System for configuration and status reporting of audio processing in TV sets

A system for enhancing stereo audio adjustment in a TV set having two or more speakers, the system comprising:

• a volume control configured to adjust or mute a volume of a TV set, wherein the volume control is further configured to adjust sound processing characteristics in response to user input;
• a dual processing protection processor (DPP) operative to receive left (L) and right (R) signals from left (L) and right (R) audio channels, respectively, as inputs and configured to limit the audio difference to sum ratio (L−R)/(L+R) by attenuating the audio difference signal (L−R), thereby producing an attenuated difference signal, and increasing the level of the sum signal (L+R), wherein the level of the sum signal (L+R) represents center gain corresponding to a center image relative to the two or more speakers, wherein the dual processing protection processor is operative to produce left and right output signals for the TV set;
• at least one crossover network configured to receive left and right input signals and to separate each of the left and right input signals into a plurality of frequency bands, including a high band and a low band, wherein the at least one crossover network produces left and right output signals for each band and wherein the at least one crossover network is configurable by a user to set a crossover frequency and filter order of the crossover network;
• first and second compressors, wherein the first compressor is configured to receive the left and right high band output signals from the first crossover network and to produce compressed left and right high band output signals corresponding to the high band, and wherein the second compressor is configured to receive the left and right low band output signals from the first crossover network and to produce compressed left and right low band output signals corresponding to the low band, and wherein the first and second compressors are configured to limit a level of the high and low bands;
• a two-channel surround processor configurable to receive the outputs from the first and second compressors and set an amount of perceived sound field spread in multiple spatial dimensions based on the attenuated difference signal (L−R) resulting from processing of the dual processing protection processor and to generate left and right output signals;
• a stereo equalizer configured to receive left and right audio input signals and shape the spectral characteristics such that the overall bandwidth of the audio material is not compromised when subjected to the playback on the two or more speakers, wherein the stereo equalizer is configured to produce left and right output signals;
• a soft clipper operative to receive as inputs compressed stereo left and right input signals, wherein the soft clipper is configured to limit the perceived distortion of left and right signals that briefly exceed a full scale output when subjected to the center gain, and dynamics of the first and second compressors and to produce a stereo output;
• a display for observation by a user and configured to display volume control information of the volume control and sound settings corresponding to user-selectable sound processing characteristics;
• and
• activation means to activate the display via a single selection on the control device.