Dynamic power sharing in a multi-channel sound system

Abstract

A signal processing system for use in a multi-channel audio system. The signal processing system includes a first channel having a first audio signal. A second channel is included that has at least a second audio signal. A processor is included that is responsive to a signal level threshold in the first channel, such that at the threshold and above the threshold, a portion of the first channel audio signal is mixed into the at least a second audio channel.

1 . A method for increasing apparent acoustic output of a multi-channel sound system containing multiple channels, each channel having an audio signal, comprising the steps of:
 determining a power level of at least one input signal to a channel amplifier coupled to a first channel of the multi-channel sound system;   resolving a maximum power input capability of the channel amplifier;   routing a selected amount of the at least one input signal associated with the first channel of the multi-channel sound system to at least one other channel of the multi-channel sound system, wherein the selected amount of the at least one input signal is sufficient to enable the power level of the at least one input signal to be less than the maximum power input capability of the channel amplifier coupled to the first channel.   
     
     
         2 . A method as in  claim 1 , wherein routing a selected amount of the at least one input signal further comprises routing an overload amount, wherein the overload amount is equivalent to the selected amount. 
     
     
         3 . A method as in  claim 2 , further comprising routing the overload amount from the first channel to a second channel and a third channel. 
     
     
         4 . A method as in  claim 3 , further comprising routing the overload amount from the first channel to the second channel and the third channel, wherein the first, second and third channels each correspond to first, second and third loudspeakers. 
     
     
         5 . A method as in  claim 4 , further comprising emitting the at least one input signal from the first, second, and third loudspeakers, wherein the first second and third loudspeakers are positioned in a listening environment corresponding to respective first, second, and third directional vectors from a listening position, the first loudspeaker being positioned along the first directional vector and between the second and third loudspeakers. 
     
     
         6 . A method as in  claim 1 , wherein determining the power level of the at least one input signal and routing the selected amount of the at least one input signal are accomplished using a signal processor responsive to a signal level threshold equal to or less than the maximum power input capability of the channel amplifier coupled to the first channel. 
     
     
         7 . A method as in  claim 6 , further comprising using a signal limiting function applied to the first channel corresponding to the signal level threshold for limiting a level of the at least one signal input to the first channel amplifier to a predetermined amount less than or equal to the maximum power input capability of the channel amplifier coupled to the first channel. 
     
     
         8 . A signal processing system for use in a multi-channel audio system, comprising:
 a first channel having a first audio input signal coupled to a first channel amplifier;   a second channel having a second audio signal coupled to a second channel amplifier;   a signal level threshold detector set to identify an overload signal that occurs when one of the first and second audio input signals is greater than a selected maximum input power capability of the first and second channel amplifiers respectively, wherein the overload signal comprises an amount of an audio input signal that is greater than the selected maximum power capability of the respective channel amplifier; and   a signal processor responsive to the signal level threshold detector and configured to route the overload signal to one of the first and second audio channels that is not overloaded to be output through the respective channel when the signal processor is triggered by the signal level threshold when one of the first and second audio input signals exceeds the selected maximum input power capability of the respective channel amplifiers.   
     
     
         9 . The signal processing system of  claim 8 , further comprising a third channel having a third audio signal, wherein the signal processor is configured to route an overload signal from the third audio signal to be mixed with at least one of the first audio input signal of the first channel and the second audio input signal of the second channel to be output through at least one of the first and second channels when the third audio input signal is greater than the selected maximum input power capability of the third channel amplifier. 
     
     
         10 . The signal processing system of  claim 8 , further comprising four or more channels, wherein the signal processor is configured to route the overload signal from any of the four or more channels when the respective audio input signal is greater than the selected maximum input power capability of the respective channel amplifier to be output through at least one of the four or more channels that is not overloaded. 
     
     
         11 . The signal processing system of  claim 8 , wherein the selected maximum input power capability of the amplifier is selected based on the group consisting of thermal characteristics of the amplifier, amplifier clipping, excursion characteristics of a transducer coupled to the amplifier, and thermal characteristics of the transducer. 
     
     
         12 . A signal processing system for use in a multi-channel audio system, comprising:
 a first channel having a first audio signal;   at least a second channel having a second audio signal;   a processor responsive to a signal level threshold in the first channel, such that at the threshold and above the threshold, a portion of the first channel audio signal is mixed into at least one of the at least a second audio channel.