Synchronized DUT Waveform Comparison for Automated Audio Pass/Fail
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for testing electronic devices, such as media playback devices, require human listeners to evaluate audio quality, which is inefficient and costly.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for analyzing a signal generated by a device under test (DUT) using a time-synchronization buffer to compare a test signal with a reference signal, determining pass/fail results based on a mel-frequency cepstral coefficient (MFCC) metric, and generating a notification for each channel of the DUT.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If human listeners are used to evaluate audio quality, then subjective quality assessment is achieved, but testing efficiency and cost are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical system of human listening and subjective evaluation with an automated digital signal processing system. The system captures audio output, converts it to digital signals, and uses objective algorithms (such as comparing frequency spectra or calculating distortion metrics) to evaluate quality, thereby eliminating the need for human listeners while maintaining assessment accuracy and dramatically improving testing efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The evaluation system performs self-assessment by automatically capturing its own output, processing the signal, and generating quality metrics without external human intervention. The system tests itself or the device under test through automated signal generation, capture, analysis, and pass/fail determination, enabling high-speed continuous testing
2Measurement precision
If human listeners are used to evaluate audio quality, then subjective quality assessment is achieved, but testing cost is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive human listener resources with automated digital processing equipment. The system uses standard audio interfaces, digital signal processors, and algorithmic analysis to perform quality evaluation, eliminating labor costs while maintaining or improving measurement consistency and accuracy across large numbers of devices
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates digital copies of the audio signal for analysis, allowing multiple simultaneous evaluations without additional physical resources. Digital signal copies can be processed, stored, and re-analyzed without consuming additional human time or physical media, significantly reducing per-test costs
3Productivity
If automated signal comparison is used, then testing efficiency is improved, but synchronization accuracy between reference and test signals may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary synchronization operations before the actual quality comparison. It includes time-alignment of reference and test signals using correlation techniques, frequency synchronization to ensure matching playback rates, and buffer management to handle timing variations. These preliminary actions ensure that when the actual comparison occurs, the signals are properly aligned for accurate measurement
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediary processing steps between signal capture and comparison, including digital buffering, resampling to a common rate, and time-stamping. These intermediary elements act as mediators that reconcile timing and frequency differences between reference and test signals, enabling accurate comparison even when signals are generated at slightly different rates or times
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments described herein generally relate to analyzing a signal generated by a device under test (DUT). In particular, the signal generated by the DUT may be compared to a reference signal to determine pass/fail results for the DUT. For example, a method may include: storing, on a computing device, a reference signal from a reference device; receiving a test signal from a device under test (DUT); synchronizing the reference signal and the test signal based on a time-synchronization buffer of each signal; after the synchronization, comparing the test signal and the reference signal to determine a pass or fail result for the DUT; and generating a notification indicating the pass or fail result for the DUT.