PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-10575095-B2
Application Number: US-27075208-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Wireless and wired speaker hub for a home theater system

Abstract:
A method and system for communicating audio, video, and/or control signals within a home entertainment system. A plurality of audio channels is communicated between a wireless transmitter and a wireless receiver. The wireless transmitter is located proximate to a speaker housing. In some embodiments the speaker housing also encloses a center channel loudspeaker. The center channel loudspeaker transmits an audio signal to a remote loudspeaker. An exemplary remote loudspeaker is a subwoofer loudspeaker. The subwoofer loudspeaker provides one or more received audio channels to one or more surround loudspeakers.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An entertainment system comprising:
 a first loudspeaker housing having a receiver, a first loudspeaker, and an amplifier disposed therein, wherein the receiver is configured to wirelessly receive a plurality of channels of an audio signal, wherein the amplifier is configured to amplify at least two of the received channels, wherein the first loudspeaker is configured to emit as sound one of the amplified channels, and wherein the other amplified channel is to be routed from the amplifier to a second loudspeaker in a second loudspeaker housing; and 
 a transmitter, separate from the first loudspeaker housing and the second loudspeaker housing, configured to wirelessly transmit the plurality of channels of the audio signal to the receiver, each of the plurality of channels being different from each other, and wherein none of the channels in the plurality of channels is a sum or difference signal. 
 
     
     
       2. The entertainment system of  claim 1 , wherein the transmitter is housed within a third loudspeaker housing having a third loudspeaker therein that is configured to emit as sound a channel of the audio signal that is different than each of the plurality of channels. 
     
     
       3. The entertainment system of  claim 1 , further comprising an audio module configured to process the audio signal into the plurality of channels and provide the plurality of channels to the transmitter. 
     
     
       4. The entertainment system of  claim 1 , wherein the other amplified channel is routed to the second loudspeaker using a wired connection. 
     
     
       5. The entertainment system of  claim 1 , wherein the transmitter combines the audio signal with a control signal to form a combined signal, and transmits the combined signal to the receiver over a network; and wherein the receiver is configured to receive the combined signal from the transmitter and extract the control signal and the audio signal from the combined signal. 
     
     
       6. The entertainment system of  claim 5 , wherein the control signal is one of a volume level, equalizer information, or audio channel identification information, and wherein the control signal is user selectable. 
     
     
       7. The entertainment system of  claim 5 , further comprising a microcontroller configured to manipulate the audio signal based on the extracted control signal. 
     
     
       8. The entertainment system of  claim 1 , wherein the amplifier is further configured to amplify another received channel, said amplified another received channel to be routed to a third loudspeaker in a third loudspeaker housing that is separate from the first loudspeaker housing and from the second loudspeaker housing. 
     
     
       9. A system comprising:
 a first loudspeaker housing having therein a receiver configured to receive over a network a plurality of different channels of an audio signal from a transmitter that is separate from and outside of the first loudspeaker housing and outside of a second loudspeaker housing, wherein none of the channels in the plurality of channels is a sum or difference signal; 
 an amplifier within the first loudspeaker housing, configured to amplify at least two but not all of the received channels; and 
 a first loudspeaker within the first loudspeaker housing, configured to emit as sound one of the amplified channels, and wherein the first loudspeaker housing is configured to route the other amplified channel to the second loudspeaker housing that is separate from the first loudspeaker housing. 
 
     
     
       10. The system of  claim 9 , wherein the network is one of a wired network and a powerline network. 
     
     
       11. The system of  claim 9 , wherein the network is one of a wireless radio frequency (RF) network or a wireless infrared (IR) network. 
     
     
       12. The system of  claim 9  further comprising a third loudspeaker housing having therein said transmitter configured to wirelessly transmit the plurality of different channels of the audio signal to the receiver in the first loudspeaker housing, and a third loudspeaker configured to emit as sound a channel of the audio signal that is different than each of the plurality of different channels that are wirelessly transmitted to the receiver. 
     
     
       13. The system of  claim 9 , wherein the amplifier within the first loudspeaker housing is further configured to amplify another received channel, the first loudspeaker housing being configured to output said amplified another received channel to a third loudspeaker housing that is separate from the first loudspeaker housing and the second loudspeaker housing. 
     
     
       14. A method performed in a loudspeaker housing for distributing audio channels, the method comprising:
 wirelessly receiving, into a first loudspeaker housing, a plurality of different audio channels of an audio signal that are being wirelessly transmitted by a transmitter that is separate from the first loudspeaker housing and separate from a second loudspeaker housing, wherein none of the audio channels in the plurality of different audio channels is a sum or difference signal; 
 amplifying each of the plurality of different audio channels using amplifier circuitry in the first loudspeaker housing, wherein a first amplified audio channel of the plurality of different audio channels drives a first loudspeaker in the first loudspeaker housing; and 
 routing a second amplified audio channel of the plurality of different audio channels to a second loudspeaker in the second loudspeaker housing using a first wired connection. 
 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 14 , wherein the plurality of different audio channels are wirelessly received from the transmitter which is in a third loudspeaker housing in which there is a third loudspeaker. 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 15 , wherein the third loudspeaker is one of a center speaker or a subwoofer. 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 14 , wherein the first loudspeaker is one of a center speaker or a subwoofer. 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 14  further comprising receiving control information into the first loudspeaker housing to manipulate at least one of the received plurality of different audio channels. 
     
     
       19. The method of  claim 18 , wherein the control information comprises at least one of equalizer information or volume control information.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/792,652 filed on Mar. 2, 2004, entitled “WIRELESS AND WIRED SPEAKER HUB FOR A HOME THEATER SYSTEM,” which is hereby expressly incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to signal routing networks. More particularly, the invention provides a method and system for distributing one or more signals, via a wired and wireless medium, for a home theater system. 
     Description of Related Art 
     Modern home theater systems immerse viewers by displaying a video signal on a video display while routing a related audio signal to one or more loudspeakers. The audio signal may include audio channels, for multiple loudspeakers, that are to be heard emanating from different locations around the viewers. Speaker wires are commonly employed to route the audio channels to the different loudspeaker locations. Depending on the locations of the loudspeakers and their distance from the audio source, routing of the speaker wires presents a challenge to the viewer. Difficulties can also arise when retrofitting a multi channel loudspeaker system into an existing entertainment room. Moreover, as the audio signals contain more and more channels, with each channel corresponding to a prescribed location around the viewer, the routing of speaker wires becomes even more daunting. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,608,907 to Lee discloses an audio output apparatus having wireless speakers. The audio output apparatus outputs an audio signal for a 5.1 channel system. The audio signal is encoded in accordance with an IEEE 1394 protocol. The encoded audio signal is provided to a sub-woofer loudspeaker through an IEEE 1394 communication line. The audio signal is decoded in the sub-woofer loudspeaker and then modulated by a spread spectrum FM modulation method. The modulated signal is then transmitted to wirelessly connected speakers. The described surround speaker system does away with the routing of unsightly speaker wires throughout a listening area. However, such a design has other significant drawbacks. 
     The wirelessly connected speakers are specialized speakers in that they must contain means to receive the wireless signals as well as means to amplify the received signals. For example, the wirelessly connected speakers each include an amplifier to amplify the received signal. A listener, who is retrofitting the speaker system described in Lee into their listening area, must purchase specialized speakers that include these components. These specialized speakers may be manufactured by only a few manufactures and have a limited selection. Thus, besides the added cost of purchasing new specialized speakers, the limited availability may not allow a listener to select speakers from a manufacture that the listener prefers. Another aspect is the added cost to the consumer of having multiple amplifiers and power supplies in multiple locations. 
     Furthermore, to amplify the received signals, the speakers/amplifiers must be plugged into a wall outlet to receive power or use batteries, which is inconvenient. However, a wall outlet may not be conveniently located at the locations of each speaker. To provide power to each speaker, the listener may end up routing unsightly power cords around the listening area. Thus, the desire to free the listening area of unsightly wires may still not be achieved with the speaker system described in Lee. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The systems and methods of the present invention have several features, no single one of which is solely responsible for its desirable attributes. Without limiting the scope of this invention, its more prominent features will now be discussed briefly. After considering this discussion, and particularly after reading the section entitled “Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments” one will understand how the features of this invention provide several advantages over traditional home theater systems. 
     One aspect of the invention relates to a home entertainment system that comprises a speaker housing having a loudspeaker, wherein the loudspeaker is configured to broadcast a first channel of an audio signal and a transmitter located proximate to the speaker in a first selected area of a room and configured to wirelessly transmit a plurality of channels of the audio signal, wherein the plurality of channels is different than the first channel. The home entertainment system further comprises a receiver located remote from the transmitter in a second selected area of the room, wherein the receiver is configured to wirelessly receive the plurality of channels and a second speaker housing located proximate to the receiver and having a second loudspeaker and an amplifier, wherein the amplifier is configured to amplify at least two of the received channels, and wherein the second loudspeaker is configured to broadcast one of the amplified channels and route the other amplified channel to a third speaker housing. 
     Another aspect of the invention is a housing that comprises a wireless receiver configured to receive a plurality of channels and an amplifier configured to amplify at least three of the plurality of received channels. The housing further comprises a loudspeaker configured to broadcast one of the at least three amplified channels and output at least two of the at least three amplified channels. 
     Still another aspect of the invention is a method of distributing audio channels in a surround sound system having a plurality of distinct audio channels. The method comprising wirelessly transmitting at least two of the audio channels from a transmitter located proximate to a first speaker to a wireless receiver located proximate to a second speaker and amplifying the wirelessly transmitted channels with amplifier circuitry located proximate to the second speaker. The method further comprises routing a first one of the amplified audio channels to the second speaker using a wired connection and routing a second one of the amplified audio channels to a third speaker using a wired connection. 
     Yet another aspect of the invention is an entertainment system configured to receive an audio signal from an input device and provide the audio signal to a plurality of remote loudspeaker. The entertainment system comprises a center channel loudspeaker comprising a transmitter module configured to receive an audio signal and transmit the audio signal to a remote loudspeaker, wherein the audio signal includes a plurality of different channels and a remote loudspeaker having a receiver configured to receive the audio signal and distribute at least one of the received audio channels to a surround loudspeaker. 
     Another aspect of the invention is a method for routing an audio signal in a home theater system. The method comprises receiving a first audio signal which comprises a plurality of audio channels, amplifying one of the plurality of audio channels, and transmitting a second audio signal which comprises at least two audio channels from the plurality of audio channels. The method further comprises amplifying one of the transmitted audio channels and providing the amplified audio channel to a surround loudspeaker via a wired connection. 
     An additional aspect of the invention is a multi-room entertainment system that comprises a transmitter located in a first room and configured to wirelessly transmit a plurality of channels of an audio signal, a receiver located in a second room, wherein the receiver is configured to wirelessly receive the plurality of channels, and a speaker housing located proximate to the receiver and having a loudspeaker and an amplifier, wherein the amplifier is configured to amplify at least two of the received channels, and wherein the loudspeaker is configured to broadcast one of the amplified channels and route the other amplified channel to a second loudspeaker housing. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1A  is a block diagram of a prior art home theater system that distributes an audio signal to rear-right and rear-left loudspeakers located at the rear of the listening area using speaker wires. 
         FIG. 1B  is a block diagram of the audio module shown in  FIG. 1A , which amplifies the audio signal distributed to the rear-right and rear-left loudspeakers. 
         FIG. 1C  is a block diagram of a home theater system which includes a center channel loudspeaker which wirelessly transmits a plurality of channels to a subwoofer loudspeaker. 
         FIG. 2  is a block diagram of an audio module shown in  FIG. 1C , which includes a digital sound processing module for extracting a plurality of channels from an audio signal. 
         FIG. 3  is a block diagram of the center channel loudspeaker shown in  FIG. 1C , which includes a wireless transmitter for transmitting the plurality of channels to the subwoofer loudspeaker. 
         FIG. 4A  is a block diagram of the wireless transmitter shown in  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 4B  is an embodiment of a housing for the wireless transmitter illustrated in  FIG. 4A . 
         FIG. 4C  is a block diagram of a multi-room theater system which includes a housing for the wireless transmitter illustrated in  FIG. 4A  which wirelessly transmits a plurality of channels from a first room and to a subwoofer loudspeaker located in a second room. 
         FIG. 5  is a block diagram of the subwoofer loudspeaker from  FIG. 1C , which includes a wireless receiver for receiving the plurality of channels transmitted by the center channel speaker and provides at least one of the plurality of channels to a remote loudspeaker. 
         FIG. 6  is a block diagram of the wireless receiver shown in  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 7  is a second embodiment of a home theater system which co-locates the digital sound processing module from  FIG. 2  with a center channel loudspeaker. 
         FIG. 8  is a block diagram of the center channel loudspeaker shown in  FIG. 7 , which includes the digital sound processing module from  FIG. 2  and the wireless transmitter from  FIG. 4A . 
         FIG. 9  is a third embodiment of a home theater system which includes a subwoofer loudspeaker that wirelessly transmits a plurality of channels to a center channel loudspeaker. 
         FIG. 10  is a block diagram of the subwoofer loudspeaker from  FIG. 9 , which includes a wireless transmitter for transmitting the plurality of channels to the center channel loudspeaker. 
         FIG. 11  is a block diagram of the center channel loudspeaker shown in  FIG. 9 , which includes a wireless receiver for receiving the plurality of channels transmitted by the subwoofer loudspeaker. 
         FIG. 12  is a flowchart of an exemplary process that is performed by the home theater systems illustrated in  FIGS. 1C, 7, and 9 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying figures, wherein like numerals refer to like elements throughout. The terminology used in the description presented herein is not intended to be interpreted in any limited or restrictive manner simply because it is being utilized in conjunction with a detailed description of certain specific preferred embodiments of the present invention. 
       FIG. 1A  is a block diagram of a prior art home theater system that distributes an audio signal to multiple speakers located around the listening area. The home theater system depicted in this figure is in a surround sound application that includes six different speakers. The home theater system includes a front-left loudspeaker  20 , a front-right loudspeaker  26 , a center channel loudspeaker  14 , a rear-left loudspeaker  44 , a rear-right loudspeaker  38 , and a subwoofer loudspeaker  32 . The system distributes an audio signal to the front-right, the front-left, and the center channel loudspeakers  20 ,  26 ,  14  which are located at the front of the listening area using speaker wires  18 ,  24 ,  12  respectively. The system distributes an audio signal to rear-right, rear-left, and subwoofer loudspeakers  38 ,  44 ,  32  which are located at the rear of the listening area using speaker wires  22 ,  42 ,  16  respectively. Thus, some of the speakers are located at the front of the listening area while others are located at the rear of the listening area. Each speaker must be connected to a receiver/audio module  10  via speaker wires. 
     The rear-left loudspeaker  44 , the rear-right loudspeaker  38 , and the subwoofer loudspeaker  32  are typically located near the back of the listening area and behind the listener. To connect with these three speakers, the listener runs speaker wires  28  between the front and back of the listening area. The routing of speaker wires across the listening area can be unsightly and is a disadvantage of such home theater systems. 
     To enjoy the home theater system, a listener inserts a movie or other audio/video work into a digital video disk player  2 . For example, the movie can be stored on a digital video disk (DVD). The digital video disk player  2  reads an audio signal and a video signal stored on the DVD. The DVD player  2  includes audio outputs and video outputs for providing the audio and video signals read from the DVD to the home theater system. For example, the video outputs on the DVD player  2  can be composite, SVHS, DVI, component or other connectors. In the home theater system in  FIG. 1 , the listener views a television  6  upon which the DVD video signal is displayed. 
     The audio outputs on the DVD player  2  can be configured to output the audio signal in digital or analog form. An analog signal may be output from the DVD player  2  via a plurality of connectors. Each connector outputs one of the channels in the audio signal. For a six channel audio signal, the DVD player  2  would have multiple connectors. A digital signal may be output from the DVD player  2  via a single optical or coaxial connector. In this case, the audio signal output from the single digital connector includes all of the audio channels. 
       FIG. 1B  is a block diagram of an audio module  10  shown in  FIG. 1A , which amplifies portions of the audio signal received from the DVD player  2  and provides the amplified portions to the full frequency loudspeakers in the home theater system. Due to the high power requirements to reproduce low frequency effects as compared to reproducing full frequency effects, amplification of the subwoofer channel is typically performed separately from amplification of the full frequency channels. The audio/video receiver or audio module  10  receives the audio signal from the DVD player  2 . The A/V receiver  10  can include analog and digital input connectors which are configured to receive the audio signal from the DVD player  2 . For example, if the audio signal is output from the DVD player  2  via analog connectors, the audio/video receiver includes analog connectors. If the audio signal is output from the DVD player  2  via a digital connector, the audio/video receiver includes a digital connector. 
     The A/V receiver  10  can include a sound processor  30  and amplifiers  34 ( a )-( e ). The sound processor receives the audio signal from the DVD player  2 . From the audio signal, the surround processor outputs individual signals for the channels in the home theater systems. These signals may or may not be amplified by the A/V receiver  10 . Typically, the A/V receiver  10  amplifies the full frequency effect channels. These amplified signals are output from the A/V receiver  10  as speaker level signals  36 . These speaker level signals drive the loudspeakers  14 ,  20 ,  26 ,  38 ,  44 . A low frequency effects (LFE) channel is typically not amplified by the A/V receiver  10 . The low frequency effect channel is output from the A/V receiver  10  as a line level or pre-amp signal  40 . The line level signal  40  is provided to the subwoofer loudspeaker  32 . The line level signal requires amplification by a separate amplifier associated with the subwoofer loudspeaker  32 . 
     DVDs may employ different audio signal formats. The receiver  10  may select from one or more surround sound formats for the audio signal associated with a selected DVD. The one or more surround sound formats may have a different number of channels or the same number of channels. DVD audio signals can include, for example, Dolby digital and/or DTS digital signals. A DVD encoded with a 5.1 channel configuration may employ, for example, a dolby digital format or a DTS format. As explained below, dolby digital as well as DTS each may include discrete channels or a combination of discrete and virtual channels. 
     Dolby digital 5.1 is a surround sound format which provides up to five discrete (independent) channels (center channel, front left, front right, rear left, rear right; giving it the “5” designation) of full frequency effects (for example, from 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz). The center channel loudspeaker  14  is normally placed at the front center of the audio listening area. The center channel loudspeaker  14  is often aligned with a vertical axis that passes through the center of the display device  6 . In this way, the center channel is preferably located above or below the display device  6 . The left and right front loudspeakers  20 ,  26  are placed on both sides of the center channel loudspeaker  14 . The rear left and rear right loudspeakers  44 ,  38  are placed on respective sides of the audio listening area. Thus, five discrete loudspeakers are located around the audio listening area for reproducing five discrete channels. 
     A dolby digital 5.1 signal further includes an optional sixth channel dedicated for low frequency effects (LFE). The subwoofer loudspeaker  32  is specifically designed to reproduce LFE. The LFE channel gives dolby digital the “0.1” designation. The “0.1” signifies that the sixth channel is not full frequency, as it contains only deep bass frequencies (for example, 20 Hz to 120 Hz). Many DVD titles come with a dolby digital 5.1 audio signal. Other variants of dolby digital include mono (dolby digital 1.0), two channel dolby digital (stereo or dolby digital 2.0), and five channels of audio (dolby digital). DTS Digital Surround (a.k.a. DTS) is another 5.1 channel configuration format. 
     While not illustrated in  FIGS. 1A and 1B , the sound processor module  30  may output a hybrid 5.1 channel configuration format. Hybrid 5.1 channel configurations include, for example, THX Surround EX (a.k.a. dolby digital EX) and DTS Extended Surround (DTS-ES). THX Surround EX is the extended surround version of dolby digital 5.1, while DTS-ES is the extended surround version of DTS 5.1. These hybrid 5.1 channel configurations differ from their true 5.1 counterparts in that the hybrids derive or create a sixth full frequency channel or surround back channel from the existing channels. THX Surround EX and DTS-ES create the surround back channel from the rear left and rear right channels  44 ,  38 . Thus, the surround back channel is not a true discrete channel. This surround back channel is properly located behind the audio listening area. 
     Unlike the format described above, DTS-ES discrete 6.1 is a true 6.1 channel format. DTS-ES 6.1 supports a discrete surround back channel. Thus, the DSP module would decode a surround back channel from a discrete data stream that is independent from those of the rear left and rear right channels  44 ,  38 . This surround back channel may be utilized with two surround back channel loudspeakers. Each back channel loudspeaker can be spaced symmetrically behind the audio listening area. Since DTS-ES 6.1 only provides six discrete full frequency channels and one LFE channel, an audio listening area employing two surround back channels loudspeakers has a hybrid 6.1 channel configuration. 
     The A/V receiver  10  can perform signal level conditioning which includes, for example, graphic equalization, balance adjustment, fader adjustment, and volume adjustment to the audio signal. The listener may adjust dials/buttons/slides on the A/V receiver  2  and remote control for the A/V receiver  10  to affect signal level conditioning. 
     The A/V receiver  10  provides the audio channels to the front-left loudspeaker  20 , the front-right loudspeaker  26 , the center channel loudspeaker  14 , the rear-right loudspeaker  38 , the rear-left loudspeaker  44 , and the subwoofer loudspeaker  32 . The front-left loudspeaker  20  receives the front-right audio channel via speaker wire  18 . The front-right loudspeaker  26  receives the front-right audio channel via speaker wire  24 . The center channel loudspeaker  14  receives the center channel via speaker wire  12 . The subwoofer loudspeaker  32  receives the subwoofer channel via speaker wire  16 . The A/V receiver  10  drives the rear-right loudspeaker  38  and the rear-left loudspeaker  44  via speaker wires  36 ,  42 , respectively. However, the listener is required to run unsightly speaker wires  28  from the A/V receiver  10  to the subwoofer, rear-right, rear-left loudspeakers  32 ,  38 ,  44 . 
     In contrast to  FIGS. 1A and 1B ,  FIG. 1C  is a block diagram of a home theater system  100  which wirelessly transmits the rear-left, rear-right, and subwoofer audio channels to a receiver located proximate to the subwoofer loudspeaker  132 . The rear-left and rear-right loudspeakers  144 ,  138  do not receive wireless signals. The subwoofer loudspeaker amplifies the rear-left and rear-right channels. Thus, the rear-left and rear-right loudspeakers are not specialized loudspeakers. The rear-left and rear-right loudspeakers need not incorporate amplifiers and their associated power cords. Moreover, the rear-right and rear-left loudspeakers need not incorporate wireless components. By only employing a wireless technique to receive the audio channels at the subwoofer loudspeaker  132 , the home entertainment system  100  allows the listener to use non-specialized, rear-right and rear-left loudspeakers while still preserving the primary advantage of prior art wireless speaker systems of not running speaker wires between the front and back of the listening area. As illustrated in  FIG. 1C , speaker wires do not cross the center of the listening area. 
     The home theater system  100  depicted in this figure is in a surround sound application where a listener is viewing a television  106  upon which a motion picture or other program is displayed and where the listener desires surround sound effects. Depending on the locations of the home theater system components, the receiver which receives the wireless signal can be located proximate to a subwoofer loudspeaker  132  ( FIG. 1C ) or a center channel loudspeaker  924  ( FIG. 9 ). More importantly, the wireless receiver is located at the opposite end of the listening area away from the A/V receiver/audio module  110 . In  FIG. 1C , the wireless receiver is located proximate to the subwoofer loudspeaker  132  which itself is located at the opposite end of the listening area away from the audio module  110 . In  FIG. 9 , the wireless receiver is located proximate to the center channel loudspeaker  924  which itself is located at the opposite end of the listening area away from the audio module  110 . Additional features of a home theater system are described in U.S. patent Ser. No. 10/613,596, filed Jul. 3, 2003, and U.S. patent express mail number EV370472535US, filed Feb. 20, 2004, both being titled Wired, Wireless, Infrared, and Powerline Audio Entertainment Systems and both hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties. 
     The wireless receiver  502  receives the transmitted audio channels which, in turn, are used to drive a rear-left loudspeaker  144 , a subwoofer  132  and a rear-right loudspeaker  138 . While the wireless receiver  502  is preferably located near the sub-woofer loudspeaker  132 , various arrangements of the wireless receiver  502  with respect to the sub-woofer loudspeaker  132  are within the scope of the invention. In one embodiment that is illustrated in  FIG. 1C , the wireless receiver  502  is located in the same housing as the sub-woofer loudspeaker  132 . In such an embodiment, the wireless receiver  502  and the subwoofer loudspeaker  132  share a common housing. In another embodiment, the wireless receiver  502  and the subwoofer loudspeaker  132  still share a common housing, however, the wireless receiver  502  and the subwoofer loudspeaker  132  are separated within the housing by a partition or other separation means. These means may include a grate, foam, wood, plastic, particleboard, and other porous or non-porous materials. With the wireless receiver  502  partitioned from the subwoofer loudspeaker  132 , acoustical interference caused by sound waves reflecting from the wireless receiver  502  may be reduced. 
     In another embodiment, the wireless receiver  502  has a separate housing from the housing for the sub-woofer loudspeaker  132 . In this embodiment, the housing for the wireless receiver  502  is placed adjacent to or near the housing for the sub-woofer loudspeaker  132 . By employing separate housings, the listener&#39;s flexibility when locating the wireless receiver  502  and the subwoofer loudspeaker  132  within the listening area may be enhanced. For example, the listener may locate the wireless receiver  502  on the top, bottom, or side of the subwoofer loudspeaker housing depending on the available space between the subwoofer loudspeaker housing and adjacent furniture. Additionally, this flexibility may be advantageous to the listener when a clear line of sight between the wireless transmitter and the wireless receiver improves the quality of the received wireless signal. For embodiments where the wireless receiver  502  is placed near or adjacent to the sub-woofer loudspeaker  132 , the wireless receiver  502  and subwoofer loudspeaker  132  are connected so that the wireless receiver  502  can provide the subwoofer audio channel as well as additional audio channels to the subwoofer loudspeaker  132 . Continuing with this embodiment, the audio channels destined for the rear-left and rear-right loudspeakers  144 ,  138  may be amplified by the subwoofer loudspeaker  132  ( FIG. 1C ) or amplified separately from the subwoofer  132 . For example, an additional two-channel amplifier could be employed to receive the rear-left and rear-right channels from the wireless receiver  502  and amplify the received channels to drive the rear-left and rear-right loudspeakers  144 ,  138 . 
     The home theater system  100  further drives a front-left loudspeaker  120 , a front-right loudspeaker  126 , and a center channel loudspeaker  114  to thereby broadcast the appropriate sounds required to create the desired sound effect. However, unlike the rear-right, rear-left, and subwoofer loudspeakers, the front-left, front-right, and center channel loudspeakers are wired to the audio module  110  via speaker wires  118 ,  124 ,  112 . 
     In this way, the home theater system  100  transmits wireless audio channels to the receiver  502  located proximate to the subwoofer loudspeaker  132  that, in turn, are used to drive at least one additional loudspeaker. In  FIG. 1C , the subwoofer loudspeaker  132  drives the rear-left and rear-right loudspeakers  144 ,  138 . As will be described in further detail herein below, the audio module  110  can perform signal level conditioning wherein graphic equalization, balance adjustment, fader adjustment, volume adjustment and other control signals are applied to the signal wirelessly broadcast to the subwoofer loudspeaker  132 . 
     Still referring to  FIG. 1C , the home theater system  100  receives an input signal from an input device  102 . Types of input signals can include, for example, an audio signal  108  and video signal  104 . These signals can originate from one or more input devices  102  depending on the type of input signal. For ease of explanation, the following description uses a combined audio/video signal as an exemplary input signal to the home theater system  100 . Examples of input devices  102  that generate a combined audio/video signal include a videocassette recorder (VCR), laserdisc player, camcorder, digital video disk (DVD) player, satellite receiver, cable box, and the like. The DVD player can be a stand-alone device, combined with the VCR, or incorporated into a personal computer. The input device  102  may select from one or more surround sound formats for the audio signal  108  associated with a selected DVD. The one or more surround sound formats may each have a different number of channels or the same number of channels. DVD audio signals can include, for example, dolby digital and/or DTS digital signals. 
     The home theater system  100  can be used with an input device  102  that provides a multi-channel audio signal without an associated video signal. This in contrast to the input devices  102  described above which provide both an audio and a video signal. Examples of input devices  102  that can generate an audio signal include a personal computer, digital video disk (DVD) player, a stereo receiver, MP3 player, compact disk (CD) player, digital audio tape (DAT), and the like. An exemplary format for a six channel audio signal is Super Audio CD (SACD). 
     Each home entertainment system  100  can further comprise a TV, video display, or other display device  106  for displaying the video signal  104 . The display device  106  can be connected directly to the input device  102  as illustrated in  FIG. 1C , or indirectly to the input device  102  via the audio module  110  or the center channel loudspeaker  114 . Since the center channel loudspeaker  114  is advantageously located near the display device  106 , ease of installation is enhanced by routing the video signal together with one or more audio signals to the center channel loudspeaker  114 . However, as explained above, the invention is not limited to the video signal routing illustrated in  FIG. 1C . 
     The home theater system  100  routes the audio signal  108  associated with the video signal  104  to an audio module  110 . An exemplary audio module  110  is an audio/video receiver. The audio module  110  can include sound processing logic which identifies the audio channels in the audio signal  108 . Depending on the audio channel format(s) available from the input source  102 , the audio module  110  processes the audio signal  108  into the selected channel configuration. Exemplary channel configurations include Dolby Digital, DTS, SRS and others. These channel configurations may include, for example, stereo, 2.1, 3.1, 5.1, 6.1, 7.1 and the like. The audio module  110  may further process control information such as equalizer information, volume or other signal processing information input by the listener. The listener may input the control information to the A/V receiver  110 . The control information may be associated with one or more of the audio channels. The control information that is associated with rear-left, rear-right, and subwoofer loudspeakers is transmitted along with the audio channels to the subwoofer loudspeaker  132 . The audio module  110  is described in detail with reference to  FIG. 2 . 
     The audio module  110  provides speaker level audio signals to the front-left loudspeaker  120 , the front-right loudspeaker  126 , and the center channel loudspeaker  114 . The front-left loudspeaker  120  receives the front-left audio channel via line  118  and broadcasts the signal  122 . The front-right loudspeaker  126  receives the front-right audio channel via line  124  and broadcasts the signal  128 . The center channel loudspeaker  114  receives the center channel audio channel via line  112  and broadcasts the signal  112 ( a ). Unlike the front-left and front-right loudspeakers, the center channel loudspeaker  114  also receives line level audio signals destined for the subwoofer loudspeaker  132 , the rear-right loudspeaker  138 , and the rear-left loudspeaker  144  via line  112 . In the home theater system  100  illustrated in  FIG. 1C , the center channel loudspeaker  114  is configured to wirelessly transmit the audio channels destined for the subwoofer loudspeaker  132 , the rear-right loudspeaker  138 , and the rear-left loudspeaker  144  to the receiver located proximate to the subwoofer loudspeaker  132 . 
     A wireless transmitter  302  receives the line level audio signals from the audio module  110  that are destined for the subwoofer, rear-left, and rear-right loudspeakers  132 ,  144 ,  138 . While the wireless transmitter  302  is preferably located near the center channel loudspeaker  114 , various arrangements of the wireless transmitter  302  with respect to the center channel loudspeaker  114  are within the scope of the invention. In one embodiment that is illustrated in  FIG. 1C , the wireless transmitter  302  is located in the same housing as the center channel loudspeaker  114 . In such an embodiment, the wireless transmitter  302  and the center channel loudspeaker  114  share a common housing. In another embodiment, the wireless transmitter  302  and the center channel loudspeaker  114  still share a common housing, however, the wireless transmitter  302  and the center channel loudspeaker  114  are separated within the housing by a partition or other separation means. These means may include a grate, foam, wood, plastic, particleboard, and other porous or non-porous materials. With the wireless transmitter  302  partitioned from the center channel loudspeaker  114 , acoustical interference caused by sound waves reflecting from the wireless transmitter  302  may be reduced. 
     In another embodiment, the wireless transmitter  302  has a separate housing from the housing for the center channel loudspeaker  114 . By employing separate housings, the listener&#39;s flexibility when locating the wireless transmitter  302  and the center channel loudspeaker  114  within the listening area may be enhanced. Additionally, this flexibility may be advantageous to the listener when a clear line of sight between the wireless transmitter and the wireless receiver improves the quality of the received wireless signal. For embodiments where the wireless transmitter  302  is not located within the center channel loudspeaker  114 , the wireless transmitter  302  is advantageously placed near the audio module  110  so that the wireless transmitter  302  can receive the audio channels from the audio module  110  without employing wires, which cross the listening area. The wireless transmitter  302 , whether housed in a loudspeaker, standalone enclosure or other mounting technique, can derive its power from an ac adapter or the amplified or audio input signals. Advantageously, embodiments where the wireless transmitter  302  is powered by the amplified or audio input signals may be located away from an ac receptacle and not require power supply or AC cord. 
     The wireless transmitter  302  may further process control information received from the audio module  110 . The wireless transmitter  302  transmits to the receiver  502  located proximate to the subwoofer loudspeaker  132  along wireless path  130 . The transmitted signal can include audio channels destined for the subwoofer, the rear-right, and the rear-left loudspeakers along with any control information that is associated with the transmitted audio channels. Together, the audio channels and any control information can form a combined signal. 
     In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 1C , the transmitter  302  employs a wireless protocol to transmit the combined signal to the wireless receiver  502 . For example, the transmitter  302  could transmit the combined signal via radio frequency (RF), IR, powerline or other wireless technique to the wireless receiver  502 . The illustrated embodiment of the home theater system  100  is configured to utilize a radio frequency (RF) transmission protocol. The following description equally applies to home theater systems  100  that use techniques besides RF. By wirelessly transmitting the audio signal between the front and back of the listening area, the listener is not required to run speaker wires between the audio module  110  and the rear-left, rear-right, and subwoofer loudspeakers  144 ,  138 ,  132 . 
     The wireless receiver  502  receives the transmitted audio channels and any control information transmitted along path  130 . The wireless receiver  502  provides the received subwoofer channel to the subwoofer loudspeaker  132 . If control information is included with the audio signals and is associated with the subwoofer channel, the subwoofer loudspeaker  132  utilizes the control information to manipulate the subwoofer channel. For example, the subwoofer loudspeaker could adjust the volume level of the broadcast signal. 
     The wireless receiver  502  further provides the received rear-left and rear-right channels to the subwoofer loudspeaker  132  for amplification. If control information is included with the audio signals and is associated with the rear-left or rear-right channels, the subwoofer loudspeaker  132  utilizes the control information to manipulate the associated channel. As described above, a separate amplifier from the subwoofer loudspeaker  132  may be employed to amplify the rear-left and rear-right channels. 
     The amplifiers in the subwoofer drive the rear-right loudspeaker  138  and the rear-left loudspeaker  144  by sending the received rear-right loudspeaker signal via wire  136  and by sending the received rear-left loudspeaker signal via wire  142 , respectively. The rear-right loudspeaker  138  broadcasts the rear-right loudspeaker signal. The rear-left loudspeaker  144  broadcasts the rear-left loudspeaker signal. 
       FIG. 2  is a block diagram of an audio module  110  shown in  FIG. 1C , which includes a digital sound processing (DSP) module or decoder  202  and one or more amplifiers  204 ,  206 ,  208 . The DSP module  202  extracts a plurality of channels from the audio signal  108  received from the input source  102 . Depending on the channel format available from the input source  102 , the DSP module  202  processes the audio signal into the selected channel configuration, such as Dolby Digital, DTS, SRS or other. The DSP may further process control information such as equalizer information, volume or other signal processing information. 
     In the exemplary home theater system  100  illustrated in  FIGS. 1C and 2 , the DSP module  202  extracts six audio channels from the audio signal  108 . The DSP module  202  can further create or derive additional audio channels or virtual channels from the discrete audio channels depending on the surround sound format. Discrete audio channels are unique channels with respect to the other channels received from the same input source  102 . Virtual or derived audio channels are created from the discrete audio channels. An exemplary virtual surround sound format is Sound Retrieval System (SRS). SRS make use of only a left channel and a right channel to create an acoustic effect which emulates a surround sound format. 
     Depending on the surround sound format desired, a corresponding number of loudspeakers and channels of amplification may be employed. Preferably, amplification of audio channels destined for loudspeakers located near the front of the listening area is performed by the audio module  110 . Such an arrangement prevents routing speaker wires across the listening area. 
     Preferably, the subwoofer loudspeaker  132  performs amplification of audio channels destined for loudspeakers located near the back of the listening area. Since the subwoofer loudspeaker  132  requires a power cord for amplification of the subwoofer channel, the addition of amplifiers to the subwoofer loudspeaker  132  for the rear-left and rear-right channels allows the rear-left and rear-right loudspeakers  144 ,  138  to be placed in the listening area away from power plugs. In this way, the rear-left and rear-right loudspeakers  144 ,  138  do not require internal amplification. 
     The rear-right and rear-left loudspeakers  144 ,  138  are connected to the subwoofer loudspeaker  132  via wires  142 ,  136 . By not locating a wireless receiver proximate to the rear-left and rear-right loudspeakers  144 ,  138 , the rear-left and rear-right loudspeakers are not required to be specialized loudspeakers. Thus, a listener can incorporate their non-specialized, existing rear-left and rear-right loudspeakers  144 ,  138  into the home theater system  100 . 
     In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the audio module  110  amplifies signals for the front-left loudspeaker  120 , the front-right loudspeaker  126 , and the center channel loudspeaker  114 . As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , separate amplifiers  204 ,  206 ,  208  are employed for each audio channel. Alternatively, a single amplifier can be employed for the three channels. One or more of the amplifiers  204 ,  206 ,  208  can be a digital amplifier or an analog amplifier. Digital amplifiers internally process the audio signal in the digital domain. 
     The amplifier  204  amplifies the front-right loudspeaker signal received from the DSP module  202 . The amplified signal  124  drives the front-right loudspeaker  126 . The amplifier  208  amplifies the front-left loudspeaker signal received from the DSP module  202 . The amplified signal  118  drives the front-left loudspeaker  120 . The amplifier  206  amplifies the center channel loudspeaker signal received from the DSP module  202 . The amplified signal  112 ( a ) drives the center channel loudspeaker  114 . The audio module  110  provides the rear-right signal  112 ( b ), the rear-left signal  112 ( c ), and the subwoofer signal  112 ( d ) to the wireless transmitter  302  for their wireless transmission to the subwoofer loudspeaker  132 . 
       FIG. 3  is a block diagram of the center channel loudspeaker  114  shown in  FIG. 1C , which includes a wireless transmitter  302  for transmitting the rear-right signal  112 ( b ), the rear-left signal  112 ( c ), and the subwoofer signal  112 ( d ) to the subwoofer loudspeaker  132 . The signals are transmitted via signal path  130 . The wireless transmitter  302  is described in detail with reference to  FIG. 4A . 
     The center channel loudspeaker  114  further comprises driver or drivers or output devices  304 ,  306  and power cord  308 . The one or more output devices  304 ,  306  broadcast the center channel signal  112 ( a ) to the listener. The output devices  304 ,  306  change the audio signal into sounds loud enough to be heard at a selected distance or volume level. The drivers or output devices  304 ,  306  receive the center channel speaker signal via lines  112 ( a )( 1 ),  112 ( a )( 2 ), respectively. The power cord  308  interfaces with a common household electrical outlet to provide electricity to the wireless transmitter  302 . In another embodiment the transmitter may derive its power from the amplified or audio input signals, thus requiring no ac adapter. Additional embodiments of a center channel loudspeaker in combination with one or more front loudspeakers and/or one or more input devices are described in co-pending U.S. patent express mail number EV370472645US, filed Feb. 24, 2004, and titled System and Method for Mounting of Audio-Visual Components, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
       FIG. 4A  is a block diagram of the wireless transmitter  302  shown in  FIG. 3 . The wireless transmitter  302  comprises an audio data interface module  402 , a baseband processor  404 , and an RF module  410 . The wireless transmitter can further include a microcontroller  408  and a user interface  406  for allowing a user to configure the microcontroller  408 . The wireless transmitter  302  receives the audio signal from the audio module  110 . The audio module  110  and the audio data interface module  402  can interface together via a wired connection  112 . For example, RCA, inter IC sound (I 2 S), SPDIF, Ethernet, 1394, USB and other connectors could be used. If the audio signal is received in an analog format, an analog to digital converter converts the analog audio signal to a digital format. 
     The wireless transmitter  302  can combine the audio signal with one or more control signals received from the audio module  110 . As mentioned above, an exemplary control signal is a desired volume level. The control signal can originate at the audio module  110  or the wireless transmitter  302  via the microcontroller  408 . The audio interface module  402  converts the audio signal from its original format to a format required by the baseband processor  404 . The baseband processor  404  processes the formatted data and feeds the data to the RF module  410 . The RF module  410  modulates and transmits over the air through an antenna  412  along signal path  130 . 
     The microcontroller  408  can control the RF channel switching, setting transmit/receive pair identification (ID), and issuing remote control commands to the wireless receiver  502 . These commands can include, for example, volume control. The transmit/receive pair ID allows multiple transmitter/receiver pairs to work simultaneously. In one exemplary embodiment, there are a total of sixteen different IDs. The user interface  406  accepts user input such as RF channel switching, volume control etc. 
       FIG. 4B  is an embodiment of a housing  414  for the wireless transmitter  302  illustrated in  FIG. 4A . As illustrated, the housing includes, among other components illustrated in  FIG. 4A , a Tx RF Module  410  and associated antenna  412  for transmitting the wireless channels. The antenna  412  transmits the channel signals along signal path  130  to the wireless receiver  502 . The user interface  406  illustrated in  FIG. 4B  comprises a channel selector for RF channel switching and a power button. Channel or power switching may also be accomplished via remote control. As described with reference to  FIG. 4A , the user interface  406  can allow a user to, for example, select transmit/receive pair identification (ID) and issue remote control commands to the wireless receiver  502 . 
       FIG. 4C  is a block diagram of a of a multi-room theater system which includes a housing  414  for a wireless transmitter  302  illustrated in  FIG. 4A . The wireless transmitter  302  transmits a plurality of channels from a first room and to a subwoofer loudspeaker  132  located in a second room. The Tx RF Module  410  and associated antenna  412  transmit the wireless channels along signal path  130  to a wireless receiver  502  associated with the subwoofer loudspeaker  132 . The transmitted signal can include audio channels destined for the subwoofer, left, and right loudspeakers  132 ,  416 ,  418  along with any control information that is associated with the transmitted audio channels. Together, the audio channels and any control information can form a combined signal. 
     In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 4C , the transmitter  302  within the housing  414  employs a wireless protocol to transmit the combined signal to the wireless receiver  502 . For example, the transmitter  302  could transmit the combined signal via radio frequency (RF), IR, powerline or other wireless technique to the wireless receiver  502 . The illustrated embodiment of the multi-room theater system is configured to utilize a radio frequency (RF) transmission protocol. However, the following description equally applies to multi-room theater systems that use techniques other than RF, for example the transmission may be done over powerline. By wirelessly transmitting the audio signal between the first room and second room, the listener is able to listen to the audio signals in the second room without running speaker wires between the two rooms. 
     The wireless receiver  502  associated with the subwoofer loudspeaker  132  receives the transmitted audio channels and any control information transmitted along path  130 . The wireless receiver  502  provides the received subwoofer channel to the subwoofer loudspeaker  132 . If control information is included with the audio signals and is associated with the subwoofer channel, the subwoofer loudspeaker  132  utilizes the control information to manipulate the subwoofer channel. For example, the subwoofer loudspeaker could adjust the volume level of the broadcast signal. 
     The wireless receiver  502  further provides the received left and right channels to the subwoofer loudspeaker  132  for amplification. If control information is included with the audio signals and is associated with the left or right channels, the subwoofer loudspeaker  132  utilizes the control information to manipulate the associated channel. A separate amplifier from the subwoofer loudspeaker  132  may be employed to amplify the left and right channels. 
     The amplifiers in the subwoofer drive the right loudspeaker  418  and the left loudspeaker  416  by sending the received right loudspeaker signal via wire  420  and by sending the received left loudspeaker signal via wire  422 , respectively. The right loudspeaker  418  broadcasts the right loudspeaker signal. The left loudspeaker  416  broadcasts the left loudspeaker signal. The multi-room theater system can further comprise a TV, video display, or other display device  106  for displaying a video signal. 
       FIG. 5  is a block diagram of the subwoofer loudspeaker  132  from  FIG. 1C , which includes a wireless receiver  502  for receiving the rear-right signal  112 ( b ), the rear-left signal  112 ( c ), and the subwoofer signal  112 ( d ) transmitted by the wireless transmitter  302 . The subwoofer loudspeaker  132  further comprises an output device  510 , magnet  512  and amplifiers  504 ,  506 ,  508 . The wireless receiver  502  may further process control information such as equalizer information, volume or other signal processing information received from the wireless transmitter  302 . 
     In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the subwoofer loudspeaker  132  amplifies signals for the rear-left loudspeaker  144 , the rear-right loudspeaker  138 , and the subwoofer loudspeaker  132 . The amplifier  504  amplifies the subwoofer loudspeaker signal  112 ( d ) received from the wireless transmitter  502 . The amplified signal drives the output device  510 . The amplifier  506  amplifies the rear-left loudspeaker signal  112 ( c ) received from the wireless receiver  502 . The amplified signal drives the rear-left loudspeaker  144 . The amplifier  508  amplifies the rear-right loudspeaker signal  112 ( b ) received from the wireless receiver  502 . The amplified signal drives the rear-right loudspeaker  138 . 
     The output device  510  broadcasts the LFE or subwoofer signal  112 ( d ) to the listener. Due to the high power requirements to reproduce low frequency effects, amplification of the subwoofer channel is performed separately from amplification of the rear left and right loudspeakers  138 ,  144 . However, such an arrangement is not required to practice the invention. 
       FIG. 6  is a block diagram of the wireless receiver  502  shown in  FIG. 5 . The wireless receiver  502  comprises an audio data interface module  606 , a baseband processor  604 , and an RF module  602 . The wireless receiver  502  can further include a microcontroller  608 . The RF module  602  receives the audio signal via an antenna and demodulates the received audio signal to a baseband signal. The baseband processor  604  extracts the audio channel data from the baseband signal. The audio data interface module  606  converts the extracted audio channel data to either digital format or analog format depending on the type of amplification employed. If digital amplification is utilized, the audio data interface module  606  provides a digital signal to the amplifiers  504 ,  506 ,  508 . If analog amplification is utilized, the audio data interface module  606  provides an analog signal to the amplifiers  504 ,  506 ,  508 . 
     The microcontroller  608  synchronizes the auto RF channel which allows the wireless receiver  502  to follow the RF channel used by the wireless transmitter  302 . The microcontroller  608  can decode the control information received from the wireless receiver  502 , as well as auto mute if the baseband processor  604  detects strong RF interference. 
       FIGS. 7 and 8  illustrate a second embodiment of a home theater system  700 . The home theater system illustrated in  FIGS. 7 and 8  is configured to broadcast a 6.1 audio signal. The descriptions of the components described with reference to  FIG. 1C  apply equally to the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 7 and 8  except as noted. Like numerals refer to like elements. In the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the DSP module  202 , which was located in the audio module  110  (see  FIG. 1C ), is co-located with the center channel loudspeaker  702 . With the DSP module  202  located with the center channel loudspeaker  702 , the identification of the audio channels in the audio signal  108  occurs in the center channel loudspeaker  702 . 
     In addition to the rear-left loudspeaker  144  and the rear-right loudspeaker  138 , the home theater system illustrated in  FIGS. 7 and 8  comprises a rear center channel loudspeaker  706 . Thus, in addition to transmitting the subwoofer, rear-left, and rear-right channels to the wireless receiver  502 , the wireless transmitter  302  transmits a rear center channel. In the illustrated embodiment, the subwoofer loudspeaker  132  is configured to receive the channel signals. Alternatively, one of the other loudspeakers located in the rear of the listening area receives the channel signals. For example, the rear center channel loudspeaker  706  could include the wireless receiver  502  and/or amplifier(s). In these additional embodiments, the receiving loudspeaker routes the channel signals to the other loudspeakers located in the rear of the listening area. 
     Returning to the illustrated embodiment, the subwoofer loudspeaker  132  includes an amplifier that drives the rear-center channel loudspeaker  706  via wire  704 . As with the embodiment described with reference to  FIG. 1C , the home entertainment system  700  allows the listener to employ non-specialized rear-right, rear-left, and rear-center loudspeakers  138 ,  144 ,  706  while not running speaker wires between the front and back of the listening area. As illustrated in  FIG. 7 , speaker wires do not cross the center of the listening area. The rear-center channel loudspeaker  706  broadcasts the rear-center channel signal  708  of the 6.1 audio signal. 
     An additional variation between the home theater system illustrated in  FIG. 1C  and the home theater system illustrated in  FIGS. 7 and 8  is the center channel loudspeaker  702 , the left-front loudspeaker  120 , and the right-front loudspeaker  126  share a common housing. This arrangement allows the listener to locate a single housing that comprises all of the loudspeakers at the front of the listening area rather than locating three different loudspeaker housings. 
       FIGS. 9-11  illustrate a third embodiment of a home theater system  900  which includes a wireless transmitter  302  in the subwoofer loudspeaker  920  for transmitting audio channels to a wireless receiver  502  in the center channel loudspeaker  924 . The home theater system illustrated in  FIGS. 9-11  is configured to broadcast 7.1 audio signals and may also broadcast a video signal. In other embodiments the number of channels may be fewer or more than what is illustrated. For example the same system could be 2.1, 5.1, 6.1 or other. 
     A video projector  902  is located at the rear of the listening area and displays a video signal  104  on a screen  904 . Alternatively, the video signal is wirelessly transmitted across the listening area to a video display  106  or associated wireless receiver located near the front of the listening area. In one embodiment, the subwoofer loudspeaker  920  transmits the video signal to the front of the listening area. An exemplary video display was described in connection with  FIG. 1A . 
     The descriptions of the components described with reference to  FIG. 1C  apply equally to the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 9-11  except as noted. Like numerals refer to like elements. In the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 9-11 , the wireless transmitter  302  and the wireless receiver  502  from  FIG. 1C  switch their locations. The wireless transmitter  302 , which was located in the center channel loudspeaker  114  (see  FIG. 1C ), is located within a subwoofer loudspeaker  920  (see  FIG. 10 ). The wireless receiver  502 , which was located in the subwoofer loudspeaker  132  (see  FIG. 1C ), is located within a center channel loudspeaker  924  (see  FIG. 11 ). As described above, the transmitter and/or receiver are not required to be located within the referenced loudspeakers but may be located proximate to the loudspeakers. 
     In addition to the rear-left loudspeaker  144  and the rear-right loudspeaker  138 , the home theater system illustrated in  FIGS. 9-11  comprises a pair of additional surround channel loudspeakers  912 ,  910 . The audio module  110  drives the additional surround channel loudspeakers  910 ,  912  via wires  908  and  914 , respectively. The additional surround channel loudspeakers  910 ,  912  broadcast the additional surround channel signals  918  and  919  of the 7.1 audio signal. In other embodiments the number of channels may be fewer or more than what is illustrated. For example the same system could be 2.1, 5.1, 6.1 or other. 
       FIG. 12  is a flowchart of an exemplary process that is performed by the home theater systems illustrated in  FIGS. 1C, 7, and 9 . The process begins at a state  1200  where a wireless transmitter  302  receives an audio signal from the audio module  110 . Alternatively, the wireless transmitter  302  receives the audio signal directly from the input device  102 . The audio signal comprises a plurality of audio channels. The wireless transmitter  302  is located proximate to a housing for a first loudspeaker. For example, the first loudspeaker can be a center channel loudspeaker or a subwoofer loudspeaker depending on the configuration of the listening area and the location of the input device  102 . 
     The process moves to a state  1204  where the wireless transmitter  302  transmits at least two of the audio signals to a wireless receiver located proximate to a second speaker housing. The signal may further include control information. The second loudspeaker can be, for example, a subwoofer loudspeaker or a center channel loudspeaker depending on the configuration of the listening area and the location of the input device  102 . If the first loudspeaker is a center channel loudspeaker, the second loudspeaker is a sub-woofer loudspeaker. Similarly, if the first loudspeaker is a subwoofer loudspeaker, the second loudspeaker is a center channel loudspeaker. If control information is included with the signal, the wireless receiver can manipulate one or more of the audio channel based on the control signal. 
     Next, at a state  1206 , at least one of the two received audio channels is provided to a third loudspeaker in a separate housing from the second loudspeaker. The third loudspeaker can be, for example, a front-right loudspeaker, a front-left loudspeaker, a rear-right loudspeaker, a rear-right loudspeaker or other surround loudspeaker. The third loudspeaker broadcasts the audio channel to the listener. 
     The foregoing description details certain preferred embodiments of the present invention and describes the best mode contemplated. It will be appreciated, however, that no matter how detailed the foregoing appears in text, the invention can be practiced in many ways. The embodiments of the transmitters/receivers herein disclosed can be fixed or modular in design. For example, a digital or common bus can be used. Examples of common bus designs include I 2 S, I 2 C, parallel, and serial. 
     As is also stated above, it should be noted that the use of particular terminology when describing certain features or aspects of the present invention should not be taken to imply that the terminology is being re-defined herein to be restricted to including any specific characteristics of the features or aspects of the invention with which that terminology is associated. The scope of the present invention should therefore be construed in accordance with the appended claims and any equivalents thereof.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20081113
Publication Date: 20200225
Grant Date: 20200225
Priority Date: 20040302
Inventors: MCCARTY, WILLIAM A.
KING, JR., JEFF
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "H04S3/00", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R2205/026", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R2205/024", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R5/02", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R5/04", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R2420/07", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R5/02", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R2205/026", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04S3/00", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R5/04", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R2205/024", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R2420/07", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R5/02", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 34911899