Acoustic Device Signal Processing for Low Latency Audio Sync
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Solution Overview
Problem
Portable wireless speakers face latency issues when connected to audio-visual devices via wireless technology, leading to undesirable lag between audio and visual components, especially in audio-visual content, and struggle to provide tailored acoustic experiences due to environmental and placement factors.
Innovation Solution
An acoustic device with signal processing circuitry and transducers that communicates with portable speakers using low latency protocols, generates tailored acoustic signals based on feedback from remote speakers, and includes a docking mechanism for enhanced acoustic output, allowing for personalized sound zones and improved synchronization with audio-visual media.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If wireless connection is used to connect portable speakers to audio-visual devices, then ease of operation is improved, but latency increases causing lag between audio and visual components
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the audio signal processing into multiple paths: a low-latency path for audio-visual synchronization using wired connections, and a wireless path for flexible connectivity. The audio signal is divided into separate streams that can be processed independently through different transmission media.
Solution Approach 2:
The base unit acts as an intermediary device that receives audio signals from the audio-visual device, processes them through low-latency wired connections, and then redistributes them to portable speaker units. This intermediary role allows the system to maintain low latency while enabling wireless operation of the portable units.
2Adaptability or versatility
If portable speakers are placed at different positions in the environment, then adaptability is improved, but acoustic quality deteriorates due to environmental factors and placement issues
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the base unit receives status information from portable speaker units about their environmental conditions and placement. This feedback enables dynamic adjustment of audio signal parameters to compensate for environmental factors such as distance, obstacles, and room acoustics, maintaining consistent acoustic quality across different placements.
Solution Approach 2:
The audio signal processing is made dynamic rather than static. The system continuously adjusts signal parameters including volume, equalization, and spatial positioning based on real-time feedback about speaker placement and environmental conditions, allowing the system to adapt to changing configurations while maintaining acoustic quality.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple portable speakers are used to provide tailored acoustic experiences, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the complexity of multi-speaker management into a centralized base unit rather than distributing it across multiple portable speakers. The base unit handles signal processing, coordination, and environmental adaptation for all connected portable speakers, while the portable units themselves remain relatively simple playback devices.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enhances the acoustic experience by reducing latency, improving dialog intelligibility, and allowing concurrent consumption of different audio content, creating personalized sound zones without the need for expensive home theater equipment, while maintaining low latency and clear synchronization with audio-visual media.
Implementation Method 1
one or more acoustic transducers...generate, from the input signal, a first signal for producing an acoustic output from the one or more transducers
Data Source
AI summary
The technology described in this document can be embodied in a first acoustic device that includes an input port configured to receive an input signal representing audio from a media device, and one or more acoustic transducers. The first acoustic device also includes one or more processors configured to generate, from the input signal, a first signal for producing an acoustic output from the one or more transducers, and a second signal for producing an acoustic output from a second acoustic device. The first and second signals are generated from the input signal based on a feedback signal received from the second acoustic device. The first acoustic device also includes an output port for providing a portion of the second signal to the second acoustic device.