Abstract:
A sound reproduction and amplification system includes a digital central controller, a wireless transmitter and a plurality of addressable wireless digital receivers and digital amplifiers for driving loudspeakers or earphones, wherein Differential Pulse Width Modulation (DPWM) signals from the central control of the audio transmitter are sent to the addressable receivers, but no DPWM signals are sent unless there are changes in the target PWM signals. The control signaling is based on position mapping in each repetitive sequence of bits (i.e., each frame or word) in a digital communication channel, where only a single bit per channel per word is allotted to each receiver/amplifier/loudspeaker. If there is any change in output of any transmitter PWM from the audio processor (decoder), all the channel bits are sent to all the addressable loudspeakers.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application claims benefit under 35 USC 119(e) of U.S. provisional Application No. 60/881,782 filed on Jan. 19, 2007, entitled Wireless Audio Streaming Transport System and U.S. provisional Application No. 60/885,624 filed on Jan. 18, 2007, entitled Wireless Audio Streaming Transport System, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
     
    
     STATEMENT AS TO RIGHTS TO INVENTIONS MADE UNDER FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    NOT APPLICABLE 
       REFERENCE TO A “SEQUENCE LISTING,” A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING APPENDIX SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISK. 
       [0003]    NOT APPLICABLE 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    This patent application relates to the streaming of audio data in audio systems. In particularly, this invention relates to audio sound reproduction using addressable loudspeakers from as few as one to a typical number of eight loudspeakers and up to 128 addressable loudspeakers, all of which are disposed to provide an effect of sound surrounding the listener. Depending upon the embodiment, a larger number of audio speakers can also be used. 
         [0005]    In order to understand the current invention, it is helpful to understand the manner in which a conductor conducts a band. A transmitter, or audio server, is analogous to a band conductor. The receivers, or speakers, are analogous to the band members. All the band members are always watching the conductor. They follow exactly what the conductor does. When the conductor has the baton in his hand and is moving it, the music is playing. If the conductor speeds up his rhythm, the band will also speed up. If the conductor slows down, the band will slow down. If the conductor should stop for any reason, the music will stop. The band members are very disciplined and only do what the conductor tells them to do. They are completely dependent upon the conductor and only take orders from the conductor. 
         [0006]    The following patents relate generally to wireless audio speaker systems. 
         [0007]    PCT Publication WO 97/29550 describes a wireless speaker system using a digital receiver/controller for controlling audio transducing equipment. 
         [0008]    PCT Publication WO 99/23856 describes a home remote wireless speaker system as for earphone applications and which employs analog to digital and digital to analog conversion. 
         [0009]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,590,982 describes a specific type of wireless transmitter with an infrared analog wireless stereo speaker system in a surround sound environment using either wireless stereo speakers or stereo earphones, as well as wired speakers. 
         [0010]    Japanese Publication JP2004336252 and Korean Publications KR20020080153, KR20030021986, KR20040076983, and KR20040097506 describe various wireless speaker arrangements. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0011]    According to the invention, a sound reproduction and amplification system includes a digital central controller, a wireless transmitter and a plurality of addressable wireless digital receivers and digital amplifiers for driving loudspeakers or earphones, wherein Differential Pulse Width Modulation (DPWM) signals from the central control of the audio transmitter are sent to the addressable receivers, but no DPWM signals are sent unless there are changes in the target PWM signals. The control signaling is based on position mapping in each repetitive sequence of bits (i.e., each frame or word) in a digital communication channel, where only a single bit per channel per word is allotted to each receiver/amplifier/loudspeaker. If there is any change in output of any transmitter PWM from the audio processor (decoder), all the channel bits are sent to all the addressable loudspeakers. For example, in a 7.1 SS (Surround Sound) system, all 8 bits would be sent—not just one—for the seven distributed speakers plus one bass woofer. Depending upon the embodiment, a larger number of audio speakers can also be used. 
         [0012]    Upon initial setup, each speaker is made addressable by assigning it a certain bit in the bit stream, and only looks at its own bit. For example, speaker # 3  would be assigned bit # 3 , and in a 7.1 SS system, when 8 bits are sent, speaker # 3  only looks at bit # 3 . All other bits are ignored. The bit that is assigned to each speaker is part of the initial set-up and can be performed wirelessly. 
         [0013]    In operation, when the RF IC associated with a particular receiver/amplifier/speaker receives a packet of eight (8) audio data bits, it simply finds its own bit and outputs its bit to the output port immediately. The output port is connected to the input of a suitable amplifier, preferably a Class-D amplifier. This signal is connected to a transducer (driver), which then creates sound. The foregoing is assuming 8 speakers in the system, as for type 7.1 SS systems. However, the number of receivers is not in theory limited, although as a practical matter, any number of speakers may be in the system, from 1 to 128. This enables operation under monophonic, stereophonic, binaural, 2.1SS, 5.1SS, 7.1SS, etc. systems. 
         [0014]    A number of advantages characterize the invention.
       It enables high-quality wireless sound at a minimum cost.   An all digital audio stream to the speakers provides high-quality audio.   It eliminates the need for audio cables in audio systems.   It eliminates the need for a central power amplifier in the audio system, as power amplifiers are built into the speakers themselves.   It eliminates the need for a central or table-top A/V receiver in the audio system.   All receiving units/speakers receive exactly the same audio data at exactly the same time frame.   All speakers will always be in synchronization with each other, and the master device (audio server) will control the timing of all the speakers.   The timing for decoding of any bit (inside the speaker) in the audio bit stream is exactly the same for all speaker/receiver amplifiers. It doesn&#39;t matter where the bit is in the stream, the time to output the bit is exactly the same, so all speakers are always in sync with each other.   All speakers (sound stream) can be made to always be in synchronization with the video stream in audio/video systems by exacting preprogrammed delays to the audio in order to compensate for the time required to decode the video relative to the audio.   There is no need for special audio decoding chip inside the speakers.   It is bandwidth and power efficient, since only audio data that changes is sent wirelessly. The transmitter radio need not even be turned on unless there is a data change.   The only cord required is the power cord for the amplifier in the speakers (for non-battery powered speakers).   The speaker amplifiers provide only digital amplification within each speaker—there are no analog stages.   All audio processing done on transmitter side. No need for each speaker to do individual processing. The controller/transmitter can do equalization, crossover, and all control.   A system is readily adapted to any number of receiving elements. One only needs to increase the number of audio bits that are sent to equal the number of speakers in the system. For example, a surround sound system with 16 speakers would send 16 bits of DPWM signals over-the-air, and so on.   Receiving units simply receive data, extract their own bits, and send its own bits out to drivers, so there is less hardware inside the receiving/speaker units, which reduces the cost. The vastly simpler hardware and firmware within each speaker lowers overall systems cost.   PWM signals sent over-the-air are independent of the audio server decode scheme.   Code going into the audio decoder on the audio server is independent of the addressing scheme. It may for example be CD, SACD, DVD-audio, DTS, DTS-HD, Dolby, or anything else. All of these encoding formats will be translated into PWM outputs to be sent over-the-air.   The decoder PWM signals inside the transmitter define the maximum possible rate per channel, of the wireless links. For example, if the decoder output is programmed to be 384 Kbps, this is the maximum over-the-air rate per channel. The average over-the-air data rate, however, will be much lower, since only the PWM changes are sent over-the-air. The average over-the-air rate depends heavily on the type of audio--voice or music--that is played.   The PWM transmit/receive scheme is independent of the wireless technology used. The radio may be Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, 900 MHz, Cypress Wireless USB, or Ultra Wide Band (UWB), for example. The only requirement is that the data bandwidth of the radio must be greater than the number of channels times the PWM data rate used per channel (Number of channels×PWM data rate). For example, using stereo (2 channels) at a rate of 384 Kbps would require at least (2×384 Kbps)=768 Kbps data rate for the radio.   Differential Pulse Width Modulation (DPWM) RF Encoding itself has certain advantages.   There is no need for translation from PCM to PWM inside the speaker.   The speed of PWM signals to receiving/speakers can be any speed. The receiver circuit can be readily adapted to work for virtually any PWM speed of interest. Normal speed for good audio quality would be 192 Kbps or higher, however.   There are minimal delays in the decoding circuitry since no or very little audio processing is needed.   The PWM signals may be stored directly on storage media, such as a CD, DVD, or a digital media player, so that no audio decoder would be needed at all, thus further simplifying system design.   Ternary states are transparent to the transmitter so they can be generated automatically within each receiver/speaker unit, and so the transmitter never needs to generate any special Ternary codes.   The invention will be better understood from the following detailed description in reference to the accompanying drawings.       
 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0042]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram of a typical multiple-speaker audio system of the prior art with loudspeakers surrounding the listening space. 
           [0043]      FIG. 2  is a block diagram of a first embodiment of a multiple-speaker audio system according to the invention with loudspeakers surrounding the listening space. 
           [0044]      FIG. 3  is a block diagram of a second embodiment of a multiple-speaker audio system according to the invention with loudspeakers surrounding the listening space. 
           [0045]      FIG. 4  is a block diagram of an audio transmitter section according to the invention. 
           [0046]      FIG. 5  is a block diagram of an audio receiver section according to the invention. 
           [0047]      FIG. 6  is a block diagram of an audio transmitter control logic subsystem according to the invention. 
           [0048]      FIG. 7  is a diagram of a frame of digital information that is transmitted and received by an exemplary eight-speaker system according to the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0049]    According to the invention a wireless audio streaming transport system is provided which redefines the basic architecture of a conventional surround sound audio system. Using Ultra Wide Band Radio (UWB) technology as a basic means of audio transport, the audio system no longer uses table-top components, such as audio players, including CD or DVD players, table-top audio amplifiers and/or Audio/Video (A/V) receivers. 
         [0050]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram of the typical prior art surround sound audio system  10  with an audio server  12 , also conventionally called a preamplifier, coupled to a power amplifier  14 . A single power supply  16  services the audio server  12 , the audio amplifier  14  and a powered subwoofer speaker  18 . The audio amplifier  14  is coupled to and drives passive loudspeakers  21 - 27  with the various voices programmed for each channel. 
         [0051]    By comparison,  FIG. 2  is a block diagram of an audio system  100  of the present invention. The system  100  according to the invention includes a wireless audio server  112  with built-in short-range ultra wide band (UWB) transmitter  113 , coupled to receive power from a power line  130  from the AC power supply  116 , while transmitting to all (8) wireless UWB receivers  131 - 138  in addressable loudspeakers  121 - 128 . A power supply  116  is coupled to each of the loudspeakers  121 - 128 , including the subwoofer  128 , so that power for the speakers  121 - 128  is now inside each speaker  121 - 128 , thus obtaining energy to drive the internal amplifiers. Each speaker has its own A/C converting power module (not shown), which may be customized. 
         [0052]      FIG. 3  shows a further embodiment the audio system  200  of the present invention wherein a portable or handheld wireless audio server  212  (e.g., powered by batteries) is employed. The wireless audio server  212  has a built-in UWB or similar short-range transmitter UWB  113  transmitting to all (8) wireless UW or similar receivers  131 - 138  in addressable loudspeakers  121 - 128 . The power supply  116  is coupled to the loudspeakers  121 - 128 , including the subwoofer  128 , for the internal amplifiers. 
         [0053]    This configuration has many advantages over the current architecture. Some of these advantages are: 
         [0054]    1. The table-top audio amplifier is completely eliminated. 
         [0055]    2. The table-top Audio/Video (A/V) receiver is completely eliminated. 
         [0056]    3. All external speaker wires are completely eliminated. 
         [0057]    4. All external cables between audio amplifier and A/V receiver are completely eliminated. 
         [0058]    5. The Audio Server  212  is completely mobile. It can be taken to other rooms inside a house and instantly connected to speakers in that room. It can be carried by the user and used as a standalone device with earphones, albeit without the benefits of more than two channels of sound. In this way, a single Audio Server  212  is sufficient for an entire location, which may have many sets of audio speakers. 
         [0059]    Properly configured, the overall cost of the audio system is reduced while the quality of audio and increasing the end-user flexibility and satisfaction is improved. As an extension of the wireless architecture and this unique technology, using an Ultra Wide Band Radio allows for, under appropriate circumstances, up to 128 speaker surround sound. 
         [0060]      FIGS. 4 and 5  show in block diagram form a wireless audio transmitter section  113  and receiver section  131  of a system  100 ,  200  according to the invention. In a typical embodiment of the wireless audio system  100 ,  200 , the transmitter section  113  is inside an audio server, such as a CD player, DVD player, digital player such as an Apple iPod or MP3 player, even a mobile phone/PDA combination. The receiver section  131  is disposed inside a speaker  121  or even a wireless headphone (not shown). The receivers  131  etc. are slaved to the transmitter  113  and do only a minimal level of audio decoding in order to reproduce the intended audio output of their associated speaker. 
         [0061]    The transmitter  113  includes or is coupled to an audio player  140 , such as a CD/DVD player or MP3 player, which serve as the storage media on which the music or audio program is stored in digitally encoded form or even analog audio form. The digital form is reproduced typically as a Pulse Code Modulation (PCM) audio stream  142 , but there are many different formats in which the audio may be encoded. The audio stream  142  is supplied to an audio processor PCM to PWM (pulse width modulation) decoder  144 , which outputs, under supervision of a control microprocessor  146 , a multi-channel PWM audio stream  148  for further processing. The audio processor PCM to PWM decoder  144  is ideally a semiconductor chip that decodes the audio stream  142  supplied from the storage media  140 . It may be a microprocessor or a digital signal processor (DSP), with special decoding firmware/software for the decoding scheme. For example, if the audio stream is encoded in DTS format, then the decoder  144  needs the codes necessary to decode the DTS format and then it re-encodes it in the multi-channel PWM audio stream  148 . 
         [0062]    The N-channel PWM audio stream  148  is sent from the decoder  144  to a control logic subsystem  150 , ideally a special semiconductor chip. This chip  150  is operative to detect changes in the PWM audio stream, whereupon it latches the data if there is a change, outputs a filtered PWM audio stream  152  and runs cycles to a UWB transmitter subsystem  154  so that the audio data can be sent out on the air immediately. 
         [0063]      FIG. 6  is a block diagram of the audio transmitter control logic  150  of the invention. In this example, stereo (two-channel) audio is illustrated, although the extension to eight or more channels is straightforward based on these principles. The control logic  150  includes an edge detector circuit  160 , a cycle control module  162 , data latches  164 ,  166  in typical groups of redundant pairs, and a data multiplexer  166 . 
         [0064]    If there is any change in any of the PWM audio channels (rising or falling edge), the data will be latched inside this control chip  150  and sent to the UWM chip  154  for immediate wireless transport to the speakers. In this manner, only changes in the PWM signals are sent. If there are no changes, nothing is sent. All the PWM channels latch simultaneously, and all the PWM signals are sent simultaneously to all the speakers. However, in the event one set of data latches  1 - 4   162  is occupied servicing a transmit cycle while PWM changes are occurring, the other set of data latches  164  is used to capture the change. After the first transfer is finished, a second data transfer to the UWB chip  154  is performed, transferring the data from latches  5 - 8 . This way no data is lost. After this transfer is finished, the controller reverts back to transferring data from latches  1 - 4 . 
         [0065]    This control chip  150  works on rising and falling PWM edges from the decoder  144 . It does not use any form of sampling. It is therefore much faster and much more efficient than sampling techniques, and is also much more accurate. 
         [0066]    In operation, the design PWM pulse length in the UWB receiver  131  ( FIG. 5 ) inside the speaker  121  should exactly match the PWM pulse length from the decoder chip  144  inside the transmitter. Otherwise the sound quality is affected. In addition, there should be minimum delay or offset to allow for speaker phase matching and synchronization. 
         [0067]    The receiver of  FIG. 4  is described as if a 7.1 surround sound system (8 speakers in 8 channels) is employed. The description is readily generalized to more or fewer channels. Upon initial setup, each receiver  131 - 138  (speaker  121 - 128 ) is assigned a number from 1 to 8. These numbers can be sent wireless to initialize each of the receivers  131 - 138  with a unique assignment code. These numbers or equivalent assignment codes are each then stored in non-volatile memory within each receiver. When the transmitter  113  on behalf of the audio server  112 , 212  sends the receiver  131  actual audio programming such as music, the individual receivers, being only interested in information related to the bit number that was assigned to it, ignores all other bits. The addressed receiver  131  using its receiving logic UWB chip  170 , filters out the bits of non-interest, captures the bit of interest and immediately send it to its output port  172 . This bit then goes to the power amplifier section  174 . If the bit has not changed, nothing will happen. If the bit has changed, the power amplifier  174 , typically a Class-D digital amplifier adapted to respond to bit-level changes, reacts accordingly. In this way, each receiver  131  only does minimal decoding and thus does not require a powerful processor. A rudimentary processor within the UWB chip  170  can easily perform this function. No external processor or complicated logic is needed, a noteworthy and inventive simplification and cost savings. This also reduces the overall system cost, since there are many simple receivers in the system, yet only one transmitter. As long as there is a reliable wireless connection between the transmitter and the receiver, audio and music quality is not compromised. 
         [0068]    Delays are needed to assure synchronized audio output from the speakers. The receivers  131  may each receive a packet of audio data at the rate that the transmitter sees fit to send it. The receiver itself does not care how fast (or slow) the audio data is sent to it. The receiver simply gets the data when it is sent and outputs this bit to its port  172 . Better audio quality can be achieved, however, if the transmitter  113  sends audio data at a higher rate. The data rate determines the granularity of the possible audio changes, such as dynamic range, audio spectrum and the like. Faster data rates translate into finer granularity. As an example, the transmitter may send the audio data at 384 Kbps to each speaker. The data rate 384 Kbps translates into an allocation of 2.60 milliseconds per bit at each speaker. Thus the individual receivers normally are able to output data changes to its power section no faster than every 2.60 milliseconds. This does not mean the receiver output is always changing every 2.60 milliseconds, only that this is the fastest possible rate at which it can change. The average rate of change is actually much lower and depends heavily on the nature of the audio program. In addition, since bits are not set simultaneously at each speaker for instantaneous reproduction, it is necessary that a delay of at least one clock cycle be built in at the receivers to assure that each speaker responds in synchronism with all speakers in the system. 
         [0069]    Bit Mapping is used to implement the invention.  FIG. 7  is a chart illustrating the bit mapping that can be used for the PWM payload transmitted to the receivers. This illustrates bit mapping for 7.1 Surround Sound. In 8-Speaker (7.1) Surround Sound, the following applies:
       Maximum number of speakers in system is 8.   Can be any number of speakers from 1 to 8. Includes stereo, 2.1SS, 5.1SS, 7.1SS.   8 DPWM bits can be sent to all receivers/speakers simultaneously, allowing the receivers to filter out the bits not addressed to it.   Each bit is mapped to a single receiver/speaker.   Each receiver only looks at its own bit for changes.   If no changes, then the receiver outputs nothing.   If there is change in its own bit, then a receiver outputs this change to its port connected to the speaker amplifier.   Timing for decode of any bit in stream is exactly the same. It doesn&#39;t matter where the bit is in the stream, the time to output the bit is exactly the same. This way speakers are always in sync with each other.   Receivers and speakers may be redundant. More than one receiver can receive the same bit and output identical sound with another.   A maximum 128-Speaker Surround Sound is within the contemplation of the invention, where the maximum number of unique receivers and associated transmitters in a system is 128. In fact, there can be any number of speakers from 1 to 128, including stereo, 2.1SS, 5.1SS, 7.1SS, etc. With a 128 bit long word, properly encoded, 128 DPWM bits can be sent so as to be received at all amplifiers of all speakers simultaneously, with each bit mapped to a speaker. Timing for decode of any bit in stream is exactly the same. It doesn&#39;t matter where the bit is in the stream, the time to output the bit is exactly the same. Thus speakers are always in synchronism with each other.       
 
         [0080]    The invention has been explained with reference to specific embodiments. Other embodiments will be evident to those of ordinary skill in the art. Therefore it is not intended that this invention be limited, except as indicated by the appended claims.