Infrared Radiator Delay Compensation for Synchronized Audio
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing infrared audio transmission systems require manual configuration of radiators to synchronize infrared signals across multiple units, which is impractical due to the need for access to control panels often located at great heights, leading to inefficiencies in large space coverage.
Innovation Solution
A method where radiators in an infrared audio transmission system receive delay compensation configuration messages over a network, allowing for automatic determination of transmission delays through test signals and reflections, eliminating the need for manual configuration and enabling synchronized signal distribution across daisy-chained or ring architectures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If multiple radiators are used to cover large spaces, then the coverage area is improved, but the complexity of manual configuration increases
Solution Approach 1:
The radiators automatically determine their position in the daisy-chain and calculate their own delay compensation values by detecting test signals and measuring signal propagation time, eliminating the need for manual configuration. The system performs self-configuration through automated delay measurement and compensation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically adjusts the delay parameter of each radiator based on its position in the daisy-chain. By dynamically changing the delay compensation value for each radiator according to the number of intervening radiators, the system achieves synchronized infrared signal transmission across all radiators without manual intervention.
2Reliability
If radiators are mounted at great heights for optimal coverage, then the coverage effectiveness is improved, but the ease of manual configuration deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The radiators perform self-configuration through automated delay measurement and compensation, eliminating the need for technicians to physically access control panels at great heights. The system automatically determines transmission delays by detecting test signals and adjusts delay parameters without manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/manual configuration process with an automated electronic system. Instead of manually adjusting physical controls on mounted radiators, the system uses electronic signal transmission and automated processing to determine and apply delay compensation values.
3Measurement precision
If manual configuration is used to synchronize radiators, then the synchronization accuracy can be achieved, but the time required for configuration increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary automated delay measurement by transmitting test signals through the daisy-chain and detecting signal propagation time before actual operation. This preliminary action automatically determines the required delay compensation values, eliminating the need for time-consuming manual configuration while maintaining synchronization accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from test signal detection to automatically determine transmission delays. By measuring the time for test signals to propagate through the daisy-chain and using this feedback information to calculate appropriate delay compensation values, the system achieves accurate synchronization without manual intervention.
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
Automatically synchronizes infrared signals across multiple radiators, reducing the need for manual intervention and improving coverage in large spaces by accurately determining and compensating for transmission delays, ensuring seamless audio distribution in conferences, exhibitions, and similar applications.
Implementation Method 1
The radiators transmit the signals supplied by the signal generator as an optical signal, in particular in the form of infrared radiation
Implementation Method 2
detecting reflections of the at least one test signal
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a method for determining respective transmission delays between a node and a plurality of radiators of an infrared audio transmission system comprising a signal generator and said plurality of radiators connected to said signal generator by a network, the method comprising, at a node of said network, transmitting at least one test signal to said plurality of radiators over said network, detecting an event triggered by said at least one test signal, and determining respective transmission delays between said node and said radiators on the basis of said event. Also disclosed are non-transitory computer program product comprising code means configured to cause a processor to carry out the method, a configuration node for carrying out the method, and a system comprising the configuration node and the plurality of radiators.