Optimizing speaker placement within the monitoring space

Abstract

According to an exemplary aspect of the present invention, a method for creating a report for optimizing the installation of a speaker system (100) having at least one speaker (101, 102, 103) in a monitoring space is provided. The method of the present disclosure includes providing audio data representing the performance of the speaker system (100), performing an analysis (1030) of analyzing and processing values of at least one audio parameter (1 to n) from the audio data to obtain a result, and outputting (1039) the collected result.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This disclosure relates to sound reproduction, and more particularly to optimizing the placement of calibrated speakers for a particular monitoring space. [Background technology]

[0002] Calibrating speakers to a monitoring room is generally known in the art. A conventional calibration procedure typically includes, for example, playing a test signal using a set of speakers, capturing the played test signal with a microphone, subsequently analyzing the signal, and equalizing the signal input to the speakers to balance out imperfections in the room that cause peaks or dips in the frequency response curve. One such calibration method and system is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 5,649,999.

[0003] Patent Document 2 discloses a method and system for statistically optimizing a speaker system for one or more potential listening spots. In this method, a test signal is generated by the speaker system and a transfer function is deduced from measurements of the test signal. This transfer function is then modified as a calculation exercise to simulate different speaker installation configurations, such as positioning or adjustment, to predict the effect of the different configurations on sound output. In other words, the core concept of Patent Document 2 is to analyze the variables that theoretically affect performance in a selected audio system.

[0004] Patent Document 3 discloses a system for monitoring a listening room, designed to perform periodic verification measurements to ensure that the speaker system's output remains unchanged since installation. The system and method are based on generating test signals using the speaker system and measuring the output. If the system of Patent Document 3 concludes that the speaker system is no longer producing the original output, the user is alerted to inspect the listening room to determine which component is faulty.

[0005] Automated room performance reports are also known from Non-Patent Document 1 and Non-Patent Document 2. These automated room performance reports feature an analysis of specific audio parameters of the room in which the audio system was tested.

[0006] Finally, Patent Document 4 discloses a system for automatically fine-tuning an audio system to achieve a target acoustic response while maintaining a predetermined level of power efficiency. The system features a processor-executed engine for establishing: (b) performance-related data representing the coordinated operation of speakers; (c) a target acoustic response and a power efficiency weighting factor representing a desired degree of power efficiency; and (d) operating parameters based on the target acoustic response, the performance-related data, and the impedance data. The engine provides operating parameters for balancing optimized acoustic performance with optimized power efficiency of the speakers based on the power efficiency weighting factor. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] U.S. Patent No. 10,924,874 [Patent Document 2] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2005 / 031135 [Patent Document 3] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018 / 359583 [Patent Document 4] International Publication No. 2010 / 135294 [Non-patent literature]

[0008] [Non-Patent Document 1] biamp - Launch report card (published on August 23, 2021, at https: / / downloads.biamp.com / assets / docs / default-source / content / ) [Non-patent document 2] Biamp Launch Report Card - Biamp Cornerstone (published December 15, 2021, at https: / / support.biamp.com / Tesira / Programming / Biamp_Launch_Report_Card, biamp_launch_report_example_aug21.pdf) Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0009] Although current calibration systems are sophisticated and effective, there remains a desire to further optimize speaker systems for listening rooms.

[0010] The invention is defined by the features of the independent claims. Some particular embodiments are defined by the dependent claims. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method for generating a report for optimizing the installation of a speaker system having at least one speaker in a monitoring space, the method comprising the steps of: - providing audio data representative of the performance of said speaker system; - carrying out an analysis, said steps comprising: extracting a value of at least one audio parameter from said audio data; comparing said extracted value with a reference database containing tolerances for said at least one audio parameter; If the analyzed value is within the associated tolerance, storing an indication of the conformance of the corresponding audio parameter, if the analyzed value is not within the associated tolerance, querying a helper database for installation suggestions regarding the value and storing an indication of the mismatch of the corresponding audio parameter and the associated installation suggestions; and Collecting the stored results and - outputting the collected results.

[0012] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method for generating a report for optimizing the installation of a speaker system comprising at least one speaker in a monitoring space, the method of the present disclosure comprising the steps of: - providing a plurality of audio data sets representative of the performance of said loudspeaker system in a corresponding plurality of different installations; - carrying out an analysis, said steps comprising: extracting a value of at least one audio parameter from said plurality of audio data sets, comparing said values ​​extracted from said plurality of audio data sets with each other and with predetermined target values, selecting, based on said comparing step, the audio data set having a value of said at least one audio parameter closest to said predetermined target value as a recommended installation; and Collecting the stored results and - outputting the collected results.

[0013] According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a computing system having a processor and a memory connected to the processor. The memory stores a set of computer-readable instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform the processing steps described above. The computing system also includes a data communications interface connected to the processor for transmitting and receiving audio data to and from a sound reproduction system. The computing system further includes a reference database directly or indirectly connected to the processor. The reference database contains a library of tolerances for at least one audio parameter. The computing system further includes a helper database directly or indirectly connected to the processor. The helper database contains a library of installation change suggestions for a plurality of predetermined mismatches with the tolerances for the at least one audio parameter.

[0014] According to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored thereon a set of computer-readable instructions that, when executed by at least one processor, cause an apparatus to perform the processing steps set forth above.

[0015] According to a fifth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a computer program configured to cause a computing unit to perform the above-mentioned method.

[0016] One or more embodiments may include one or more features from the following bulleted list of features: - said analyzing step comprises performing an analysis of a plurality of audio parameters; - said analyzing step is performed at least in part in a computing system external to said sound reproduction system; - said computing system is connected to said speaker system via a data communication interface between said computing system and a control system connected to said speaker system; - the method includes a calibration step; the calibration step is accompanied by a test signal step, which includes playing an audio test signal using at least one speaker; - the calibration step involves a listening step, which includes capturing the reproduced audio test signal with a microphone located within the monitoring space; - the calibrating step involves calibrating the speaker system based on the captured audio test signal; - the method includes a second such calibration step; - said audio parameters are selected from a list comprising or consisting of: Frequency response, -6dB point, Time of Flight, The sum of the frequency responses of multiple speakers, Subwoofer high cutoff frequency, Low frequency dips in (full bandwidth) monitors, ·Early tone to late tone ratio, Room mode decay time, Combined response dip between subwoofer and (full bandwidth) monitors, Early reflection sound level, and ·Reverberation time (RT60); - said outputting step comprises displaying the conformance of each of said audio parameters to a predetermined set of criteria for these parameters; - the calculation step is performed in an external computing system, such as a cloud-based computing system, where the adjustment step is performed physically within the listening space.

[0017] The inventive concept provides a data-based, easy-to-use optimization of the physical placement of speakers relative to a listening room. Previously, speakers could be equalized using presets to mitigate drawbacks caused by the physical constraints of the listening room. While a competent installation professional can certainly improve the overall performance of the room and speakers, the inventive concept provides well-founded suggestions for improvements to the installation that do not require previous experience and are based on verifiable data. Optionally, compliance with a given audio standard can also be established.

[0018] Certain exemplary embodiments will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a system for optimizing the installation of a multi-speaker system in accordance with at least some embodiments of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 depicts a flowchart of the major actions of an exemplary calibration and analysis step, in accordance with at least some embodiments of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] In the context of this specification, the term "installation" includes, but is not limited to, the physical setup of a speaker within a listening room. Physical parameters of the installation include distance from a selected listening spot, distance from the acoustic central axis, toe-in, distance from the "back wall," the use of sound-absorbing material between the speaker enclosure and the support surface, the type of stand or mount, etc.

[0021] 1 shows a simplified block diagram of a system used to optimize the placement of a speaker system 100 within a listening room. A typical speaker system 100 comprises at least two speakers. FIG. 1 shows the presence of a first speaker 101, a second speaker 102, and an nth speaker 103 to emphasize that the exact number of speakers in the speaker system 100 is irrelevant.

[0022] The speaker system 100 is controlled by a control system 200 connected to the speaker system 100. The control system 200 may be configured as a unit or may be formed by an interconnected network of multiple dedicated devices. An exemplary control system 200 includes a controller 201, which may take the form of a tuner amplifier. The controller 201 may be connected to the speakers 101-103 directly by cable or via a network, such as a local area network. Such devices are known in the art. The control system 200 has a user interface 203 for providing commands to the controller 201. The user interface 203 may take the form of a control panel on the tuner amplifier, a graphical user interface included in the tuner amplifier, or a computer-based user interface connected to the controller via a network. Such devices are known in the art. To access the controller, the control system 200 has a communication interface 202, which shall be broadly understood to mean any galvanic and / or wired or wireless data interface for communicating with the controller 201 and ultimately with the speaker system 100.

[0023] A computing system 400 is also provided for analyzing the performance of the speaker system 100 within the listening room. The computing system 400 may be a separate cloud- or locally-executed processing system connected to the control system 200 via a data network, as shown in FIG. 1 , or may be incorporated into the control system 200, such as being embedded in memory and executed by an associated processor of the controller (not shown). According to the illustrated embodiment, the computing system 400 is a cloud-based processing unit having a communication interface 402, which may take the form of a communication port open to the Internet or another data network. The communication interface 402 is connected, directly or indirectly, to a corresponding communication interface 202 on the control system 200. The communication interface 402 is connected to a processor 401, which may be functionally understood as a locally provided data processing resource or cloud computing. The processor 401 is connected to a memory 403 for storing software necessary for data analysis, as described in more detail below. The computing system 400 also includes a first database 404 containing a library of acceptance criteria for audio parameters. The library may include one or more criteria according to one or more standards or other requirement lists. One example of an audio quality standard is ITU-R BS.1116, which is a quality recommendation for broadcast services that specifies high-precision audio listening conditions for monitoring applications such as recording studios, post-production, and audio editing. The first database 404 may actually be contained in memory 403 or a remotely accessed memory. The diagram in FIG. 1 depicts the first database 404 as a separate entity for illustrative purposes only.The computing system 400 further includes a second database 405, which includes a library of predefined speaker setup instructions associated with non-conformances to the similarly predefined acceptance criteria. In practice, the second database 405 may be stored in the same memory as the first database 404, or may form part of the first database 404, or vice versa. According to the illustrated example, the second database 405 is a separate, locally stored or remotely accessed database from the first database 404.

[0024] Computing system 400 may be constructed as a separate unit or may be physically integrated into control system 200. If constructed as a separate unit, computing system 400 may include a signal interface 406, such as a microphone jack or a wireless audio signal interface.

[0025] A microphone 300 is provided in the listening room to capture sound signals generated by the speaker system 100. The microphone 300 may be connected to the controller 201 via a communication interface 202. This connection may be wired or wireless. Additionally or alternatively, the microphone 300 may be connected to the computing system 400 via a signal interface 406.

[0026] The process of speaker placement will now be discussed with reference to the flow chart of FIG. 2, which illustrates an exemplary analysis process that may be implemented using, for example, the system of FIG.

[0027] As a first calibration step 1010, the controller 201 drives each speaker 101, 102, 103 of the speaker system 100, individually or in concert, to play 1011 a (first) predetermined audio test signal. The test signal file may be contained in the control system 200's memory or accessed remotely. Alternatively, the speakers 101, 102, 103 may contain such test signal files stored locally. The controller 201 preferably commands the speakers 101, 102, 103 to individually "test squawk" to avoid interference. After each plays the test signal, the speaker output is captured 1012 with a microphone 300 positioned in the listening room, preferably at the desired listening spot. The captured test signal is stored in the control system 200's memory (not shown), directly in the computing system 400's memory 403, or in an external memory connected to either system. After all speakers 101, 102, 103 in speaker system 100, or a selected number of these speakers, have generated samples, an analysis of the audio data is performed, which analysis is per se known. Speaker system 100 is then calibrated 1013 by controller 201, which calibration is per se known.

[0028] After the first calibration step 1010, it is also possible (i.e., this is optional) to perform a second such calibration step 1020, which includes similar actions to the first calibration step, namely, playing a test signal using the speaker system 100 1021, measuring the response using a microphone 1022, and calibrating based on the test signal data 1023.

[0029] In theory, three or more calibration steps are foreseeable.

[0030] By calibrating the speaker system 100 to the listening room it occupies, the speaker system 100 optimizes the equalization possible. To optimize the physical speaker placement, single-stage or multi-stage calibration is performed before or after the placement analysis 1030, which, according to this exemplary embodiment, is performed in a remotely accessed cloud service separate from the control system 200 and the speaker system 100.

[0031] Calibration 1010, 1020 produces an audio data file representative of the speaker system 100's performance in the listening room. The audio data file may be pre-processed or may contain raw audio data. The audio data is transmitted by the control system 200's communications interface 202 and received by the computing system 400's collaborative communications interface 402, after which analysis begins 1031. Conventional streaming methods can be used to stream the audio data between the control system 200 and the computing system 400, or conventional data transfer methods can be used to transmit recorded audio files, such as .WAV files. First, the audio data file is processed to extract a set of audio parameters 1-n from the raw data or identify them from pre-processed data. Relevant audio parameters include a conventional frequency response data set, including peaks and dips, -6 dB point, time-of-flight, early reflections, early notes, late notes, and reverberation time (RT60), among others. Extraction of such parameters from audio files is well known per se. Preferably, at least these parameters are defined in ITU-R BS1116. According to ITU-R BS1116, the quality of an audio listening condition is defined at least in part by: the early reflection level in dB; the reverberation time (RT60); the deepest notch of the frequency response below 300 Hz, in dB; and the relationship between early and late reflections, in dB.

[0032] Once the parameters 1-n have been established, the reference database 404 is queried to compare the values ​​of the audio data file with criteria for these parameters 1-n stored in the reference database 404. The criteria may be, for example, those defined in ITU-R BS 1116. Next, in a decision step 1034, a fit of the values ​​of the selected parameters 1-n is established.

[0033] If a value is within the tolerance according to the reference database 404, an indication of fit is stored 1035 for each fit value. The indication of fit preferably includes data about the value of a given parameter and an indication of how well the value meets the tolerance associated with that parameter. For example, in a speaker system, the early reflection value of a first speaker 101 may be −10.3 dB, which is classified as “excellent” according to the tolerance, while the corresponding value of a second speaker 102 may be −6.5 dB, which is classified as “good.”

[0034] If a value is not within tolerance according to the reference database 404, the process proceeds to seek assistance in improving the physical speaker installation to perfect or improve the match between the speaker and the reference. For each out-of-specification value, the helper database 405 is queried 1036. This query may be single-stage or may proceed through a complex series of compound conditions. The helper database 405 contains a library of predetermined installation change recommendations associated with the range of non-conforming values ​​of the selected parameter. The recommendations may relate to one or more of the following factors: speaker location; speaker orientation (tilt, toe); listening position placement; room acoustics, such as the use of damping materials, resonators, diffusers, etc.

[0035] Specific practical examples of audio parameter criteria and installation modification recommendations associated with said criteria will now be disclosed in more detail.

[0036] For example, if the tolerance for early reflections is set to -5 dB, the library may include predetermined installation modification recommendations for speakers that cannot produce values ​​below the -5 dB threshold. Assuming that the second speaker 102 produces early reflections of -4.5 dB, the library may include the following installation modification recommendation: "The monitor 102 is exhibiting a high level of early reflections. This may alter the timbre of the sound and alter image formation. The time difference between the direct sound and the early reflections indicates the difference in the acoustic path distance between these two. Recommendation: To reduce the level of early reflections, several options are available: Move the monitor further away from the reflective surface, and / or move, rotate, tilt, or remove the reflective surface so that early reflections are eliminated, and / or add sound absorbing or diffusing material to the reflective surface to reduce the level of early reflections."

[0037] As another example, if the tolerance for the sum of the sound pressure levels of multiple speakers is set to -2 dB, the library may include predetermined installation modification recommendations for speakers that fail to produce a value greater than the -2 dB threshold. The threshold in dB is relative to an ideal sum of sound pressure levels, which is theoretically 0 dB. The sum of sound pressure levels can be calculated for any number of speakers.

[0038] Assuming the speaker system 100 as a whole produces a sum value of -3 dB, the library might include the following installation modification recommendation: "The sound output from these monitors are not adding in phase at all frequencies. This may cause the sound image in the sound stage to shift or change, and the sound levels may not sum correctly at all frequencies, changing the sound color. The reason for the incorrect sum is that the sounds from the left and right monitors are not in phase. This could be due to differences in audio time-of-flight, or the phase response of the monitors not matching at all frequencies." Recommendation: Examine the acoustic imaging of your monitors. Are you satisfied with this imaging? To improve the situation, ensure that the monitor positions and monitor orientations are both symmetrical about the room's left-right axis of symmetry, and that the distances to acoustically hard surfaces are equal for the left and right stereo pair monitors in the room. Are there any acoustically reflective surfaces in the room that are not symmetrical? If you cannot move these surfaces by repositioning the monitors, try absorbing or diffusing the acoustic reflections. Run "Individual Calibration" in GLM AutoCal. If you have selected "symmetric calibration" mode, try using "symmetric" calibration mode.

[0039] As a further example, if the upper or high cutoff frequency of a subwoofer is set to 90 Hz, the library may include a predetermined installation change recommendation for a subwoofer that cannot produce values ​​higher than the 90 Hz threshold. Assuming the subwoofer produces a cutoff frequency of 80 Hz, the library may include the following installation change recommendation: "The high corner frequency of the subwoofer is too low. This can reduce the audio level around the high corner frequency and affect the subwoofer's crossover performance. Sound reflections from the nearest wall are a typical cause of this problem. Recommendation: Try moving the subwoofer closer to the nearest wall. Consider rotating the subwoofer so that the driver faces the wall. This will more effectively eliminate the cancellation effect of the nearest wall. Note that recalibration is required after moving the subwoofer. When doing this, be sure to leave approximately 10 cm (4 inches) of space between the subwoofer and the wall. Acoustic reflections from the side walls of the room can also cause this problem. To correct this, try moving the subwoofer closer to a side wall or towards a corner."

[0040] The same recommendation can be made if the subwoofer exhibits a dip in a particular frequency range.

[0041] As a further example, if the tolerance for the level of the low-frequency notch is set to -10 dB relative to the average level of the frequency response, the library may include a predetermined installation modification recommendation for speakers with a low-frequency notch higher than -10 dB. Assuming a full-bandwidth speaker exhibits a -15 dB low-frequency notch below 200 Hz, the library may include the following installation modification recommendation: "A broad loss in sound level (also called a dip) has been observed below 200 Hz. This typically causes the perception of a lacking or poor bass response from the system. The dip may be caused by acoustic reflections from the nearest wall, typically behind the monitor. Recommendation: To solve this problem, try moving the monitor closer to the wall. This will raise the cancellation frequency to the value of the dominant frequency of the sound the monitor is radiating forward, thereby minimizing the effect of the rear wall. Alternatively, move the monitor farther away from the wall. This will reduce the level of reflected sound, making the sound effect less detectable." This approach requires placing the monitors more than 1.1 meters (4 feet) from the nearest wall. You can also consider moving your listening position. This may help if the acoustic problem is only audible in certain areas of the room. If the dip is caused by sound reflections from side walls, adding absorbent or diffuser material to the reflecting surfaces can reduce the reflection level. Note that any time you move your monitors or your listening position, you should recalibrate your monitors. For low frequencies with long sound wavelengths, a sufficiently thick sound-absorbing layer is required. If the dip is caused by reflections from the ceiling and floor, moving the monitors up or down may help. Helmholtz resonator sound absorbers are a very effective method of absorbing sound at specific frequencies.

[0042] As a further example, the library may contain predetermined installation modification recommendations for loudspeakers with reverberation time (RT60) values ​​longer or shorter than a given time for a given frequency at a particular listening volume. The RT60 tolerance can be derived from a current recommendation or list of recommendations, such as ITU-R BS.1116. According to the ITU-R recommendation, the average reverberation value Tm measured over the frequency range 200 Hz to 4 kHz is Tm = 0.25(V / V0)1 / 3, where V is the volume of the listening room and V0 is the reference volume of 100 m. 3 The above tolerances vary across the frequency spectrum. For example, at 100 Hz, the positive RT60 tolerance is +0.3 seconds and the negative tolerance is -0.05 seconds. At 500 Hz, the RT60 tolerance is symmetrical with 0.05 seconds. At 5000 Hz, the RT60 tolerance is symmetrical with 0.1 seconds.

[0043] Assuming a full-bandwidth speaker exhibits an RT60 value of 0.95 seconds at 400 Hz, the library could include the following installation modification recommendation: "The reverberation time is long. Long reverberation times can obscure the timbre and dynamics of sounds. Also, depending on the listening distance, you may hear more reverberant sound than direct sound. This can reduce sound intelligibility and cause acoustic masking due to reflections. Recommendation: Check the early-to-late sound ratio in the table below (not shown). If early sounds are more than 3 dB louder than late sounds, direct sound will tend to dominate at the monitoring position and the room's reverberation time value may not be as important. You can shorten the reverberation time by adding acoustic absorption material to the room. When you do this, the reverberation time should be similar across multiple frequencies. Moving the monitors closer to the listening position can improve the early-to-late sound ratio, which will also reduce the importance of the room's reverberation time."

[0044] As a further example, if the tolerance for the early to late sound ratio is set to 0 dB, i.e., the late sound level is set to be equal to or greater than the early sound level, the library may include predetermined installation change recommendations for speakers with early to late sound ratio values ​​less than 0 dB. Assuming a full-bandwidth speaker exhibits an early-to-late sound ratio value of -1dB, the library could include the following installation modification recommendation: "The level of late sounds in the room dominates the sound character. When the early-to-late sound ratio is below 3dB, early sounds, which primarily include direct sounds, no longer determine the sound character at your listening position. The reverberation time in the room then strongly influences how sound is perceived. If the reverberation is not equal across frequencies and sounds decay slowly at certain frequencies (called room mode resonance), this can cause significant masking, which hides audio nuances and changes how the dynamics of the recorded audio are perceived. Recommendation: Solving this problem involves reducing the reverberation in the room and increasing the level of direct sound. You can reduce reverberation by adding acoustic absorption material in the room. In some cases, active sound absorbers can also be used. After adding absorption, the sound decay time should be equal across frequencies. To increase the level of direct sound, try moving the monitors closer."

[0045] Other parameters that can be observed include the decay time of room modes or resonances, the combined response of the subwoofer and full-range speakers, the -6 dB point, and time of flight.

[0046] The analysis step may also include the use of multiple parameters via AND and / or OR operators. More specifically, the analysis algorithm may use a primary parameter and a secondary parameter. For example, assuming early to late sound ratio is selected as the primary parameter and RT60 is selected as the secondary parameter, the user may be informed whether to improve the performance of the speaker system 100 by reducing the listening distance or by adding damping material to the listening room. The calculation algorithm may determine: - If the value of the primary parameter is less than the threshold AND the value of the secondary parameter is greater than the threshold, the library can output the following statement: "RT60 is high and the early to late sound ratio is low. Add more damping to the room to reduce RT60." - (Otherwise) if the primary parameter value is less than the threshold AND the secondary parameter value is less than the threshold, the library can output the following statement: "RT60 is low and the early to late sound ratio is also low. Move the speakers or listening position to reduce the listening distance. This will improve the early to late sound ratio." - (Otherwise) the library can output the statement "The early to late sound ratio is within acceptable limits."

[0047] For each non-conformance value, an indication of the non-conformance is stored 1037 along with any associated installation change recommendations.

[0048] The results for each parameter 1-n, whether or not they meet predetermined tolerances, are collected into a report 1038 and sent 1039 to the control system 200 via the communications interfaces 402, 202 and presented to the user via the user interface 203. The report may show actual realized results or calculated results based on mathematical approximations and / or predictions of the performance of the speaker system 100.

[0049] If all parameters are within specification, the user receives data-based verification that the speaker installation complies with the standard to which speaker system 100 was tested. However, if speaker system 100 does not meet the criteria for one or more parameters, the user is notified of changes that can be made to the installation to improve performance. These suggestions are based on measured audio data and evidence-based solutions pre-defined in helper database 405. Having such tools at their disposal increases the user's chances of quickly finding a setup that performs well than would be possible without such data-based assistance.

[0050] After the user changes the physical installation of speaker system 100, such as by changing the position and / or orientation of one or more speakers within the speaker system, the user can verify the effect of the setup changes by repeating the process described above.

[0051] Instead of predetermined thresholds for a set of audio parameters, an equivalent approach would be to build a helper algorithm based on a set of historical values ​​of selected audio parameters. For example, the system and method could be modified to determine which of several alternative subwoofer positions or which distance from the rear wall of a full-range speaker produces the best results. An alternative analysis step could first include providing several audio data sets, each representing the performance of the speaker system 100 in a corresponding number of different installations, such as the subwoofer or full-range speaker placements described above. The analysis stage could include extracting a value of at least one audio parameter from the several audio data sets; comparing the extracted values ​​from the several audio data sets with each other and with a predetermined target value; and selecting, based on the comparison step, the audio data set having the value of at least one audio parameter closest to the predetermined target value as the recommended installation. The historical audio data could be stored locally on the speaker, in a control system, or in a computing system. The optional calibration stage, the data transfer stage between systems, and the output stage may be similar for the reference database embodiment and the historical data embodiment.

[0052] The output of the above process, a report, is to be understood in a broad sense. A report can take the form of a traditional document, such as a PDF summary of multiple combined results. Alternatively, a report can take the form of a recurring and continuous display of information using a graphical user interface showing live or near-live information. Such functionality can be incorporated into the user interface 203 of the control system 200.

[0053] It should also be pointed out that the analysis described in relation to the reference database and historical data embodiments may or may not be preceded by one or more calibration stages, meaning that the analysis of the installation may be performed independently of traditional speaker preset room calibration.

[0054] According to an alternative embodiment, a microphone is integrated into one or more speakers of the speaker system.

[0055] According to alternative embodiments, the database may be stored locally within a control system, which may or may not perform the processing necessary for the analysis. Additionally or alternatively, the speaker may include the processing and / or storage resources necessary to perform some or all of the analysis.

[0056] It is to be understood that the embodiments of the invention disclosed herein are not limited to the particular structures, process steps, or materials disclosed herein, but extend to equivalents thereof as recognized by those skilled in the relevant arts, and the terminology employed herein is used for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to be limiting.

[0057] Throughout this specification, a reference to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the invention. Thus, the appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.

[0058] For convenience, multiple items, structural elements, components, and / or materials may be presented herein in a common list. However, these lists are to be construed as though each member of the list were individually identified as a separate and unique member. Thus, unless indicated to the contrary, individual members of such lists should not be construed as de facto equivalents of any other members of the same list merely by virtue of the fact that they are presented in the same group. Furthermore, various embodiments and examples of the present invention may be referred to herein, along with alternatives for their various components. Such embodiments, examples, and alternatives should not be construed as de facto equivalents of each other, but rather as separate and autonomous representations of the present invention.

[0059] Furthermore, the described features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. In the above description, numerous specific details such as lengths, widths, shapes, etc. are provided to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the invention. However, one skilled in the art will recognize that the invention can be practiced without one or more of these specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, etc. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the invention.

[0060] While the above-described embodiments are illustrative of the principles of the present invention in one or more particular applications, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that numerous modifications may be made in the form, use, and details of implementation without the exercise of inventive faculty and without departing from the principles and concepts of the present invention. Accordingly, it is not intended that the present invention be limited except as by the claims that follow.

[0061] The verbs "to comprise" and "to include" are used in this document as open limitations which neither exclude nor require the presence of unrecited features. Features recited in dependent claims may be freely combined with one another, unless expressly stated otherwise. Furthermore, it is to be understood that throughout this document the use of "a" or "an", i.e., the singular, does not exclude a plurality. [Explanation of symbols]

[0062] 100 speaker system 101 Speaker 102 speakers 103 Speaker 200 Control Unit 201 Controller 202 Communication Interface 203 User Interface 300 microphones 400 Computing Systems 401 processor 402 Communication Interface 403 Memory 404 a first database, e.g., a reference database 405 Secondary database, e.g. helper database 406 Signal Interface 1010 First calibration step 1011 Play a test signal 1012 Measure the response 1013 Calibrate 1020 Second calibration step 1021 Play a test signal Measure 1022 responses 1023 Calibrate 1030 Installation Analysis Steps 1031 Start analysis 1032 Extracting the Value of an Audio Parameter 1033 Compare values ​​to a reference database 1034 Check if the value is within the tolerance 1035 Generate fit metrics Query the 1036 helper database 1037 Generate indicators of non-conformance and installation change recommendations 1038 Collect the results and report them 1039 Report

Claims

1. 1. A method for generating a report for optimizing the placement of a speaker system (100) comprising at least one speaker (101, 102, 103) in a monitoring space, the method comprising: - providing audio data representative of the performance of said speaker system (100); A method comprising: - performing an analysis (1030) using a processor (401) of a computing system (400) external to said speaker system (100) or using processing resources included in said at least one speaker (101, 102, 103), said analysis (1030) comprising: - extracting (1032) from said audio data the value of at least one audio parameter (1 to n); - comparing (1033) said extracted value with a reference database (404) containing tolerances for said at least one audio parameter (1 to n); If the analyzed value is within the associated tolerance, storing (1035) as a result an indication of the fit of the corresponding audio parameter (1 to n); If the analyzed value is not within the associated tolerance, querying (1036) an installation suggestion for the value from a helper database (405) containing a library of installation change suggestions for a plurality of pre-determined mismatches with the tolerance of the at least one audio parameter (1-n), and saving (1037) as a result an indication of the mismatch of the corresponding audio parameter (1-n) and the associated installation suggestion; and Collecting the stored results (1038). and - outputting the collected results (1039); A method characterized by:

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the analyzing (1030) comprises performing an analysis of a plurality of audio parameters (1-n).

3. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the computing system is connected to the speaker system via a data communication interface between the computing system and a control system connected to the speaker system.

4. - in a test signal step, playing (1011) an audio test signal using said at least one speaker (101, 102, 103); - during a listening step, capturing (1012) the reproduced audio test signal with a microphone (300) located within the monitoring space; and - calibrating the speaker system (100) based on the captured audio test signal; The method of claim 1 or 2, comprising a calibration step (1010) comprising:

5. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein the method includes a second such calibration step (1020).

6. The audio parameters (1 to n) include or consist of the following list: - frequency response, - -6 dB point, -Time of Flight, - the sum of the frequency responses of several speakers, - Subwoofer high cut-off frequency, - (Full Bandwidth) Monitor low frequency dips, - early to late sound ratio; - room mode decay times, - combined response dip of subwoofer and (full bandwidth) monitor, - early reflection sound level, and -Reverberation time (RT60) The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the compound is selected from the group consisting of:

7. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein the step of outputting (1039) comprises displaying the conformance of each of the audio parameters (1-n) to a predetermined set of criteria for those parameters.

8. a processor (401), and a memory (403) connected to said processor (401); A computing system (400) comprising: - said memory (403) stores a set of computer readable instructions which, when executed by said processor (401), cause said processor (401) to perform the processing steps of claim 1; the computing system (400) comprises a data communication interface connected to the processor (401) and adapted to receive audio data from a speaker system (100); said computing system (400) comprises a reference database (404) directly or indirectly connected to said processor (401), said reference database (404) containing a library of tolerances for at least one audio parameter (1 to n); and the computing system (400) comprises a helper database (405) directly or indirectly connected to the processor (401), the helper database (405) containing a library of installation modification suggestions for a number of predetermined mismatches with the tolerances of the at least one audio parameter (1 to n); A computing system (400) comprising:

9. The computing system (400) of claim 8, further comprising an interface for outputting the report.

10. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored thereon a set of computer-readable instructions that, when executed by at least one processor (401), cause an apparatus to perform the processing steps of claim 1.

11. 2. A computer program comprising instructions that, when said program is executed by a computer, cause said computer to carry out the process steps of claim 1.

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