JP2014519745A - Reduce distortion - Google Patents

Abstract

The reduction in distortion introduced by the loudspeaker is shown. The ultrasonic generator (408) generates an ultrasonic signal. The signal processing unit (302) is configured to process the input signal to generate a modulated signal, and modulate the ultrasonic signal to generate a modulated ultrasonic signal. A combiner (403) combines the input signal with the modulated ultrasound signal and generates an output signal. The signal processing unit includes means (406) for calculating an absolute value and inversion means (407) for inverting the absolute value, and generates a modulation signal.
[Selection] Figure 4

Description

[Cross-reference of related applications]
This application claims priority to UK Patent Application No. 1108646.9 filed May 23, 2011. It is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

1. The present invention relates to techniques for reducing distortion introduced by loudspeakers.

2. 2. Description of Related Art The problem with existing loudspeakers is that distortion is introduced relatively easily due to their structure. Since some of these distortions are mainly based on frequency and / or phase, they may be removed by filtering.

  However, it is difficult to filter out and control distortion that introduces harmonics of the original signal, commonly referred to as harmonic distortion.

[Brief Description of the Invention]
According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for reducing distortion introduced by a loudspeaker, wherein an input signal is supplied to an amplifier and a loudspeaker receives an output signal from the amplifier, the loudspeaker comprising: Generating a high frequency signal having a frequency that exceeds the operating band of a speaker; rectifying and inverting the input signal to generate a modulation signal; modulating the high frequency signal with the modulation signal to generate a bias signal; and A method is provided for combining the bias signal with the input signal to generate a modified input signal for application to the amplifier.

  According to another second aspect of the present invention, an apparatus for reducing distortion of a loudspeaker: an ultrasonic generator configured to generate an ultrasonic signal; rectifying and inverting an input signal; A signal processing unit configured to generate a modulated signal and configured to modulate the ultrasonic signal with the modulated signal and generate a modulated ultrasonic signal; and the input signal as the modulated ultrasonic signal An apparatus is provided having a combiner configured to combine to produce an output signal.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an audio reproducing device comprising a housing, the housing comprising: a digital audio input receptacle; a digital signal processing system; an amplifier; and at least one An audio reproduction apparatus, wherein the digital signal processing system is configured to introduce an inverse amplitude modulated ultrasonic signal to reduce distortion caused by the at least one loudspeaker Is provided.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for mitigating the effects of harmonic distortion in an audio converter, wherein a reverse amplitude modulated signal having a frequency exceeding the operating band of the audio converter is introduced. There is provided a method comprising the steps of:

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an audio playback device; FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an alternative sound reproduction device; 3 is a schematic diagram showing the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2; FIG. 4 shows an example of a signal processing unit of the type identified in FIG. 3; 5A, 5B and 5C show exemplary waveforms; and FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a procedure executed by the digital signal processing unit.

Detailed Description of Exemplary Embodiments
(Figure 1)
FIG. 1 shows an audio playback device 101. The playback device includes a housing 102 and a digital audio input socket 103. Internally, the playback device includes a digital signal processing system, an amplifier, and one or more loudspeakers. The digital signal processing system is configured to introduce a modulated ultrasonic signal to reduce loudspeaker distortion.
In the example illustrated in FIG. 1, the digital audio input receiving port 103 is configured to receive a digital audio input signal from the mobile device 104. In the present embodiment, the playback apparatus is also configured to physically support the portable device 104 in a configuration often referred to as a dock.

(Figure 2)
FIG. 2 shows an alternative audio playback device 201. In this example, the digital audio input receptacle on the back of the apparatus is configured to receive a digital audio input signal from the television receiver 202 or a computer monitor. The casing of the apparatus 201 is generally called a sound bar and is located below the television receiver.

(Figure 3)
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the embodiment of FIGS. The sound source 301 generates an audio signal. In one embodiment, the audio signal is a digital representation of a stereo audio signal. The digital output is supplied from the sound source 301 to the signal processing unit 302. The signal processing unit 302 performs conversion from digital to analog, and subsequently transmits one or more analog signals to the analog amplifier 303. One (or more) amplified analog output signals are fed to one loudspeaker 304 or multiple loudspeakers located at different locations, possibly optimized for a stereo sound field and / or different frequency bands Provides a stereo sound field with different configurations.

In one embodiment, the signal processor 302 can be configured to simulate a three-dimensional effect, as described in British Patent GB2437399B currently assigned to the applicant. In a further embodiment, the signal processor 302 can simulate an enhanced bass response, as described in Applicant's international patent application published as WO 2010 / 119253A1.
In accordance with the present invention, the signal processor 302 is also configured to reduce the type of distortion introduced by the loudspeaker 304.

(Fig. 4)
FIG. 4 shows an example of the signal processing unit 302. The input signal is received at the input port 401, and the output signal is supplied from the output port 402 to the amplifier 303. The combiner 403 combines the input signal from the input port 401 with the modulation bias signal received from the modulator 404.

  The input signal is received by splitter 405 and results in an input signal that is provided to combiner 403, rectifier 406 and detector 407. Since the detector 407 activates the ultrasonic generator 408, the ultrasonic generator 408 is suppressed when the input signal is absent for a predetermined time. Similarly, detector 407 activates ultrasonic generator 408 while an input signal is present. As described above, the signal processing unit is configured to process the input signal to generate a modulated signal, and to modulate the ultrasonic signal to generate a modulated ultrasonic signal. And then, the combiner is configured to combine the input signal with the modulated ultrasound signal to generate an output signal. The output signal is supplied to the amplifier 303. In one embodiment, the ultrasound signal is generated at a frequency greater than 35 kilohertz, and in certain embodiments, the ultrasound signal is generated at a frequency of 40 kilohertz.

  In a preferred embodiment, the output signal is a digital signal and the amplifier comprises digital to analog conversion means. As is known in the art, this can take the form of a class D amplifier that includes an amplifying device and a low pass filter followed by a pulse width modulator. In this type of configuration, a low pass filter is selected to allow transmission of the modulated ultrasound signal. However, for preferred operation, the modulated ultrasound signal is preferably at a frequency that exceeds the frequency response of the loudspeaker. In this way, the energy delivered to the loudspeaker prevents the introduction of distortion when the audio signal passes through its zero level. On the other hand, it is preferable for the ultrasonic signal to be prevented from actually generating an audio output at the ultrasonic frequency at the same time.

  In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the rectifier 406 calculates an absolute value and effectively rectifies the negative component of the input signal into a positive component. The inverter 407 inverts these absolute values and generates a modulation signal. This modulation signal is supplied to the modulator 404 via the level adjuster 409.

(FIGS. 5A, 5B and 5C)
FIG. 5A shows an example of an input signal received at the input port 401. This input signal includes a positive component, such as a half cycle 501, and a negative component, such as a half cycle 502.
As previously described, this signal is fed to a rectifier 406 that effectively inverts the negative component to a positive component. Thus, the half cycle 501 remains relatively unchanged as a half cycle 503. However, the negative half cycle 502 is rectified into a positive half cycle 504.

The output of the rectifier 406 is supplied to the inverter 407. As shown in FIG. 5C, the positive half-cycle 503 is reversed. Therefore, the rising edge 505 of the half cycle 503 becomes the falling edge 506.
Level adjuster 408 can adjust as indicated by arrow 507 which in turn defines the point at which the modulation signal has been removed. Thus, the modulation signal does not drop below the zero level 508 and flattens off, indicating that the modulation signal is a zero value, as indicated by range 509.

From this, it can be seen that when the input signal is relatively low, a relatively high amplitude ultrasonic signal is combined in the combiner 403. However, as the value of the input signal increases and a higher voltage is carried by the loudspeaker 304, the amplitude of the ultrasonic signal is reduced, so that it exceeds a predetermined threshold as determined by the level adjuster 408. It no longer exists.
Thus, the processes shown in FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C provide a way to mitigate the effects of harmonic distortion of an audio transducer by introducing a reverse amplitude modulated signal having a frequency that exceeds the operating band of the transducer. I understand that

  The modulator 404 modulates the ultrasonic signal generated by the ultrasonic generator 408 according to the amplitude of the input signal. However, unlike conventional amplitude modulation, this modulation occurs in reverse. For this reason, a higher bias signal is introduced at a lower value of the input signal. Further, when the detection unit 407 detects the absence of the input signal, the signal subjected to inverse amplitude modulation is suppressed.

(Fig. 6)
The signal processor 302 detailed in FIG. 4 is essentially a schematic representation of the functions provided within the device. In one embodiment, the signal processor 302 may be implemented as a programmable digital signal processor (DSP) that operates under program control. Also, in many embodiments, in addition to embodying the features of the present invention, the DSP program includes a number of defined methods to facilitate the above options and introduce other possibilities. You will understand that

FIG. 6 shows an example of a DSP procedure for implementing the present invention. In step 601, input samples are received from the sound source 301. These consist of digital representations and appear to use pulse code modulation that defines the samples that make up the signal shown in FIG. 5A.
At step 602, the absolute value is calculated and the negative sample is effectively converted to a positive sample. As a result, the waveform of FIG. 5B is created.
In step 603, subtraction from the constant is performed and the sample is inverted. As a result, the waveform of FIG. 5C is created.

In step 604, level adjustment is performed, and adjustment as described with reference to arrow 507 is advanced, and in step 605, high frequency modulation is performed. This consists in a preferred embodiment of an inverse amplitude modulation of the ultrasound signal.
In step 606, the original sample is combined with the modulated high frequency, and then in step 607 an inquiry is made as to whether another sample is processed.
If the question is answered affirmatively at step 607, further input samples are received at step 601. If there are no more samples, indicating that there is no input signal and if answered negative in step 607, the procedure is put into sleep mode.

Claims (20)

A method of reducing distortion introduced by a loudspeaker, wherein a modified input signal is provided to an amplifier and the loudspeaker receives an output signal from the amplifier, the method comprising:
Generating a high frequency signal having a frequency that exceeds an operating band of the loudspeaker;
Receiving an input signal, rectifying and inverting to generate a modulated signal;
Modulating the high-frequency signal with the modulation signal to generate a bias signal;
Combining the bias signal with the input signal to generate the modified input signal for application to the amplifier.   The method of claim 1, wherein the distortion is a harmonic distortion.   The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the distortion occurs when an audio signal passes through a zero level.   The method of claim 1, wherein the high-frequency signal is an ultrasonic signal.   The method of claim 4, wherein the ultrasound signal has a frequency greater than 35 kilohertz.   The method of claim 1, wherein the input signal is a digital signal comprising discrete input samples.   The method of claim 6, wherein the discrete input samples are rectified by being converted to absolute values and then inverted to produce the modulated signal.   8. The method of claim 7, wherein the absolute value inversely scales the high frequency signal to generate the bias signal.   The method of claim 8, wherein the high frequency signal comprises discrete high frequency samples.   The method of claim 1, wherein the bias signal is amplified with the input signal to contribute to the output signal. A device for reducing loudspeaker distortion,
An ultrasound generator configured to generate an ultrasound signal;
A signal processing unit configured to rectify and invert an input signal to generate a modulation signal, and to modulate the ultrasonic signal with the modulation signal and generate a modulated ultrasonic signal;
An apparatus configured to combine the input signal with the modulated ultrasound signal to generate an output signal.   The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising an amplifier, wherein the output signal is provided to the amplifier.   13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the output signal is a digital signal and the amplifier includes digital to analog conversion means configured to generate an analog output signal.   14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the analog output signal is provided to a loudspeaker and the modulated ultrasound signal is at a frequency that exceeds the operating band of the loudspeaker.   12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the signal processing unit includes means for calculating an absolute value and inverting the absolute value in order to rectify and invert the input signal. An audio playback device including a housing, the housing comprising:
Housing a digital audio input receptacle configured to receive a digital audio input signal, an amplifier, a loudspeaker, and a digital signal processing system;
The digital signal processing system includes:
Generating a high frequency signal having a frequency exceeding the operating band of the loudspeaker;
Rectifying and inverting the digital audio input signal to generate a modulation signal,
Modulating the high frequency signal with the modulation signal to generate a bias signal;
An audio playback device, wherein the digital audio input signal is combined with the bias signal to generate the output signal for application to the amplifier.   The audio reproduction device according to claim 16, wherein the digital audio input receiving port is configured to receive the digital audio input signal from a portable device and physically support the portable device.   The digital audio input receptacle is configured to receive a digital audio input signal from a television receiver or a computer monitor, and the housing is configured as a sound bar located below the television receiver or the computer monitor. The audio reproduction device according to claim 16.   A method for mitigating the effects of harmonic distortion in an audio transducer, the method comprising introducing a reverse amplitude modulated signal having a frequency that exceeds the operating band of the audio transducer.   20. The method of claim 19, wherein the inverse amplitude modulated signal is suppressed when the absence of an input signal is detected.

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