Television Center Channel Rendering via Audio Decoding
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional home cinema systems face difficulties in positioning the center speaker, particularly when the video is rendered on a television, as there may be no space on the ground in front of the TV, and existing solutions do not adequately address issues like delay, inadequate mixing, and volume control.
Innovation Solution
A television configured to decode audio signals including left, right, and center channels, and output these signals to internal or external speakers, allowing the television to emulate the center speaker, with optional bass channel rendering, and a sound rendering device that decodes and processes audio signals to provide channels for rendering on multiple speakers, using HDMI and CEC/DDC protocols for control and communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a center speaker is added to the home cinema system for speech intelligibility, then audio quality is improved, but space constraints are worsened as there may be no space on the ground in front of the television
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the center speaker function with the television device itself. The television's internal speakers are configured to render the center channel audio signal, eliminating the need for a separate center speaker positioned on the ground in front of the TV. This integration allows the television to serve dual purposes: displaying video and providing center channel audio rendering.
Solution Approach 2:
The television device is designed with multi-functionality to handle both video display and audio rendering. The decoder is configured to decode audio signals into multiple channels including center channel, and the speakers are configured to render these channels, allowing the television to function as both a display device and a sound rendering device without requiring additional dedicated components.
2Reliability
If conventional home cinema systems use multiple external devices connected via HDMI and audio cables, then audio processing capability is improved, but device complexity is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines audio decoding and sound rendering functions within the television device itself. The decoder is integrated into the television to decode audio signals into multiple channels, and the television's internal speakers are configured to render these channels. This integration eliminates the need for separate audio processing devices and reduces the number of connection cables required.
Solution Approach 2:
The television is designed as a universal device that handles both video display and audio processing. The decoder is configured to decode audio signals from various sources, and the speakers are configured to render multiple audio channels, allowing the television to perform functions that previously required separate dedicated devices.
Data Source
AI summary
A television and a home cinema device work together in various embodiments to render an audio signal including at least a left channel, a right channel and a center channel. The left and right channels are rendered by left and right speakers coupled to the home cinema device, while the center channel is rendered by the left and right speakers of the television. The television can receive the audio signal, decode and render the center channel and send the audio, possibly reencoded left and right channels, to the home cinema device. The television can also send the audio to the home cinema device the returns the, possibly reencoded, center channel for rendering on the television. Alternatively, the home cinema device can receive the audio signal and provide the possibly reencoded center channel to the television. In an alternative, the center channel can be rendered by a soundbar coupled to the television.