Patent Grant
10959020
This Nonprovisional application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(a) to Patent Application No. 2018-247250 filed in Japan on Dec. 28, 2018 the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
One embodiment of the invention relates to an audio signal control circuit that generates a high-range audio signal and a low-range audio signal from an audio signal and outputs them, and an audio signal control method.
The amplifier device described in Unexamined Japanese Patent Publication No. 2013-255049 includes an HPF (High-pass Filter), an LPF (Low-pass Filter), and a BPF (Bandpass Filter). The amplifier device is connected to a speaker. A coefficient α, which is set in the amplifier device, is determined according to specifications of the speaker. The amplifier device multiplies an output signal of the BPF by the coefficient α. The amplifier device adds this signal to an output signal of the LPF. The amplifier device multiplies the output signal of the BPF by a coefficient (1-α). The amplifier device adds this signal to an output signal of the HPF.
The amplifier device supplies the output signal of the HPF to a tweeter. The amplifier device supplies the output signal of the LPF to a woofer. Thus, the amplifier device changes a crossover frequency, statically.
The amplifier device described in Unexamined Japanese Patent Publication No. 2013-255049, however, fixes the coefficient according to specifications of the speaker. This makes it difficult for the amplifier device described in Unexamined Japanese Patent Publication No. 2013-255049 to change a cutoff frequency of the HPF (high-range side filter) and a cutoff frequency of the LPF (low-range side filter) dynamically, according to a level of an audio signal.
Accordingly, one embodiment of the invention aims to provide an audio signal control circuit that changes a cutoff frequency of the HPF and a cutoff frequency of the LPF dynamically, according to the level of an audio signal.
An audio-signal control circuit includes: an adjustment signal generator that extracts a frequency band, which includes a frequency at which a frequency band shared by a low-range speaker and a frequency band shared by a high-range speaker overlap each other, to generate an adjustment signal; a high-range outputter that subtracts the adjustment signal from an audio signal to generate a high-range audio signal and outputs it to a high-pass filter; and a low-range outputter that adds the adjustment signal to the audio signal to generate a low-range audio signal and outputs it to a low-pass filter.
One embodiment of the invention makes it easy to change a cutoff frequency of an HPF and a cutoff frequency of an LPF dynamically, according to a level of an audio signal.
(Hardware Configuration of Sound System 1)
The Memory 93 stores various kinds of programs, data, and the like. The various kinds of programs include a program for operating each part of the audio signal control circuit 10. The CPU 91 executes the various kinds of programs, which are stored in the memory 93, to achieve the audio signal control circuit 10. It is not limited to the example in which the memory 93 stores various kinds of programs and data. A server or the like connected to an external storage or the network may store the various kinds of programs and the data. In this case, the CPU 91 reads out the various kinds of programs and the data from the server or the like.
Input terminals of the high-range amplifier 410 and the low-range amplifier 420 are connected to the processor 90. The high-range amplifier 410 amplifies a high-range audio signal and outputs it to the high-range speaker 501. The low-range amplifier 420 amplifies a low-range audio signal and outputs it to the low-range speaker 502.
(Configuration of Sound System 1)
The speaker device 50 includes a high-range speaker (high-range reproduction speaker) 501 and a low-range speaker (low-range reproduction speaker) 502. The high-range speaker 501 and the low-range speaker 502 are accommodated in a housing of the speaker device 50. For instance, the high-range speaker 501 reproduces sounds having a frequency ranging from 200 Hz to 20 kHz. The low-range speaker 502 reproduces sounds having a center frequency ranging from 20 Hz to 400 Hz. A crossover frequency between the high-range speaker 501 and the low-range speaker 502 ranges from approximately 250 Hz to 350 Hz, for example. The crossover frequency is a frequency at which a frequency band shared by the low-range speaker 502 and a frequency band shared by the high-range speaker 501 overlap each other. In other words, the crossover frequency is a frequency at which frequency characteristics of the low-range speaker 502 and frequency characteristics of the high-range speaker 501 overlap each other.
(Configuration of Audio Equipment 2)
The audio equipment 2 amplifies a high-range audio signal SaHF, which is subjected to filter processing, in the high-range amplifier 410 and outputs it to the high-range speaker 501. The high-range speaker 501 converts the high-range audio signal SaHF into a sound, and emits the sound. The audio equipment 2 amplifies a low-range audio signal SaLF, which is subjected to filter processing, in the low-range amplifier 420, and outputs it to the low-range speaker 502. The low-range speaker 502 converts the low-range audio signal SaLF into a sound, and emits the sound.
The audio equipment 2 includes an audio signal control circuit 10, a high-range side filter 41, a low-range side filter 42, a high-range amplifier 410, and a low-range amplifier 420. Each part of the audio equipment 2 is achieved by the above-mentioned processor 90, for example.
Concrete configuration and processing of the audio signal control circuit 10 will be described later. Roughly, the audio signal control circuit 10 generates an adjustment signal Sc from an audio signal Sa that has been inputted. The audio signal control circuit 10 sets a level of the adjustment signal Sc based on a level of the audio signal Sa. The audio signal control circuit 10 generates an adjustment signal Sck whose level has been set.
The audio signal control circuit 10 subtracts the adjustment signal Sck from the audio signal Sa. With this processing, the audio signal control circuit 10 generates a high-range audio signal SaH, and outputs it to the high-range side filter 41.
The audio signal control circuit 10 adds the adjustment signal Sck to the audio signal Sa. With this processing, the audio signal control circuit 10 generates a low-range audio signal SaL, and outputs it to the low-range side filter 42.
The high-range side filter 41 is a high-pass filter (HPF). The high-range side filter 41 has a cutoff frequency fcH0 of approximately 300 Hz, for example. The high-range side filter 41 applies filter processing on the high-range audio signal SaH. The high-range side filter 41 outputs a high-range audio signal SaHF, which is subjected to the filter processing, to the high-range amplifier 410. The high-range amplifier 410 amplifies the high-range audio signal SaHF, and outputs it to the high-range speaker 501.
The low-range side filter 42 is a low-pass filter (LPF). The low-range side filter 42 has a cutoff frequency fcL0 of approximately 400 Hz, for example. The low-range side filter applies filter processing on the low-range audio signal SaL. The low-range side filter 42 outputs a low-range audio signal SaLF, which is subjected to the filter processing, to the low-range amplifier 420. The low-range amplifier 420 amplifies the low-range audio signal SaLF, and outputs it to the low-range speaker 502.
(Configuration of Audio Signal Control Circuit 10)
The audio signal control circuit 10 includes an adjustment signal generator 20, a high-range outputter 31, and a low-range outputter 32. The adjustment signal generator 20 includes an adjustment-signal extraction BPF 21, a gain setter 22, and a level adjuster 23. The adjustment-signal extraction BPF 21 corresponds to “a first bandpass filter” of the present invention.
The adjustment-signal extraction BPF 21 applies bandpass filter processing on the audio signal Sa to generate the adjustment signal Sc. The adjustment-signal extraction BPF has a pass band including the crossover frequency. A lower side cutoff frequency of the adjustment-signal extraction BPF 21 is lower than the cutoff frequency fcL0 of the low-range side filter 42. Furthermore, a higher side cutoff frequency of the adjustment-signal extraction BPF 21 is higher than the cutoff frequency fcH0 of the high-range side filter 41.
Thus, the adjustment signal Sc has a frequency band including the crossover frequency. The frequency band of the adjustment signal Sc has an upper limit frequency substantially the same as the cutoff frequency fcH0, and the upper limit frequency is higher than the cutoff frequency fcH0. The frequency band of the adjustment signal Sc has a lower limit frequency substantially the same as the cutoff frequency fcL0, and the lower limit frequency is lower than the cutoff frequency fcL0. Note that, depending on output characteristics of the high-range speaker 501, a difference between the cutoff frequency fcH0 of the high-range side filter 41 and the upper limit frequency of the frequency band of the adjustment signal Sc can be adjusted as necessary. Further, depending on output characteristics of the low-range speaker 502, a difference between the cutoff frequency fcL0 of the low-range side filter 42 and the lower limit frequency of the frequency band of the adjustment signal Sc can be adjusted as necessary.
The gain setting BPF 221 applies bandpass filter processing on the audio signal Sa. Q (quality factor) of the gain setting BPF 221 differs from Q of the adjustment-signal extraction BPF 21. The gain setting BPF 221 outputs a gain setting audio signal Scg, which is subjected to the filter processing. The gain setting BPF 221 corresponds to “a second bandpass filter” of the present invention. A pass band of the gain setting BPF 221 may be the same as or different from that of the adjustment-signal extraction BPF 21. If the pass band includes a frequency band in which level detection in the vicinity of the crossover frequency can be performed, the gain setting BPF 221 will be acceptable. Furthermore, the pass band of the gain setting BPF 221 may be located on a higher side than the crossover frequency. In other words, if the pass band includes a frequency band in which level detection in the frequency band reproduced by the high-range speaker 501 can be performed, the gain setting BPF 221 will be acceptable.
The level detector 222 detects an envelope of the gain setting audio signal Scg, for example. The level detector 222 detects a level Lscg of the gain setting audio signal Scg from the envelope.
The gain calculator 223 uses the level Lscg to determine a gain K with respect to the adjustment signal Sc. More specifically, the gain calculator 223 stores a gain setting threshold TH in advance. The gain calculator 223 compares the level Lscg with the gain setting threshold TH. If the level Lscg is more than or equal to the gain setting threshold TH, the gain calculator 223 will set the gain K to a predetermined value. If the level Lscg is less than the gain setting threshold TH, the gain calculator 223 will set the gain K so as to decrease the level of the adjustment signal Sc to zero.
The level adjuster 23 is a variable amplifier, for example. The level adjuster 23 multiplies the adjustment signal Sc by the gain K to generate an adjustment signal Sck subjected to a level adjustment.
Thus, if the level of the gain setting audio signal Scg is more than or equal to the gain setting threshold TH, the adjustment signal generator 20 will output the adjustment signal Sck of a predetermined level, rather than zero. On the other hand, if the level of the gain setting audio signal Scg is less than the gain setting threshold TH, the adjustment signal generator 20 will output the adjustment signal Sck of a zero level.
The high-range outputter 31 subtracts the adjustment signal Sck, which is subjected to the level adjustment, from the audio signal Sa to generate a high-range audio signal SaH. The high-range outputter 31 outputs the high-range audio signal SaH to the high-range side filter 41.
The low-range outputter 32 adds the adjustment signal Sck, which is subjected to the level adjustment, to the audio signal Sa to generate a low-range audio signal SaL. The low-range outputter 32 outputs the low-range audio signal SaL to the low-range side filter 42.
(Description of Operational Advantages of Audio Equipment 2 Including Audio Signal Control Circuit 10)
By using such a configuration, the audio equipment 2 including the audio signal control circuit 10 can obtain operational advantages as shown in the following.
(In the Case where Audio Signal Sa is Low Level)
The adjustment signal Sc is a signal obtained by applying bandpass filter processing on the audio signal Sa in the adjustment-signal extraction BPF 21. Therefore, a level of the adjustment signal Sc is substantially the same as the level of the audio signal Sa.
The gain setting audio signal Scg is a signal obtained by applying bandpass filter processing on the audio signal Sa in the BPF 221 of the gain setter 22. Therefore, a level of the gain setting audio signal Scg is substantially the same as the level of the audio signal Sa. In this case, as mentioned above, Q of the BPF 221 of the gain setter 22 differs from Q of the adjustment-signal extraction BPF 21. Therefore, as shown in
As shown in
(Processing on Low-Range Side)
The low-range audio signal SaL is a signal obtained by adding the adjustment signal Sck, which is subjected to the level adjustment, to the audio signal Sa. The low-range audio signal SaL is the same as the audio signal Sa, because the adjustment signal Sck, which is subjected to the level adjustment, is a signal of a zero level.
The low-range side filter 42 has a cutoff frequency fcL0 as shown in the frequency characteristic F42 of
The low-range audio signal SaL is the same as the audio signal Sa. Therefore, the low-range audio signal SaLF, which is subjected to the filter processing, is a signal having frequency components located on a lower side than the cutoff frequency fcL0 in the audio signal Sa. Thus, the cutoff frequency fcL0 on the low-range side does not change.
(Processing on High-Range Side)
The high-range audio signal SaH is a signal obtained by subtracting the adjustment signal Sck, which is subjected to the level adjustment, from the audio signal Sa. The high-range audio signal SaH is the same as the audio signal Sa, because the adjustment signal Sck, which is subjected to the level adjustment, is a signal of a zero level.
The high-range side filter 41 has a cutoff frequency fcH0 as shown in the frequency characteristic F41 of
The high-range audio signal SaH is the same as the audio signal Sa. Therefore, the high-range audio signal SaHF, which is subjected to the filter processing, is a signal having frequency components located on a higher side than the cutoff frequency fcH0 in the audio signal Sa. Thus, the cutoff frequency fcH0 on the high-range side does not change.
(In the Case where Audio Signal Sa is High Level)
The adjustment signal Sc is a signal obtained by applying bandpass filter processing on the audio signal Sa. Therefore, a level of the adjustment signal Sc is substantially the same as the level of the audio signal Sa.
Similarly, the gain setting audio signal Scg is a signal obtained by applying bandpass filter processing on the audio signal Sa. Therefore, a level of the gain setting audio signal Scg is substantially the same as the level of the audio signal Sa. In this case, Q of the BPF 221 of the gain setter 22 differs from Q of the adjustment-signal extraction BPF 21. Thus, as shown in
As shown in
(Processing on Low-Range Side)
The low-range audio signal SaL is a signal obtained by adding the adjustment signal Sck, which is subjected to the level adjustment, to the audio signal Sa. The level of the adjustment signal Sck, which is subjected to the level adjustment, is partially increased in the vicinity of the crossover frequency. Therefore, as shown in
The low-range side filter 42 has a cutoff frequency fcL0 as shown in the frequency characteristic F42 of
As shown in
For this reason, the low-range audio signal SaLF, which is subjected to the filter processing, has the frequency characteristic whose cutoff frequency fcL0 is shifted to the higher side. More specifically, the frequency characteristic of the low-range audio signal SaLF, which is subjected to the filter processing, has a cutoff frequency fcLc higher than the cutoff frequency fcL0.
Therefore, if the level of the audio signal Sa is high, the audio equipment 2 can output the signal obtained by shifting the cutoff frequency of the low-range side filter 42 to the higher side, as the low-range audio signal SaLF subjected to the filter processing.
(Processing on High-Range Side)
The high-range audio signal SaH is a signal obtained by subtracting the adjustment signal Sck, which is subjected to the level adjustment, from the audio signal Sa. The level of adjustment signal Sck, which is subjected to the level adjustment, is partially increased in the vicinity of the crossover frequency. Therefore, as shown in
The high-range side filter 41 has a cutoff frequency fcH0 as shown in the frequency characteristic F41 of
As shown in
For this reason, the high-range audio signal SaHF, which is subjected to the filter processing, has the frequency characteristic whose cutoff frequency fcH0 is shifted to the higher side. More specifically, the frequency characteristic of the high-range audio signal SaHF, which is subjected to the filter processing, has a cutoff frequency fcHc higher than the cutoff frequency fcH0.
Therefore, if the level of the audio signal Sa is high, the audio equipment 2 can output the signal obtained by shifting the cutoff frequency of the high-range filter to the higher side, as the high-range audio signal SaHF subjected to the filter processing.
Thus, if the level of the audio signal Sa is high, the audio equipment 2 can shift the cutoff frequency of the high-range side filter 41 and the cutoff frequency of the low-range side filter 42 to the higher side. In other words, the audio equipment 2 can shift the crossover frequency to the higher side.
Usually, an output tolerance level of the high-range speaker 501 is lower than an output tolerance level of the low-range speaker 502. For this reason, when a level of the audio signal Sa becomes high, thereby increasing an input to the high-range speaker 501, sound quality deteriorates and balance of sounds also collapses. By using the configurations of the audio signal control circuit 10 and the audio equipment 2, however, the cutoff frequency is made substantially higher when the level of the audio signal Sa is high. Therefore, a load of the high-range speaker 501 is reduced, thereby preventing the deterioration of sound quality and making the balance of sounds stable.
Note that, the above-mentioned description shows only an example in which the level of the audio signal Sa is high. If the above-mentioned configuration is provided, however, a shift amount of the cutoff frequency will be changed according to the level of the audio signal Sa, when the level of the audio signal Sa is more than or equal to the gain setting threshold TH. Thus, the deterioration of sound quality is prevented and the balance of sounds is made stable, without being affected by sound volume.
Further, by using the above-mentioned configuration, the audio signal control circuit 10 can cause a waveform of the adjustment signal Sc to differ from a waveform of the gain setting audio signal Scg. Thus, the audio signal control circuit 10 can adjust the adjustment signal Sc to a suitable waveform for controlling the cutoff frequency. In other words, by using the audio signal control circuit 10, a bandwidth of the adjustment signal Sc is matched to a frequency width caused by the shift of the crossover frequency. Thus, the audio equipment 2 can optimize the level characteristics in the vicinity of the crossover frequency (in the vicinity of the cutoff frequency). Further, the audio signal control circuit 10 can adjust the gain setting audio signal Scg to a suitable waveform for detecting the level of the audio signal Sa. Thus, the audio signal control circuit 10 can detect the level of the audio signal Sa with high precision.
Further, by using the above-mentioned configuration, the high-range side filter 41 and the low-range side filter 42 do not need to be variable filters. Furthermore, the audio signal control circuit 10 can simplify a circuit configuration for shifting the cutoff frequency. This makes it possible to reduce resources of the audio signal control circuit 10 and the audio equipment 2.
Further, by adjusting the level of adjustment signal Sc, the audio equipment 2 can optimize a shift amount of the cutoff frequency, as mentioned above.
(Description of Audio Signal Control Method)
A calculation device generates an adjustment signal Sc from an audio signal Sa (
If the level of the audio signal Sa is more than or equal to a gain setting threshold TH (
The calculation device subtracts an adjustment signal Sck, which is subjected to the level adjustment, from the audio signal Sa (S121), and outputs it to the high-range side filter 41 (S122). The calculation device adds the adjustment signal Sck, which is subjected to the level adjustment, to the audio signal Sa (S131), and outputs it to the low-range filter 42 (S132).
(Configuration of Adjustment Signal Generator 20A)
An adjustment signal generator may be the configuration shown in
The adjustment signal generator 20A includes the adjustment-signal extraction BPF 21, a gain setter 22A, and the level adjuster 23. The gain setter 22A includes a level detector 222 and a gain calculator 223. The adjustment-signal extraction BPF 21 outputs the adjustment signal Sc to the level detector 222 and the level adjuster 23.
With such a configuration, the adjustment signal generator 20A can omit the BPF that extracts the gain setting audio signal. This simplifies the configuration of the adjustment signal generator 20A more.
(Configuration of Sound System 1A and Audio Equipment 2A)
A sound system and audio equipment may be the configuration shown in
The sound system 1A includes audio equipment 2A and a speaker device 50. The audio equipment 2A includes the audio signal control circuit 10, the high-range side filter 41, the low-range side filter 42, the high-range amplifier 410, the low-range amplifier 420, a high-range side level controller 43, and a low-range side level controller 44.
The high-range side level controller 43 is, so called, a limiter circuit or a compressor circuit. The high-range side level controller 43 is connected to an output side of the high-range amplifier 410, and is connected to the high-range speaker 501. Note that, the high-range side level controller may be connected to an input side of the high-range amplifier 410.
The low-range side level controller 44 is, so called, a limiter circuit or a compressor circuit. The low-range side level controller 44 is connected to an output side of the low-range amplifier 420, and is connected to the low-range speaker 502. Note that, the low-range side level controller may be connected to an input side of the low-range amplifier 420.
As mentioned above, when an output tolerance level of the high-range speaker 501 is lower than an output tolerance level of the low-range speaker 502, a limiting threshold set in the high-range side level controller 43 is lower than a limiting threshold set in the low-range side level controller 44. In this case, if the level of the audio signal Sa becomes high, the high-range side level controller 43 will perform level control before the low-range side level controller 44 does. In this case as well, the deterioration of sound quality, mentioned above, will occur. If the configurations of the audio signal control circuit 10 and the audio equipment 2A are provided, however, the high-range side level controller 43 will restrict the level control. This makes it difficult to cause the deterioration of sound quality.
(Configuration of Sound System 1B)
A sound system may be the configuration shown in
The sound system 1B includes the audio equipment 2, a speaker device 51, and a speaker device 52. The speaker device 51 includes a high-range speaker 501. The speaker device 52 includes a low-range speaker 502. In this way, in the sound system 1B, the high-range speaker 501 and the low-range speaker 502 are separated from each other. Even in such a configuration, the sound system 1B obtains the same operational advantages as in the above-mentioned sound system 1.
Note that, an aspect of sound emission is not limited to the above-mentioned manner. Specifically, the sound system may include the high-range speaker 501 and the low-range speaker 502. For instance, the sound system may use an earphone or a headphone equipped with the high-range speaker 501 and the low-range speaker 502. Further, the sound system may be configured to transmit the high-range audio signal SaHF, which is subjected to the filter processing, and the low-range audio signal SaLF, which is subjected to the filter processing, through the communications network or the like. The sound system uses the high-range speaker 501 to emit the transmitted high-range audio signal SaHF, which is subjected to the filter processing, as sounds. Further, the sound system uses the low-range speaker 502 to emits the transmitted low-range audio signal SaLF, which is subjected to the filter processing, as sounds.
The description of the present embodiment is illustrative in all respects, and should not be construed to be restrictive. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the appended claims rather than by the above-mentioned embodiments. Furthermore, the scope of the present invention is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and range equivalent to the scope of the claims.
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| JP2018-247250 | Dec 2018 | JP | national |
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