Capacitive Speaker Sensing for Automatic Indoor-Outdoor Audio Tuning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Portable wireless speakers lack automatic audio configuration adjustment when moved to different locations, requiring manual setup and failing to optimize sound based on the new environment.

Innovation Solution

Integration of capacitance sensors on speakers to detect the surface type and environment, correlating the sensor signals with pre-stored settings to automatically adjust audio configurations such as EQ, volume, and bass levels, using a library of materials and cloud storage for optimal sound delivery.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual audio configuration setup is required for each location, then users can precisely control audio settings, but user operation complexity increases and time is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaudio configuration precisionVSAvoidsetup operation ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The speaker system performs self-service by automatically detecting the placement surface through capacitance sensors and autonomously selecting appropriate audio configurations from stored profiles, eliminating the need for manual user setup while maintaining precise audio optimization for different environments

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple audio configuration profiles are pre-stored in the speaker's memory corresponding to different placement surfaces (carpet, wood, concrete, etc.). The system has already prepared the optimal settings in advance, so when a surface is detected, the matching configuration is immediately retrieved and applied without requiring real-time manual adjustment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Measurement precision

If manual audio configuration setup is required for each location, then users can precisely control audio settings, but time consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaudio configuration precisionVSAvoidsetup time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The capacitance sensor continuously monitors the placement surface and provides feedback to the processor. Based on this feedback, the system automatically retrieves and applies the corresponding audio configuration profile, creating a closed-loop system that adapts in real-time without user intervention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If speakers are made portable and wireless, then flexibility and mobility are enhanced, but automatic adaptation to new environments is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocation flexibilityVSAvoidautomatic configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical configuration (physically connecting speakers to audio sources and manually adjusting settings) with an automated sensing and processing system. Capacitance sensors detect electrical properties of the placement surface, and a processor automatically translates this data into optimal audio configurations, enabling wireless portable speakers to autonomously adapt to any environment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 seamless and optimized audio configuration adjustments based on the speaker's location, both indoors and outdoors, enhancing the listening experience by automatically adapting to new environments without manual intervention.

Implementation Method 1

One or more capacitors are mounted on a surface of an audio speaker and generate signals representative of the nature of the surface on which the speaker is disposed and more particularly representative of the electrical capacitance of the surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Data Source

PatentUS11599329B2Capacitive environmental sensing for a unique portable speaker listening experience

Publication Date: 2023.03.07 SONY GROUP CORP

AI summary

A networked speaker system automatically adjusts certain audio speaker system settings based on whether the system is inside a building or has been moved outside as may be sensed by one or capacitors on a speaker. Also, techniques are described for adjusting speaker driver direction based on walls or other barriers in a room or based on the location of a listener.