This application claims the benefit under 35 USC 119(a) of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2016-0041509 filed on Apr. 5, 2016 in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.
The following description relates to an audio output apparatus.
Recently, with the advent of mobile devices such as smart phones, the market of wireless speakers such as Bluetooth speakers has grown. In general, Bluetooth speakers have portability.
In one general aspect, there is provided a method of controlling an audio output according to an orientation of an audio output apparatus, performed by the audio output apparatus, includes receiving a stereo signal, detecting the orientation of the audio output apparatus using a sensor, outputting the stereo signal to a left speaker unit and a right speaker unit from a viewpoint of a user who views a front surface portion of the audio output apparatus on which two speaker units are arranged, and down-mixing the stereo signal and outputting the down mixed signal to at least one of an upper speaker unit and a lower speaker unit from the user's viewpoint.
In another general aspect, there is provided an audio output apparatus for controlling an audio output according to an orientation thereof includes a sensor configured to sense the orientation of the audio output apparatus; a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) configured to convert a digital signal processed by a processor into an analog signal; speaker units including two speaker units arranged on a first side surface of a housing of the audio output apparatus, one speaker unit arranged on a second side surface extending from the first side surface in one direction, and one speaker unit arranged on a third side surface extending from the first side surface in a direction opposite to the one direction; and the processor configured to control a stereo signal to be output to speaker units located at left and right sides from a viewpoint of a user who views the first side surface according to the orientation, and control a signal obtained by down-mixing the stereo signal to be output to at least one of an upper speaker unit and a lower speaker unit from the user's viewpoint.
Throughout the drawings and the detailed description, the same reference numerals refer to the same elements. The drawings may not be to scale, and the relative size, proportions, and depiction of elements in the drawings may be exaggerated for clarity, illustration, and convenience.
The following detailed description is provided to assist the reader in gaining a comprehensive understanding of the methods, apparatuses, and/or systems described herein. However, various changes, modifications, and equivalents of the methods, apparatuses, and/or systems described herein will be apparent after an understanding of the disclosure of this application. For example, the sequences of operations described herein are merely examples, and are not limited to those set forth herein, but may be changed as will be apparent after an understanding of the disclosure of this application, with the exception of operations necessarily occurring in a certain order. Also, descriptions of features that are known in the art may be omitted for increased clarity and conciseness.
The features described herein may be embodied in different forms, and are not to be construed as being limited to the examples described herein. Rather, the examples described herein have been provided merely to illustrate some of the many possible ways of implementing the methods, apparatuses, and/or systems described herein that will be apparent after an understanding of the disclosure of this application.
As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any one and any combination of any two or more of the associated listed items.
The terminology used herein is for describing various examples only, and is not to be used to limit the disclosure. The articles “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms “comprises,” “includes,” and “has” specify the presence of stated features, numbers, operations, members, elements, and/or combinations thereof, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, operations, members, elements, and/or combinations thereof.
The following examples relates to an audio output apparatus (e.g., a speaker). The audio output apparatus may have various external shapes, e.g., a hexahedral shape, another polyhedral shape, a cylindrical shape, a spherical shape, or the like. The audio output apparatus to be described hereinafter may be arranged in various directions. Furthermore, the audio output apparatus to be described hereinafter includes a plurality of speaker units having different orientations.
For convenience of explanation, an audio output apparatus having a hexahedral shape will be described below.
The audio output apparatus 10 includes four speaker units S1, S2, S3, and S4 exposed to the outside of the housing. At least some of these speaker units have different directionalities.
As described above, the audio output apparatus 10 may have various external shapes. Referring to
As will be described below, each of the speaker units outputs various types of signals in accordance with the arranged orientation of the audio output apparatus 10. Therefore, it is preferable to use a speaker unit capable of outputting from low-frequency to high-frequency sound range of each speaker unit.
The audio output apparatus 10 detects the orientation thereof and performs control to output sound appropriate for a user according to the orientation. The audio output apparatus 10 may control different signals to be output to the speaker units S1, S2, S3, and S4 according to the orientation, as will be described in detail below.
The input terminal 111 is configured to receive a digital audio signal via wire. The communication interface 112 is configured to wirelessly receive a digital audio signal. The communication interface 112 may be a device based on Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or a short-range communication protocol. An audio signal input to the input terminal 111 or the communication interface 112 may have a format such as the integrated inter-chip sound (I2S) format or the Sony/Philips digital interface format (S/PDIF). The FS format is a digital audio signal transmission standard. The S/PDIF is a digital audio signal transmission standard suggested by Sony/Philips. Basically, an audio signal is a digital stereo signal.
The input interface 120 is a device which transmits a control command to the audio output apparatus 100. For example, the input interface 120 may be a volume control device, an equalizer, a power switch, or the like. A user may also transmit a control command to the audio output apparatus 100 via the communication interface 112.
The sensor 150 is a device which senses the orientation of the audio output apparatus 100. The sensor 150 may include at least one among an acceleration sensor, a gyro sensor, and a geomagnetic sensor. The sensor 150 detects the orientation of the audio output apparatus 100 in a three-dimensional (3D) space.
The processor 130 processes an input digital audio signal received in accordance with the orientation of the audio output apparatus 100 in a constant manner. The processor 130 is a digital signal processor (DSP) or a central processing unit (CPU). (i) The processor 130 may down-mix a stereo signal (including a left-channel signal and a right-channel signal). (ii) The processor 130 may divide a signal obtained by down-mixing the stereo signal according to a certain frequency band. For example, the processor 130 may perform crossover to divide the signal obtained by down-mixing the stereo signal into a low-frequency signal and a high-frequency signal. Crossover is performed to output a signal of a different frequency band for each of the speaker units 180. The processor 130 may filter the left-channel signal and/or the right-channel signal into a high-frequency signal by using a high pass filter (HPF). The processor 130 may filter the left-channel signal and/or the right-channel signal into a low-frequency signal by using a low-pass filter (LPF). (iii) The processor 130 may put the low-frequency signal to be in constant overdrive. Overdrive means amplifying a signal to a certain level. (iv) The processor 130 may perform sound volume control. (v) The processor 130 may determine a speaker unit through which a processed signal is to be output. (vi) The processor 130 may control the phase and intensity of a signal. Furthermore, the processor 130 may control signals output from the respective speaker units 180 to have different phases and intensities.
The processor 130 processes an audio signal to provide a user with higher quality of sound according to the orientation of the audio output apparatus 100, and determines signals to be output from the speaker units 180. The processor 130 combines various audio signal processings described above and transmits processed signals to the speaker units 180 according to the orientation of the audio output apparatus 100. Thus, the processor 130 may give effects such as stereo widening and center enhancement. An example in which the processor 130 processes an audio signal according to the orientation of the audio output apparatus 100 will be described in detail below.
The memory 140 may store an instruction to be used by the processor 130 to process a signal. Alternatively, the processor 130 may process a signal without using the memory 140.
The DAC 160 is a digital-to-analog converter which converts a signal processed by the processor 130 into an analog signal. The AMP 170 is an amplifier which amplifies the analog signal output from the DAC 160.
An example in which an audio signal is processed according to the orientation of the audio output apparatus 100, and a speaker unit which outputs the processed signal will be described below. The orientation of the audio output apparatus 100 is largely divided into two modes. The two modes include a horizontal mode and a vertical mode.
First, parts of
The orientation of the audio output apparatus 100 may be described according to various reference points. In
A case in which the lengthwise direction L is perpendicular to the XY plane is defined as the vertical mode. Furthermore, a case in which the lengthwise direction L forms an acute angle with respect to the XY plane may be also defined as the vertical mode.
Signals to be respectively output to the speaker units S1181 and S2182 in the first horizontal mode will be described below. Basically, the speaker unit S1181 and the speaker unit S2182 arranged on the first side surface output a stereo signal. The speaker unit S2182 located at the left of a line of sight of a user outputs a left-channel signal Left. The speaker unit S1181 located at the right of the line of sight of the user outputs a right-channel signal Right. A speaker unit S3183 arranged on a second side surface of the audio output apparatus 100 outputs a signal L/R downmix obtained by down-mixing the stereo signal (including left and right channel signals). A speaker unit S4184 arranged on a third side surface of the audio output apparatus 100 does not output a signal. The speaker unit S4184 is in contact with the floor surface and thus does not output sound. However, in some cases, the speaker unit S4184 may output the signal obtained by down-mixing the stereo signal while it is in contact with the floor surface.
A speaker unit S4184 arranged on a third side surface of the audio output apparatus 100 outputs a signal L/R downmix obtained by down-mixing the stereo signal (including left and right channel signals). A speaker unit S3183 arranged on a second side surface of the audio output apparatus 100 does not output a signal. The speaker unit S3183 is in contact with a floor surface and thus does not output sound. However, in some cases, the speaker unit S3183 may output the signal obtained by down-mixing the stereo signal while it is in contact with the floor surface.
Referring to
Although not shown, the XY plane and the second side surface may form an angle together even according to the orientation of the audio output apparatus 100 of
A signal output from each speaker unit in the first vertical mode will be described below. Basically, speaker units S1181 and S2182 arranged on a first side surface of the audio output apparatus 100 output a signal L/R downmix obtained by down-mixing a stereo signal. The speaker unit S1181 arranged on the first side surface and above a line of sight of a user outputs a high-frequency signal HF. The speaker unit S2182 arranged on the first side surface and below the line of sight of the user outputs a low-frequency signal LF. A speaker unit S4184 arranged on a third side surface of the audio output apparatus 100 located at the right of the line of sight of the user who views the first side surface outputs a right-channel signal Right. A speaker unit S3183 arranged on a second side surface of the audio output apparatus 100 located at the left of the line of sight of the user outputs a left-channel signal Left.
A signal output from each speaker unit in the second vertical mode will be described below. Basically, speaker units S1181 and S2182 arranged on a first side surface of the audio output apparatus 100 outputs a signal L/R downmix obtained by down-mixing a stereo signal. The speaker unit S2182 arranged on the first side surface and above a line of sight of a user outputs a high-frequency signal HF. The speaker unit S1181 arranged on the first side surface and below the line of sight of the user outputs a low-frequency signal LF. A speaker unit S3183 arranged on a second side surface of the audio output apparatus 100 located at the right of the line of sight of the user who views the first side surface outputs a right-channel signal Right. A speaker unit S4184 arranged on a third side surface of the audio output apparatus 100 located at the left of the line of sight of the user outputs a left-channel signal Left.
Referring to
The audio output apparatus 100 detects the orientation thereof (operation S210). The audio output apparatus 100 processes signals by largely dividing them into three type signals according to the detected orientation. The audio output apparatus 100 determines whether the current orientation thereof is a horizontal mode or a vertical mode (operation S220).
When the current orientation is the vertical mode, the audio output apparatus 100 may perform signal processing to be described below (operation S240). When the current orientation is the vertical mode, {circle around (1)} the audio output apparatus 100 down-mixes input left and right channel (LR) signals. The audio output apparatus 100 may output the down mixed signal to speaker units S1 and S2 arranged on a first side surface thereof in the vertical mode. {circle around (2)} Furthermore, the audio output apparatus 100 may perform crossover to divide the signal obtained by down-mixing the left-channel signal and/or the right-channel signal into a high-frequency signal and a low-frequency signal. The audio output apparatus 100 may output the high-frequency signal to a speaker unit arranged on an upper portion of the first side surface thereof. The audio output apparatus 100 may output the low-frequency signal to a speaker unit arranged on a lower portion of the first side surface. {circle around (3)} Furthermore, the audio output apparatus 100 may process the low-frequency signal LF to be in constant overdrive. The audio output apparatus 100 may output the low-frequency signal processed to be in overdrive to the speaker unit arranged on the lower portion of the first side surface. {circle around (4)} The audio output apparatus 100 may process the left-channel signal and the right-channel signal, and respectively output the left-channel signal and the right-channel signal to a speaker unit arranged on a left side surface of the audio output apparatus 100 from a user's viewpoint and a speaker unit arranged on a right side surface of the audio output apparatus 100 from the user's viewpoint.
When the current orientation is the horizontal mode, the audio output apparatus 100 determines whether the audio output apparatus 100 is in a state (a slope mode) in which the audio output apparatus 100 forms an angle with a floor surface (operation S230).
When the audio output apparatus 100 is in the slope mode, the audio output apparatus 100 may perform signal processing to be described below (operation S250). When the audio output apparatus 100 is in the slope mode, {circle around (1)} the audio output apparatus 100 down-mixes input left and right channel (LR) signals. The audio output apparatus 100 may output the down mixed signal to a speaker unit arranged on an upper side surface of the audio output apparatus 100 extending from the first side surface in the slope mode. {circle around (2)} The audio output apparatus 100 processes the left-channel signal and the right-channel signal. The audio output apparatus 100 outputs the left-channel signal to a speaker unit located at the left of the first side surface from the user's viewpoint. The audio output apparatus 100 outputs the right-channel signal to a speaker unit located at the right of the first side surface from the user's viewpoint. {circle around (3)} Furthermore, the audio output apparatus 100 may differently process a signal to be output from a speaker unit according to an angle formed by the audio output apparatus 100 and an XY plane (the floor surface). The audio output apparatus 100 may process the down mixed signal on the basis of the angle according to a certain method. Thus, an effect such as center enhancement may be given.
When the audio output apparatus 100 is in a general horizontal mode other than the slope mode, the audio output apparatus 100 may perform signal processing to be described below (operation S260). When the audio output apparatus 100 is in the horizontal mode, {circle around (1)} the audio output apparatus 100 down-mixes input left and right channel (LR) signals. The audio output apparatus 100 may output the down mixed signal to the speaker unit arranged on the upper side surface extending from the first side surface. {circle around (2)} The audio output apparatus 100 processes the left-channel signal and the right-channel signal. The audio output apparatus 100 outputs the left-channel signal to the speaker unit arranged at the left of the first side surface from a user's viewpoint. The audio output apparatus 100 outputs the right-channel signal to the speaker unit arranged at the right of the first side surface from the user's viewpoint.
After basic audio signal processing is completed, the audio output apparatus 100 may perform additional processing to be described below (operation S270). The audio output apparatus 100 may process a signal to be output at a certain audio level according to an input volume level. The audio output apparatus 100 may match the processed signal with a speaker unit from which the processed signal is to be output, so that a different signal may be transferred to each speaker unit. Furthermore, the audio output apparatus 100 may mute a speaker unit which is in contact with the floor surface not to output sound in the horizontal mode.
Finally, the audio output apparatus 100 outputs sound via each speaker unit (operation S280).
The above-described apparatus may be implemented as a hardware component, a software component, and/or a combination of a hardware component and a software component. For example, the devices and components of the above-described embodiments may be implemented using one or more general-purpose or special-purpose computers, such as a processor, a controller, an arithmetic logic unit (ALU), a digital signal processor, a microcomputer, a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a programmable logic unit (PLU), a microprocessor, or any other devices capable of executing and responding to an instruction. A processing device may execute an operating system (OS) and one or more software applications running on the OS. In addition, the processing device may access, store, manipulate, process, and generate data in response to execution of the software. For convenience of understanding, the processing device may be described as a single unit, but those skilled in the art will recognize that the processor may include a plurality of processing elements and/or a plurality of types of processing elements. For example, the processing device may include a plurality of processors, or one processor and one controller. Other processing configurations are also possible, such as a parallel processor.
The software may include a computer program, code, instructions, or a combination of one or more of the foregoing, and may configure or independently or collectively instruct the processing device to operate as desired. Software and/or data may be embodied permanently or temporarily on any type of machine, component, physical device, virtual equipment, computer storage media or device, or in a propagated signal wave so as to be interpreted by the processing device or to provide the processing device with instructions or data. The software may be distributed over a networked computer system and stored or executed in a distributed manner. The software and data may be stored on one or more computer readable recording media.
The present embodiment and the accompanying drawings in this specification are only a part of the technical scope included in the above-described technique, and all variations and specific embodiments which can be easily inferred by those skilled in the art within the technical scope included in the specification and drawings of the above-described technique may be understood as being included in the scope of the above-described technique.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
10-2016-0041509 | Apr 2016 | KR | national |