U.S. patent application number 14/486997 was filed with the patent office on 2015-08-06 for audio video system with embedded wireless host and wireless speakers.
This patent application is currently assigned to AliphCom. The applicant listed for this patent is John David Banks, Bradley Bozarth, David C. Buuck, Tom Mader, Jon Norenberg, Eric Wiles. Invention is credited to John David Banks, Bradley Bozarth, David C. Buuck, Tom Mader, Jon Norenberg, Eric Wiles.
Application Number | 20150222992 14/486997 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40471194 |
Filed Date | 2015-08-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150222992 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Banks; John David ; et
al. |
August 6, 2015 |
AUDIO VIDEO SYSTEM WITH EMBEDDED WIRELESS HOST AND WIRELESS
SPEAKERS
Abstract
An audio video system is described that includes an AV receiver
with a wireless audio module (WAM) host and without audio amplifier
functionality. The system further includes a plurality of wireless
speakers each having a WAM device to enable unidirectional or
bidirectional communications with the WAM host. Each wireless
speaker includes an amplifier that may be matched to a driver of
the speaker to optimize the frequency response of the driver.
Inventors: |
Banks; John David;
(Cupertino, CA) ; Buuck; David C.; (Santa Clara,
CA) ; Norenberg; Jon; (Modesto, CA) ; Bozarth;
Bradley; (Mountain View, CA) ; Wiles; Eric;
(Sunnyvale, CA) ; Mader; Tom; (San Francisco,
CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Banks; John David
Buuck; David C.
Norenberg; Jon
Bozarth; Bradley
Wiles; Eric
Mader; Tom |
Cupertino
Santa Clara
Modesto
Mountain View
Sunnyvale
San Francisco |
CA
CA
CA
CA
CA
CA |
US
US
US
US
US
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
AliphCom
San Francisco
CA
|
Family ID: |
40471194 |
Appl. No.: |
14/486997 |
Filed: |
September 15, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
11859460 |
Sep 21, 2007 |
8839342 |
|
|
14486997 |
|
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
381/79 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04H 20/61 20130101;
H04H 20/63 20130101; H04N 5/85 20130101; H04N 21/43615 20130101;
H04R 3/12 20130101; G09G 2370/12 20130101; H04N 21/43635 20130101;
H04N 5/775 20130101; H04N 5/765 20130101; H04R 2420/07 20130101;
H04S 3/00 20130101; H04N 5/60 20130101; G09G 5/003 20130101; H04N
21/43637 20130101 |
International
Class: |
H04R 3/12 20060101
H04R003/12 |
Claims
1. A system, comprising: an audio video (AV) receiver with a
wireless audio module (WAM) host and without a centralized audio
amplifier functionality, the WAM host being implemented using a
point-to-multipoint network topology using an Ultra-Wideband (UWB)
host/device architecture, the WAM host including a first
microprocessor, an audio-in first-in-first-out (FIFO) buffer
coupled with a digital audio input, the audio-in FIFO coupled with
a first input and a first output of the first microprocessor, a
first packet memory operative for packet storage and coupled with
an output of the first microprocessor, and an UWB host coupled with
an output of the first packet memory and bi-directionally coupled
with the first microprocessor, the UWB host operative to wirelessly
transmit digital audio received on the digital audio input; and a
plurality of wireless speakers each having a WAM device configured
for bi-directional communication with the WAM host over a wireless
link between each WAM device and the WAM host, wherein each
wireless speaker includes an amplifier to amplify communications
received from the WAM host and to which at least a part of the
centralized audio amplifier functionality is distributed, each WAM
device including an UWB device operative to wirelessly receive the
digital audio transmitted by the UWB host, a second packet memory
operative for packet storage and coupled with an output of the UWB
device, a second microprocessor bi-directionally coupled with the
UWB device and with an output of the second packet memory, and an
audio-out FIFO coupled with a second input and a second output of
the second microprocessor, and the audio-out FIFO coupled with a
digital audio output operative to output digital audio.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This Application is a Continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 11/859,460 filed on Sep. 21, 2007, which is
incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD
[0002] Embodiments of the invention pertain to an audio video
system with an embedded wireless host communicating with wireless
speakers.
BACKGROUND
[0003] In the consumer electronics and computer industries,
transmission of audio signals from a host player to remote device
speakers has generally been accomplished over an analog wired
interface comprising speaker wires. With the advent of digital
audio content, the desire to maintain the pristine digital audio
signal as far as possible along the audio signal chain has
motivated designers to pursue digital interfaces to replace
unsightly, signal-loss-prone analog speaker wires.
[0004] The High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) is an
all-digital audio/video interface capable of transmitting
uncompressed streams. HDMI is compatible with High-bandwidth
Digital Content Protection (HDCP) Digital Rights Management
technology. HDMI provides an interface between any compatible
digital audio/video source, such as a set-top box, a DVD player, a
PC, a video game console, or an audio video (AV) receiver and a
compatible digital audio and/or video monitor, such as a digital
television (DTV).
[0005] FIG. 1A shows an example of a conventional prior art audio
video system that includes a source--an HDMI AV receiver with a
centralized amplifier--connected via an HDMI cable to HDMI DVD
player and also connected via an HDMI cable to a display (HDMI TV).
The HDMI AV receiver is also connected via analog speaker wires to
a set of 6 speakers, each connected point-to-point from the HDMI AV
receiver. Speakers in FIG. 1A are identified as follows: Front Left
(FL), Front Right (FR), Center (C), Surround Left (SL), Surround
Right (SR), and Low Frequency Effect (LFE), also commonly referred
to as a "subwoofer."
[0006] FIG. 1B illustrates another prior art system that includes a
HDMI DVD player integrated with a AV RX and a centralized amplifier
that forms a source--i.e., a home theatre in a box
(HTiB)--connected via an HDMI cable to a display (HDMI TV). A HTiB
refers to an integrated home entertainment package that typically
includes a DVD player, surround sound capability, a radio tuner in
a box. The HTiB is also connected via analog speaker wires to a set
of 6 speakers, each connected point-to-point from the HTiB.
[0007] FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate additional prior art systems
similar to FIGS. 1A and 1B, respectively, except that speakers SR
and SL are now wireless in FIGS. 2A and 2B. Also, each of these
speakers includes a distributed amplifier in addition to the
centralized amplifier located in the source.
[0008] These prior art conventional systems contain components that
can maintain pristine digital audio and video from source to
display through HDMI interconnects. By contrast, the interconnects
from the source to most of the speakers is still analog via
conventional speaker wires. For prior art systems containing 6
individual speakers, and other, more advanced systems which support
up to 8 speakers or more, the speaker wire interconnections not
only suffer from analog signal loss, but the speaker wire
interconnections can be an eyesore or a wire-hiding challenge.
Also, a surround-sound system with a large number of speakers and
associated wiring causes further complications for installation and
ease of modification.
SUMMARY
[0009] An audio video system is described that includes an AV
receiver with a wireless audio module (WAM) host and without audio
amplifier functionality. The system further includes a plurality of
wireless speakers each having a WAM device to enable unidirectional
or bidirectional communications with the WAM host. Each wireless
speaker includes an amplifier that may be matched to a driver of
the speaker to optimize the frequency response of the driver.
[0010] For one embodiment, the AV receiver without audio amplifier
has a functionality of a HDMI AV receiver. For another embodiment,
functionality of the AV receiver is located in a HDMI TV. For
another embodiment, functionality of the AV receiver is located in
a HDMI DVD player. For another embodiment, functionality of the AV
receiver is located in an integrated HDMI TV/DVD player.
[0011] Other features and advantages of embodiments of the present
invention will be apparent from the accompanying drawings and from
the detailed description that follows below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] Embodiments of the present invention are illustrated by way
of example and not limitation in the figures of the accompanying
drawings, in which like references indicate similar elements and in
which:
[0013] FIG. 1A is a block diagram of an example of a conventional
prior art AV system having a functionality of a HDMI AV receiver
with a centralized amplifier and coupled to analog speaker
wires.
[0014] FIG. 1B is a block diagram of an example of a conventional
prior art AV system having a HDMI HTiB with a centralized amplifier
and coupled to analog speaker wires.
[0015] FIG. 2A is a block diagram of an example of a conventional
prior art AV system having a functionality of a HDMI AV receiver
with a centralized amplifier and coupled to analog speaker
wires.
[0016] FIG. 2B is a block diagram of an example of a conventional
prior art AV system having a HDMI HTiB with a centralized amplifier
and coupled to analog speaker wires.
[0017] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an apparatus having an AV
receiver with a WAM host and without a centralized amplifier
functionality in accordance with an embodiment of the
invention.
[0018] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an AV system having a DVD
player with a WAM host and without a centralized amplifier
functionality in accordance with an embodiment of the
invention.
[0019] FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an AV system having a display
with a WAM host and without a centralized amplifier functionality
in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
[0020] FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an AV system having an
integrated DVD player and display with a WAM host and without a
centralized amplifier functionality in accordance with an
embodiment of the invention.
[0021] FIG. 7A is a block diagram of a wireless speaker with a WAM
Device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
[0022] FIG. 7B is a block diagram of a system with a WAM Host
communicating with a WAM Device in accordance with an embodiment of
the invention.
[0023] FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a method for providing wireless
audio communications in accordance with an embodiment of the
present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0024] An AV system is described that includes an AV receiver with
a WAM host and without an audio amplifier functionality. The system
further includes a plurality of wireless speakers each having a WAM
device to enable unidirectional or bidirectional communications
with the WAM host.
[0025] One intended advantage of the AV system is having each
wireless speaker include an amplifier that is matched to a driver
of the speaker to optimize the frequency response of each driver.
Another intended advantage is the design flexibility based on
having the WAM host located in various types of sources such as an
AV receiver, a DVD player, a display, or an integrated DVD
player/display. The absence of a centralized audio amplifier
functionality in a source creates this design flexibility.
[0026] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an apparatus having an AV
receiver functionality with a WAM host and without a centralized
amplifier functionality in accordance with an embodiment of the
invention. The apparatus 300 includes the AV receiver 302 with a
WAM host 304. The AV receiver 302 may include the functionality of
a HDMI AV receiver compatible with HDMI components. For one
embodiment, the apparatus 300 further includes a plurality of
wireless speakers 330, 340, 350, 360, 370, and 380 each having a
WAM device 334, 344, 354, 364, 374, and 384, respectively, to
enable communication with the WAM host 304. The WAM devices and WAM
host may communicate unidirectionally or bidirectionally. For
another embodiment, each wireless speaker 330, 340, 350, 360, 370,
and 380 further includes a respective amplifier 332, 342, 352, 362,
372, and 382 matched to a driver of the respective speaker to
optimize the frequency response of the driver.
[0027] The wireless audio topology of FIG. 3 reduces clutter. The
wireless audio topology of FIG. 3 also enables consolidation of
devices and multiple locations of the WAM host, as shown in FIGS.
4-6. The functionality of an AV receiver has been combined with a
DVD player 402 (as shown in FIG. 4), with a TV display 502 (as
shown in FIG. 5), and with an integrated DVD player/TV 610 (as
shown in FIG. 6). This consolidation is possible with the wireless
audio topology because a major portion of the AV receiver
functionality--namely the centralized amplifier for the
speakers--has been effectively distributed to each of the speakers.
The amplifier for the speaker is often large and heat-producing
section. When the section is removed from the core components and
replaced with a single WAM host, it is then possible to
economically create multi-channel audio output capabilities from a
source. Such a WAM host can reside inside a DVD player or TV
chassis. Even better, neither the DVD player nor the TV need to add
any extra connectors to provide such support, as the capability is
made available via a wireless system. For example, associated
antennas may be located internal to the component or box which
contains the WAM host to provide the wireless system.
[0028] Note that the topology between WAM host and WAM devices is
point-to-multipoint, implemented via an Ultra Wide Band Host/Device
architecture. Also noteworthy is the ability for bidirectional
communications over the wireless link, as depicted with the
wireless beacon-like icons. The majority of the data transferred in
such an audio application is from host to devices, but very
important, infrequent data is sent from the devices to the host,
communicating acknowledgements of data transfers and
application-specific information, such as packet reception
reliability statistics. Additionally, the absence of speaker wires
enables a simpler-to-setup, less cluttered environment, and allows
the pristine digital audio content to reach the speakers with no
signal loss.
[0029] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an AV system 400 that includes
DVD player 402 with a WAM host 404 and without a centralized audio
amplifier functionality. For one embodiment, the AV system 400
further includes a plurality of wireless speakers 430, 440, 450,
460, 470, and 480 each having a WAM device 434, 444, 454, 464, 474,
and 484, respectively, to enable bidirectional communications with
the WAM host 404.
[0030] For another embodiment, the DVD player 402 is a HDMI DVD
player that includes the WAM host 404 to provide wireless audio
capabilities. In this case, the digital audio video source is the
DVD disc, whose data is extracted via the DVD drive, and then
decoded in the DVD decoder, which creates separate video and audio
outputs. The digital video output goes only to the HDMI transmitter
(not shown), whereas the digital audio is sent to both the WAM Host
and the HDMI transmitter. Video and audio in such arrangements are
effectively synchronized at this point, and the HDMI link
introduces effectively no latency for its video and audio going to
a display, for example, so the wireless audio must meet acceptable
latencies, else the system may exhibit annoying lip-sync
issues.
[0031] For one embodiment, each wireless speaker 430, 440, 450,
460, 470, and 480 further includes an amplifier 432, 442, 452, 462,
472, and 482, respectively, matched to a driver of the respective
speaker to optimize the frequency response of the driver. For
another embodiment, at least one wireless speaker includes a
plurality of drivers and a plurality of amplifiers with each
amplifier being matched to a respective driver to optimize the
frequency response of each driver. For example, a wireless speaker
may include various types of drivers such as a woofer that produces
low frequency sounds, a tweeter that produce the high frequency
sounds, and a midrange driver that produces a range of frequencies
in the middle of the sound spectrum. Each driver located in a
wireless speaker can have a distributed amplifier optimized for the
frequency range of the driver.
[0032] The wireless audio topology reduces clutter and also enables
consolidation of devices and multiple locations of the WAM host, as
shown in FIG. 4. The WAM host 404 has been combined with the DVD
player 402 which may be a HDMI DVD player. This consolidation is
possible with the wireless audio topology because a major portion
of the AV receiver functionality--namely, the centralized amplifier
for the speakers--has been effectively distributed to each of the
wireless speakers. With this often large and heat-producing section
removed from the core components and replaced by a single WAM Host,
it is possible to economically create multi-channel audio output
capabilities from a DVD player.
[0033] FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an AV system having a display
with a WAM host and without a centralized amplifier. The AV system
500 includes the display 502 with a
[0034] WAM host 512 and without a centralized audio amplifier. The
display 502 may be a HDMI display that can be coupled to a HDMI DVD
player 510. For one embodiment, the AV system 500 further includes
a plurality of wireless speakers 530, 540, 550, 560, 570, and 580,
each having a respective WAM device 534, 544, 554, 564, 574, and
584 to enable bidirectional communications with the WAM host 512.
For another embodiment, each wireless speaker 530, 540, 550, 560,
570, and 580 further includes a respective amplifier 532, 542, 552,
562, 572, and 582 matched to a driver of the respective speaker to
optimize the frequency response of the driver.
[0035] The wireless audio topology reduces clutter and also enables
consolidation of devices and multiple locations of the WAM host, as
shown in FIG. 5. The WAM host 512 has been combined with the
display 502. This consolidation is possible with the wireless audio
topology because a major portion of the AV receiver
functionality--namely, the centralized amplifier for the
speakers--has been effectively distributed to each of the wireless
speakers. With this often large and heat-producing section removed
from the core components and replaced by a single WAM Host, it is
possible to economically create multi-channel audio output
capabilities from the display 502.
[0036] FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an AV system 600 that includes
the integrated DVD player and display 610 with a WAM host 612 and
without a centralized audio amplifier. The integrated DVD player
and display 610 may be a HDMI integrated DVD player and display.
For one embodiment, the AV system 600 further includes a plurality
of wireless speakers 630, 640, 650, 660, 670, and 680 each having a
respective WAM device 634, 644, 654, 664, 674, and 684 to enable
bidirectional communications with the WAM host 612. For another
embodiment, each wireless speaker 630, 640, 650, 660, 670, and 680
further includes a respective amplifier 632, 642, 652, 662, 672,
and 682 matched to a driver of the respective speaker to optimize
the frequency response of each driver.
[0037] The wireless audio topology reduces clutter and also enables
interesting consolidation of devices and multiple locations of the
WAM host, as shown in FIG. 6. The WAM host 612 can been combined
with the integrated DVD player and display 610 or an HDMI
integrated DVD player and display. This consolidation is possible
with the wireless audio topology because a major portion of the AV
receiver functionality--namely, the centralized amplifier for the
speakers--has been effectively distributed to each of the wireless
speakers. With this often large and heat-producing section removed
from the core components and replaced by a single WAM host, it is
suddenly possible to economically create multi-channel audio output
capabilities from the integrated DVD player and display 610.
[0038] FIGS. 3-6 have illustrated various AV systems with 5.1
surround sound based on having a plurality of wireless speakers
including a front left speaker, a front right speaker, a center
speaker, a surround left speaker, a surround right speaker, and a
first low frequency effect ("LFE") speaker. The various AV systems
may further include a side left surround speaker and a side right
surround speaker to provide 7.1 surround sound. The various AV
systems may further include a second LFE speaker. The various AV
systems can provide up to 127 separate wireless audio channels
enabling various surround sound arrangements such as 10.2 theatre
surround, 22.2 surround, or 22.3 surround.
[0039] High quality pristine digital audio can be provided for
various embodiments with no speaker wiring required. For example, a
consumer can quickly and easily install the wireless speakers with
no stripping of speaker wires. Also, a consumer has a general
freedom to decorate or redecorate a building or residence without
being limited with speaker wire concerns. A consumer can also
purchase an AV system including the wireless speakers in a
piecemeal manner.
[0040] FIG. 7A is a block diagram of a wireless speaker subsystem
with a WAM device communicating with a WAM host in accordance with
an embodiment of the invention. To illustrate the effective
distribution of the conventional centralized amplifier, FIG. 7A
shows the internals of the wireless speaker subsystem 700. The
wireless speaker subsystem 700 includes the WAM device 720, which
receives the wireless audio data and auxiliary packets from the WAM
host 710 as well as sends back auxiliary information to the host
710, as required, and further illustrated in FIG. 7B. The wireless
speaker subsystem 700 further includes an audio Digital-to-Analog
Converter (DAC) 730, which takes in the digital audio data from the
WAM device 720, and converts it to analog. This analog line-level
signal is then sent to the audio amplifier 740, which can be
specifically designed to match the loudspeaker driver 744, as it is
resident in the same enclosure as the driver 744 in this topology.
Power 746 is specifically noted in this block diagram to show that
there is a need for power in the wireless speakers to allow the
active electronics to be powered, as well as to allocate sufficient
power for the audio amplifier performance desired for the subsystem
700.
[0041] FIG. 7B is a block diagram of a system with a WAM host
communicating with a WAM device in accordance with an embodiment of
the invention. The WAM host 760 includes an audio-in first-in
first-out buffer (FIFO) 762, a microprocessor 764, memory 766
allocated for packet storage, and a Ultra Wideband (UWB) host 768.
The WAM device 770 includes an audio out FIFO 778, a microprocessor
776, memory 774 allocated for packet storage, and a UWB device 772.
The system 750 receives digital audio input 780 from a source,
sends it wirelessly over UWB, and produces digital audio output 790
from each device 770. The microprocessor included in each WAM
embodiment must perform sophisticated management and execute
complex algorithms tailored to the wireless medium and the dynamic
system requirements. Although not shown in FIG. 7B, the WAM host
must process and transmit all digital audio channels, while a WAM
device might only consume a single audio channel. The WAM host's
management of communications, data routing, and synchronization for
all the audio channels supported in a system is a significant
task.
[0042] FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a method for providing wireless
audio communications in accordance with an embodiment of the
present invention. The method 800 includes detecting at least one
wireless WAM device with each WAM device located in a wireless
speaker at block 802. For one embodiment, each wireless speaker
includes an amplifier matched to an associated driver to optimize
the frequency response of each driver. The method 800 further
includes sending at least one wireless audio signal from a WAM host
located in a transceiver to each WAM device at block 804.
[0043] The transceiver may be a HDMI transceiver located in a
source such as a HDMI TV, a HDMI DVD player, or an integrated HDMI
TV/DVD player. The source includes no audio amplifier. At least one
wireless speaker may include a plurality of drivers and a plurality
of amplifiers with each driver being matched to an amplifier to
optimize the frequency response of the driver.
[0044] In the foregoing specification, the invention has been
described with reference to specific exemplary embodiments thereof.
It will, however, be evident that various modifications and changes
may be made thereto without departing from the broader spirit and
scope of the invention. The specification and drawings are,
accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a
restrictive sense.
* * * * *