Audio Enhancement Signal Processing for Mismatched Stereo Speakers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Modern communication devices with closely spaced and mismatched frequency response speakers face challenges in recreating a stereo audio effect due to insufficient speaker separation and unmatched frequency responses, leading to poor sound localization and increased power consumption.

Innovation Solution

A signal processing module that processes stereo audio data by dividing it into high and low frequency signals, using an impulse emphasis block to enhance impulsive sounds, and adjusting the signal paths to optimize audio output for both speakers, including a controllable low pass filter and phase delay to create a perceived stereo effect while minimizing power consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If both earpiece and first loudspeaker are used simultaneously for stereo audio, then stereo audio experience is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestereo audio experienceVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The audio signal is segmented into different frequency bands (low frequencies below cutoff frequency and high frequencies above cutoff frequency). The first loudspeaker handles low frequencies while the earpiece handles high frequencies, allowing both speakers to operate efficiently in their optimal ranges and reducing overall power consumption while maintaining stereo audio quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Power

If earpiece and first loudspeaker are used for stereo, then audio output capability is improved, but speaker separation is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaudio output capabilityVSAvoidspeaker separation

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Different frequency ranges are assigned to different speakers based on their local characteristics. The first loudspeaker is optimized for low frequencies while the earpiece is optimized for high frequencies. This local quality assignment allows each speaker to perform its best in its designated frequency range, compensating for the insufficient physical separation between speakers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Adaptability or versatility

If earpiece and first loudspeaker with mismatched frequency response are used, then audio coverage is improved, but frequency response matching is poor

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaudio coverageVSAvoidfrequency response matching

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes the operational parameters of each speaker by assigning specific frequency ranges based on their inherent characteristics. The first loudspeaker operates primarily in the low frequency range while the earpiece operates in the high frequency range. This parameter change approach transforms the frequency response mismatch into a complementary relationship, expanding overall audio coverage rather than requiring precise frequency response matching.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS10117023B2Audio enhancement

Publication Date: 2018.10.30 CIRRUS LOGIC INC

AI summary

A signal processing module is configured to receive left and right channels of stereo input audio data and generate first and second channels of output audio data for first and second loudspeakers where the first and second loudspeakers have different frequency responses to one another. The signal processing module comprises an impulse emphasis block configured to emphasize impulsive sounds in the received audio in at least one of the first and second channels of output audio data.