Audio Controller Using Image Recognition for Speaker Output Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing audio systems, such as wireless audio systems, require users to manually search for suitable output characteristics like volume and acoustic settings for each speaker group, which is time-consuming and inconvenient, especially when the installation position or environment of speakers frequently changes.
Innovation Solution
The system identifies the usage environment of a speaker by analyzing picked-up image data from the installation area, allowing for automatic selection and setting of optimal output characteristics without interrupting music playback, using a camera-equipped audio controller to determine the room size and speaker position based on image recognition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If test signals are played back to automatically determine acoustic characteristics, then the accuracy of output characteristic setting is improved, but music playback must be interrupted and the process takes considerable time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the acoustic measurement system (microphone collecting test signals) with an optical measurement system (camera capturing installation environment images). Image processing algorithms analyze the captured images to determine room characteristics, speaker position, and installation environment, thereby automatically setting output characteristics without requiring actual acoustic test signals to be played back.
2Reliability
If test signals are played back for all channels before music playback, then optimal acoustic characteristics are selected, but the system cannot adapt to frequent changes in installation position or environment
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary analysis of the installation environment using image capture and processing before music playback begins. By analyzing the captured images to determine room characteristics and speaker positioning in advance, the system pre-configures optimal output characteristics that adapt to the specific installation environment, enabling reliable performance from the start without requiring subsequent adjustments when installation conditions change.
3Ease of operation
If manual adjustment of output characteristics is required for each speaker group, then precise control over audio output is achieved, but user operation becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service by automatically capturing images of the installation environment, processing these images to determine room characteristics and speaker positioning, and autonomously setting optimal output characteristics without requiring manual user adjustment. This eliminates the need for users to manually search for suitable output characteristics while maintaining precise control adapted to each specific installation scenario.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2(A)~2(B)
Figure 3
AI summary
To provide a technology capable of changing an output characteristic of music data more efficiently with a simpler operation irrespective of whether or not the music data is being played back, an audio controller (2) identifies a usage environment of a wireless speaker (1) frompicked-up image data on an installation room of the wireless speaker (1). Then, an output characteristic suitable for the identified usage environment is selected, and the selected output characteristic is set as an output characteristic of music data to be output from the wireless speaker (1). In this case, a ratio between a width of a wall behind the wireless speaker (1) and a width of the speaker is obtained from the picked-up image data obtained by picking up an image of the installation room of the wireless speaker (1) so that boundaries between the wall behind the wireless speaker (1) and both sides thereof are aligned with both edges of an angle of view, and a size of the installation room of the wireless speaker (1) is identified based on this ratio to be used as the usage environment. Further, an installation position of the speaker is identified based on a display position of the speaker in the picked-up image data to be also used as the usage environment.