Patent Grant
7295809
The present invention relates to portable audio devices, and more particularly, relates to portable audio devices capable of communicating with external audio systems to provide enhanced audio playback.
Advances in digital electronic technology have led to a rapid growth in portable audio devices. In particular, portable audio devices such as audio CD players, digital audio players, FM/AM radio receivers, televisions, and DVD players have become increasingly popular among consumers as they have become small, lightweight, and easy for an individual to carry. Most such devices include small, built-in speakers or provide attached headphones that, in some instances, offer relatively good audio quality.
However, the size limitations of speakers for such devices significantly limit their ability to generate significant sound pressure levels across the full audio range. More particularly, small speakers commonly used in portable audio devices, or in audio headphones intended for attachment to such devices, simply cannot generate significant bass output. As a result, audio playback often lacks the full range sound available from audio systems employing full-size speakers. Such full-size speakers use one or more relatively large audio drivers, commonly referred to as “woofers” or “sub-woofers,” to generate the lower frequency components of an audio signal. While no specific frequency cutoffs exist, frequency components below 100 Hz and extending down to 20 Hz or lower are commonly regarded as the bass components of an audio signal. At these frequency ranges, there is simply no substitute for physically large, high-powered audio drivers, which practically cannot be included in a portable audio device.
The present invention provides a method and apparatus to enhance audio playback from a portable audio device by wirelessly linking the portable audio device to an external audio system offering extended audio output capabilities. Because size constraints imposed on the speakers included in portable audio devices limit their ability to reproduce lower frequency signals, exemplary embodiments of the present invention use the external audio system to provide bass enhancement. In an exemplary embodiment, the portable audio device generates a first audible signal responsive to an audio signal, and transmits lower frequency components of the audio signal to the external audio system, which generates a second audible signal responsive to the low frequency components of the audio signal being played by the portable device.
Transmission of low frequency audio information from the portable device to the external audio system may be thought of as transmitting an “enhancement signal.” Generally, the portable device processes the audio signal such that generation of the first audible signal is time aligned with generation of the second audible signal at the external audio system. That is, the portable device delays local playback to account for any link delays associated with transmitting the enhancement signal to the external audio system via the wireless link to ensure that bass enhancements in the second audible signal are correctly timed with respect to the first audible signal.
In exemplary embodiments, the wireless link comprises at least one data channel suitable for transmitting the enhancement signal information. In a preferred embodiment, the enhancement signal is sent via a relatively low data rate channel, which is suitable for the low-frequency information content of the enhancement signal. The wireless link may comprise multiple channels such that the enhancement signal may be sent while carrying on other communication functions.
As an example, the portable audio device might receive streaming audio content on a high data rate channel of the wireless link, and transmit an associated enhancement signal for playback enhancement of the streaming audio on a second, lower data rate channel of the wireless link. Moreover, the portable audio device might time-share the second channel with other applications or device functions, such as where the portable audio device comprises a cellular phone or laptop computer with music playback functionality.
In an exemplary time-sharing scenario, the portable audio device supports a telephony application or other communication application in addition to its playback enhancement functionality. When its communication application is inactive, the portable audio device uses the wireless link to transmit the enhancement signal. Such transmission is then suspended or otherwise halted once the communication application becomes active and the wireless link channel used to carry the enhancement signal is then used for the communication function. As part of this time-sharing functionality, the portable audio device might automatically suspend both local playback and enhancement signal transmission upon activation of the communication function.
In an exemplary embodiment, portable audio device 12 comprises an audio playback unit 18 including an audio circuit 20, one or more speakers 22 and audio source 24, and a wireless interface 26 for communicating via wireless link 16. A second wireless interface 28 is associated with or included in audio system 14, which, in an exemplary embodiment, comprises an audio circuit 30 and one or more speakers 32.
Portable audio device 12 outputs a first audible signal through associated speakers 22. Speakers 22 are typically on-board speakers or headset speakers that connect to the portable audio device 12. In either case, the speakers 22 generally are physically small and lack the frequency range of full-size speakers. The external audio system 14, in contrast, typically includes larger speakers 32 having a lower frequency range than the portable audio device's speakers 22. More particularly, external audio system 14 will typically include woofers and/or subwoofers for reproducing low frequency components of an audio signal.
Thus, in exemplary playback enhancement operation, the portable audio device 12 generates a first audible signal responsive to an audio signal, and transmits at least the lower-frequency components of the audio signal to the external audio system 14 such that it outputs a second audible signal through speakers 32. Here, the second audible signal includes at least the lower-frequency components of the audio signal being played back by portable audio device 12, and thus provides bass enhancement for portable audio device playback.
As noted, such bass enhancement is particularly meaningful where the bass response of portable device 12 is limited because of the necessarily small size of its included speakers 22. Including the low-frequency components of the audio signal of interest in the enhancement signal allows the audio system 14 to enhance playback of the audio signal by reproducing the low-frequency components of the audio signal. The external audio system 14 thus serves, in this context, as a remote sub-woofer for the portable audio device 12.
Audio source 24 may comprise any type of audio storage media, such as a compact disc (CD), digital audio tape (DAT), digital versatile disc audio (DVD/Audio), or non-volatile memory containing audio content such as MPEG Layer 3 (MP3) audio content. Generally, audio content may be stored in either digital or analog format. Audio source 24 may also comprise a radio receiver adapted to receive radio signals that include audio content. Thus, in at least some embodiments, wireless resources in wireless interface 26 may provide audio information for playback by device 12.
The user interface 44 provides a means for the user to control the operation of the portable audio device 12. The user interface 44 may include a display 46 and a keypad or other user input device 48. The keypad or other user input device 48 enables the user to enter commands and select options. The display 46 allows the user to view prompts, menu options, or information concerning operation of device 12.
The audio circuit 20 accepts audio inputs from the audio source 24 in either analog or digital format and provides basic analog audio outputs to the speakers 22. Note that audio circuit 20 may receive audio content indirectly through controller 40, particularly where such content is in digital format, or may obtain such content directly from audio source 24. Audio circuit 20 further provides the enhancement signal, or information for generation of the enhancement signal, to the wireless interface 26 for transmission over the wireless link 16 to the external audio system 14.
In the context of the present invention, wireless interface 26 is used to transmit the enhancement signal from portable audio device 12 to audio system 14 via wireless link 16. However, as will be detailed later herein, wireless interface 26 supports, in at least some embodiments, additional functionality. For example, wireless interface 26 may be used to transmit playback enhancement control information to audio system 14 via its associated wireless interface 28. Such control information can include, but is not limited to, gain/volume control, muting, etc. Further, wireless interface 26 may include transceiver resources such that it can receive, for example, audio content for playback by device 12 while simultaneously transmitting the enhancement signal to the external audio system 14.
Depending on implementation details, the wireless interface 28 might generate a line-level output signal responsive to its receiving the enhancement signal via the wireless link 16. Such a pre-amplifier type output signal is particularly suitable where audio circuit 30 comprises, for example, an audio amplifier or stereo receiver having one or more audio source inputs compatible with pre-amplifier level signals. Those skilled in the art will recognize the many possibilities for inputting enhancement signal information into audio circuit 30. Regardless of signal format, audio circuit 30 generates a speaker-level output signal responsive to the enhancement signal, such that speaker 32 is driven with a higher power audio signal responsive to the audio enhancement signal from the portable audio device 12.
The audio circuit 30 may include a low pass filter 50 and an audio amplifier 52. Band pass filter 50 advantageously removes the high frequency components and noise from the received enhancement signal. Amplifier 52 amplifies the enhancement signal for output to speaker 32. As noted earlier, the speaker 32 might comprise a sub-woofer, or one or more other bass drivers of substantial physical size relative to the speakers 22 in the portable device 12. Of course, one of the further advantages to relying on audio system 14 for bass reproduction is that it more readily provides the potentially significant power levels needed to generate sufficient sound pressure levels at the lower frequencies. That is, portable device 12 is typically battery powered and thus has limited power available for audio playback.
In earlier described operational details, it was noted that portable audio device 12 generates a first audible signal responsive to an input audio signal and transmits an audio enhancement signal containing low frequency components of the audio signal to the external audio system 14 over wireless link 16. In turn, audio system 14 generates a second audible signal that enhances the first audible signal, such as by reproducing the lower frequency components of the audio signal. However, generation of the second audible signal involves transmission of the enhancement signal via wireless link 16, which typically involves some amount of link delay.
Portable audio device 12 includes, in exemplary embodiments, a delay matching function such that audio playback at the portable audio device 12 is time-aligned with enhancement playback at the external audio system 14. Thus, portable audio device 12 introduces a playback delay for the first audible signal relative to the audio signal, such that its local generation of the first audible signal is delayed by an amount matched to the relative delay associated with generation of the second audible signal at the external audio system 14. More particularly, the portable audio device 12 introduces a relative playback delay for its local playback to at least account for the link delays associated with transmission of the enhancement signal over wireless link 16.
Thus, audio controller 60 may be a digital signal processor (DSP), or a microprocessor or micro-controller executing stored program instructions supporting playback and playback enhancement functions, or may be some other form of processing logic, such as a Complex Programmable Logic Device (CPLD), Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), or Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC). Audio controller 60 might perform other functions besides audio processing. For example, the portable audio device 12 could include a single processor serving both as the audio circuit 20, or some portion thereof, and as the main control unit 40.
Regardless, an exemplary audio circuit 20 comprises audio controller 60, a left channel circuit 62, a right channel circuit 64, and an enhancement channel circuit 66. Audio controller 60 reads or otherwise receives audio content from, for example, audio source 24, and outputs an audio signal. In the disclosed embodiment, the audio signal output by the audio controller 60 is a stereo signal having left (L) and right (R) signal components, which are fed respectively to the left and right channels 62, 64 of audio circuit 20.
The left and right channel circuits 62 and 64 each include a high pass filter 70, a delay element 72, a converter 74, and an amplifier 76. High-pass filter 70 removes lower frequency components of the channel's audio signal, which may improve audio performance of speakers 22. The filtered audio signal feeds into the delay element 72, which may comprise, for example, a memory to buffer the audio signal. The filtered and delayed audio signal then feeds into converter 74, which converts the audio signal to an analog signal for output to a respective speaker 22. Note that the digital-to-analog converters 74 generally are not needed where the audio signal is processed in analog format. The analog signal drives amplifier 76, which outputs a responsive amplified output signal suitable for driving the associated speaker 22. Thus, speakers 22 generate the first audible signal at the portable device 12 responsive to the audio signal output by audio controller 60.
Audio controller 60 also outputs the audio signal to the enhancement channel circuit 66, which may operate as a low-frequency channel. Enhancement channel circuit 66 includes a summer 80, a low pass filter 82, and may include a digital-to-analog converter 84. Summer 80 combines the left and right audio signals output by audio controller 60 to form a combined signal for input to low pass filter 82 (assuming that a stereo signal is output from audio controller 60). Low pass filter 82 removes higher frequency components of the combined audio signal. The low frequency components of the combined audio signal, i.e. the enhancement signal, output by the low pass filter 82 may then be converted to analog format by digital-to-analog converter 84 for transmission to the external audio system 14 via wireless interface 26. If the combined audio signal is transferred to wireless interface 26 in digital rather than analog format, converter 84 is not needed.
In an exemplary arrangement, the frequency roll-off points for high pass filters 70 are matched to the roll-off of low pass filter 82 in the low frequency channel. With such matching, the filters 70 and 82 operate as an audio crossover filter to keep the lower frequency cutoff of the portable device's speakers 22 matched to the frequencies transferred to the external audio system 14 for playback enhancement. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the filtering/conversion circuitry is reduced where the audio signal is monaural, i.e., single-channel format. Thus, with a monaural signal, summer 80 is not needed, and either the left or right channel circuits 62 or 64 of the audio circuit 20 may be omitted. Of course, it may be desirable for the audio circuit 20 to generally accommodate stereo and other multi-channel formats, along with monaural audio signal formats.
Proper delay matching between the first and second audible signals ensures that audible output from external audio system 14 is properly time-aligned with the audible output from portable audio device 12. While there may be various sources of delay within the overall audio signal path(s), the wireless link 16 generally accounts for a significant part of the delay of the second audible signal relative to the audio signal output by audio controller 60. Thus, delay elements 72 introduce delays in the audio signal path associated with generation of the first audible signal at the portable audio device 12.
Delay elements 72 operate to impart essentially the same delay to the first audible signal relative to the audio signal output by audio controller 60, as that imparted to the second audible signal by the wireless link 16. Such delay matching ensures proper time alignment between the first audible signal output by portable device 12 and the second audible signal output by external audio system 14. That is, proper delay matching ensures that the bass enhancements provided by audio system 14 are in phase with respect to the music or other audio played back at the portable device 12.
Calculation of the required delay may be based on a default delay value assumed for the wireless link 16, and for the audible signal delay from the external audio system 14 relative to the user, plus any delays associated with audio signal conversion and amplification, although these additional delays are generally small. One approach permits tuning of the delay elements 72 to achieve essentially perfect delay matching. For example, portable device 12 may permit the user to set or otherwise adjust the delay imparted to the first audible signal to accommodate the actual delay of second audible signal relative to the audio signal. However, a default delay value matched to the characteristics of wireless link 16, possibly with additional delay time for the audible signal delay, is normally all that is needed.
Implementation of the delay elements 72 depends upon whether the audio signal output by audio controller 60 is processed in digital or analog format. In the illustration, delay elements 72 comprise digital delay elements that are easily implemented by buffering the audio signal in either hardware or software. For analog signal buffering, analog delay elements may be used, such as analog delay lines. For greater convenience, the audio signal might be converted to digital format, delayed, and then converted back to analog.
Even where the audio signal is processed in digital format, it is generally necessary to convert it to analog format, as most types of speakers require an analog input signal to produce the desired audible output. Thus, converters 74 convert, respectively, the left and right audio signals into analog signals suitable for input to amplifiers 76. Converters 74 might comprise individual converters or might comprise a portion of a larger, multi-channel digital-to-analog converter (DAC). Those skilled in the art will recognize that various DAC types may be used, such as current-mode or voltage-mode DACs, depending upon the input characteristics of the amplifiers 76, and the desired audio fidelity.
The wireless interfaces 26 and 28 may be based on, for example, the Bluetooth wireless networking standard promulgated by the Bluetooth Special Interest Group. While an exemplary embodiment of the invention as described herein uses a Bluetooth-based wireless link 16, it should be understood that other wireless network types might also used, such as those based on IEEE 802.11b or other standards.
Bluetooth is a standard for a universal radio interface in the 2.45 GHz frequency band that enables portable electronic devices to connect and communicate wirelessly via short-range, ad hoc networks. An overview of the Bluetooth standard is contained in the article entitled “The Bluetooth Radio System” authored by Jaap Haartsen, which can be found in IEEE Personal Communications, February 2000. For the purposes of the present invention, only Bluetooth features of immediate interest are described herein.
The Bluetooth standard incorporates search procedures that allow wireless devices to form ad hoc networks as they come within range of one another. Using a Bluetooth interface, the portable audio device 12 is able to recognize when it is in range of the external audio system 14. The Bluetooth standard also supports capability negotiation so that devices coming within range of one another are able to determine the capabilities of found devices. The portable audio device 12 implementing the Bluetooth standard may be programmed to begin transmitting an enhancement signal automatically when a compatible external audio system 14 is available or, alternatively, the portable audio device 12 could be programmed to notify the user when a compatible external audio system 14 is available. In the latter case, the user can determine whether to enable the enhancement function.
Where, automatic enabling and disabling of playback enhancement is desirable, it is advantageous to generally include delay elements 72 in the audio signal path of portable audio device 12 associated with generation of the first audible signal. With such delay being persistent, users do not perceive any audio discontinuity associated with “synchronizing” playback enhancement at audio system 14 with ongoing audio playback at portable device 12.
The Bluetooth standard supports both Synchronous Connection-Oriented (SCO) links and Asynchronous Connection-less (ACL) links. SCO links are point-to-point and do not utilize packet retransmissions. Consequently, SCO links are relatively efficient for voice/audio transmissions where individual packet data integrity is not essential. ACL links are packet-switched connections and provide for negotiated packet re-try to ensure data transmission integrity. Thus, the Bluetooth baseband protocol represents a combination of circuit and packet switching. Bluetooth can support an asynchronous data channel at over 720 Kbps, up to three simultaneous synchronous voice channels, or a combined channel that simultaneously supports asynchronous data and synchronous voice. With this latter capability, the portable device 12 can receive data, such as streaming audio from the Web for local playback through wireless link 16, while simultaneously sending its enhancement signal to audio system 14 for playback enhancement.
More particularly, portable audio device 12 may use a Bluetooth “voice” channel to transmit the enhancement signal to the external audio system 14. Such voice channels adopt a 64 Kbps data rate and use Continuously Variable Slope Delta (CVSD) encoding, which is appropriate for transferring the lower frequency audio components used to enhance audio playback. By using a CVSD voice channel, the higher rate Bluetooth data channel remains available for, as noted, receipt of streaming audio or other media content from the Web, or other uses. Of course, it should be understood that use of a Bluetooth voice channel is an efficient approach to transferring audio content for playback enhancement regardless of whether the portable audio device 12 receives streaming audio via the wireless link 16, or obtains audio data locally from, for example, local media included in audio source 24.
In general, the wireless link 16 may support additional functionality beyond the simple transfer of the enhancement signal from the portable audio device 12 to audio system 14 for playback enhancement. For example, the wireless link 16, whether or not based on a wireless networking standard, may allow the portable audio device 12 to transmit control signals to control the operation of the external audio system 14. Control signals may be used, for example, to provide volume control and muting of the second audible signal by the portable audio device 12.
In this exemplary embodiment, portable audio device 12 generally comprises a multi-use device such that it provides audio playback capability in addition to other functions or services. For example, portable audio device 12 might comprise a cellular or other wireless telephone, wireless Portable Digital Assistant (PDA), laptop computer, etc., capable of running one or more wireless communication applications in addition to its audio playback application. As such, the wireless link 16 between the portable audio device 12 and wireless gateway 90 may be used to route Web or other packet data traffic to and from the portable audio device 12, as well as to route voice call data to and from it, whether such data is associated with the PSTN 92 or the PDN 94.
In an exemplary embodiment, playback enhancement can be automatically suspended whenever an incoming call for portable device 12 is received at the wireless gateway 90, or when a user of the portable device 12 originates a call. Thus, local audio playback at the portable device 12 and enhancement playback at audio system 14 may be suspended or otherwise muted to avoid interfering with a user's voice call. As such, the wireless gateway 90 may be configured to recognize when playback enhancement is active, such that it can suspend the enhancement function responsive to the call.
As noted, that call may be carried on a Bluetooth data or voice channel via the wireless link 16. While playback is suspended, call data may be routed over the same Bluetooth voice channel as is otherwise used for playback enhancement; thus the resources used for playback enhancement are shared cooperatively with telephony or other data transfer functions.
Of course, whether the wireless link 16 is based on Bluetooth or another wireless networking standard, the adoption of a bi-directional communication link affords convenient implementation of user features discussed above, such as automatic start of playback enhancement, automatic muting, remote control of volume/muting for the second audible signal generated by the external audio system 14. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that these and other playback enhancement functions, while facilitated by the use of Bluetooth, do not depend on a particular wireless standard, and may be implemented in a variety of other ways.
Also, those skilled in the art will recognize that the wireless link 16 need not be bi-directional for basic playback enhancement; the portable device 12 may send an enhancement signal or otherwise transfer low-frequency audio information for playback enhancement using digital or analog radio transmission, using an optical transmitter/receiver arrangement, or by some other transmission means. Thus, those skilled in the art should understand that the foregoing discussion presented exemplary embodiments of the present invention and should not be construed as limiting. Indeed, the present invention is limited only by the scope of the following claims and the reasonable equivalents thereof.
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