Auditory Scenario Simulation for Automatic Sound Preference Tuning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sound reproduction devices lack the ability to easily and comfortably adjust reproduction parameters for different listening situations, requiring users to manually set parameters based on their current auditory environment, which can be inconvenient, especially for individuals with hearing difficulties and in dynamic noise conditions.

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 relative to simulated auditory scenarios, allowing for automatic adjustment of sound reproduction based on individual preferences and environmental conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If users manually adjust reproduction parameters for different listening situations, then sound reproduction quality can be optimized for specific conditions, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to the need for continuous manual adjustment in dynamic environments

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesound reproduction qualityVSAvoidease of adjustment

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by pre-storing reproduction parameter settings for various auditory scenarios before actual use. When a scenario is detected, the corresponding pre-stored settings are automatically retrieved and applied, eliminating the need for real-time manual adjustment while maintaining optimized sound quality for different conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system serves itself by automatically detecting the current auditory scenario and selecting appropriate reproduction parameters from stored settings without requiring user intervention. The device monitors environmental noise characteristics and autonomously adjusts sound reproduction to match optimal pre-configured settings for the detected scenario

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Adaptability or versatility

If the system stores reproduction parameter settings for multiple auditory scenarios, then adaptability to different listening situations improves, but the device complexity increases due to additional storage and processing requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to listening situationsVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system manages complexity by organizing stored settings as discrete parameter sets associated with specific auditory scenario characteristics. Each scenario is represented by key acoustic parameters (such as noise level, frequency distribution), and the system selects appropriate pre-stored reproduction parameter combinations based on matching these characteristics, enabling versatile adaptation without requiring complex real-time processing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates simplified representations (copies) of auditory scenarios based on their acoustic characteristics and stores corresponding reproduction parameter settings for each. Instead of processing entire audio environments, the system uses parameter-based copying and matching to efficiently retrieve appropriate settings, reducing computational complexity while maintaining adaptability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Ease of operation

If the system automatically adjusts reproduction parameters based on detected auditory scenarios, then ease of operation improves by reducing manual adjustment needs, but the measurement precision deteriorates without accurate scenario detection

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of adjustmentVSAvoidscenario detection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring the acoustic environment and comparing detected scenario characteristics against stored scenario profiles. This feedback loop enables the system to accurately identify the current auditory scenario and select the most appropriate pre-stored reproduction parameter settings, ensuring precise automatic adjustment without requiring complex real-time analysis

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS9445169B2Sound reproduction device including auditory scenario simulation

Publication Date: 2016.09.13 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.