[0001] Embodiments of the present invention refer to a sound reproduction/simulation system
and to a method for simulating a sound reproduction. Further preferred embodiments
provide a generic audio reproduction device, e.g. for multi-channel sound reproduction.
[0002] For multi-channel sound, usually a number of individual loudspeakers are installed
not only in the frontal area of a listening environment, but additionally on the sides
and rear. Besides horizontal only loudspeaker arrangements, also setups with elevated
loudspeakers are in use. Such reproduction systems enable spatial and immersive sound
reproduction.
[0003] An alternative to such loudspeaker setups are soundbars. Soundbars usually host a
number of drivers (i.e. 'single loudspeakers membranes') in a single enclosure. Some
are specifically intended to be mounted below or above a display. Most soundbars are
offered with (wireless) subwoofers today, while there are also variants that do not
need external subwoofers.
[0004] Similar devices termed e.g. soundplate, soundbase or the like have enclosures that
are usually deeper than that of a soundbar, such that e.g. a television set could
be directly placed on top of them.
[0005] Currently, soundbars are mostly used in consumer audio playback. A soundbar is an
audio reproduction device that usually combines in one enclosure all the connectivity/connectors,
amplifiers, processing, loudspeakers etc. that are needed for audio reproduction.
Many variants of soundbars exist on the market and soundbars are available in different
price ranges, with different features, and in different quality levels. The differences
can e.g. be in the size and shape of the enclosure, the number and/or size and/or
quality and/or position and/or arrangement of the used loudspeaker driver, the kind
of processing that is applied to the input signals. Some soundbars act simply as multiple
loudspeakers put into a unified single enclosure (with no advanced signal processing
besides the amplification). Others apply processing of different degrees of sophistication
to achieve a convincing (spatial) audio playback from a single device.
[0006] Some soundbars do not consider the specific geometry and acoustic properties of the
playback room they are used in, more sophisticated ones do that (e.g. by using a calibration
based on a measurement signal or by user adjustment). Some soundbar devices use microphone(s)
for calibration to e.g. adapt the processing to match the actual playback room and/or
listener position.
[0007] The same concepts as described in the following can also be applied e.g. to 3D soundbars,
to loudspeakers frames (that are arranged e.g. surrounding a display), to cylindrical
arrays of loudspeakers, spherical arrays of loudspeakers, and to boom-boxes, dockingstation-like,
or smartspeaker reproduction devices.
[0008] Since soundbars are a very popular playback device in consumer homes, professionals
and content producers would also like to monitor their productions (e.g. directly
during production/in the creation process) on such devices.
[0009] This poses several problems, since the outcome heavily depends on e.g. the quality
of the target device and the processing that is applied by a specific soundbar. This
variability makes it hard to decide on a single soundbar to monitor on. Selecting
a whole bunch of soundbar products is also not a convenient solution. Furthermore,
it is not easy to seamlessly connect consumer devices into professional environments.
Most consumer devices only feature consumer connectivity/connectors (e.g. HDMI), while
in production environments, professional connectors are used (e.g. MADI). Furthermore,
most consumer device expect the content packed or coded in (consumer) formats (e.g.
MP3, AAC, etc...), while in professional environments, uncompressed audio is used
most of the time. An important issue in that regard is also the realtime capability
of the system to enable realtime monitoring on such a device. For production purposes
e.g. realtime can mean that the introduced delay has to be at least short enough so
that any change applied to the content during a production step can be perceptually
seamlessly monitored on the audio reproduction device. Therefore, there is the need
for an improved approach.
[0010] It is an objective of the present invention to provide a concept enabling to reproduce
the sound comparable or similar to a target system (out of a plurality of target systems).
[0011] This objective is solved by the subject matter of the independent claims.
[0012] An embodiment provides a sound reproduction system, comprising at least one sound
reproduction device, like a soundbar and a processor. The sound reproduction device
is driven by one or more audio signals (e.g. 2 channel stereo or 5.1 or 5.1+4H). The
processor is configured to process an input audio stream to generate the one or more
audio signals. Here, it performs the processing based on processing parameters defining
a sound characteristic of a target system.
[0013] Embodiments of the present invention are based on the finding, that by use of a high-quality
audio reproduction device, e.g. a soundbar having high-quality components and digital
signal processing, it is possible to mimic/simulate what other soundbar systems/target
systems would do. The combination of a high-quality sound reproduction device with
a processing using processing parameters defining a sound characteristic of a target
system form an audio reproduction system which is characterized by its ability to
simulate a number of other/similar/related/complementary audio reproduction systems,
also referred to as target system, e.g. of different size, different quality, or featuring
a different kind of underlying processing. The processing parameters are adjustable
parameters used to adapt the sound reproduction/simulation system to the target system,
e.g. a consumer reproduction system/consumer soundbar. As result such a high-end generic
soundbar enables the user to simulate different soundbar devices from just a single
device. This helps in monitoring the expected consumer device performance during production.
The so defined system can, for example, find application in the professional production
environments where a content producer desires to monitor during production (in real
time) how a customer / consumer will likely hear the produced content.
[0014] According to preferred embodiments, the sound reproduction system/monitoring system
is a soundbar, for example, comprising two or more transducers. This gives the sound
reproduction device the ability to produce one or two or more channels. Analogously,
the target device may also be a soundbar. The sound characteristic of the target device
may be described by processing parameters. For example, one of the processing parameters
describes a transducer configuration of the target system. Here, an information regarding
a number of separate channels and/or regarding a number of the transducers per channel
may be included in the transducer configuration information. Furthermore, if for example
beamforming is used, the processing parameter describing the transducer configuration
may comprise a number of transducers used for the different channels. In general,
this processing parameter may describe a number of the transducers of the target system.
In case the number of the transducers of the target system is known, the processor
can use this processing parameter to define a number of transducers of the sound reproduction/simulation
system to be used. In detail, the transducers of the sound reproduction/simulation
system may be selected based on this information, so that there is a direct dependency
between the selection and the respective processing parameter.
[0015] The processing parameters enable the modification of a sound reproduction with regard
to different "dimensions". A small, but not necessarily complete overview over the
properties / dimensions will be given below:
- A first property / dimension may refer to the reproduction capabilities of the target
device mainly influenced by the hardware. For example, the hardware of the target
device has a specific transmission characteristic with regard to the frequency response.
Thus, one of the processing parameter describes the hardware characteristic.
- Another processing parameter describes the performed coding/encoding of the target
device. Background thereof is that some target devices perform during the reproduction
a specific decoding having an influence on the sound behavior. This coding dimension
may be represented by at least one processing parameter.
- A third property / dimension refers to the operation mode, i.e., to the question,
whether beamforming, dipoling or conventional playback is reproduced by the target
device.
- A fourth property / reproduction dimension refers to the question, whether the target
system performs an upmix or downmixing.
- Another property / reproduction dimension refers to the loudspeaker arrangement. This
processing parameter describes the different positions of the signal transducers of
the target system or the size of the enclosures of the target system.
[0016] Note that there may be a plurality of other dimensions, wherein at least one, but
preferably a plurality of these dimensions describe the entire transmission behavior
of a target system, so that the above described sound reproduction system/monitoring
system is enabled by use of the processing parameter including an information on the
different dimension to reproduce sound comparable to the sound reproduction which
would be performed by the target system. Expressed in other words, this means that
the processing processes the audio stream ST with respect to one or preferably more
of the above dimensions, each described by one or more processing parameters.
[0017] According to further embodiments, the processing parameter may describe a transducer
frequency response, a transducer impulse response, a transducer phase response, a
transducer impedance of the one or more transducers of the target system. This transducer
frequency response/transducer impulse response/transducer phase response/transducer
impedance is used to process or filter the audio signals before outputting same by
the above described processor. Another processing parameter may describe an enclosure
performance, e.g. whether it is an open (e.g. vented, ported,...) or closed enclosure
or an enclosure equipped with passive radiators.
[0018] According to a further embodiment, one of the processing parameters may describe
a digital processing performed by the target system or the used encoding format. Besides
playback from disc based formats (e.g. CD, Blu-ray) consumer sound reproduction devices
(the target system) are typically used to playback content that is received through
broadcast or streaming. For the delivery of such content specific encoding formats
are used. If the encoding format is known, the processing can be performed by the
processor of the above described sound reproduction/simulation system to simulate
/ emulate the behavior of the target system playing back encoded content.
[0019] According to a further embodiment, one of the processing parameters may describe
an operation mode (e.g. beam forming, direct free channel audio, dipole processing,
crosstalk cancelation, HRTF filtering, etc.). Based on this processing parameter,
the sound reproduction/simulation system can determine its processing.
[0020] According to a further embodiment, one or more of the processing parameters may describe
additional sound enhancement features (e.g. multichannel upmixing, bass enhancement,
dynamic processing, etc.) Based on this processing parameters, the sound reproduction/simulation
system can determine its processing to simulate the various enhancement and audio
processing steps that can be found in (consumer) playback systems that constitute
the target devices.
[0021] According to a further embodiment, all of the processing parameters, which define,
how the sound behavior of a target system can be simulated / emulated, can be stored
within a database (contained in a memory). This database can be an external database
or a database belonging to the processor or a database connected to the processor.
This database and the processor might also be designed in a way so that it may be
updated later to enable the emulation of further target systems.
[0022] Another embodiment provides a method for simulating a performance of a target system.
This method comprises the two basic steps of processing an input audio stream to generate
one or more audio signals, wherein the processing is performed based on processing
parameters defining a sound characteristic of the target system; and outputting the
one or more audio signals in order to drive at least one sound reproduction device.
[0023] Another embodiment provides a method for analyzing a target system in order to obtain
the processing parameters. Here, the method may comprise the step of analyzing the
target system by use of test tones.
[0024] According to further embodiments, this method or parts of the method may be executed
by use of a computer. Thus, an embodiment refers to a computer program.
[0025] Embodiments of the present invention will subsequently be discussed referring to
the enclosed Figures, wherein
- Fig. 1
- shows a schematic representation of a sound reproduction/simulation system according
to a basic embodiment;
- Fig. 2a to 2c
- show three exemplary target systems reproduced using the sound reproduction device
belonging to the sound reproduction/simulation system according to an embodiment;
and
- Fig. 3
- shows a schematic flowchart illustrating a method for simulating a sound reproduction
according to a further embodiment.
[0026] Below embodiments of the present invention will be discussed referring to the enclosed
Figures. Here, identical reference numerals are provided to objects having identical
or similar function, so that the description thereof is mutually applicable and interchangeable.
[0027] Fig. 1 shows a sound reproduction/simulation system 10 comprising at least one sound
reproduction device 12 controlled using a processor 14. The processor may comprise
or may be connected or may have access to an optional database 16.
[0028] The sound reproduction device 12 may, for example, be a soundbar, preferably high-quality
soundbar. The soundbar can, for example, have a plurality of transducers 12a to 12c
(e.g. similar / equal or different transducers, i.e. transducers of same or different
type and / or model) which can, for example, be selectively controlled, such that
a plurality of channels, e.g. two channels or three channels can be reproduced by
the soundbar 12. The transducers 12a, 12b, and 12c have a (nearly) ideal frequency
response or, in general an identical behavior (e.g. regarding their frequency response,
phase response, etc...). Here, it should be noted that each of the transducers 12a
to 12c may be realized by a single membrane transducer or may be realized as a transducer
system, e.g. a coaxial transducer system or another two way transducer system or transducer
system having a plurality of respective transducers for respective frequency ranges.
The transducers 12a, 12b, and 12c are feed with one or more audio signals AS. Preferably,
each transducer or transducer combination is controlled by an own audio signal AS
output by the processor 14.
[0029] This high-quality soundbar enables to reproduce one or more audio signals in an optimal
manner, so that even sound characteristics included in the audio signals AS can be
reproduced.
[0030] These sound characteristics e.g. specific sound coloration are imprinted on the audio
signals AS by the processor 14. The reproduction characteristics can, for example,
be an imprinted frequency-response characteristic generated by the processor, e.g.
by equalizing the audio signals AS such that a specific frequency portion is amplified
or attenuated. Alternatively, the reproduction characteristics can result in a specific
impulse response, i.e. impulse response causing harmonic distortions, or in a specific
phase response. A further example for a sound characteristic is a number of parallel
(independent) channels. Background thereof is, that it is a characteristic for a sound
system how may channels can be reproduced. The number of reproduced channels has a
significant influence on a spatial effect generated by the sound reproduction. This
spatial effect may also be a specific sound characteristic. For example, the spatial
effect may be in direct dependency to a so-called operation mode. On the market, there
are different operation modes, like di-poling or the use of psycho-acoustic effects
to create virtual surround, beamforming sound signals to direct surround signals into
certain directions, or simple two channel stereo.
[0031] It should be noted that channel refers to the independent reproduction elements,
e.g., output by a loudspeaker into a certain direction. Each channel can have its
own content. For example, a stereo typically has two channels, where the content of
the left channel differs from the content of the right channel. A 5.1 reproduction
has typically 5 + 1 channels. The number of channels is dependent on the number of
source channels and the facility of the loudspeaker system to reproduce different
channels in parallel. The number of channels may be changed due to the processing
by use of an upmixing or downmixing. For example, a downmixing enables to reproduce
a 5.1 representation by use of two transducers, wherein two channels are generated
by the two transducers. Vice versa, a stereo signal may be upmixed to a soundbar configured
for performing 5.1-reproduction. Here, the upmixing may be performed with or without
enhancing the information of the stereo signal.
[0032] According to a further embodiment, the processor features upmix means, by which multi-channel
signals can be generates from signals having at least one input channel, but less
channels than the desired multi-channel output.
[0033] According to a further embodiment, the processor features downmix means, by which
input multi-channel signals can be processed to result in output signals that have
less channels than the input signals.
[0034] As described above, consumer sound reproduction devices like conventional soundbars
often modify a sound reproduction due to their sound characteristic. Expressed from
another point of view, this means that when impressing (in sense of modeling or mimicking)
a specific sound characteristic (of a specific target system), it is possible to simulate
the sound reproduction of the target system. This finding is used by the processor
14 which processes the audio stream ST by imprinting a sound characteristic of a target
system to the audio signals. This has the purpose to simulate the sound reproduction
of a target system, such that it can be determined in real time how the sound would
be reproduced on another sound system/another soundbar.
[0035] Regarding the processing, it should be noted that all sound characteristics may be
defined by processing parameters, e.g. filter parameters or e.g. a parameter defining
a transducer configuration. Based on this processing parameters, the processor 14
processes the audio stream ST so as to generate the one or more audio signals AS driving
the transducers 12a to 12c. According to further embodiments, the processing parameters
are stored in an optional database 16 which is connected to the processor. This database
16 may store the processing parameters for a first target system and - according to
further embodiments - for a second/further target system. As discussed above, the
target systems may differ from each other with respect to the transducer frequency
response, transducer impulse response, transducer phase response or with respect to
its transducer configuration or with respect to another property.
[0036] Below, different sound characteristics and their influence will be discussed. A first
factor of influence is, as already discussed, the type of transducers which have a
characteristic with regard to their transducer frequency response, transducer impulse
response or transducer phase response. For example, different transducers have different
operating ranges regarding the frequency range they can be operated in, or regarding
the sound pressure level they can produce. As further examples, some transducers may
characteristically amplify certain frequency more than other frequencies. Alternatively
or additionally, harmonic or inharmonic distortions may be generated within certain
frequencies. For example, often the low frequency ranges are attenuated. Sometimes,
mid frequencies can be amplified. Furthermore, the frequency band can be limited with
regard to high frequency portions or low frequency portions, depending on the specific
usecase and frequency band the drivers have been optimized for. Such a transmission
characteristic can be actively generated, by equalizing or distorting an audio signal.
Here, the information regarding the sound characteristic is stored as processing parameters,
for example filter parameters. Starting from these processing parameters, the processor
14 processes the audio stream ST so as to output (equalize, distort, process) the
audio signals AS. As a result, the performance of different loudspeaker types and
target systems can be simulated by mimicking their performance (e.g. frequency response,
phase response, spatialization, virtualization, rendering).
[0037] According to a further embodiment, the enclosure of the target sound device may have
an influence to the sound reproduction. For example, the size of the enclosure often
varies the impulse response and the radiation pattern. In order to map this influence,
respective process parameters describing the enclosure properties or the acoustic
effects introduced due to enclosure properties can be used. Here, these parameters
may also describe an impulse response, so that the processor 14 can process the audio
stream ST accordingly. As a result, the performance of different enclosures can be
mimicked by digitally simulating the performance of those.
[0038] According to further embodiments, the processing parameters describing the transducer
itself and the processing parameters describing the enclosure can be combined to a
common processing parameter. For example, the properties of specific reference or
consumer devices could be simulated based on measurements of the specific original
devices. For such measurements to enable a processor to simulate the performance of
a specific device, special test signals are used.
[0039] According to a further embodiment, the process parameters can describe a loudspeaker
arrangement. Background thereof is that different audio reproduction devices are available.
For example, there are devices having three independently controlled transducers so
as to reproduce three independent (output) channels, where each channel is e.g. directly
linked to and reproduced by a dedicated transducer, while other device reproduce the
three (output) channels by use of just two transducers. Note, sometimes a plurality
of transducers are uses instead of just one (driven by the same signal AS) in order
to increase the sound pressure. Other devices can use two or more independently controlled
transducers to perform beam forming, where for the reproduction of one of the (e.g.
three) independent (output) channels, several or all of the available drivers may
be / are used together, using e.g. array processing techniques. If, for example, two
or three transducers are available, a plurality of beams, e.g. five beams for five
channels can be generated. This setup can be stored as processing parameters, such
that the processor 14 can process the audio stream ST accordingly so as to generate
the audio signals AS. Alternatively or additionally, the information on the transducer
configuration can comprise an information, whether per channel two or more transducers,
e.g. transducers for reproducing different frequency ranges (mid-range speakers and
tweeters) are used. In order to reproduce such configurations, the soundbar 12 may
comprise a plurality of tweeters and a plurality of mid-range speakers, wherein each
transducer is individually controllable. The processor can output for each transducer
a respective audio signal AS. In such case, the assignment of a different channel
to the different transducers as well as the active frequency band assignment can be
performed by the processor. Expressed in other words, this means that the processor
14 is configured to actively filter the audio stream and to actively calculate the
different channels so as to generate the plurality of audio signals AS for controlling
the plurality of transducers 12a to 12c. This offers the possibility to simulate a
soundbar with varying number of included drivers (e.g. in the high quality version
with numerous loudspeakers, only two could be chosen to simulate a soundbar that only
features two loudspeakers). The processing can be adapted accordingly and can, for
example, include different downmix and upmix versions or re-routing matrices to adapt
for the simulation of systems with more or less drivers. In such a high quality system,
the properties of a consumer system of lower quality can be simulated (e.g. simulating
the frequency response and/or the phase response and/or variability of those or different
parameters). Further, the generic sound device can have a plurality of transducers
configured for different frequency ranges (e.g. woofer, mid-range, tweeter). This
enables the simulations of multiway systems (e.g. 2-way with dedicated tweeters and
woofers) or systems that only use broadband drivers (i.e. without dedicated tweeters).
[0040] According to further embodiments, the processing parameters may define an encoding
format by use of which the audio stream is en-/decoded. Background thereof is that
it is quite common that sound reproduction devices like soundbars perform audio decoding
which may have an influence on the reproduction performance. By applying such coding/encoding
within the processor, the respective reproduction at the target system can be simulated.
[0041] According to a further embodiment, the processing parameters describe an operation
mode, like dipoling, beamforming or conventional audio playback, especially, when
the target device is configured to work by use of different operation modes. This
offers the possibility to simulate different kinds of soundbar processing (e.g. plain
one-to-one matching of input signals to output loudspeakers, HRTF or crosstalk-based
virtualization methods, beamforming techniques, dipole systems, etc. and combinations
thereof).
[0042] Below, with respect to Figs. 2a, 2b, and 2c, three different target configurations
together with the approach for simulating same will be discussed.
[0043] Fig. 2a shows a soundbar 12 having five mid-range speakers 12am to 12em, as well
as the tweeters 12at to 12et. The mid-range speakers 12am to 12em are arranged along
the soundbar 12, while the tweeters 12at to 12et are arranged adjacent to the respective
mid-range speaker 12am to 12em. It should be noted that the number of transducers
(mid-range speakers, tweeters) is not limited to the shown number, so can vary, and
does not have to be the same for both transducer types. Furthermore, the soundbar
12 may also comprise one or more additional woofers and one or more internal or external
subwoofers (not shown).
[0044] With the embodiment of Fig. 2a, the soundbar 12 is used to simulate a simple soundbar
12', shown in the corner. As can be seen, the soundbar 12' just comprises two transducers,
namely so-called full-range loudspeakers. For simulating such a soundbar 12', the
processing parameters characterize the soundbar 12' as having two channels, wherein
each channel is formed by a single transducer for reproducing the entire frequency
range. Such full-range speakers often have a limited reproduction quality for low
and high frequencies. This information is stored using a processing parameter describing
the frequency / reproduction characteristics.
[0045] The processor processes the described processing parameters and outputs audio signals
to the transducer 12 such that, for example, the mid-range speakers 12bm and 12dm
are used to reproduce sound in order to simulate the target device 12'. Here, the
transducers 12bm and 12dm are controlled by respective audio signals comprising the
entire frequency range and being output taking the respective frequency impulse response
into account. Of course, the processor may use different transducers, e.g. the transducers
12am and 12em or a combination of a plurality of transducers, for example, 12bm +
12bt and 12dm + 12dt, or 12am + 12bm and 12dm and 12em.
[0046] While most of the cheap soundbars available today are only capable of reproducing
two channel stereo, more sophisticated products can also reproduce surround and 3D/immersive
content. With respect to Fig. 2b, another configuration will be discussed.
[0047] Fig. 2b shows the same soundbar 12, wherein here, a different target device 12" should
be simulated. The target device 12" differs from the target device 12' in that way
that the target device 12" uses three output channels. For example, the processor
(not shown) controls the soundbar 12 such that same uses at least three transducers,
for example, the transducers 12am, 12cm and 12em. Since the target device 12" is with
regard to the type of transducers (and not with regard to the number) comparable to
the target device 12', the transducers 12am, 12cm, 12em are used as full-range speakers
having a transmission characteristics which is typical for such speakers. As discussed
above, the full-range speakers may alternatively be emulated by a combination of a
mid-range speaker and a tweeter, for example, 12am + 12at.
[0048] Regarding the target device 12", it should be noted that this can be a target device
reproducing three independent channels or, alternatively, e.g. a target device being
configured for beam forming. Beam forming is a method that can be used in reproduction
using transducer arrays to steer sound to specific directions. Here, using beam forming,
the surround signals are directed to the side/rear, to be reflected from the surrounding
walls. In this way, virtual surround with sound perceived from side/rear is reproduced
without surround loudspeakers. The respective operation mode is used for controlling
the reproduction device 12, accordingly. Just for the sake of completeness, it should
be noted that another method for creating virtual surround is the use of psycho-acoustic
effects. This method can be applied to two-channel soundbars (target device 12') or
other soundbars, like the target device 12". Yet another class of devices uses dipole
processing to generate the spatial effects. Here, dipoling may be used on the target
device having at least two channels (cf. target device 12'). Of course, also combinations
of those methods can be defined within an operation mode.
[0049] The target device 12"' as shown by Fig. 2c is comparable to target device 12", wherein
here, coaxial speakers are used instead of the full-range speakers. In order to enable
a good reproduction of this coaxial speakers, the processor controls a combination
of a mid-range speaker and the tweeter for each coaxial speaker. Thus, the marked
transducers 12am, 12at, 12cm, 12ct, 12em, and 12et are used for simulating the target
device 12"'. Here, not only the transducer configuration, but also the transmission
characteristics are different, so other processing parameters are used when compared
to the processing parameters used for simulating the target device 12". Of course
it is also possible that the reproduction/simulation system devices according to the
inventive method is equipped with coaxial speakers which can then be used to simulate
other woofer / tweeter combinations, or fullrange drivers.
[0050] All process parameters for a respective target device 12', 12", 12"' can be stored
in a database. Here, it should be noted that there can be different processing parameter
sets enabling to reproduce one target device 12', 12" or 12"'.
[0051] The usage of these processing parameters enables by use of the device 12 to mimic/simulate
what other soundbar systems 12', 12" or 12"' (target systems) would do if they are
used to reproduce an audio stream. This method for simulating a target device will
be discussed with respect to Fig. 3.
[0052] Fig. 3 shows a method 100 having the three basic steps 110, 120, and 130. Furthermore,
the method 100 may comprise the optional steps 115 and 140.
[0053] Within the first basic step 110, the audio stream ST is received, e.g. from a source.
The audio stream ST may be a single channel, or multi-channel source, like a 2 channel
stereo signal, 5.1 surround signal, or a 3D / immersive audio signal with even higher
channel number.
[0054] This audio stream ST is processed using the processing parameters PP in order to
generate the audio signals AS (cf. step 120). Here, the processing parameters PP enable
to model the sound characteristic of a target device to the audio signals AS, such
that the used reproduction device outputs a sound signal like the target device would
do.
[0055] These audio signals AS are used to feed the respective device (cf. soundbar 12) as
it is illustrated by the step 130. As response to the audio signal AS, the soundbar
outputs a sound (cf. step 140). This step 140 represents the last of the simulation
of the target device.
[0056] In order to enable that the method 100 is a generic method, the method may further
comprise step 115 for selecting the processing parameter PP dependent on the target
device to be simulated. The step is arranged in parallel to the step 110, such that
the correct processing parameters PP can be used within the step 120.
[0057] With respect to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2a to 2c, it should be noted that here, the reproduction
device 12 (soundbar) has been discussed as being a soundbar just having transducers
at the front side. According to further embodiments, there might also be transducers
arranged at different sides, e.g. at the sides, the top plate or the backside, or
at the bottom.
[0058] According to embodiments, the inventive soundbar can either playback signals based
on professional, uncompressed signals, and at the same time different audio coding
methods / different audio codecs (encoder and/or decoder) can be included, such that
the professional user can select those and adjust their parameters (e.g. bitrate),
to check the performance of differently coded version of the content when listening
over a soundbar device.
[0059] Below, further embodiments will be discussed. The first embodiment provides an audio
reproduction device which can simulate other audio reproduction devices. This audio
reproduction device may, for example, be formed by the soundbar 12 and comprises the
processor 14. Expressed from another point of view, this means that according to embodiments,
the audio reproduction device is of a soundbar type. Alternatively, the audio reproduction
device may be of a loudspeaker type or may be formed by a loudspeaker system featuring
multiple transducers or a loudspeaker system having one or more loudspeaker types
or transducer types. Thus, the core idea is to build a device that has high quality
components, features a bunch of different connectors, and features digital signal
processing. With such a device, it is possible to mimic / simulate what other soundbar
systems or loudspeaker systems would do.
[0060] According to an embodiment, the device may be configured, such that by use of the
processing parameters, the number of actually used drivers is selectable.
[0061] According to further embodiments, the processor can process an input signal having
at least one channel, where processing is applied to generate the spatial sound reproduction
from the device. According to further embodiments, the processor can process an input
signal having at least one channel, wherein processing is applied to simulate the
performance and/or processing of other devices. According to a further embodiment,
the processor can use dipole processing to generate a spatial sound impression. According
to a further embodiment, the processor can use beam forming to generate the spatial
sound impression. According to a further embodiment, the processor can use psycho-acoustic
processing to generate a spatial sound impression.
[0062] According to a further embodiment, the processor is configured to feature different
audio compression codecs that can be selected and adjusted by the user. It should
be noted that the processor can, for example, receive the audio signal as uncompressed
or compressed audio signal or extract the audio signal out of a video stream. Thus,
the processor features video input. It should be noted that the processor may have
a plurality of inputs to receive signals having a different type (various connectors
(consumer and professional)).
[0063] Another processing parameter may describe the directivity (directivity pattern) of
a sound reproduced by a target system. The directivity typically depends on the exact
position of the different transducer types within the target device and varies over
the frequency. Often the directivity varies horizontally and vertically. Such directivity
effects may be simulated by a high quality reproduction/simulation system/device,
e.g., the reproduction device may uses an array to perform beamforming or other array
processing for the different frequency ranges to simulate a directivity behavior of
a target system.
[0064] Another embodiment provides the method for analyzing one or more target devices in
order to obtain the processing parameters describing the sound characteristic of the
target device. Here, the method may comprise the step of reproducing a set of single
or multi-channel test tones and sequences including e.g. sweeps over the different
channels and sweeping over the different frequency ranges in order to generate an
information on the entire processing. This method may be performed by a hardware device,
which, for example, comprises a sound source for the different channels and a microphone
array for receiving the response of the reproduction of the test tone produced in
different directions.
[0065] Although some aspects have been described in the context of an apparatus, it is clear
that these aspects also represent a description of the corresponding method, where
a block or device corresponds to a method step or a feature of a method step. Analogously,
aspects described in the context of a method step also represent a description of
a corresponding block or item or feature of a corresponding apparatus. Some or all
of the method steps may be executed by (or using) a hardware apparatus, like for example,
a microprocessor, a programmable computer or an electronic circuit. In some embodiments,
some one or more of the most important method steps may be executed by such an apparatus.
[0066] The inventive encoded audio signal can be stored on a digital storage medium or can
be transmitted on a transmission medium such as a wireless transmission medium or
a wired transmission medium such as the Internet.
[0067] Depending on certain implementation requirements, embodiments of the invention can
be implemented in hardware or in software. The implementation can be performed using
a digital storage medium, for example a floppy disk, a DVD, a Blu-Ray, a CD, a ROM,
a PROM, an EPROM, an EEPROM or a FLASH memory, having electronically readable control
signals stored thereon, which cooperate (or are capable of cooperating) with a programmable
computer system such that the respective method is performed. Therefore, the digital
storage medium may be computer readable.
[0068] Some embodiments according to the invention comprise a data carrier having electronically
readable control signals, which are capable of cooperating with a programmable computer
system, such that one of the methods described herein is performed.
[0069] Generally, embodiments of the present invention can be implemented as a computer
program product with a program code, the program code being operative for performing
one of the methods when the computer program product runs on a computer. The program
code may for example be stored on a machine readable carrier.
[0070] Other embodiments comprise the computer program for performing one of the methods
described herein, stored on a machine readable carrier.
[0071] In other words, an embodiment of the inventive method is, therefore, a computer program
having a program code for performing one of the methods described herein, when the
computer program runs on a computer.
[0072] A further embodiment of the inventive methods is, therefore, a data carrier (or a
digital storage medium, or a computer-readable medium) comprising, recorded thereon,
the computer program for performing one of the methods described herein. The data
carrier, the digital storage medium or the recorded medium are typically tangible
and/or non-transitionary.
[0073] A further embodiment of the inventive method is, therefore, a data stream or a sequence
of signals representing the computer program for performing one of the methods described
herein. The data stream or the sequence of signals may for example be configured to
be transferred via a data communication connection, for example via the Internet.
[0074] A further embodiment comprises a processing means, for example a computer, or a programmable
logic device, configured to or adapted to perform one of the methods described herein.
[0075] A further embodiment comprises a computer having installed thereon the computer program
for performing one of the methods described herein.
[0076] A further embodiment according to the invention comprises an apparatus or a system
configured to transfer (for example, electronically or optically) a computer program
for performing one of the methods described herein to a receiver. The receiver may,
for example, be a computer, a mobile device, a memory device or the like. The apparatus
or system may, for example, comprise a file server for transferring the computer program
to the receiver.
[0077] In some embodiments, a programmable logic device (for example a field programmable
gate array) may be used to perform some or all of the functionalities of the methods
described herein. In some embodiments, a field programmable gate array may cooperate
with a microprocessor in order to perform one of the methods described herein. Generally,
the methods are preferably performed by any hardware apparatus.
[0078] The above described embodiments are merely illustrative for the principles of the
present invention. It is understood that modifications and variations of the arrangements
and the details described herein will be apparent to others skilled in the art. It
is the intent, therefore, to be limited only by the scope of the impending patent
claims and not by the specific details presented by way of description and explanation
of the embodiments herein.
1. A sound reproduction/simulation system (10), comprising:
at least one sound reproduction device (12) driven by one or more audio signals (AS);
and
a processor 14 for processing an input audio stream (ST) to generate the one or more
audio signals (AS);
wherein the processor 14 performs the processing based on processing parameters (PP)
defining a characteristic of a target system (12', 12", 12"').
2. The sound reproduction/simulation system (10) according to claim 1, wherein the at
least one sound reproduction device (12) is a soundbar.
3. The sound reproduction/simulation system (10) according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein
the at least one sound reproduction device (12) comprises at least two transducers
or more than two transducers.
4. The sound reproduction/simulation system (10) according to one of the previous claims,
wherein the sound reproduction/simulation system (10) is configured to reproduce at
least two channels or more than two channels.
5. The sound reproduction/simulation system (10) according to one of the previous claims,
wherein the target system (12', 12", 12"') comprises a soundbar having one or more
transducers.
6. A sound reproduction/simulation system (10) according to one of the previous claims,
wherein at least one processing parameter of the processing parameters (PP) describes
a transducer configuration of the target system (12', 12", 12"') of a sound characteristic.
7. The sound reproduction/simulation system (10) according to claim 6, wherein the transducer
configuration comprises an information regarding a number of the separated channels
and/or regarding a number of the transducers per channel or for the different channels
and/or comprise an information regarding a number of the transducers of the target
system (12', 12", 12"').
8. The sound reproduction/simulation system (10) according to one of the previous claims,
wherein a number and/or a selection of the used transducers of the sound reproduction
device (12) is dependent on a processing parameter of the processing parameters (PP)
and/or dependent on a transducer configuration.
9. The sound reproduction/simulation system (10) according to one of the previous claims,
wherein a processing parameter of the processing parameters (PP) describes the transducer
frequency response, a transducer impulse response or a transducer phase response of
the transducers of the target system (12', 12", 12"') as a sound characteristic; or
wherein a processing parameter of the processing parameters (PP) describes the transducer
frequency response, a transducer impulse response or a transducer phase response of
the transducers of the target system (12', 12", 12"') as a sound characteristic and
wherein the one or more audio signals (AS) are processed and/or filtered so as to
simulate the transducer frequency response and/or transducer impulse response and/or
transducer phase response.
10. The sound reproduction/simulation system (10) according to one of the previous claims,
wherein a processing parameter of the processing parameters (PP) describes an enclosure
performance of the target system (12', 12", 12"') as a sound characteristic.
11. The sound reproduction/simulation system (10) according to one of the previous claims,
wherein at least a processing parameter of the processing parameters (PP) describe
a digital processing of the target system (12', 12", 12"') and/or a content encoding
format as a sound characteristic; or
wherein at least a processing parameter of the processing parameters (PP) describe
a digital processing coding of the target system (12', 12", 12"') and/or a content
encoding format as a sound characteristic and wherein the processing performs the
same digital processing and/or digital en-/decoding as the target system (12', 12",
12"') for outputting the one or more audio signals (AS).
12. The sound reproduction/simulation system (10) according to one of the previous claims,
wherein at least a processing parameter of the processing parameters (PP) describe
an operation mode of the target system (12', 12", 12"') and/or upmixing /downmixing
mode as a sound characteristic.
13. The sound reproduction/simulation system (10) according to one of the previous claims,
wherein at least a processing parameter of the processing parameters (PP) describe
a directivity of the target system (12', 12", 12"') as a sound characteristic.
14. The sound reproduction/simulation system (10) according to one of the previous claims,
wherein the sound reproduction/simulation system (10) comprises an input for receiving
the input audio stream (ST); and/or
wherein the input audio stream (ST) is a one-channel audio stream (ST); and/or wherein
the sound reproduction/simulation system (10) comprises a video input for receiving
the input audio stream (ST).
15. The sound reproduction/simulation system (10) according to one of the previous claims,
wherein the sound reproduction/simulation system (10) comprises a memory storing a
database (16) or is connected to a database (16) storing the processing parameters
(PP) for the target system (12', 12", 12"'); or
wherein the sound reproduction/simulation system (10) comprises a memory having stored
thereon a database (16) or is connected to a database (16) storing the processing
parameters (PP) for at least two target systems (12', 12", 12"').
16. Apparatus for determining one or more processing parameters comprising an analyzer
configured to analyze a target system in order to obtain one or more processing parameters,
wherein the analysis is performed with respect to at least two properties.
17. A method for simulating a performance of a target system (12', 12", 12"'), the method
comprises:
processing an input audio stream (ST) to generate one or more audio signals (AS),
wherein the processing is performed based on processing parameters (PP) defining a
sound characteristic of the target system (12', 12", 12"'); and
outputting the one or more audio signals (AS) in order to drive at least one sound
reproduction device (12).
18. A method For determining one or more processing parameters, the method comprises the
following steps:
Analyzing a target system in order to obtain one or more processing parameters, wherein
the analysis is performed with respect to at least two dimensions.
19. Computer program having a program code for performing, when running on a computer,
the method according to claim 17 or 18.