Audio Playback Self-Diagnosis via Loudspeaker-Microphone Signal Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users and manufacturers face constraints due to acoustic defects in audio playback equipment, as existing solutions require equipment return and recalibration, which can be unnecessary and burdensome, often resulting from installation issues rather than equipment faults.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a self-diagnosis method in audio playback equipment that uses audio test signals to perform mutual diagnosis of loudspeakers and microphones, allowing for acoustic recalibration and defect identification without external equipment, thereby reducing returns and improving defect handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the user returns the equipment to the vendor or manufacturer for acoustic defect diagnosis, then the equipment can be tested and repaired by after sales service, but the user loses access to the equipment for a certain length of time and must cope with return procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The audio playback equipment performs self-diagnosis of acoustic defects using its own loudspeakers and microphones to generate test signals and analyze received signals, eliminating the need to return equipment to the manufacturer for diagnosis. This allows the user to keep the equipment throughout the diagnostic process.
2Ease of repair
If the user returns the equipment to the vendor or manufacturer for acoustic defect diagnosis, then the equipment can be repaired or recalibrated, but the process is often burdensome and expensive for the manufacturer when defects stem from installation issues rather than equipment faults
Solution Approach 1:
The equipment autonomously performs acoustic defect diagnosis by generating test signals through its loudspeakers and analyzing the signals received by its microphones, identifying whether defects originate from the equipment itself or from installation/environmental factors, thereby eliminating unnecessary returns for installation-related issues.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from the microphone analysis of test signals to determine the source of acoustic defects, enabling differentiation between equipment faults and installation issues, and providing targeted diagnostic information to guide appropriate corrective actions.
3Measurement precision
If external test equipment is used for acoustic defect diagnosis, then comprehensive testing can be performed, but the process requires the equipment to be returned to the manufacturer and involves additional logistics
Solution Approach 1:
The audio playback equipment uses its own loudspeakers and microphones, designed for audio playback and capture functions, to perform acoustic defect diagnosis, eliminating the need for separate external test equipment while maintaining diagnostic capability within the existing device architecture.
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
Enables audio playback equipment to autonomously diagnose and correct acoustic defects, reducing user and manufacturer burdens by identifying and addressing issues internally, minimizing unnecessary returns and improving defect handling efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
acquiring or producing emission audio test signals and outputting them via the loudspeaker(s), thereby producing sound test signals
Implementation Method 2
acquiring reception audio test signals produced by the microphone(s) as a result of the microphones receiving the sound test signals
Data Source
AI summary
A self-diagnosis method performed in audio playback equipment including an audio playback unit having at least one loudspeaker and an audio capture unit having at least one microphone includes the steps of acquiring or producing emission audio test signals and outputting them via the loudspeaker(s), thereby producing sound test signals; acquiring reception audio test signals produced by the microphone(s) as a result of the microphones receiving the sound test signals; and analyzing the reception audio test signals in order to establish a first diagnosis of the audio playback unit and a second diagnosis of the audio capture unit.