Adaptive Audio Equalization for Position-Dependent Sound Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Audio output devices, such as telephones, face challenges in maintaining consistent sound quality and preventing damage due to varying user positions and environments, which affect the acoustic output signal's amplitude and frequency response.

Innovation Solution

An apparatus comprising a filter, an audio output device, and a microphone, where a detector monitors the signal power changes and adjusts the filter to compensate for position-related changes, ensuring consistent performance by controlling the acoustic output signal's amplitude and frequency response.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the acoustic output signal amplitude is increased to improve sound quality in noisy environments, then the sound quality improves, but the risk of injuring the user or damaging components increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesound qualityVSAvoiduser injury or component damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the acoustic output signal characteristics based on real-time detection of signal power changes caused by varying user positions. The filter is controlled to compensate for these changes, allowing the system to adapt its output to maintain consistent performance across different holding conditions while preventing harmful amplitude levels.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses a feedback mechanism where the detector monitors the electrical output signal from the microphone and compares it to the filtered input signal. Based on the detected signal power changes, the system provides control signals to the filter to compensate for position-related variations, creating a closed-loop control system that maintains safe and consistent output levels.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Adaptability or versatility

If the user changes the position of the apparatus relative to their ear, then the user can adapt to different environments, but the sound quality becomes inconsistent

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser positioning flexibilityVSAvoidsound quality consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the parameters of the acoustic output signal (frequency response, amplitude) based on detected signal power changes. The filter modifies its characteristics in response to position variations, enabling the system to maintain consistent sound quality despite changes in user positioning or holding conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the maximum amplitude of the acoustic signal is limited to prevent injury, then safety is improved, but the sound quality may deteriorate in noisy environments

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser safetyVSAvoidsound quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system introduces an intermediary detection and control mechanism between the audio output device and the user's ear. The detector monitors signal power changes and the filter compensates for position-related variations, allowing the system to maintain safe amplitude limits while preserving sound quality through active adjustment of the acoustic signal characteristics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 ensures consistent sound quality and prevents damage by dynamically adjusting the acoustic output signal based on user position, maintaining performance across different holding conditions and environments.

Implementation Method 1

an audio output device configured to convert the filtered electrical input signal to an acoustic output signal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectroacoustic conversion:

Implementation Method 2

a microphone configured to detect an acoustic signal and provide an electrical output signal corresponding to the detected acoustic signal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAcoustic detection:

Data Source

PatentUS9344051B2Apparatus, method and storage medium for performing adaptive audio equalization

Publication Date: 2016.05.17 NOKIA TECHNOLOGIES OY

AI summary

An apparatus, method and computer program where the apparatus includes a filter configured to filter an electrical input signal and provide a filtered electrical input signal to an audio output device; an audio output device configured to convert the filtered electrical input signal to an acoustic output signal; a microphone configured to detect an acoustic signal and provide an electrical output signal corresponding to the detected acoustic signal; and a detector configured to receive the filtered electrical input signal provided to the audio output device as a first input and the electrical output signal provided by the microphone as a second input; wherein the detector is configured to detect a change in the signal power of the electrical output signal provided by the microphone relative to the filtered electrical input signal provided to the audio output device and, in response to the detection of the change in the signal power, provide a control signal to the filter to control the filter to compensate for the detected change in signal power.