Centralized Audio Processor for Speaker Cost Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing home multimedia audio systems require expensive speakers with significant computing capabilities to take advantage of advanced sound processing features like equalization and spatialization, even when used alone, leading to underutilization of computing power and unjustified increased costs.
Innovation Solution
A processor device is introduced that processes incoming audio streams to produce adapted audio streams for each playback channel, allowing for advanced processing sequences like equalization and spatialization without requiring all equipment to have initial design capabilities for these processes, enabling the use of less expensive speakers and upgrading existing systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If speakers are designed with significant computing capabilities to perform advanced audio processing, then sound playback quality is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
A centralized audio processing system acts as an intermediary between the audio source and the speakers. This external processor handles all complex audio processing tasks (equalization, spatialization, down-mixing) so that speakers can remain simple and inexpensive while still achieving high-quality sound playback through the intermediary's processing capabilities
2Adaptability or versatility
If speakers incorporate advanced processing capabilities, then multichannel sound playback is improved, but computing power is underutilized when used alone
Solution Approach 1:
The audio processing functionality is segmented and centralized in a dedicated processor rather than being distributed within each speaker. This allows the system to process multichannel audio when needed while keeping individual speakers simple and energy-efficient, avoiding the waste of computing power in isolated speaker units
3Adaptability or versatility
If existing speakers are replaced with new speakers having processing capabilities, then advanced audio functions are enabled, but system cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of requiring replacement of existing speakers with expensive processed speakers, the invention introduces a centralized audio processing system as an intermediary that connects to existing speakers. This allows advanced audio functions to be enabled without replacing the original speakers, thereby avoiding the increased system cost associated with replacing existing equipment
Data Source
AI summary
A processor device for processing an incoming audio stream, the device including: a configuration element arranged to acquire input parameters having both first characteristics of the incoming audio stream and also second characteristics of the audio playback devices, and to produce configuration parameters on the basis of the input parameters; a master element arranged to define processing sequences from the configuration parameters, each processing sequence being associated with and adapted to a respective playback channel, to apply the processing sequences to the incoming audio stream so as to produce processed audio streams, each adapted to a respective one of the playback channels, and to transmit to each piece of equipment including an audio playback device the processed audio stream is adapted to the playback channel associated with the audio playback device.