Audio Calibration via Auditory Steady State Response
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional audio systems in headsets are not user-specifically calibrated, leading to variations in audio output due to differences in head and ear geometries, hearing loss, and changes in headset position, which conventional microphone-based calibration methods cannot effectively address.
Innovation Solution
An audio system that uses an auditory steady state response (ASSR) to calibrate transducers in a headset by presenting an audio calibration signal and measuring electrical signals from the user's brain, determining sound filter parameters, and adjusting the transducers to provide customized audio content.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a microphone is placed at the entrance to the ear-canal to sense sound pressure for calibration, then audio calibration and equalization can be achieved, but social acceptability decreases and acoustic interference increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses electrical signals from the auditory cortex as an intermediary to indirectly measure audio calibration, replacing the direct acoustic measurement approach. Instead of placing a microphone in the ear-canal to sense sound pressure, the system presents audio calibration signals and measures the user's neural electrical responses, which serve as a mediator between the audio system and the calibration measurement, eliminating the need for intrusive microphone placement
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/acoustic measurement system (microphone sensing sound pressure) with an electrical measurement system (electrodes sensing electrical signals from the auditory cortex). This substitution transitions from mechanical wave detection to electrical signal detection, eliminating the harmful effects of acoustic interference and social discomfort associated with ear-canal microphone placement
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional factory calibration is used for speakers, then manufacturing complexity is reduced, but audio output varies due to individual user differences in head and ear geometries and hearing profiles
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-calibration by automatically measuring the user's electrical signals in response to calibration signals and generating user-specific sound filters without requiring manual adjustment or complex factory procedures. The audio system calibrates itself for each user through the measurement and processing of neural electrical responses, eliminating the need for time-consuming manual calibration while achieving personalized audio output
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the calibration parameters from fixed factory settings to dynamic user-specific parameters derived from electrical signal measurements. By measuring electrical signals from the auditory cortex and determining sound filter parameters based on these measurements, the system adapts audio output parameters (frequency response, gain, equalization) to match individual user characteristics, resolving the contradiction between manufacturing simplicity and user adaptation
3Device complexity
If speakers are calibrated at the factory without user-specific adjustment, then device complexity is reduced, but audio quality decreases due to variations in headset fit and position
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary calibration measurements by presenting calibration signals and measuring electrical responses before actual audio playback. This preliminary action captures user-specific characteristics (head and ear geometries, hearing profiles, headset fit) and pre-computes sound filters that will be applied during normal operation, ensuring consistent audio quality without adding complexity to the ongoing audio processing
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from measured electrical signals to automatically adjust and optimize audio output. By continuously measuring the user's neural response to calibration signals and using this feedback to determine sound filter parameters, the system ensures reliable and consistent audio quality adapted to each user's specific characteristics, while keeping the overall device complexity manageable through automated feedback loops
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 personalized audio calibration that accounts for individual hearing profiles and headset fit, providing improved audio quality and comfort by embedding electrodes within the headset frame, thus avoiding the social acceptability issues and acoustic interference of traditional microphone placement.
Implementation Method 1
The transducer assembly includes one or more speakers, one or more bone conduction transducers, one or more cartilage conduction transducers
Implementation Method 2
The system measures electrical signals that are generated in the auditory cortex of the brain of the user in response to the presented audio calibration signal
Implementation Method 3
The audio system determines an ASSR of the user based on the measured electrical signals. The audio system determines a value for one or more sound filter parameter based on the determined ASSR and a model
Data Source
AI summary
An audio system is described for calibrating one or more transducers for a user using the auditory steady state response (ASSR) of the user. The audio system presents an audio calibration signal to the user via a transducer array in the headset. The system measures electrical signals that are generated in the auditory cortex of the brain of the user in response to the presented audio calibration signal. The audio system determines an ASSR of the user based on the measured electrical signals. The audio system determines a value for one or more sound filter parameter based on the determined ASSR and a model. The audio system calibrates the transducer array using the determined sound filter parameters. The calibrated transducer array is used to present audio content to the user.