Dynamic Sound Equalization Using Room Acoustic Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional surround sound systems face challenges in optimizing sound for home environments due to subjective and time-consuming processes, lack of precision in sound localization, and physical constraints, leading to suboptimal audio experiences.
Innovation Solution
A method using a microphone array to detect sound waves and generate a room sound dynamic, which adjusts speaker driving signals to compensate for room acoustics, speaker placement, and user movement, enabling automated and continuous audio optimization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional manual sound optimization methods are used, then audio engineers can adjust sound levels based on experience, but the process is highly subjective and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical adjustment of sound levels by audio engineers with an automated electronic system using microphones, processors, and algorithms to measure room acoustics and calculate optimal speaker levels, eliminating subjective human judgment and time-consuming manual processes
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables the room itself to 'measure' its acoustic properties through microphones that detect sound waves, automatically generating optimization parameters without requiring external audio engineers or user intervention, making the system self-configuring
2Adaptability or versatility
If speakers are arranged in fixed physical configurations, then surround sound systems can provide spatial audio experience, but physical constraints prevent optimal setup
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter representation from fixed physical speaker positions to calculated virtual speaker positions based on acoustic measurements, allowing the system to adapt to any physical arrangement while maintaining optimal sound field characteristics through software-based parameter adjustment
3Ease of operation
If audio optimization is performed manually by users, then some customization is possible, but the process is complex and most users do not perform it
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs sound optimization automatically without requiring user operation or knowledge, eliminating the complexity barrier while achieving precise room-specific optimization through automated acoustic measurement and calculation
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses microphones to capture feedback from the actual room acoustics, processes this feedback to determine optimal speaker levels, and continuously adjusts the sound field based on measured room characteristics, achieving both ease of operation and measurement precision
4Measurement precision
If discrete audio channels are routed to fixed speaker positions, then channel mapping is straightforward, but sound localization precision is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the channel routing from fixed physical speaker assignments to dynamic virtual speaker positions calculated based on acoustic measurements, enabling precise sound localization while simplifying the physical device configuration
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 allows for fast, easy, and consistent audio optimization, improving the audio experience by accounting for room dynamics and speaker placement, reducing subjectivity and time consumption, and enabling continuous adjustment for enhanced sound quality.
Implementation Method 1
detecting a sound wave from the speaker with at least two microphones
Implementation Method 2
Speaker driving signals may be filtered to adjust a sound level of the speaker to account for the room sound dynamic
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the present disclosure relate to techniques for adjustment of room sound levels, comprising; driving a speaker with a known waveform, detecting a sound wave from the speaker with at least two microphones wherein the at least two microphones are configured in a known orientation, utilizing the known waveform and the sound wave detected by the at least two microphones and the known orientation of the at least two microphones to generate a room sound dynamic; applying a filter to adjust a sound level to account for the room sound dynamic. The room sound dynamic may be the speaker layout of the room, the room impulse response, the distance or angle of each speaker from the center of the room or other physical constraints that may affect the user's perception of sound coming from a sound system.