Hybrid input networked audio subwoofer

{
  "publication_number": "US2023062252A1",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "A1",
  "title": "Hybrid input networked audio subwoofer",
  "abstract": "A hybrid input networked subwoofer includes a traditional line-in analog audio input for receiving analog audio content from non-networked audio source devices together with wired and/or wireless network interfaces for receiving digital audio content from one or more networked audio devices.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A hybrid input networked audio subwoofer device, comprising: an enclosure; a subwoofer driver mounted in the enclosure capable of rendering acoustic signals in the low-frequency effects (LFE) channel; a line-in analog audio input port in the enclosure configured to be connected by a cable to audio equipment with a line-out analog audio connector to receive analog audio content from the audio equipment; an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) device in the enclosure coupled to the line-in analog audio input port for converting the analog audio content to a digital audio signal; a network interface in the enclosure for receiving a second digital audio signal from one or more networked audio devices; a digital signal processor (DSP) in the enclosure coupled to the ADC device and to the network interface for receiving and processing a selected one of the digital audio signal from the ADC device or the second digital audio signal from the one or more networked audio devices to generate a digital audio output; and a digital amplifier in the enclosure coupled to the digital signal processor and the subwoofer driver for converting the digital audio output to an analog signal at a given power level to be rendered by the subwoofer driver. 2. The hybrid input networked audio subwoofer device of claim 1, wherein the network interface comprises a wired network interface. 3. The hybrid input networked audio subwoofer device of claim 1, wherein the network interface comprises an Ethernet port. 4. The hybrid input networked audio subwoofer device of claim 1, wherein the network interface comprises a wireless network interface. 5. The hybrid input networked audio subwoofer device of claim 1, wherein the network interface comprises a WiFi interface or a Bluetooth interface. 6. The hybrid input networked audio subwoofer device of claim 1, wherein the network interface comprises a wired network interface and a wireless network interface. 7. The hybrid input networked audio subwoofer device of claim 1, wherein the ADC device comprises single-chip analog-to-digital converter with an integrated programmable gain amplifier (PGA). 8. The hybrid input networked audio subwoofer device of claim 1, wherein the audio equipment comprises an audio/video receiver, a 2-channel preamplifier, a surround sound processor, a sound bar, or an integrated 2-channels audio amplifier. 9. The hybrid input networked audio subwoofer device of claim 1, wherein the LFE channel has a 3-120 Hz frequency range. 10. The hybrid input networked audio subwoofer device of claim 1, wherein the line-in analog audio input port comprises an RCA female connector. 11. The hybrid input networked audio subwoofer device of claim 1, wherein the line-in analog audio input port comprises an RCA female connector with an integrated micro-switch that is actuated when a male RCA plug of the cable is inserted in the RCA female connector, and wherein the networked audio subwoofer device automatically selects the analog audio content received at the analog audio input port for processing when the integrated micro-switch is actuated. 12. The hybrid input networked audio subwoofer device of claim 1, wherein the ADC device and the digital signal processor are collocated on one or more common printed circuit board assemblies, and wherein the one or more common printed circuit board assemblies include copper ground planes underneath and/or around the ADC device. 13. A method of rendering acoustic signals in a low-frequency effects (LFE) channel from a selected one of an analog audio source or a networked digital audio source, wherein rendering the acoustic signals from the analog source comprises: (a) receiving analog audio content from the analog audio source at a line-in analog audio input port of a hybrid input networked audio subwoofer device; (b) converting the analog audio content to a digital audio signal; (c) processing the digital audio signal to generate a digital audio output; (d) converting the digital audio output to an analog audio output at a given power level; (e) rendering the amplified analog audio output by a subwoofer driver; wherein rendering the acoustic signals from the digital source comprises: (a) receiving digital audio content from the networked digital audio source at a network interface of the hybrid input networked audio subwoofer; (b) processing the digital audio content to generate a digital audio output; (c) converting the digital audio output to an analog audio output at an amplified power level; (d) rendering the analog audio output by a subwoofer driver. 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the network interface comprises a wired network interface and/or a wireless network interface. 15. The method of claim 13, wherein the network interface comprises an Ethernet port. 16. The method of claim 13, wherein the network interface comprises a WiFi interface or a Bluetooth interface. 17. The method of claim 13, wherein the analog audio source comprises an audio/video receiver, a 2-channel preamplifier, a surround sound processor, a sound bar, or an integrated 2-channels audio amplifier. 18. The method of claim 13, wherein the LFE channel has a 3-120 Hz frequency range. 19. The method of claim 13, wherein the line-in analog audio input port comprises an RCA female connector. 20. The method of claim 13, further comprising automatically detecting when a plug is inserted in the line-in analog audio input port and, in response, selecting the analog audio content received at the analog audio input port to be rendered."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "The present application relates generally to audio systems and, more particularly, to subwoofers that can be paired with full-range speaker systems.\n\nSubwoofers are specialized audio loudspeaker systems designed specifically for efficiently rendering low-frequency acoustic signals, typically below 200 Hertz (Hz). Subwoofers have existed for many years as passive speaker systems with large (i.e., 8 inch or larger diameter) single or multiple drivers and were driven with external audio power amplifiers. Modern subwoofer systems are typically active and include an integrated audio amplifier with controls dedicated to adjusting the volume output level and phase of the rendered audio relative to the main full-range speaker system they are paired with. More recently, with the popularity of domestic audio systems that pull audio directly from home networks (both WiFi and wired Ethernet Local Area Networks (LANs)), advanced network subwoofers have been made available at reasonable cost. These typically feature one or more wired (Ethernet) network ports with optional WiFi network connectivity ports. Specialized real-time embedded software allows both the subwoofer and its associated full-range loudspeaker system to render a common audio signal in synchrony.\n\nAs technologically sophisticated as these networked subwoofer systems are, they cannot be connected to traditional non-networked audio source devices (e.g., audio-video receivers and two-channel integrated audio amplifiers), which only include analog subwoofer output connections.",
  "cpc": [
    "G06F 3/162",
    "H03F 2200/03",
    "H03F 3/183",
    "H03F 3/68",
    "H03G 2201/103",
    "H03G 3/3005",
    "H04R 2201/028",
    "H04R 2400/00",
    "H04R 2420/01",
    "H04R 2420/07",
    "H04R 2420/09",
    "H04R 3/00",
    "H04S 2400/07"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "G06F 3/16",
    "H03F 3/183",
    "H03G 3/30",
    "H04R 3/00"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "Lenbrook Industries Ltd"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Matthew Simmonds"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2021-08-25",
  "publication_date": "2023-03-02",
  "priority_date": "2021-08-25",
  "application_number": "US-202117411387-A",
  "family_id": "85288585",
  "cited_by_count": 3,
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}