Audio System Calibration via Automated Microphone Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sound field correction systems require professional expertise and specialized equipment for data acquisition, making them difficult to implement in home installations or studios without professional assistance.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that allows non-expert users to acquire sound data using test signals and a user interface, enabling microphone positioning and frequency response measurement through a sequence of guided steps, facilitating the generation of correction parameters for improved sound quality in various environments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If professional expertise and specialized equipment are used for data acquisition, then measurement precision and reliability are improved, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesound field measurement precisionVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically performs microphone positioning, data acquisition, and correction parameter generation without requiring professional operator intervention. The computer executes pre-programmed instructions to control the microphone movement mechanism and process measurement data, enabling non-experts to achieve professional-grade sound field correction

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system includes pre-stored correction parameters and pre-programmed measurement procedures that have been prepared in advance. These preliminary preparations allow the system to automatically adapt to different listening environments without requiring real-time expert judgment or complex manual configuration

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Measurement precision

If professional expertise and specialized equipment are used for data acquisition, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemicrophone positioning precisionVSAvoiduser operation ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The computer automatically controls the microphone positioning mechanism based on pre-stored coordinate data, eliminating the need for operators to manually calculate and adjust microphone positions. The system self-manages the entire measurement process from positioning to data acquisition and correction parameter generation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces manual mechanical positioning with computer-controlled automated positioning. The computer executes programmed instructions to control the microphone movement mechanism, substituting human expertise with automated computational control to achieve precise and repeatable measurements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of operation

If automated microphone positioning and data acquisition are implemented, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata acquisition easeVSAvoidfrequency response measurement precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the computer continuously monitors measurement data quality and adjusts measurement parameters accordingly. The automated system validates collected data against predefined criteria and can request re-measurement if precision thresholds are not met, ensuring maintained measurement accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses pre-stored correction parameters and pre-programmed measurement procedures that have been optimized in advance to ensure measurement precision. These preliminary preparations include calibrated measurement routines and validated algorithms that maintain professional-grade accuracy while enabling automated operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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

Enables users to effectively correct sound distortions and enhance audio quality in home installations and studios by simplifying the data acquisition process, allowing for precise microphone placement and frequency response measurement, resulting in improved sound reproduction.

Implementation Method 1

acquire data by measuring sound produced in response to test signals

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAcoustic detection: Sound

Data Source

PatentEP2839678B1Optimizing audio systems
Publication Date: 2017.09.13 SONARWORKS
  • EP2839678B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2839678B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2839678B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A system with speakers in a listening environment is optimized acquiring data to determine characteristics of the acoustic field generated by the speakers. Test signals are supplied to the speakers and sound measurements made at a plurality of microphone positions in the listening environment. A set of correction parameters is calculated for controlling an equalization filter to achieve a desired frequency response characteristic at a listening position within the listening environment.