WO2022215091A1

WO2022215091A1 - An integrated electronic audio output system for flat panel display

Info

Publication number: WO2022215091A1
Application number: PCT/IN2022/050342
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kumar VELAYUTHAM; Sunil Mahajan; Milton MARTINS; Bharat PADMAVAT
Original assignee: Iwai Electronics Pvt. Limited
Priority date: 2021-04-09
Filing date: 2022-04-08
Publication date: 2022-10-13

Abstract

A passive audio output apparatus integrated into flat panel displays (FPD) for producing high fidelity, distortion free, high quality sound is disclosed herein. The apparatus comprises of a pair of dome tweeter (1a,1b) drawing power from plurality of amplifiers (L,R) of the FPD. A woofer system is electronically connected to the amplifiers (L,R), wherein the woofer system comprises an enclosure (4) enclosing at least one dual coil woofer (2), and a passive radiator.

Description

“AN INTEGRATED ELECTRONIC AUDIO OUTPUT SYSTEM FOR

FLAT PANEL DISPLAY” FIELD OF INVENTION:

[001] The present invention relates to a high quality, having greater sensitivity electronic audio output system. More particularly, the present invention discloses a passive sound bar, which can be integrated into the existing electronic amplifier system, while rendering high quality sound that erases the need of the external amplifier driven sound bar.

BACKGROUND & PRIOR ART:

[002] Flat Panel Display (FPD) is a most popular type of display / screen in modem days for clearer picture and slim, lightweight frame. In most of departments, FPDs have considerable advantages over traditional CRT based displays and now has completely replaced CRT displays.

[003] The CRT screens had considerable space to incorporate bigger speakers, thereby producing quality sound. However, in a quest for producing slimmer and slimmer FPDs, the speaker size has gone on shrinking due to lack of space. Smaller the speaker size, lower is the sound level due to the displacement of smaller amount of air. For the sake of slimmer FPDs, the sound quality seems to have been compromised. Therefore, although, the display quality of large screen FPDs is excellent, the associated sound quality is much below, in terms of the audibility and covering entire audible frequency band.

[004] These problems led to the emergence of the sound bar. There are various types of sound bars: simple 2 channels sound bars, 2.1 channel with inbuilt subwoofer, 2.1 channel sound bars with an external subwoofer, or even sound bars with higher number of channels. [005] However, there are certain disadvantages with these existing sound bars as well. The consumer has to bear extra expenses towards speakers, amplifier and controls, besides the fact that amplifier, power supply and the speakers inside the FPD unit remain unused. The sound bar, being external equipment, require additional cables such as HDMI, optical cables, coaxial cables. The externally connected equipment also means a higher energy consumption. The sound bars are marketed and sold on the basis of output power in watts. There indeed exists the sound bar that gives the consumers high sound quality, distortion free sound. However, the said sound bar proportionately involves higher costs for the end customers. Also, the higher power in the speakers may distort the sound quality. Also, the separate power is required for the amplifier driven speakers, which cannot be operated on the power output of the available TV systems.

[006] Hence, there is a need to provide a sound bar which is customer friendly, low cost and high quality. Further, there is a need for a sound bar which saves the energy consumption by eliminating the external power.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION:

[007] The present invention provides high fidelity, high quality, with less distortion sound bar which utilizes TV amplifier.

[008] The present invention further provides a passive audio output apparatus that produces high quality, high fidelity, audio output with very less distortion. The said apparatus is driven by FPD amplifier.

[009] In an embodiment, at least a pair of dome tweeter drawing power from plurality of amplifiers of the FPD; a woofer system and at least a pair of cross-over.

[010] In an embodiment, the dome tweeter comprises of at least one voice coil and a dome. The dome has a rear chamber with a specific volume, wherein the rear chamber is provided with a vent. Preferably, the dome is a made of a closely woven natural fibers and a coating on the fibers. The dome tweeter is adapted to produce high frequency sound.

[Oil] The woofer system comprises of an enclosure enclosing at least one dual coil woofer and a passive radiator. The cross-overs are connected between amplifiers of the FPDs and the tweeters.

[012] In a preferred embodiment, the woofer system electronically connected to the amplifiers. The dual coil woofer of the woofer system is provided with a pair of voice coils which are electronically connected to the amplifiers of the FPD. Further, the enclosure in the woofer system is geometrically configured avoid internal resonance of sound.

[013] In a preferred embodiment, each of the cross-over is electronically connected between each of the amplifier and the tweeter.

[014] In another aspect, an independent dual voice coil subwoofer is provided in a separate enclosure for range up to 250Hz is used, in addition to the integrated sound bar with two or more full range speakers to cover the frequencies above 250Hz upto 20kHz.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS:

[015] The figures stated herein illustrate the best embodiment as well as the alternate embodiments of the present invention. Figure 1 illustrates a block diagram of the apparatus representing a preferred embodiment.

Figure 2 illustrates a block diagram of the apparatus representing an another embodiment

Figure 3 illustrates a visual representation of the present sound bar DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION:

[016] For the sake of assisting for a comprehensive description of the present invention, some of the terms are explained herein.

(i) The term “electronic equipment” means the Flat Panel Display TV, a computer set, and any such equipment.

(ii) In stereo equipment the sound is reproduced by two amplifiers driving two different sets of speakers on the left and right side. The term “channel” means one such amplifier and speaker combination. Typically, a stereo setup has 2 channels, one on the left side and one on the right side.

(iii) The “tweeter” is a separate device or a component within audio system designed to reproduce high frequencies. The “mid-range driver” is a separate device or a component within audio system designed to reproduce mid-range frequencies. The “woofer” is a separate device or a component within audio system designed to reproduce low frequencies. The term “subwoofer” means a component that reproduces the extremely low frequencies, which are lower than audio frequencies reproduced by the woofer. The “driver” is a reference term for the device reproducing particular frequency range, e.g. woofer driver.

(v) The “amplifier” means an electronic piece that increases the input electric signal to higher output electric signal required to drive the speakers.

[017] The present invention provides high fidelity, high quality, distortion-free audio output apparatus for an electronic equipment, particularly for a Flat Panel Display. The apparatus is integrated into the electronic equipment or the FPD, wherein the apparatus is powered by the amplifiers of the FPD.

[018] The apparatus described in the present specification may be comprehended by referring to figures appended at the end of the specification. It may be noted that the figures illustrate the preferred embodiment as well as various additional embodiments of the present invention. In any case, the figures do not restrict or limit the scope of the invention. Any obvious variations in the features of the present invention will fall within the ambit of the present invention.

[019] The present invention discloses a passive audio output apparatus integrated into FPD for producing high fidelity, distortion free, high quality sound. Referring to figure 1, the apparatus comprises at least a pair of dome tweeter (la, lb) drawing power from plurality of amplifiers (L,R) of the FPD, wherein each of the dome tweeter (la, lb) comprises of at least one voice coil and a dome; a woofer system electronically connected to the amplifiers (L,R), wherein the woofer system comprises an enclosure (4) enclosing at least one dual coil woofer (2), and a passive radiator; and at least a pair of cross-over (3a, 3b), wherein the cross-over (3a) is connected between an amplifier L & the tweeter (la), and the cross-over (3b) is connected between an amplifier R and the tweeter (lb).

[020] The dome tweeters (la, lb) are configured to have low resonance and to produce high sound frequencies upto 20kFlz. Each of the dome tweeter has a voice coil and a dome, wherein the dome is made of closely woven natural fibers and a coating composition applied on the fibers. In a preferred embodiment, the dome tweeters (la, lb) are ferro-fluid cooled, silk wide roll silk dome. Further, the dome has rear chamber with a vent provided at the rear chamber. The vent is defined with a specific diameter. The dome composition along with the dome geometry contribute to the low resonating characteristic of the dome tweeter (la. lb). The dome tweeters (la, lb) are electronically connected to the amplifiers (L,R) respectively, wherein the amplifiers (L,R) belong to the electronic equipment. Due to the aforesaid electronic configuration, the tweeters are not required to provide power externally and hence the apparatus serves as a power saving apparatus.

[021] In a preferred embodiment, the woofer system comprises an enclosure (4) enclosing at least one dual coil woofer (2), and a passive radiator. The dual coil woofer (2) is provided with the voice coils (2a, 2b), wherein the voice coil (2a) is electronically connected to the amplifier (L) and a voice coil (2b) is electronically connected across the amplifier (R).

[022] The woofer system is configured to produce audio frequencies in the range of 20 Hz to 1200 Hz. To produce distortion free frequencies in said range, the enclosure is developed having a unique geometry, which includes shape, volume as well as cross-sectional area.

[023] To enhance sensitivity of the output sound, the woofer is provided with a larger diameter diaphragm.

[024] The passive radiator of the woofer system is made of materials which produce range of low frequency sound. The materials are characterized by suspension parameters and dead weight values.

[025] The apparatus is further included with the pair of cross-overs (3a, 3b) to extract desired range of frequencies from the amplifiers (L,R) to be passed on to the dome tweeters (la, lb). In a preferred embodiment, the cross-over (3a) is electronically connected between the amplifier (L) & the dome tweeter (la), whereas the cross-over (3b) is electronically between the amplifier (R) & the dome tweeter (lb).

[026] Figure 2 illustrates an additional embodiment of the apparatus described in the Figure 1, wherein the apparatus includes at least a pair of full range speakers (10a, 10b) for delivering high frequency range of upto 20kHz, and an external subwoofer system (20) for delivering low frequencies. The subwoofer system comprises of a dual coil subwoofer, and an enclosure. The dual coil subwoofer is provided with a coil (20a) connected to an amplifier L, and a coil (20b) electronically connected with an amplifier R. The woofer system is configured to produce audio frequencies in the range of 20 Hz to 1200 Hz. To produce distortion free frequencies in said range, the enclosure is developed having a unique geometry, which includes shape, volume as well as cross-sectional area. To enhance sensitivity of the output sound, the woofer is provided with a larger diameter diaphragm. The passive radiator of the woofer system is made of materials which produce range of low frequency sound. The materials are characterized by suspension parameters and dead weight values.

[027] One of the unique characteristic of the apparatus is that it does not require external supply. Majority of FPDs have 2 channel amplifiers (left and right). The output generated by the amplifiers is in the range of 8-10W RMS per channel. The apparatus described in the specification utilises this available power and delivers excellent audio quality. It may further be noted that the apparatus may either be wall mounted below the FPD or placed on the table like any other typical active soundbar. [028] Typical FPDs Speakers have a sensitivity of around 75dB/lW, whereas the sensitivity of the present invention is around 88 dB/lW. At full 10 watts, the system of the present invention is adapted to give output of 98dB. This is twice or more as loud as the FPD speaker system, and with enhanced superior frequency response. [029] The present invention derives maximum energy, available from FPD amplifier and converts it into high quality, high SPL, sound output with less distortion. Further, the present invention is compact, easy to install and provides the end customer rich audio experience forever. [030] Advantages of the present invention: . The system described above is a passive system, which does not require any external power supply and separate amplifier. . The invention will reduce the cost to end customer by eliminating the requirements of the sound bar, yet giving same or better sound quality than the available sound bar / amplifier. . It produces highly sensitive, distortion-free audio output having wide frequency range than the available sound bars.

[031] The specification describes the passive audio output apparatus integrated into FPD for producing high fidelity, distortion free, high quality sound. The figures illustrate the preferred embodiment and additional embodiments of the apparatus. It may be noted that the figures primarily describes an apparatus which is a 2.1 channel (two high frequency generator drivers and a low frequency generator driver). However, this illustrative example does not limit the scope of the invention to 2.1 channel apparatus. The phrase “at least” associated with the apparatus supports this non-limiting statement. If the FPD has higher number of channels, the apparatus described in the specification may be expanded into higher number of channels without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the present apparatus may very well be a 5.1 channel apparatus. This means, there can be 5 high frequency drivers (tweeters) and a low frequency driver (subwoofer or woofer), depending upon the construction of the FPD from which the apparatus draws power. Similarly, the apparatus may be a 7.1 channel. While the apparatus cannot be expanded into infinite number of channels, it may very well be expanded into the apparatus having higher number of channels, with limitations can only be imposed by the practical requirement of manufacturing, depending upon the construction of the FPD.

Claims

We Claim,

1. A passive audio output apparatus integrated into flat panel displays (FPD) for producing high fidelity, distortion free, high quality sound comprising; at least a pair of dome tweeter (la, lb) drawing power from plurality of amplifiers (L,R) of the FPD, wherein each of the dome tweeter (la, lb) comprises of at least one voice coil and a dome; a woofer system electronically connected to the amplifiers (L,R), wherein the woofer system comprises an enclosure (4) enclosing at least one dual coil woofer (2), and a passive radiator; and at least a pair of cross-over (3a, 3b), wherein the cross-over (3a) is connected between an amplifier L & the tweeter (la), and the cross-over (3b) is connected between an amplifier R and the tweeter (lb).

2. The apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the dome comprises of closely woven natural fibers, and a coating applied on the dome.

3. The apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the dome includes a rear chamber provided with a vent.

4. The apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the enclosure (4) is geometrically configured avoid internal resonance of sound.

5. The apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, wherein a voice coil (2a) of the dual coil woofer (2) is electronically connected to the amplifier (L) and a voice coil (2b) is electronically connected across the amplifier (R).