Audio Signal Feedback Tuning for Real-Time Acoustic Compensation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing audio devices struggle to maintain high-quality sound output regardless of their position in an environment or the presence of environmental interference, which affects the perceived sound quality.

Innovation Solution

An audio device equipped with microphones and an audible signal processor that detects and adjusts the sound quality by comparing the generated signal with a reference signal, adjusting characteristics such as sound levels and frequency ranges to optimize the audible signal based on environmental factors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If audio devices are positioned in different environments or locations, then the generated sound waves are affected by environmental interference, but maintaining high-quality sound output becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesound quality consistencyVSAvoidenvironmental interference

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses microphones to detect the actual sound output and feeds this information back to the processor. The processor compares the detected sound with the original media content signal and adjusts frequency ranges accordingly. This closed-loop feedback system enables real-time compensation for environmental interference, maintaining consistent sound quality across different positions and environments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically changes acoustic parameters by adjusting frequency ranges of the media content signal based on detected environmental conditions. The processor modifies gain, phase, and frequency characteristics in real-time to compensate for environmental interference, allowing the audio device to adapt to different positions and acoustic environments while maintaining high-quality sound output.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If calibration tones are used to adjust sound quality, then measurement precision improves, but the complexity of the operation increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesound quality detection accuracyVSAvoidcalibration process simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-calibration by using the media content signal itself as the reference. The processor extracts frequency information from the actual audio content being played and uses this to automatically adjust frequency ranges without requiring external calibration tones or manual intervention. This self-service approach maintains high measurement precision while simplifying operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary analysis of the media content signal to extract frequency characteristics before processing. By pre-analyzing the audio content and preparing frequency range adjustments in advance, the system achieves accurate sound quality detection and adjustment without requiring complex real-time calibration procedures during playback.

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

The solution effectively improves sound quality by compensating for environmental interference, providing consistent and high-quality audio output across various environments and positions, without the need for calibration tones.

Implementation Method 1

acoustic transducer, or driver, which has a diaphragm that produces sound waves by converting an electrical signal into mechanical motion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic transduction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

one or more microphones contained within the body of the audio device that are configured to detect the audible signal generated by the audio speaker

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAcoustic transduction:

Implementation Method 3

filtering the detected audible signal, wherein filtering the detected audible signal comprises separating the detected audible signal into one or more frequency ranges

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFrequency filtering: Filter (electronic)

Data Source

PatentUS11277689B2Apparatus and method for optimizing sound quality of a generated audible signal

Publication Date: 2022.03.15 LOGITECH EUROPE SA

AI summary

The present disclosure generally provides an apparatus and method of controlling an audible signal generated by an audio device to improve the sound quality of the generated audible signal and/or sound quality perceived by a user. In some embodiments, the audio device is able to improve the sound quality generated by the audio device that is generating audible sound based on any type of audio signal. The processes described herein allow the audible signal processor to determine the acoustic fingerprint of the environment in which the audio device is positioned, and thus by use of the method steps disclosed herein to optimize the sound quality in one or more frequency bands of a generated audible signal in real time based on the determined acoustic fingerprint.