External Microphone Equalization for Consistent Call Audio
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Solution Overview
Problem
Communication devices face unpredictable sound quality when used with various audio accessories due to differences in microphone frequency response and sensitivity, leading to undesirably low sound transmission during voice calls.
Innovation Solution
A communication device with a processor, memory, and connector that automatically applies equalization settings to audio input from external microphones, matching the frequency spectrum of the device's built-in microphone to ensure consistent sound quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the communication device uses various audio accessories with different microphone characteristics, then the device can support multiple accessories and achieve versatility, but the sound quality becomes unpredictable and sometimes undesirably low
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the frequency spectrum parameters of audio signals by applying equalization settings. The equalization curve is determined by comparing the built-in microphone's frequency spectrum with the accessory microphone's frequency spectrum, and then applying compensatory adjustments to achieve consistent sound quality across different accessories
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the built-in microphone as a reference to establish a target frequency spectrum profile. When an accessory is connected, the system compares the accessory microphone's characteristics against this reference profile and applies feedback-based equalization adjustments to correct deviations and maintain consistent sound quality
2Reliability
If the device applies different equalization settings for different microphones, then the sound quality can be optimized for each accessory, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates a digital copy or model of the built-in microphone's frequency spectrum characteristics and uses this reference profile to determine appropriate equalization settings for accessory microphones. This copying approach simplifies the complexity by establishing a reusable reference rather than requiring complex real-time analysis for each accessory
Solution Approach 2:
The equalization processing system serves multiple functions: it characterizes the built-in microphone's frequency spectrum, compares accessory microphone characteristics against this reference, determines appropriate equalization settings, and applies corrections. This multi-functional approach consolidates what could be multiple separate systems into a single universal processing framework
Data Source
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AI summary
A communication device and method for adapting to audio accessories are provided. The communication device includes a memory; a first microphone, a connector for receiving data from an accessory device having a second microphone, and a processor interconnected with the memory, the microphone and the connector. The processor is configured to receive audio input and, when the audio input originated at the second microphone, to automatically apply equalization settings corresponding to the second microphone.