Audio Signal Processing Unit with Channel Splitting for Multi-Speaker Output
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional audio signal processing apparatuses for multimedia devices like BD players can only provide a limited number of audio channels, typically 2 channels, even when receiving input signals with multiple channels, resulting in incomplete audio output when connected to multiple speakers.
Innovation Solution
An audio signal processing apparatus comprising multiple individual audio interfaces, an audio signal processing unit, and an audio channel splitting unit, which determines the total number of audio channels and generates and splits output signals accordingly to ensure optimal audio output across multiple speakers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional audio signal processing apparatus uses single audio interface with limited channels, then device complexity is reduced, but audio channel quantity is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the audio output into multiple independent audio interfaces (HDMI interface and analog audio interface), each capable of transmitting audio signals separately. This segmentation allows the system to distribute different audio channels through different interfaces, thereby increasing the total number of available audio channels without significantly complicating the overall device architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The audio signal processing apparatus is designed to support multiple audio interface types (both digital HDMI and analog interfaces) simultaneously, making the system multi-functional. This universality allows the device to adapt to different connection requirements and maximize audio channel utilization across various speaker configurations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If audio signal processing apparatus downmixes multi-channel audio to 2 channels for single interface, then compatibility with standard interfaces is improved, but audio information loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of downmixing all audio channels to 2 channels through a single interface, the patent segments the audio channels and distributes them across multiple interfaces. For example, some channels can be output through HDMI while others go through the analog interface, preserving the full multi-channel audio information without requiring aggressive downmixing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds another dimension to audio output by utilizing multiple independent audio interfaces simultaneously. This dimensional expansion allows the system to maintain high channel count and audio quality while preserving compatibility with various interface types, effectively solving the contradiction between compatibility and information preservation.
Data Source
AI summary
An audio signal processing apparatus and an audio signal processing method are provide. The audio signal processing apparatus comprises: a plurality of individual audio interfaces, an audio signal processing unit, and an audio channel splitting unit. The audio signal processing unit is utilized for determining a total number of audio channels corresponding to the individual audio interfaces and generating a first output audio signal with a first number of audio channels according to an input audio signal and the total number of audio channels when the audio signal processing apparatus is operated under a first operational mode. The audio channel splitting unit is coupled to the audio signal processing unit and the audio interfaces. When the audio signal processing apparatus is operated under the first operational mode, the audio channel splitting unit splits the first output audio signal with the first number of audio channels to the audio interfaces, respectively.