Portable Audio Equalization Using Infrared Acoustic Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Portable audio systems, such as wireless speaker packages, face challenges in maintaining optimal sound quality when moved or when their environment changes, as existing equalization methods do not effectively adapt to new locations or changing acoustic conditions.
Innovation Solution
A dongle coupled to a portable computer device, equipped with a microphone and infrared transmitter, captures test sounds and wirelessly transmits calculated audio parameters to the audio system to adjust its frequency response, ensuring better sound quality by equalizing it to the environment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If portable audio systems are moved to different locations or environments change, then the acoustic conditions vary, but the sound quality deteriorates because existing equalization methods do not adapt to new locations
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary equalization measurements by playing test tones through the audio system and capturing them with a microphone before actual use. This preliminary action characterizes the acoustic environment in advance, allowing the system to pre-compute equalization parameters that will optimize sound quality for that specific location before the user even plays music.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from captured test sounds to automatically adjust equalization parameters. The microphone captures test tones played by the audio system, the processor analyzes the captured signals to determine room acoustic characteristics, and then automatically generates equalization filters to compensate for identified issues, creating a closed-loop adaptive equalization system.
2Reliability
If real-time equalization is implemented for different locations, then sound quality improves, but device complexity increases due to additional sensors and processing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system makes the portable computer device itself multi-functional by using its existing microphone and processor for both general computing tasks and acoustic measurement/equalization functions. This eliminates the need for dedicated separate measurement microphones and processing hardware, reducing overall device complexity while enabling real-time adaptive equalization.
Solution Approach 2:
The audio system performs self-diagnosis and self-adjustment by using its own test tone generation capabilities and the portable device's microphone to characterize its acoustic environment. The system automatically computes and applies equalization parameters without requiring external measurement equipment or manual calibration, making the complex equalization process transparent to the user.
3Measurement precision
If equalization parameters are calculated and transmitted to the audio system, then frequency response accuracy improves, but transmission time increases due to wireless communication requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs equalization parameter calculation and transmission before the user actually uses the audio system for music playback. By completing the measurement and parameter transmission in advance as a setup step, the system ensures that accurate frequency response data is available immediately when needed, without causing delays during actual music playback sessions.
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
This solution allows for real-time adaptation of audio systems to their surroundings, enhancing sound quality by dynamically adjusting the frequency response based on detected acoustic conditions, thereby providing consistent high-quality sound across different locations.
Implementation Method 1
a microphone adapted to detect test sounds radiated by an audio system
Implementation Method 2
an infrared transmitter adapted to transmit infrared signals to the audio system
Data Source
AI summary
Processes and devices for equalizing an audio system that is adapted to use a loudspeaker to transduce test audio signals into test sounds. The processes and devices can involve the use of infrared signals to convey information in one or both directions between the audio system and a portable computer device that captures test sounds, calculates audio parameters that can be used in the equalization process, and transmits these audio parameters back to the audio system for its use in equalizing audio signals that are played by the audio system.