Audio Processor Lower Layer Routing for Subwoofer Localization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current audio reproduction systems, such as soundbars, struggle to effectively reproduce sounds originating from below the listener's head height, which is essential for immersive audio experiences, as they typically rely on subwoofers placed on the floor to handle low frequencies but lack the capability to localize sounds from the lower layer accurately.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a lower layer processor that feeds specific audio channels to a subwoofer output, utilizing frequencies above 150 Hz or higher to enable sound localization, and using multiple subwoofers positioned on the floor to simulate floor-level sounds, allowing for the reproduction of lower layer audio signals that complement the normal layer processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a subwoofer is placed on the floor to reproduce low frequencies, then the low frequency reproduction is improved, but the sound localization capability for lower layer sounds is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The audio signal is segmented into different frequency ranges: very low frequencies (below 150 Hz) are routed to the subwoofer for powerful reproduction, while higher frequencies (above 150 Hz) are routed to the soundbar for localized reproduction. This segmentation allows each component to optimize for its strength while collectively achieving both power and localization.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution moves from a single-point subwoofer placement to a distributed audio architecture where the subwoofer handles the frequency dimension (low frequencies) and the soundbar handles the spatial dimension (localization). By adding the frequency dimension as a separating criterion, both requirements can be satisfied simultaneously.
2Device complexity
If traditional soundbar systems are used without lower layer processing, then the system complexity is reduced, but the immersive audio experience is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The soundbar system is enhanced with multi-functionality by adding lower layer processing capability while retaining its original normal layer functionality. The audio processor can handle both normal layer audio (above head height) and lower layer audio (below head height), making the system versatile enough for immersive audio experiences without requiring a complete system redesign.
3Measurement precision
If multiple subwoofers are used to reproduce lower layer sounds, then the sound localization is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using multiple subwoofers (excessive action), the system uses a single subwoofer combined with frequency-based signal routing (partial action). By selectively routing higher frequencies to the soundbar, the system achieves localization effects without the complexity and cost of multiple subwoofer units.
Data Source
AI summary
An audio processor for reproducing multichannel audio has a normal layer processing and a lower layer processing. The normal layer processing is configured for processing one or more channels of the object-specific audio or the multichannel audio belonging to a normal layer. The lower layer processing is configured for processing at least one channel or more channels of the object-specific audio or the multichannel audio belonging to a lower layer. The lower layer processing is configured to feed at least one signal belonging to the one channel or the more channels of the lower layer to a subwoofer output.