Audio Signal Path Testing Using Virtual Transfer Function Comparison
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current audio system testing methods require skilled personnel and are time-consuming and labor-intensive, as they rely on manual evaluation of audio signals in physical locations, making it difficult to identify failures in signal paths from audio input/output apparatuses to speakers.
Innovation Solution
A management server and audio client system that measure and compare transfer functions of actual and virtual signal paths to determine the condition of the audio system, allowing remote monitoring and reducing the need for physical presence and specialized expertise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual audio testing by skilled personnel is used, then testing accuracy and reliability are improved, but labor intensity and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical audio testing by skilled personnel with an automated electronic testing system. The management server automatically acquires transfer functions, generates virtual signal paths, calculates expected transfer functions, and compares them to identify failures, eliminating the need for manual ear-based testing while maintaining reliability through objective measurement
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the physical signal path by generating a virtual second signal path that mirrors the actual first signal path. This virtual model allows automated comparison and failure detection without requiring physical presence or manual intervention at the testing location
2Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If manual audio testing is performed on-site, then failure detection capability is improved, but work load and time required increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces time-consuming manual on-site testing with automated electronic measurement and comparison. The management server remotely acquires transfer functions and performs automated analysis, dramatically reducing testing time while maintaining or improving failure detection capability through systematic computational methods
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces transfer functions as an intermediary parameter that mediates between the physical audio signal path and the failure detection process. By measuring and comparing transfer functions rather than directly evaluating audio quality, the system enables rapid automated failure detection without requiring manual intervention
3Measurement precision
If specialized expertise is required for audio testing, then testing precision is improved, but operational complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the need for specialized human expertise with automated computational algorithms. The management server automatically performs transfer function acquisition, virtual signal path generation, expected transfer function calculation, and failure determination through programmed logic, eliminating the need for trained personnel while maintaining measurement precision through consistent automated procedures
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service automated testing where the management server independently performs all testing operations without requiring skilled operators. The automated acquisition, calculation, and comparison processes execute autonomously, making the system easy to operate while maintaining high measurement precision through built-in computational algorithms
Data Source
AI summary
A management server includes a memory, and at least one processor configured to control an audio client system, by execution of instructions stored in the memory. The at least one processor is configured to acquire a first transfer function measured for a portion of or for all of the first signal path in the audio client system. The at least one processor is also configured to generate a virtual second signal path for a portion of or for all of the first signal path in the audio client system, and calculate a second transfer function for a portion of or for all of the generated virtual second signal path. The at least one processor is also configured to determine a condition of the audio client system, based on a result of a comparison between the first transfer function and the second transfer function.