Headphone Audio Control Using Feedback Transfer Functions

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional headphones fail to provide a consistent listening experience across different users due to variability in user anatomy and headphone fitting, resulting in deviations from the intended audio response and transparency sound profiles.

Innovation Solution

Calculating audio controllers for headphone equalization (EQ) and aware mode in real-time using measured audio transfer functions between the acoustic transducer and feedback microphone, with and without a feedback controller applied, to customize the sound delivery for each user.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional headphones use fixed EQ and transparency mode settings, then device complexity is reduced, but listening experience consistency across different users deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelistening experience consistencyVSAvoidaudio controller calculation system

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system measures the actual audio transfer function from the transducer to the feedback microphone during use, then uses this feedback information to calculate and adjust the EQ and transparency mode controllers in real-time, ensuring consistent listening experience across different users and anatomies

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The headphone system automatically performs transfer function measurements and calculates customized audio controllers without requiring any user action or external assistance, adapting to each user's unique anatomy and fitting automatically

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If audio controllers are customized for each user, then listening experience consistency improves, but measurement and calculation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaudio response accuracyVSAvoidtransfer function measurement

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically measures transfer functions and calculates customized controllers without requiring user action, making the complex measurement process transparent to the end user while achieving accurate audio response

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs transfer function measurements and controller calculations during initial setup or calibration phase, so that when the user actually uses the headphones, the customized controllers are already in place and no real-time adjustment is needed during normal operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS11689844B1Headphone audio controller

Publication Date: 2023.06.27 BOSE CORP

AI summary

A method of determining an audio controller for a headphone that is configured to use an acoustic transducer to develop sound that is delivered to an ear of a user and that includes a feedback microphone that is configured to sense sound developed by the acoustic transducer, and a related computer program product and system. A first audio transfer function between the acoustic transducer and the feedback microphone is measured. A second audio transfer function between the acoustic transducer and the feedback microphone with a feedback controller applied is determined. The audio controller is calculated based on both the first audio transfer function and the second audio transfer function.