Aircraft Audio Equalizer Configuration for Low-Cost Earphones
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inexpensive earphones used in aircraft lack individual information for identification, making it difficult to reproduce music with appropriate characteristics.
Innovation Solution
An equalizer setting information generating system that acquires earphone characteristics and identifies audio reproduction device characteristics to generate equalizer setting information, ensuring appropriate audio reproduction for each earphone.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If inexpensive earphones without individual information are used, then cost is reduced, but audio reproduction quality cannot be optimized for each earphone
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an equalizer setting information generating system as an intermediary between the audio source and the earphone. This system measures the actual acoustic characteristics through a microphone and generates customized equalizer settings, serving as a mediator that bridges the gap between inexpensive earphones and high-quality audio reproduction without requiring expensive individualized earphones
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes the audio parameters (equalizer settings) based on measured acoustic characteristics. By adjusting frequency response parameters in real-time through equalization, the system optimizes audio reproduction quality for each earphone-user combination, compensating for the lack of individual earphone information
2Manufacturing precision
If individual information is stored in each earphone for identification, then audio reproduction can be optimized, but earphone cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The equalizer setting information generating system acts as an external intermediary that performs the function of identification and customization without requiring embedded storage in the earphone itself. The system uses a microphone to capture acoustic characteristics and generates equalizer settings externally, eliminating the need for costly individual information storage in each earphone
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of storing individual information directly in the earphone, the system creates a copy of the acoustic characteristics through measurement and stores the equalizer setting information in the audio reproduction device or server. This copying approach achieves personalized audio optimization without modifying the earphone hardware
3Manufacturing precision
If equalizer setting information is generated for each earphone, then audio quality is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-service by automatically measuring acoustic characteristics through the built-in microphone and generating equalizer settings without requiring manual user input or complex configuration. The measurement and generation processes are automated, reducing the perceived complexity for users while maintaining high audio quality
Solution Approach 2:
The equalizer setting information generating system serves multiple functions: it measures acoustic characteristics, identifies earphone types, generates equalizer settings, and stores information. By consolidating these functions into a single multi-functional system, the patent manages complexity more effectively than having separate systems for each function
Data Source
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AI summary
To provide a high quality listening experience for passengers using inexpensive earphones distributed in an aircraft, equalizer setting according to the characteristics of earphones is necessary. Earphones used in the aircraft are variable according to an aircraft company, and audio reproduction devices used with the earphones are variable according to an aircraft company or a flight number, therefore, it is necessary to prepare a plural of equalizer settings and to select and apply a proper equalizer setting according to a combination of earphones and audio reproduction devices. An equalizer setting information generating system (100) for an aircraft entertainment system includes an earphone characteristic acquiring section (102) for acquiring characteristics of an earphone, an audio reproduction device identifying section (103) for identifying acoustic characteristics of an audio reproduction device to be used with the earphone, and an equalizer information generating section (104) for generating equalizer setting information to be applied to the audio reproduction device, by using the information acquired by the earphone characteristic acquiring section and the information identified by the audio reproduction device identifying section, so as to generate information about equalizer setting.