal rate gain calculation block 670. The DC resistance measurement block 630, temperature estimator block 640, thermal gain calculation block 650, derivative / rate calculation block 660, and thermal rate gain calculation block 670 thus constitute the feedback processing block of the thermal protection block 600.

[0092] The DC resistance measurement block 630 is configured to receive a feedback signal (e.g., a monitored voltage and / or current signal) from the amplifier 140 and generate a DC resistance estimate signal indicating the DC resistance of the speaker 150 based on the received feedback signal.

[0093] The output of the DC resistance measuring block 630 is coupled to the input of the temperature estimator block 640, which is configured to generate a main voice coil temperature estimate signal indicating the temperature of the main voice coil of the loudspeaker 150 based on the DC resistance estimate signal.

[0094] The output of temperature estimator block 640 is coupled to the input of derivative / rate block 660 and the input of thermal gain calculation block 650.

[0095] Thermal gain calculation block 650 is configured to generate a thermal gain signal indicating the thermal gain of the main voice coil based on the estimated signal of the main voice coil. The thermal gain signal is output to thermal rate limiter block 620, which is configured to apply attenuation based on the thermal gain signal to limit the level of the audio signal output to the amplifier.

[0096] A derivative / rate block 660 is configured to generate a derivative / rate signal indicating the rate of change of the temperature of the main voice coil of the speaker 150. The derivative / rate signal is output to a thermal rate gain calculation block 670, which is configured to generate a thermal rate gain signal indicating the rate of change of the thermal gain of the main voice coil of the speaker 150 based on the derivative / rate signal. The thermal rate gain signal is output to a thermal limiter block 610, which is configured to apply attenuation to limit the level of the input audio signal based on the thermal rate gain signal.

[0097] Therefore, the thermal protection block 600 is configured to selectively limit the level of the signal supplied to the amplifier 140 in order to prevent damage to the main voice coil of the speaker 150 that may result from an excessively high input signal level.

[0098] Those skilled in the art will understand that the risk of the main voice coil of speaker 150 reaching a potentially damaging temperature is reduced at low input signal levels. Therefore, when the low-power mode thermal status flag is asserted, the thermal protection block can enter a low-power operating mode, in which one or more of the DC resistance measurement block 630, temperature estimator block 640, thermal gain calculation block 650, derivative / rate block 660, and thermal rate gain calculation block 670 are disabled to reduce the power consumption of the thermal protection block 600. The gains of thermal limiter block 610 and thermal rate limiter block 620 can be set to 1 in low-power operating mode, so that no attenuation is applied to the input audio signal. The internal state values ​​of the disabled blocks are maintained (e.g., stored in memory, registers, etc.) so that the thermal protection block 600 can quickly resume normal operation when the low-power mode status flag is deasserted. It should be noted that when the low-power mode thermal status flag is asserted, thermal limiter block 610 and thermal rate limiter block 620 continue to operate normally (i.e., are not disabled), and therefore no audible sound artifacts, such as clicks or pops or other sound artifacts, are generated when the thermal protection block 600 transitions between the low-power state and the normal operating state.

[0099] Alternatively, in low-power operation mode, the processing rate of one or more of the DC resistance measurement block 630, temperature estimator block 640, thermal gain calculation block 650, derivative / rate block 660, and thermal rate gain calculation block 670 can be reduced. In some examples, the processing rate of the blocks is reduced, but the number of samples processed by the blocks remains unchanged, such that a sample set that would take the blocks 1 ms to process in normal operation mode would take 2 ms to process in low-power mode. In other examples, the processing rate of the blocks is reduced, and the samples passed to the blocks are downsampled by a downsampling factor corresponding to the reduction in processing rate (e.g., a downsampling factor of 2 is applied to the samples to be processed if the processing rate is halved), such that the blocks process fewer samples in low-power mode than in normal operation mode in a given time period.

[0100] In an example where the thermal protection block 600 is configured to perform sub-band processing (and thus include sub-blocks for processing different sub-bands of the input audio signal), individual sub-blocks within the sub-blocks can be disabled or operated at a lower processing rate in a low-power operating mode, such that in low-power mode, some sub-bands are not processed or are processed at a lower rate, while other sub-bands are processed at the normal processing rate.

[0101] It is important to remember that the operation of the thermal protection module is controlled or adjusted based on the state of the low-power mode thermal status flag, which in turn depends on the detected average power of the input signal. Since the temperature of the main voice coil of the speaker 150 changes over a longer period than the vibration displacement of the speaker 150 (i.e., the temperature change of the main voice coil takes longer than the vibration displacement change of the speaker 150), the operation of the thermal protection block 600 can be controlled solely based on the average power of the input audio signal.

[0102] Therefore, when the low-power mode thermal status flag is asserted (indicating that the signal indicating the average power estimate is below the third threshold), one or more of the DC resistance measurement block 630, temperature estimator block 640, thermal gain calculation block 650, derivative / rate block 660, and thermal rate gain calculation block 670 can be disabled or set to a lower processing rate, causing the thermal protection block 600 to operate in its low-power mode. Conversely, when the low-power mode thermal status flag is asserted (indicating that the signal indicating the average power estimate is equal to or greater than the third threshold), the thermal gain calculation block 650, derivative / rate block 660, and thermal rate gain calculation block 670 are enabled or set to their normal processing rate, causing the thermal protection block 600 to operate in its normal mode.

[0103] Therefore, in response to the increase in the average power of the input audio signal, the output signal of the third threshold logic block can be switched from its first state to its second state to trigger the thermal protection block 600 to resume normal operation, thereby protecting the main voice coil of the speaker 150 from damage that might otherwise be caused by the increase in the temperature of the voice coil.

[0104] Figure 7 This is a schematic representation of a power optimizer block, which is suitable for use as... Figure 2 The power optimizer block 120 in the DSP 210 allows the operation of the power optimizer block to be controlled or adjusted by the SCPM block 220.

[0105] Power optimizer block (in) Figure 7 The overall section (shown as 700) in this example includes an audio signal path that includes a band splitter block 710, multiple multi-band dynamic range compressor (MBDRC) blocks 720, and a reassembler block 740.

[0106] The frequency band splitter block 710 is configured to receive an input audio signal and output multiple (e.g., two or three) different audio frequency band signals, each audio frequency band signal containing signal components of the input audio signal in different frequency bands.

[0107] MBDRC block 720 includes multiple (equal to the number of different audio frequency band signals generated by band splitter block 710, for example, two or three) dynamic range compressor system blocks (DRC) 722. It should be noted that, for clarity, Figure 7 Only one DRC system block 722 is shown. Each DRC system block 722 includes a forward lookup block 724, a volume control block 726, a level detection block 728, a dynamic range compressor (DRC) block 730, and a multiplier block 732.

[0108] Each DRC system block 722's front-view block 724 is configured to monitor co-orientations in the audio frequency band signal and output the front-view block output signal to the first input of the volume control block 726, so that the volume (e.g., signal level) of the signal output by the volume control block 726 can be adjusted as needed to limit or otherwise manage the power consumption of the DSP 210.

[0109] Each DRC system block 722's level detection block 728 is configured to detect the level of a relevant element in the audio band signal and output a level detection block output signal indicating the detected level to the DRC block 730. The DRC block 730 is configured to generate a DRC block output signal indicating the audio band gain to be applied to a relevant element in the audio band signal. The DRC block output signal is output to the first input of the multiplier block 732.

[0110] Temperature smoothing block 750 is configured to receive a signal indicating the temperature of the voice coil of speaker 150 and output the smoothed temperature signal to TRA / TGA block 760. TRA / TGA block 760 is configured to generate a TRA / TGA block output signal indicating the temperature compensation gain to be applied to relevant components in the audio frequency band signal to limit, compensate for, or otherwise manage the temperature of the voice coil of speaker 150. The TRA / TGA block output signal is output to the second input of multiplier block 732.

[0111] The output of multiplier block 732 is coupled to the second input of volume control block 726, so that volume control block 726 receives a volume control signal representing the product of audio band gain and temperature compensation gain. Volume control block 726 adjusts the volume (level) of the received audio band signal based on the received volume control signal and outputs the adjusted audio band signal to recombination block 740, which combines multiple processed audio band signals to generate an audio output signal.

[0112] Those skilled in the art will understand that at low input signal levels, the risk of the main voice coil of speaker 150 reaching a potentially damaging temperature is reduced, and dynamic range compression of any of the audio signal bands of the input signal may not be necessary. Therefore, when the low-power mode activity flag is asserted, power optimizer block 700 can enter a low-power operation mode, in which one or more of the level detection block 728 (of each DRC system block 722), DRC block 730 (of each DRC system block 722), temperature smoothing block 750, and TRA / TGA block 760 can be disabled, or can operate at a reduced processing rate to reduce the power consumption of power optimizer block 700.

[0113] The gain of each volume control block 726 is set to 1 in low-power mode, so that no attenuation is applied to any frequency band of the input audio signal. The internal state values ​​of the disabled blocks are maintained (e.g., stored in memory, registers, etc.) so that the power optimizer block 700 can quickly resume normal operation when the low-power mode state flag is deasserted. It should be noted that each lookahead block 724 and each volume control block 726 continue to operate normally in low-power mode, and therefore no audible sound artifacts, such as clicks, pops, or other sound artifacts, are generated when transitioning between the low-power mode and normal operation mode of the power optimizer block 700.

[0114] In an example where the power optimizer block 700 is configured to perform sub-band processing (and thus include sub-blocks for processing different sub-bands of the input audio signal), individual sub-blocks within the sub-blocks can be disabled or operated at a lower processing rate in a low-power operating mode, such that in low-power mode, some sub-bands are not processed or are processed at a lower rate, while other sub-bands are processed at the normal processing rate.

[0115] Figure 8 This is a schematic representation of a power limiter system block, which is suitable for use in... Figure 2 In the DSP210, the operation of the volume control block can be controlled or adjusted by the SCPM block220.

[0116] Power limiter system block (in) Figure 8 The audio signal path (generally shown as 800) in this example includes a volume control block 810, which is configured to receive an input audio signal and adjust its volume based on a gain adaptive control signal to generate and output a volume-controlled audio signal.

[0117] The power limiter system block 800 further includes a power estimator block 820, which is configured to estimate the power of the input audio signal and output a power estimate signal indicating the estimated power of the input audio signal to a first input of the gain adaptive block 830. Figure 8 As shown, the power estimator block 820 can receive a feedforward signal (input audio signal) and / or one or more feedback signals (e.g., monitored voltage and / or current signals) from the amplifier 140, and is configured to generate a power estimate signal based on the received feedforward and / or feedback signals.

[0118] The power limiter system block 800 further includes a temperature threshold block 840, which is configured to determine whether the speaker voice coil threshold temperature has been reached or may be reached, and output a temperature threshold signal to the gain adaptive block 830.

[0119] Gain adaptive block 830 is configured to generate a gain adaptive signal based on the received power estimate and temperature threshold signal, such that the volume of the input audio signal can be reduced if the input signal power and / or speaker voice coil temperature may reach a damaging level. The gain adaptive signal is output to volume control block 810, which adjusts the volume of the received input audio signal based on the gain adaptive signal.

[0120] At low input signal levels, the input signal power and voice coil temperature will be within safe limits, and therefore, when the low-power mode thermal status flag is asserted, the power limiter system block 800 can enter a low-power operating mode, in which one or more of the power estimator block 820, temperature threshold block 840, and gain adaptation block 830 are disabled or operate at a reduced processing rate to reduce the power consumption of the power limiter system block 800. The volume control block 810 continues to operate normally in low-power mode, and therefore no audible sound artifacts, such as clicks or pops or other sound artifacts, are generated when the volume control system block 800 transitions between low-power mode and normal operating mode.

[0121] In an example where the power limiter system block 800 is configured to perform sub-band processing (and thus include sub-blocks for processing different sub-bands of the input audio signal), individual sub-blocks within the sub-blocks can be disabled or operated at a lower processing rate in a low-power operating mode, such that in low-power mode, some sub-bands are not processed or are processed at a lower rate, while other sub-bands are processed at the normal processing rate.

[0122] In the example above, the operating mode (normal or low power) of one or more of blocks 112–122 is controlled based on a low power mode status flag or a low power mode thermal status flag. The state (assert or deassert) of the low power mode status flag is set based on a comparison of a smoothed mean power estimate (indicating the mean power of the input signal) with a first threshold or a comparison of a peak power estimate (indicating the peak power of the input signal) with a second threshold. Similarly, the state (assert or deassert) of the low power mode thermal status flag is set based on a comparison of a smoothed mean power estimate with a third threshold.

[0123] This disclosure also covers an alternative method in which the state of the low-power mode status flag and / or the low-power mode thermal status flag is set based on the volume setting of the host device incorporating the DSP 210. Those skilled in the art will understand that such a volume setting is a parameter indicating the power of the input signal to the DSP 210.

[0124] The volume setting and / or parameters derived from the volume setting (e.g., the integral of the volume setting over a defined time period) can be compared to one or more thresholds to determine whether to assert or deassert the low-power mode status flag and / or the low-power mode thermal status flag. For example, the low-power mode status flag can be asserted if the volume setting is less than a first volume setting threshold, or if the integral of the volume setting is less than a second volume setting threshold. Conversely, the low-power mode status flag can be deasserted if the volume setting is equal to or greater than the first volume setting threshold and if the integral of the volume setting is equal to or greater than the second volume setting threshold.

[0125] Similarly, if the integral of the volume setting is less than the third volume setting threshold, the low power mode thermal status flag can be asserted, while if the integral of the volume setting is equal to or greater than the third volume setting threshold, the low power mode thermal status flag can be de-asserted.

[0126] In the examples employing the aforementioned alternative methods, based on the above reference... Figures 4-8 The state of the described low-power mode status flag or low-power mode thermal status flag controls the operating mode of one or more of the processing blocks 112–122.

[0127] As is evident from the preceding discussion, the power management system disclosed herein helps reduce power consumption at low input signal levels while allowing for rapid recovery of normal operation of individual DSP blocks, thus ensuring the operation of critical systems (e.g., vibration displacement protection, battery protection, and thermal protection) without compromising their function.

[0128] As described above, in various low-power modes, only the sidechain blocks of DSP 210 are disabled; while the various DSP blocks operate in their low-power modes, the main audio signal processing chain continues to operate normally and is therefore unaffected by SCPM 220. Thus, audible sound artifacts such as clicks and pops are avoided, and the time it takes for the audio signal to travel through the main audio signal processing chain is unaffected by the various low-power modes of the DSP blocks.

[0129] The power management system, DSP, and circuitry described above with reference to the accompanying drawings may be incorporated into host devices such as laptops, notebooks, netbooks, or tablets, gaming devices (such as game consoles or controllers for game consoles), virtual reality (VR) or augmented reality (AR) devices, mobile phones, portable audio players, or some other portable devices, or may be incorporated into accessory devices for use with laptops, notebooks, netbooks, or tablets, gaming devices, VR or AR devices, mobile phones, portable audio players, or other portable devices.

[0130] Those skilled in the art will recognize that some aspects of the above-described apparatus and methods can be embodied, for example, on a non-volatile carrier medium such as a disk, CD-ROM, or DVD-ROM, a programmable memory (such as read-only memory (firmware)), or on a data carrier such as an optical or electrical signal carrier. For many applications, embodiments of the invention will be implemented on a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), ASIC (Application-Specific Integrated Circuit), or FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array). Therefore, the code may include conventional program code or microcode, or, for example, code for setting up or controlling an ASIC or FPGA. The code may also include code for dynamically configuring reconfigurable devices (such as reprogrammable logic gate arrays). Similarly, the code may include code for hardware description languages ​​(such as Verilog™ or VHDL (Very High Speed ​​Integrated Circuit Hardware Description Language)). As those skilled in the art will understand, the code may be distributed among multiple coupled components that communicate with each other. Where appropriate, the embodiments may also be implemented using code that runs on a field-programmable analog array or similar device to configure analog hardware.

[0131] It should be noted that, as used herein, the term "module" will be used to refer to a functional unit or block that can be implemented at least in part by dedicated hardware components (such as custom circuitry) and / or at least in part by one or more software processors or appropriate code running on a suitable general-purpose processor. A module itself may include other modules or functional units. A module may be provided by multiple components or submodules that do not need to be co-located but can be located on different integrated circuits and / or run on different processors.

[0132] As used herein, in the case of two or more elements referred to as “coupled” to each other, this term indicates, if applicable, whether the connection is indirect or direct, with or without intervening elements, that the two or more elements are in electronic or mechanical communication.

[0133] This disclosure covers all changes, substitutions, variations, alterations, and modifications to the exemplary embodiments described herein that will be understood by those skilled in the art. Similarly, where appropriate, the appended claims cover all changes, substitutions, variations, alterations, and modifications to the exemplary embodiments described herein that will be understood by those skilled in the art. Furthermore, references in the appended claims to a device or system or a component of a device or system adapted to, arranged to, capable of, configured to, enable, operable, or operationally perform a particular function cover that device, system, or component, whether or not it or that particular function is activated, turned on, or unlocked, provided that the device, system, or component is so adapted, arranged, capable of, configured, enable, operable, or operational. Therefore, modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to the systems, devices, and methods described herein without departing from the scope of this disclosure. For example, components of a system and device may be integrated or separate. Furthermore, the operation of the systems and devices disclosed herein may be performed by more, fewer, or other components, and the described methods may include more, fewer, or other steps. Additionally, the steps may be performed in any suitable order. As used in this document, “each” means each member of a set or each member of a subset of a set.

[0134] While exemplary embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings and described below, the principles of this disclosure can be implemented using any number of techniques, whether currently known or not. This disclosure should in no way be limited to the exemplary embodiments and techniques shown in the accompanying drawings and described above.

[0135] Unless otherwise expressly stated, the items depicted in the accompanying drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale.

[0136] All examples and conditional language described herein are intended for pedagogical purposes to help the reader understand this disclosure and the concepts contributed by the inventors to facilitate the technology, and are not to be construed as being limited by such specific examples and conditions. While embodiments of this disclosure have been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions, and modifications may be made to the described embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure.

[0137] While specific advantages have been listed above, various embodiments may include some or all of the listed advantages, or none at all. Furthermore, other technical advantages will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon review of the foregoing figures and description.

[0138] It should be noted that the above embodiments illustrate, but are not intended to limit, the invention, and that many alternative embodiments will be able to be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the appended claims. The word "comprising" does not exclude the presence of elements or steps other than those listed in the claims, and "an" or "a" does not exclude a plurality, and a single feature or other unit may perform the function of several units recited in the claims. No reference numerals or labels in the claims should be construed as limiting their scope.

Claims

1. A power management system for managing the power consumption of a digital signal processor (DSP) implementing a protection system, the power management system comprising: Power management block, the power management block being configured to: The parameter indicating the power of the input signal to the DSP; The detected parameters are compared with the threshold. as well as In response to determining that the detected parameter is less than the threshold, one or more processing blocks of the DSP are put into a low-power operation mode.

2. The power management system of claim 1, wherein the power management block is configured to detect the peak power of the input signal.

3. The power management system of claim 2, wherein the power management block is configured to compare a signal indicating the peak power of the input signal with a first threshold, and in response to determining that the peak power of the input signal is less than the first threshold, cause the vibration displacement protection block to enter a low-power operation mode.

4. The power management system of claim 3, wherein in the low power mode, one or more feedforward processing blocks and / or one or more feedback processing blocks of the vibration displacement protection block are disabled.

5. The power management system of claim 3, wherein in the low power mode, the processing rate of one or more feedforward processing blocks and / or one or more feedback processing blocks of the vibration displacement protection block is reduced.

6. The power management system of claim 2, wherein the power management block is configured to compare a signal indicating the peak power of the input signal with a first threshold, and in response to determining that the peak power of the input signal is less than the first threshold, cause the battery protection block to enter a low-power operation mode.

7. The power management system of claim 6, wherein in the low power mode, one or more feedback processing blocks of the battery protection block are disabled.

8. The power management system of claim 6, wherein in the low power mode, the processing rate of one or more feedback processing blocks of the battery protection block is reduced.

9. The power management system of claim 1, wherein the power management block is configured to detect the average power of the input signal.

10. The power management system of claim 9, wherein the power management block is configured to compare a signal indicating the average power of the input signal with a second threshold, and in response to determining that the average power of the input signal is less than the second threshold, cause the thermal protection block to enter a low-power operation mode.

11. The power management system of claim 10, wherein in the low power mode, one or more feedback processing blocks of the thermal protection block are disabled.

12. The power management system of claim 10, wherein in the low power mode, the processing rate of one or more feedback processing blocks of the thermal protection block is reduced.

13. The power management system of claim 2, wherein the power management block is configured to compare a signal indicating the peak power of the input signal with a first threshold, and in response to determining that the peak power of the input signal is less than the first threshold, cause the power optimizer block and / or power limiter system block of the DSP to enter a low-power operation mode.

14. The power management system of any of the preceding claims, wherein the DSP includes a main audio signal chain, and wherein the operation of the main audio signal chain is not affected by the power management block.

15. The power management system as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the DSP includes the power management block.

16. The power management system as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the parameters are at least partially based on the level of the input signal.

17. The power management system as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the parameters are at least in part based on the volume settings of a host device incorporating the power management system.

18. The power management system as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the DSP is configured to implement a speaker protection system and / or a battery protection system.

19. An integrated circuit comprising a power management system as described in any of the preceding claims.

20. A host device comprising a power management system as described in any of the preceding claims.

21. The host device of claim 20, wherein the host device includes a laptop computer, a notebook computer, a netbook computer or a tablet computer, a gaming device, a game console, a controller for a game console, a virtual reality (VR) or augmented reality (AR) device, a mobile phone, a portable audio player, a portable device, and an accessory device for use with a laptop computer, notebook computer, netbook computer or tablet computer, gaming device, game console, VR or AR device, mobile phone, portable audio player or other portable device.

22. A digital signal processor (DSP), comprising: Vibration displacement protection block; Battery protection block; Thermal protection block; as well as Power management block, The power management block is configured as follows: The peak power and average power of the input signal of the DSP were monitored; The operating mode of the vibration displacement protection block and / or the battery protection block is controlled based on the peak power of the input signal; and The operating mode of the thermal protection block is controlled based on the average power of the input signal.

Images