Calibrating Distributed Audio Systems Using Heterogeneity Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
In distributed audio rendering systems with heterogeneous speakers from different suppliers and types, synchronization and tuning issues lead to audible delays, spatial image instability, and volume discrepancies, as conventional methods fail to account for clock drift and latency across different manufacturers' devices.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for calibrating a distributed audio rendering system using a microphone to capture calibration signals across multiple speakers, analyzing data to determine and correct heterogeneity factors such as synchronization, tuning, volume, and spatial mapping, by adjusting clock drift, latency, and impulse responses, without modifying the speakers' clocks or hardware.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional synchronization protocols are used between speakers from the same manufacturer, then synchronization is improved, but compatibility with heterogeneous speakers from different manufacturers deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a server as an intermediary that coordinates all speakers in the distributed system. The server sends timing information to all speakers, which then synchronize their playback based on this central reference rather than trying to synchronize directly with each other. This mediator approach allows speakers from different manufacturers to work together without requiring mutual compatibility between pairs of speakers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent measures and corrects timing parameters (latency, clock drift) for each speaker individually by analyzing captured calibration signals. Based on these measurements, the system adjusts playback timing parameters for each speaker to compensate for hardware variations, enabling heterogeneous speakers to synchronize despite manufacturing differences.
2Reliability
If electroacoustic measurement is used to find latency between speakers, then synchronization is improved, but clock drift over time is not corrected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where speakers periodically capture calibration signals from other speakers and report timing measurements back to the server. The server uses this feedback information to continuously track and correct for clock drift, adjusting timing parameters to maintain synchronization over extended periods rather than just at the initial calibration moment.
3Measurement precision
If multiple independent calibration processes are used for different heterogeneity factors, then correction precision is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple calibration measurements into a single integrated process. By having speakers capture calibration signals from multiple other speakers and analyze all timing information together, the system simultaneously determines latency, clock drift, and spatial position for all speakers in one calibration sequence rather than requiring separate calibration procedures for each parameter.
Solution Approach 2:
The calibration signal serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a timing reference for latency measurement, a frequency reference for clock drift detection, and a spatial reference for position determination. This multi-functional approach allows a single calibration process to correct multiple heterogeneity factors without requiring separate specialized signals or procedures.
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 approach optimizes the quality of the distributed audio system by correcting multiple heterogeneity factors in a single calibration process, ensuring synchronized, tuned, and evenly rendered audio across all speakers, improving the overall soundstage and resource efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
placing a microphone in front of a first speaker of the set; capturing, by means of the microphone, a calibration signal sent to the first speaker
Data Source
AI summary
A method for calibrating a distributed audio reproduction system, including a set of N heterogeneous loudspeakers controlled by a server. This method includes the following steps: a) placing a microphone in front of a first loudspeaker of the set; b) capturing), by the microphone, a calibration signal sent to the loudspeaker at a first time and reproduced by same; c) capturing, by the microphone, the calibration signal sent with a known time delay to the N−1 other loudspeakers of the set and reproduced by these N−1 loudspeakers; d) capturing, by the microphone, the calibration signal sent to the first loudspeaker at a second time and reproduced again by same; e) repeating steps a) to d) for the N loudspeakers of the set; f) determining a plurality of heterogeneity factors to be corrected for the set of N loudspeakers by analysing the data thus captured; g) correcting the determined heterogeneity factors.