Audio Calibration Unit Adaptive Pilot Tone Monitoring

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing audio systems face challenges in maintaining optimal pilot tone monitoring, as fixed frequency and level settings can lead to pilot tone being audible and impairing audio quality, especially in systems with varying gains and frequency responses.

Innovation Solution

An adaptive calibration unit that adjusts the pilot tone frequency and level dynamically, ensuring the tone is inaudible and optimally set for the specific audio system configuration, using a calibration module to automatically optimize pilot tone monitoring parameters based on detector signals.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the pilot tone frequency and level are set to fixed values, then the monitoring function is simple to implement, but the pilot tone may become audible and impair audio quality in systems with varying gains and frequency responses

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemonitoring system complexityVSAvoidaudio quality degradation
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic adjustment of pilot tone frequency and level parameters based on system characteristics. The system automatically adapts the pilot tone settings to match the specific audio system configuration, preventing the tone from becoming audible while maintaining monitoring effectiveness. This resolves the contradiction by making the previously fixed parameters dynamic and adaptive.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical parameters of the pilot tone (frequency and level) based on system measurements and characteristics. By automatically adjusting these parameters rather than using fixed values, the system maintains optimal monitoring performance without degrading audio quality across different system configurations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If the pilot tone level is increased to ensure reliable detection, then the monitoring reliability improves, but the pilot tone becomes more audible and impacts audio quality

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepilot tone detection reliabilityVSAvoidaudibility of pilot tone
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent dynamically adjusts the pilot tone level parameter based on system characteristics and detection requirements. Rather than using a fixed high level that ensures detection but causes audibility, the system automatically optimizes the level to the minimum required for reliable detection in each specific configuration, thereby maintaining reliability while minimizing audio quality impact.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs self-adjustment of the pilot tone level based on its own operational requirements and system characteristics. Through automatic calibration and adaptation, the system determines the optimal level without external intervention, ensuring reliable detection while minimizing harmful effects on audio quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If manual adjustment of pilot tone parameters is performed, then the system can be adapted to specific configurations, but time-consuming calibration and potential for human error occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem adaptation capabilityVSAvoidcalibration time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements automatic parameter adjustment where the system calibrates and adapts the pilot tone settings itself without requiring manual intervention. The system automatically measures system characteristics and adjusts frequency and level parameters accordingly, eliminating time-consuming manual calibration while maintaining full adaptability to different configurations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from system measurements to automatically adjust pilot tone parameters. By continuously monitoring system characteristics and using this information to adapt the pilot tone settings, the system achieves configuration-specific optimization without manual calibration, reducing time loss while maintaining adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3284271B1Audio system, calibration module, operating method, and computer program
Publication Date: 2020.12.16 ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
  • EP3284271B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3284271B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3

AI summary

The invention relates to a calibration unit (20) for an audio system (2) having a generator (4) for generating a pilot tone (6), and a detector (16a-c) for the pilot tone (6), wherein at least one parameter (P1, 2) determining the pilot tone (6) is changeable, which calibration unit comprises an input unit (22) for optionally setting the parameter (P1, 2), wherein for at least one value (W1, 2) of the parameter (P1, 2), all detectors indicate a detection of the pilot tone (6). An audio system (2) comprises said calibration unit (20). In a method for operating the calibration unit (20), the parameters (p1, 2) is regulated in such a way that all detectors (16a-c) indicate a detection of the pilot tone (6). A computer program carries out all steps of the method, when the program is performed on a computer and/or the calibration unit (20) or the audio system (2).