Headphone Audio Control Using Feedback EQ and Transparency Tuning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing headphones often fail to provide a consistent listening experience across different users due to variability in how they are fitted and the user's anatomy, leading to discrepancies between the intended and actual sound profiles in equalization and transparency modes.
Innovation Solution
The audio controllers for headphones are calculated in real-time during use, based on measured audio transfer functions between the acoustic transducer and feedback microphones, incorporating feedback controllers to customize EQ and aware mode settings for individual users, using data from multiple fittings and laboratory measurements to enhance consistency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If fixed audio controllers are used in headphones, then manufacturing is simpler and device complexity is reduced, but listening experience consistency across different users deteriorates due to variability in fitting and anatomy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic audio controllers that are calculated in real-time during headphone use based on measured audio transfer functions. Instead of using fixed pre-programmed controllers, the system continuously adapts the EQ and aware mode controllers to the specific user's anatomy and fitting conditions, thereby improving listening experience consistency while accepting increased device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from microphones that capture the actual sound output and user-specific acoustic characteristics. By measuring the audio transfer function between the acoustic transducer and the microphone during use, the system obtains feedback information about the user's ear canal geometry and fitting conditions, which is then used to calculate customized audio controllers that compensate for individual variations
2Adaptability or versatility
If real-time audio transfer function measurement is implemented, then customization for individual users is achieved, but measurement precision requirements and processing time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary measurements of the audio transfer function during the initial use or setup phase to establish baseline acoustic characteristics. This preliminary action captures user-specific anatomical information before actual audio playback begins, allowing the system to pre-calculate appropriate audio controllers without requiring continuous high-precision measurements during operation
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a digital model or copy of the user's acoustic characteristics by measuring and storing the audio transfer function. This copied representation of the user-specific acoustic profile is then used to calculate customized controllers, avoiding the need for continuous direct measurements and reducing real-time measurement precision requirements while maintaining effective customization
Data Source
AI summary
Headphone audio controllers are disclosed. In one implementation, a headphone includes: an acoustic transducer that is configured to develop sound for delivery to an ear of a user; a microphone that is configured to sense sound from the acoustic transducer and develop an output; and a processor, responsive to the microphone output, and that is configured during use of the headphone, to: calculate at least one audio controller including: (i) an equalization (EQ) audio controller to achieve a desired target-curve equalization, or (ii) a transparency mode controller to achieve a desired transparency reproduction.