Auditory Scenario Simulation for Personalized Sound Reproduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sound reproduction devices require users to manually adjust settings for different listening situations, which can be inconvenient and require the user to be present in the specific situation, limiting their ability to set optimal sound preferences for varying auditory scenarios, especially in dynamic environments like vehicles.

Innovation Solution

A sound reproduction system that includes a signal processing chain, simulation scenario means, user interface, and storage to detect and store user-defined reproduction parameter settings based on simulated auditory scenarios, allowing for automatic adjustment of sound settings to match individual preferences in different listening situations without the user needing to be present.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If users manually adjust sound reproduction settings for different listening situations, then sound preferences can be optimized for specific scenarios, but the user must be present in the specific situation and repeatedly adjust settings, which is inconvenient and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesound preference optimizationVSAvoidtime for adjusting settings

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system pre-generates simulated auditory scenarios representing different listening situations (e.g., driving, office, home) and stores them in the simulation scenario means. Users can select from these pre-prepared scenarios without needing to be physically present in each situation, eliminating the time loss while maintaining precise sound preference optimization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Measurement precision

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesound preference optimizationVSAvoidconvenience of setting

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system creates simplified copies of complex real-world listening situations through simulated auditory scenarios. Instead of requiring users to physically travel to or be present in each specific environment to adjust settings, the system provides representative simulations that capture the essential acoustic characteristics, making the operation convenient while maintaining optimization precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Adaptability or versatility

If the system provides multiple simulated auditory scenarios for different vehicle states, then sound preferences can be optimized for each scenario, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescenario coverageVSAvoidsystem structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The simulation scenario means serves multiple functions: it generates simulated auditory scenarios, stores them for later use, and provides them to the signal modifier for processing. This multi-functional design allows the system to cover multiple vehicle states and listening situations without proportionally increasing device complexity, as a single component handles scenario generation, storage, and delivery.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Ease of operation

If the system automatically adjusts sound settings based on detected scenarios, then user convenience is improved, but the extent of automation increases system complexity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser convenienceVSAvoidautomatic adjustment capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables users to select from pre-generated simulated auditory scenarios that represent different listening situations. Once a scenario is selected, the system automatically applies the appropriate sound reproduction parameters without requiring further manual adjustment. This self-service approach improves user convenience while limiting automation complexity to scenario selection and automatic parameter application, rather than full autonomous operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS10250960B2Sound reproduction device including auditory scenario simulation

Publication Date: 2019.04.02 FRAUNHOFER GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FORDERUNG DER ANGEWANDTEN FORSCHUNG EV

AI summary

A sound reproduction device includes a signal processing chain configured to render an acoustic useful signal for reproduction to a listener, a simulation scenario processor configured to provide auditory scenario information for a simulated auditory scenario, the simulated auditory scenario influencing perception, by the listener, of the reproduction of the useful signal and/or defining a useful signal type, a user interface configured to detect reproduction parameter settings from a user which represent an individual preference of the listener in view of the simulated auditory scenario, a signal modifier configured to receive the reproduction parameter settings and modify reproduction of the useful signal in dependence on the reproduction parameter settings, and a storage provided for storing the reproduction parameter setting and the auditory scenario information relative to one another. Further aspects relate to a method for training user-defined and auditory scenario-dependent reproduction parameter settings for a sound reproduction device, and a corresponding computer program.