Audio Device HDMI Channel Segmentation for Multi-Room Sink Compatibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional audio devices cannot fully utilize the audio reproduction abilities of both a TV and speakers when they are located in different rooms, as they transmit audio data based on the lowest audio reproduction ability, leading to suboptimal sound quality.
Innovation Solution
An audio device that dynamically adjusts audio signals by performing down-mixing and dynamic range compression, using a head-related transfer function, to match the audio reproduction abilities of multiple sink devices with different channel counts, ensuring optimal sound quality for each device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If audio data is transmitted based on the lowest audio reproduction ability among multiple sink devices, then compatibility with all devices is ensured, but audio quality and utilization of higher reproduction abilities are degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The audio transmission system is segmented into separate channels for different audio quality levels. The system transmits both high-quality audio data (matching the highest reproduction ability) and compressed audio data (matching the lowest reproduction ability) simultaneously through different HDMI channels, allowing each sink device to receive appropriately formatted audio without degrading overall quality
Solution Approach 2:
The system adds a dimensional approach by utilizing multiple HDMI channels as separate transmission dimensions. Instead of transmitting audio in a single dimension adapted to the lowest capability, the system creates parallel transmission paths (dimensions) where one path carries high-quality audio for capable devices while another path carries compressed audio for devices with limited reproduction ability
2Adaptability or versatility
If audio data is transmitted based on the lowest audio reproduction ability, then all sink devices can receive compatible audio data, but the audio reproduction ability of devices with higher channel counts is not fully utilized
Solution Approach 1:
The audio transmission system is segmented into separate channels for different audio quality levels. The system transmits both high-quality audio data (matching the highest reproduction ability) and compressed audio data (matching the lowest reproduction ability) simultaneously through different HDMI channels, allowing each sink device to receive appropriately formatted audio without degrading overall quality
Solution Approach 2:
The system adds a dimensional approach by utilizing multiple HDMI channels as separate transmission dimensions. Instead of transmitting audio in a single dimension adapted to the lowest capability, the system creates parallel transmission paths (dimensions) where one path carries high-quality audio for capable devices while another path carries compressed audio for devices with limited reproduction ability
3Adaptability or versatility
If down-mixing is performed to match the lowest audio reproduction ability, then compatibility is maintained, but sound quality and virtual surround effects are degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The audio transmission system is segmented into separate channels for different audio quality levels. The system transmits both high-quality audio data (matching the highest reproduction ability) and compressed audio data (matching the lowest reproduction ability) simultaneously through different HDMI channels, allowing each sink device to receive appropriately formatted audio without degrading overall quality
Solution Approach 2:
Different audio quality levels are provided to different sink devices based on their individual reproduction abilities. Each device receives audio data locally optimized for its capabilities - high-quality audio for devices with higher channel counts and compressed audio for devices with limited reproduction ability, rather than uniformly degrading all audio to the lowest common denominator
Data Source
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Figure 5(a)~5(b)
AI summary
An audio device (e.g. an AV amplifier), with a plurality of audio output terminals according to the HDMI standard or the like, converts audio data of a source device into audio signals suited to audio reproduction abilities (channel counts) of a plurality of sink devices so as to output audio signals. The audio device stores a plurality of audio reproduction ability information describing a predetermined channel count preset therein and channel counts of sink devices, wherein audio reproduction ability information precluding audio reproduction ability information of a sink device with the smallest channel count is provided to a source device. Audio signals of a source device are subjected to down-mixing, suited to the channel count specified by the audio reproduction ability information, and then provided to a sink device whose channel count is smaller than the channel count of audio signals of the source device, whilst audio signals of a source device are subjected to signal processing, suited to the channel count specified by the audio reproduction ability information, and then provided to a sink device whose channel count is larger than the channel count of audio signals of the source device.