Dynamic Acoustic Radiation Pattern Adaptation for Audio Quality
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Solution Overview
Problem
Achieving high audio quality in environments is challenging due to sub-optimal placement of speakers and listeners, leading to degraded acoustic quality and user satisfaction.
Innovation Solution
An electronic device dynamically adapts sound based on environmental characterization by calculating an acoustic radiation pattern using sensors and transducers, adjusting drive signals, and modifying audio content to optimize sound distribution and quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If speakers are placed in sub-optimal positions or listeners are not at ideal locations, then device placement flexibility is improved, but acoustic quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adaptation of acoustic radiation patterns based on real-time environmental characterization and listener position detection. The system continuously adjusts speaker output characteristics to compensate for sub-optimal placement, transforming a static acoustic system into a dynamic one that adapts to changing conditions, thereby maintaining high acoustic quality regardless of initial speaker or listener position
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes acoustic parameters (radiation pattern, frequency response, phase) based on environmental feedback from sensors and listener position data. By dynamically adjusting these parameters, the system compensates for poor speaker placement or non-ideal listener positions, resolving the contradiction between placement flexibility and acoustic quality
2Area of stationary object
If the listener moves outside the sweet spot area, then listening area is expanded, but audio quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses real-time listener position tracking to dynamically adjust the acoustic radiation pattern, ensuring that high-quality audio is maintained across the entire listening area rather than just in a fixed sweet spot. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to expand the effective listening area while preserving audio quality
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback from position sensors and environmental characterization data to continuously adjust acoustic output. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures that audio quality is maintained across expanded listening areas by compensating for position-dependent acoustic variations
3Adaptability or versatility
If environmental changes occur (windows opened, furniture moved), then adaptability is improved, but acoustic consistency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses environmental sensors to detect changes in the acoustic environment (such as opened windows or moved furniture) and incorporates this feedback into real-time adjustments of the acoustic radiation pattern. This feedback loop maintains acoustic consistency despite environmental changes by compensating for altered acoustic conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adapts to environmental changes by continuously characterizing the acoustic environment and adjusting speaker output accordingly. This dynamic response maintains acoustic consistency even as the physical environment changes, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and consistency
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
This approach improves the listening experience by providing consistent and optimal audio quality regardless of speaker or listener placement, adapting to changes in the environment and listener position.
Implementation Method 1
the electronic device may include an acoustic transducer that outputs acoustic signals. The electronic device may output the acoustic signals using the acoustic transducer, and the information may correspond to reflections of the acoustic signals
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device that dynamically adapts sound based at least in part on environmental characterization is described. Based at least in part on information about an environment, which may include a second electronic device, the electronic device may determine a change in a characteristic of the environment. For example, the change in the characteristic may include a change in a reverberation time of the environment, which is associated with at least a frequency. Then, based at least in part on the determined change in the characteristic, the electronic device may calculate an acoustic radiation pattern, where the calculated acoustic radiation pattern reduces an effect of the change in the characteristic on sound in the environment. Next, the electronic device may provide audio content and second information specifying the acoustic radiation pattern for the second electronic device.