Adaptive Audio Receiver with Acoustic Feedback Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current audio devices face challenges in maintaining optimal acoustic performance due to varying acoustic impedance between the device and the user's ear, influenced by factors like position, seal quality, physiology, and environmental conditions, leading to suboptimal sound quality.
Innovation Solution
A control system that includes an estimator with state estimating models to predict proximity states, such as acoustic coupling and volume, and a control algorithm to adjust audio output based on feedback signals from sensors like microphones and pressure sensors, ensuring improved sound quality and adaptability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If additional tuning components and complex processing are added to improve acoustic performance, then sound quality improves, but device complexity, cost, and computational requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the device's own speaker and microphone to automatically measure and compensate for acoustic impedance variations. The speaker serves dual purposes: producing audio output and enabling acoustic characterization through feedback signals, eliminating the need for separate tuning components.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback loop where the speaker emits test tones, the microphone captures the acoustic response, and the processor uses this feedback to characterize acoustic impedance and adjust audio output accordingly, enabling adaptive optimization without additional hardware.
2Ease of manufacture
If static tuning based on standard simulators is used, then manufacturing process is simple, but acoustic performance degrades in real-world conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from static factory tuning to dynamic adaptive tuning that continuously adjusts audio output based on real-time acoustic impedance measurements taken during actual use, allowing the system to adapt to varying conditions without complicating manufacturing.
Solution Approach 2:
The device performs its own acoustic characterization in the field using integrated sensors, eliminating the need for complex real-world testing procedures during manufacturing while maintaining high adaptability to individual user conditions.
3Reliability
If the speaker is placed closer to the ear for better sound delivery, then audio clarity improves, but acoustic coupling variations and seal quality issues increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses acoustic feedback from the microphone to continuously monitor and characterize the actual coupling between the speaker and user's ear, allowing dynamic adjustment of audio output to compensate for variations in seal quality and positioning while maintaining effective sound delivery.
Data Source
AI summary
A nonlinear control system and a speaker protection system are disclosed. In particular, a control system for adapting an audio output from a speaker in the proximity of an object is disclosed. The controller is configured to accept one or more input signals, and one or more estimated states produced by the model to produce one or more control signals. A speaker protection system and a quality control system are disclosed. More particularly, a system for clamping the input to a speaker dependent upon an estimate of the proximity, acoustic volume, and/or acoustic coupling of the speaker to a nearby object is disclosed.