Wireless Speaker Processing Unit for Flexible Surround Sound Setup
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional surround sound systems, particularly 7.1 formats, lack flexibility in speaker configuration and setup, with complex wiring requirements and inability to transmit large audio signals wirelessly, leading to poor sound quality and limited expansion capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A wireless surround sound system with processing units in each speaker that receive and process left and right channel signals independently, using filters and amplifiers to generate surround sound signals, and a sub-woofer unit for low-frequency effects, allowing for flexible configuration and wireless transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If wired connections are used in conventional surround sound systems, then signal transmission reliability is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate due to complicated wiring setup procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical wiring system with a wireless transmission system. Each speaker contains a processing unit that receives audio signals wirelessly and performs digital signal processing to generate surround sound signals, eliminating the need for physical cable connections while maintaining signal transmission reliability through digital wireless communication protocols.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces wireless communication modules as intermediaries between the audio source and speakers. These modules enable signal transmission without physical connections, simplifying the setup procedure while maintaining reliable signal transmission through established wireless communication standards.
2Reliability
If conventional 7.1 speaker configuration is used, then surround sound coverage is improved, but adaptability deteriorates as the number of speakers cannot be increased or reconfigured
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic speaker configuration capabilities where each speaker contains an independent processing unit that can be individually activated or deactivated. This allows the system to dynamically adapt between different speaker configurations (e.g., 5.1, 7.1, or custom arrangements) while maintaining optimal surround sound coverage, as speakers can be added, removed, or repositioned without requiring complete system reconfiguration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal speaker system where each speaker unit can function in multiple configurations and positions. The processing units in each speaker can handle various audio signal processing tasks and adapt to different spatial arrangements, making the system versatile enough to support multiple surround sound formats and custom configurations simultaneously.
3Ease of operation
If wireless transmission is implemented, then ease of operation is improved by simplifying setup, but signal transmission quality may deteriorate due to potential wireless interference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the audio signal processing function into individual speaker units, each containing its own processing unit. This segmentation allows each speaker to independently receive and process wireless audio signals, reducing the impact of wireless interference on the overall system by isolating processing operations to distributed units rather than relying on a single centralized processing point.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary digital signal processing within each speaker's processing unit before audio output. This preliminary processing includes decoding, filtering, and signal generation operations that prepare the audio signals in advance, ensuring high transmission quality is maintained even through wireless communication by pre-processing signals to compensate for potential transmission losses.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 2C~2D
AI summary
The present invention relates to a speaker, and a method and surround sound system for processing multi-channel audio signals in each of a plurality of audio output sources for generation of surround sound in a listening area. In particular, the system comprises a transmitter for transmitting a left channel (L) signal and a right channel (R) signal to a speaker. The speaker comprises a processing unit configured to (a) receive an audio signal having a left channel (L) signal and a right channel (R) signal; (b) process separately and independently the L and R audio signals to produce processed signals; and (c) mix the processed signals to produce the surround sound signal.