KR101634387B1 - Apparatus and system for reproducing multi channel audio signal - Google Patents

Abstract

A multi-channel audio reproducing apparatus and system are disclosed. The multi-channel audio reproducing apparatus and system are constructed by modulating a plurality of loudspeakers for reproducing the amplified channel audio signals into a single channel, a channel control unit for separating the multi-channel audio signals into channels, an amplifying unit for amplifying the separated channel audio signals, .

Multi-channel audio, multi-channel audio, multi-channel sound field, multi-channel sound field, loudspeaker

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention [0001] The present invention relates to a multi-

The present invention relates to a multi-channel audio reproducing apparatus and system, and more particularly, to an apparatus and a system for reproducing multi-channel audio signals through a multi-channel loudspeaker.

[2008-F-011-01, Project Title: Development of Next Generation DTV Core Technology (Linking to Standardization) - Development of 3D TV Broadcasting Technology without Spectacles (continue)].

To provide a more realistic feeling to the listener, the audio reproducing apparatus is evolving to reproduce multi-channel audio signals such as 1-channel mono, 2-channel stereo, 5.1-channel and 7.1-channel.

In recent years, the number of channels used for increasing the reproduction performance of audio signals has been increasing. In particular, the technology development is proceeding in the form of multi-channel audio reproduction using a large number of loudspeakers such as 10.2 channel, 22.2 channel, and WFS (Wave Field Synthesis). At this time, in order to reproduce a multi-channel audio signal, it is difficult to install a plurality of satellite speakers, or to arrange an array with a plurality of satellite speakers.

In addition, many companies have announced plans to develop a home 12.2 channel, and studies are underway to generalize the system and apparatus for reproducing multi-channel audio signals using a plurality of speakers.

Accordingly, there is a need for a multi-channel audio reproducing apparatus and system that can simplify a plurality of multi-channel audio signals and reduce the burden on speaker installation at home.

The multi-channel audio reproducing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a plurality of reproducing modules for separating and amplifying a multi-channel audio signal for each channel and reproducing each of the amplified channel audio signals.

Each of the plurality of reproduction modules includes a channel controller for separately outputting a multi-channel audio signal for each channel, an amplifier for amplifying the separated channel audio signals, and a plurality of loudspeakers for reproducing each of the amplified channel audio signals can do.

At this time, the channel control unit, the amplifying unit, and the plurality of loudspeakers may be configured as one module.

Also, the multi-channel audio signal may include a channel number for identifying an audio signal corresponding to each channel. At this time, the channel control unit can separate the multi-channel audio signals by channel using the channel numbers.

In addition, the channel control unit may deliver some or all of the separated channel audio signals to the amplification unit based on the number of the plurality of loudspeakers. At this time, when some of the separated channel audio signals are transmitted to the amplifying unit, the remaining channel audio signals except a part thereof may be transmitted to at least one reproducing modules connected in parallel.

The channel control unit may transmit the audio signals of the specific channel among the separated channel audio signals to at least one of the plurality of modules.

The present invention can reduce the length of the cable and the number of cables by modulating the amplifier (AMP) and the plurality of loudspeakers into one.

Further, even if the number of channels increases, the multi-channel audio reproducing apparatus can be easily installed through modularization, and a better sound field can be provided to the listener.

A multi-channel audio reproduction apparatus and system construct multi-channels using a discrete loudspeaker. For example, when playing 22.2 channels, the array must be configured with much more loudspeakers than when playing 5.1 channels.

More specifically, in the case of 5.1 channels, all six speakers including a woofer are required to be connected to a DVDP, an amplifier (AMP), an A / V receiver, and a PC sound card respectively. In particular, more than 5.1 channels of loudspeakers are used to reproduce multi-channel audio signals such as 22.2 channels, WFS, and the like.

In this case, when reproducing multi-channel audio signals such as 22.2 channels, WFS, etc., each of the plurality of loudspeakers must be connected to at least one of the amplifier and the A / V receiver, .

Hereinafter, a multi-channel audio reproducing apparatus capable of reducing the length and number of cables by modularizing an amplifier, an A / V receiver or a plurality of loudspeakers into one will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a multi-channel audio reproducing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, for convenience of description, it is assumed that four reproduction modules 120 to 150 are used and that the reproduction modules 130 to 150 are connected to both directions of the first reproduction module 120 .

Referring to FIG. 1, the multi-channel audio reproducing apparatus 100 may include a multi-channel generating unit 110 and a plurality of reproducing modules 120 to 150. At this time, the multi-channel generating unit 110 may be separately provided outside the multi-channel audio reproducing apparatus 100.

The multi-channel generating unit 110 receives a discrete multi-channel audio signal from the external reproducing apparatuses 10 and 20. At this time, the discrete multi-channel audio signal input from the external reproducing apparatuses 10 and 20 to the multi-channel generating unit 210 may be a digital audio signal or an analog audio signal. Here, as the external reproducing apparatuses 10 and 20, a personal computer (PC) or a digital versatile disk player (DVDP) may be used.

At this time, when the external reproducing apparatus 10 is a PC, the PC and the multi-channel generating unit 110 can be connected with one cable. Then, the PC can reproduce discrete multi-channel audio signals such as 2-channel, 5.1-channel, and 7.1-channel using a media player such as Widows Media Player.

Here, the discrete multi-channel audio signal may include less than 10 channels of audio signals, such as mono, stereo, 5.1, and 7.1 channels. In addition, the multi-channel audio signal may include 10 or more channels of audio signals such as 10.2 channels, 22.2 channels, and 32 channels.

When the external reproducing apparatus 20 is DVDP, the multi-channel generating unit 110 may receive a plurality of discrete multi-channel audio signals from the DVDP 20. [ Then, the DVDP and the multi-channel generating unit 110 can be connected to each other through a cable for each channel of the discrete multi-channel audio signals output from the DVDP.

In addition, the multi-channel generating unit 110 expands the discrete multi-channel audio signal input from the external reproducing apparatuses 10 and 20 into a multi-channel audio signal, do. At this time, the multi-channel generating unit 110 may expand the discrete multi-channel audio signal to the multi-channel audio signal using the WFS.

For example, assuming that the configuration of the loudspeaker system used in the multi-channel audio reproducing apparatus is assumed to be a 32-channel array of a front straight line and that the discrete multi-channel audio signals input from the external reproducing apparatuses 10 and 20 are 5.1 channels The multi-channel generating unit 110 can perform real-time WFS rendering on the front array 32 channels using the input five-discrete multi-channel audio signals using the 5.1 channel speaker arrangement angle information recommended by the ITU-R have. At this time, the ITU-R recommends the placement of the 5.1-channel speakers at 0 °, ± 30 °, and ± 110 °.

In addition, the multi-channel generating unit 110 may perform real-time WFS rendering of the input five discrete multi-channel audio signals on the front array 32 channels according to a predetermined speaker arrangement angle.

Then, the multi-channel generating unit 110 may transmit the extended multi-channel audio signals to the first reproducing module 120. That is, the multi-channel audio signal extended from 5.1 channel to 32 channels in the multi-channel generating unit 110 can be transmitted to the first reproducing module 120. [ At this time, the first reproducing module 120 and the multi-channel generating unit 110 may be connected by a single cable.

In addition, the multi-channel generator 110 adds a channel number to each channel of the extended multi-channel audio signal in the process of expanding the discrete multi-channel audio signal to the multi-channel audio signal, ). Here, the channel number may be used to identify an audio signal corresponding to each channel in the extended multi-channel audio signal.

The plurality of reproduction modules may each include a channel control unit, an amplification unit, and a plurality of loudspeakers. At this time, the channel control unit, the amplification unit, and the plurality of speakers may be configured as one module. In addition, the channel control units may separate the multi-channel audio signals received from the multi-channel generating unit 110 or other reproducing modules for each channel.

The channel control units may transmit some or all of the separated multi-channel audio signals to the corresponding amplifying unit or to the other reproducing modules. Then, the amplifying unit of each of the plurality of reproducing modules can amplify the received audio signals and reproduce through the corresponding plurality of loudspeakers.

For example, the plurality of reproduction modules include eight loudspeakers. In the multi-channel generation unit 110, a multi-channel audio signal is output by extending an audio signal of 5.1 channels to 32 channels, The second and fourth reproducing modules 130 and 150 are connected in parallel and the third reproducing module 140 is connected to the second reproducing module 130 in parallel.

Then, the channel control unit 121 of the first reproduction module converts the 32-channel audio signals from 1 to 32 using the channel numbers included in the 32-channel audio signals received from the multi-channel generation unit 110 Channel audio signals, and may transmit part or all of the separated 32-channel audio signals to the amplifying unit 123. [

The channel control unit 121 may transmit the audio signals of the specific channel to the amplification unit 122 based on the number of the loudspeakers 123 included in the first reproduction module.

For example, since the number of the loudspeakers included in the first reproduction module is eight, the channel control unit 121 outputs the channel audio signals of the first to eighth among the 32 channels of audio signals, 122, and transmit channel audio signals 9 through 24 to the second playback module 130. [

The channel controller 121 of the first reproducing module 120 may transmit the channel audio signals 25 through 32 to the fourth reproducing module 150.

The amplifying unit 122 may amplify channel audio signals 1 through 8 received from the channel controller 121. The amplified first to eighth channel audio signals can be reproduced through the eight loudspeakers 123. [

First, when the channel audio signals 9 to 24 are transmitted to the second reproduction module 130, the channel control unit 131 of the second reproduction module outputs the received channel audio signals 9 to 24 Each channel can be separated by channel number.

The channel control unit 131 may transmit specific audio signals among the separated channel audio signals to the amplifying unit 132 based on the number of the loudspeakers 133 included in the second reproducing module 130. [

That is, the channel control unit 131 may transmit the channel audio signals of Nos. 9 to 16 to the amplifying unit 132, and may transmit the channel audio signals of the Nos. 17 to 24 to the third reproducing module 140 . Then, the amplifying unit 132 can amplify channel audio signals Nos. At this time, the amplified 8th to 16th channel audio signals can be reproduced through the eight loudspeakers 133. [

The channel controller 141 of the third reproduction module 140 can separate the channel audio signals 17 to 24 for each channel. Since the number of the loudspeakers 143 is eight, the channel control unit 141 can transmit all the channel audio signals 17 through 24 to the amplification unit 142. [

Then, the amplifying unit 142 can amplify the channel audio signals from No. 17 to No. 24. At this time, the amplified channel audio signals 17 through 24 can be reproduced through the loudspeakers 143.

On the other hand, when the channel audio signals 25 to 32 are transmitted from the first reproduction module 120 to the fourth reproduction module 150, the channel control unit 151 of the fourth reproduction module 150 outputs the loudspeakers 153 are eight, the entire channel audio signals from 25th to 32th can be transmitted to the amplifying unit 152.

Then, the amplifying unit 152 can amplify channel audio signals from 25th to 32th. At this time, the amplified channel audio signals 25 to 32 can be reproduced through the loudspeakers 153.

2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a multi-channel audio reproducing apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention. 2, description will be made on the assumption that three reproduction modules 220 to 240 are used for convenience of description and reproduction modules are connected to one direction of the first reproduction module 220. [ 2, the reproducing modules 230 and 240 are connected to the left of the first reproducing module 220 in parallel, but the reproducing modules 230 and 240 may be connected to the right in parallel .

2, the multi-channel audio reproducing apparatus 200 may include a multi-channel generating unit 210 and a plurality of reproducing modules 220 to 240. In this case, the multi-channel generating unit 210 may be separately provided outside the multi-channel audio reproducing apparatus 200.

The multi-channel generating unit 210 receives a discrete multi-channel audio signal from the external reproducing apparatuses 10 and 20. Here, as the external reproducing apparatuses 10 and 20, a personal computer (PC) or a digital versatile disk player (DVDP) may be used.

Also, the discrete multi-channel audio signal input from the external reproducing apparatuses 10 and 20 to the multi-channel generating unit 210 may be a digital audio signal or an analog audio signal. Here, the multi-channel generating unit 210 and the external reproducing apparatuses 10 and 20 of FIG. 2 are the same as those of FIG. 1, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The channel controller 221 of the first reproduction module can separate the multi-channel audio signals received from the multi-channel generator 210 on a channel-by-channel basis. The channel control unit 221 transfers the specific channel audio signals of the separated channel audio signals to the amplification unit 222 based on the number of the loudspeakers 223, (230).

Then, the amplification unit 222 amplifies the specific channel audio signals, and the amplified channel audio signals can be reproduced through the plurality of the loudspeakers 223.

At this time, the operations of the second and third reproducing modules 230 and 240 are the same as those in FIG. 1, so that a detailed description will be omitted.

FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 are diagrams showing a configuration of a multi-channel audio reproducing apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention. 3 and 4 are views for explaining a case where the multi-channel generating unit 110 and the DVDP 20 are omitted in the configurations of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, respectively.

3 and 4, the PC 10 expands a discrete multi-channel audio signal using a separate program installed in the PC 10 to output a multi-channel audio signal to the first reproduction module 310 or 410 can do.

For example, the PC 10 may expand an audio signal of 5.1 channels to an audio signal of 32 channels through a separate program and output it to the first reproduction module 310 or 410. Since the first to fourth reproduction modules 310 to 340 and the first and second reproduction modules 410 to 430 of FIG. 3 are the same as those of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, respectively, .

5 and 6 are diagrams showing a configuration of a multi-channel audio reproducing apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention. 5 and 6 are diagrams provided to explain the case where the DVDP 20 is further connected to the DVDP 20 via the decoders 511 and 611 in the configurations of FIGS. 1 and 2, respectively. In FIGS. 5 and 6, the plurality of reproduction modules are the same as the plurality of reproduction modules shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

5 and 6, the decoders 511 and 611 can support a format of a multi-channel audio signal supported by the DVDP 20, which is an external reproducing apparatus.

For example, when the DVDP 20 supports a multi-channel audio signal such as Dolby or DTS, the DVDP 20 transmits the discrete multi-channel audio signal in the digital format to the decoder 511 , 611).

Then, the decoders 511 and 611 can decode the received discrete multi-channel audio signal of the digital format and convert the discrete multi-channel audio signal into an analog format discrete multi-channel audio signal. Then, the converted discrete multi-channel audio signals of the analog format can be transmitted to the multi-channel generating units 513 and 613 on a channel-by-channel basis. Here, since the multi-channel generating units 513 and 613 are the same as those of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, detailed description will be omitted.

5 and 6, the decoders 511 and 611 and the multi-channel generating units 513 and 613 may be separately provided outside the multi-channel audio reproducing apparatuses 500 and 600. FIG.

 1 to 6, a cable supporting a bandwidth capable of smoothly transmitting a multi-channel audio signal or a discrete multi-channel audio signal for connection between a plurality of playback modules and a connection between a PC and a multi- Can be used.

Also, in FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 5, and FIG. 6, a cable supporting a bandwidth capable of smoothly transmitting a multi-channel audio signal for connection between the multi-channel generating unit and the first reproducing module may be used.

1 to 6, a plurality of loudspeakers included in each of the plurality of reproduction modules are shown in a straight line for the sake of convenience of description, however, this corresponds to the embodiment, and the plurality of loudspeakers may be of an arc, Polygons, and the like.

For the sake of convenience of explanation, it is assumed that a plurality of loudspeakers are arranged in front of the multi-channel audio reproducing apparatus, but this corresponds to the embodiment. In the multi-channel audio reproducing apparatus, , Or rear surface.

For convenience of explanation, the number of the plurality of loudspeakers included in each of the plurality of reproduction modules is assumed to be 8. However, the number of the loudspeakers may be less than eight It can be changed to 8 or more. At this time, each of the plurality of reproduction modules may include a different number of loudspeakers.

For convenience of description, three or four reproduction modules have been described. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. The multi-channel audio reproduction apparatus and the system may reproduce multi-channel audio signals using one or more reproduction modules .

For convenience of explanation, the multi-channel audio signal extended by the multi-channel generating unit 110 is transmitted to the first reproducing module. However, the multi-channel audio signal may be generated by the multi- The audio signal can be transmitted to any one of the first to fourth reproduction modules.

In the above description, the channel control unit of the first and second reproducing modules separates the multi-channel audio signals, transmits the separated channel audio signals to the amplifying unit or other reproducing modules, The channel control unit of the first to fourth reproduction modules transmits the separated channel audio signals to the amplifying unit. However, the respective components of the first to fourth reproducing modules may be substantially the same.

That is, the operations performed by the channel control unit, the amplification unit, and the plurality of loudspeakers of the first reproduction module may be performed in the channel control unit, the amplification unit, and the plurality of loudspeakers of the second to third reproduction modules.

Also, in the multi-channel audio reproducing apparatus, the physical size of the reproducing module can be reduced by using the digital amplifier module as the amplifying unit.

In addition, a plurality of loudspeakers included in each of the plurality of reproducing modules may be arrayed using a small-sized loudspeaker, and the sub-woofer may be used to supplement the low-frequency band reproduction characteristic. This reduces the physical size of the playback module and simplifies the configuration of the speaker system

In addition, when a time delay occurs in a corresponding channel due to a parallel connection among a plurality of playback modules, a time delay may be applied to another playback module based on at least one playback module connected to the last end.

For example, when four reproduction modules are connected in parallel in one direction to transmit a 32-channel audio signal, the first reproduction module separates the received 32-channel audio signals and selects one to eight channel audio signals And channel audio signals Nos. 9 to 32 excluding the selected Nos. 1 to 8 can be transmitted to the second playback module.

Then, the second reproduction module may select the channel audio signals Nos. 9 to 16, and may transmit the channel audio signals 17 to 32 to the third reproduction module. Similarly, the third reproduction module may select channel audio signals 17 through 24, and may transmit channel audio signals 25 through 32 to the fourth reproduction module.

In this case, when the channel audio signals from 25th to 32th are amplified and reproduced through a plurality of loudspeakers in the fourth reproduction module, the time when channel audio signals are delivered to the first to fourth reproduction modules is 0.1 second It is possible to reproduce channel audio signals 1 to 8 after 0.3 seconds have elapsed in the first reproduction module.

In addition, the second and third reproduction modules can reproduce channel audio signals 9 to 16 and channel audio signals 17 to 24, respectively, after a lapse of 0.2 second and 0.1 second, respectively. Thus, the first to fourth reproducing modules can simultaneously reproduce 32-channel audio signals.

While the invention has been shown and described with reference to certain preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. This is possible.

Therefore, the scope of the present invention should not be limited to the described embodiments, but should be determined by the equivalents of the claims, as well as the claims.

1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a multi-channel audio reproducing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a multi-channel audio reproducing apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 are diagrams showing a configuration of a multi-channel audio reproducing apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.

5 and 6 are diagrams showing a configuration of a multi-channel audio reproducing apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Description of the Related Art

110: Multi-channel generating unit

120 to 150: First to fourth reproduction modules

121, 131, 141, 151:

122, 132, 142, 152:

123, 133, 143, 153: a plurality of loudspeakers

Claims (10)

A plurality of reproducing modules for separating and amplifying the multi-channel audio signals for each channel, and for reproducing each of the amplified channel audio signals; And Channel audio signal to be reproduced through the plurality of reproduction modules by extending a discrete multi-channel audio signal and outputting the multi- Lt; / RTI > The discrete multi- A multi-channel audio playback apparatus that is a digital audio signal or an analog audio signal. The method according to claim 1, Wherein each of the plurality of reproduction modules includes: A channel controller for separately outputting the multi-channel audio signal for each channel; An amplifying unit for amplifying the separated channel audio signals; And A plurality of loudspeakers for reproducing each of the amplified channel audio signals; Lt; / RTI > Wherein the channel control unit, the amplifying unit, and the plurality of loudspeakers are modularized into one. 3. The method of claim 2, Wherein the multi-channel audio signal includes a channel number for identifying an audio signal corresponding to each channel, The channel control unit includes: And separating the multi-channel audio signal for each channel using the channel number. A channel controller for separately outputting a multi-channel audio signal for each channel; An amplifying unit for amplifying the separated channel audio signals; And A plurality of loudspeakers for reproducing each of the amplified channel audio signals; Lt; / RTI > The channel control unit includes: And transmitting a part or all of the separated channel audio signals to the amplifying unit based on the number of the plurality of loudspeakers, Channel audio signals are transmitted to at least one reproduction module connected in parallel when part of the separated channel audio signals are transmitted to the amplification unit. 3. The method of claim 2, The channel control unit includes: And transmits audio signals of a specific channel among the separated channel audio signals to at least one of the plurality of modules. delete The method according to claim 1, A decoder for decoding an audio signal output from the external reproduction apparatus according to a format of an audio signal output from the external reproduction apparatus and outputting a discrete multi-channel audio signal; Channel audio reproduction apparatus. The method according to claim 1, Wherein the multi- And a channel number is added to the multi-channel audio signal to output the multi-channel audio signal. The method according to claim 1, Wherein the multi-channel generating unit and the plurality of reproducing modules are connected through a single cable, Wherein the plurality of reproduction modules are connected in parallel in one or both directions via a single cable. The method according to claim 1, Wherein the plurality of reproduction modules include: Channel audio signal transmitted from a multi-channel generating unit separately located outside the multi-channel audio reproducing apparatus, and amplifies the multi- Wherein the multi- Channel audio signal to a plurality of reproduction modules by expanding a discrete multi-channel audio signal to transmit the multi-channel audio signal to the plurality of reproduction modules.

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