Active Loudspeaker Calibration Memory for Interchangeable Amplifiers

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Solution Overview

Problem

In active loudspeaker systems, the amplifier and enclosure are typically matched, making it difficult to use amplifiers from one system with another enclosure, leading to calibration errors and complex repair processes.

Innovation Solution

A memory chip is integrated into the loudspeaker enclosure to store factory calibration parameters, allowing any matching amplifier to read and apply the correct settings wirelessly, eliminating the need for individual calibration and enabling use of amplifiers with different enclosures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the amplifier is individually calibrated with the enclosure, then the system response is accurate, but the amplifier cannot be used with different enclosures and repair becomes complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem response accuracyVSAvoidamplifier interchangeability
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The calibration data is segmented and stored in a memory device within the enclosure rather than being hard-coded in the amplifier. This separates the calibration information from the amplifier hardware, allowing the amplifier to work with different enclosures while maintaining accurate system response through automatic calibration data retrieval.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The calibration settings are copied from the memory device in the enclosure to the amplifier's memory during operation. This allows the amplifier to access and apply the correct calibration parameters for its paired enclosure without requiring individual hardware calibration, enabling interchangeability while maintaining accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Reliability

If the amplifier and enclosure are matched as a pair, then the frequency response is properly calibrated, but the amplifier cannot be replaced or repaired easily

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecalibration accuracyVSAvoidamplifier replacement complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The system is segmented into the amplifier unit and the enclosure unit with calibration data. The calibration information is stored in the enclosure's memory device, separating it from the amplifier. This allows the amplifier to be replaced or repaired independently while the enclosure retains its calibration data, simplifying repair processes while maintaining calibration accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements self-service calibration where the amplifier automatically retrieves and applies calibration parameters from the enclosure's memory device upon connection. This eliminates the need for manual calibration during amplifier replacement or repair, allowing technicians to simply swap amplifiers without complex calibration procedures while maintaining reliable frequency response.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If manual calibration is performed during installation, then the system can be customized, but human error occurs and installation time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation flexibilityVSAvoidinstallation time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The calibration parameters are pre-calculated and stored in the enclosure's memory device during manufacturing. This preliminary action eliminates the need for time-consuming manual calibration during installation, as the amplifier automatically retrieves the pre-prepared calibration data upon connection, reducing installation time while maintaining the ability to customize for different enclosure types.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs self-calibration by automatically reading the calibration parameters from the enclosure's memory device and applying them without human intervention. This eliminates human error in calibration while maintaining installation flexibility, as the system adapts automatically to different enclosure types based on their stored calibration data, significantly reducing installation time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3066843B1Method and device for storing equalization settings in active loudspeaker
Publication Date: 2019.07.31 GENELEC OY
  • EP3066843B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

The invention relates to a method and a loudspeaker for storing equalization settings in an active loudspeaker (1) including a loudspeaker cabinet (5), at least one driver (2) connected to the cabinet (5) and an amplifier electronics (3) including an equalizer (8), in which method the loudspeaker (1) is calibrated in controlled conditions for forming factory calibration parameters for controlling the equalizer (8),the factory calibration parameters controlling the equalizer (8) are stored in the amplifier electronics (3). In accordance with the invention the factory calibration parameters are also stored in a memory (4) fixedly mounted to the loudspeaker (1).