Loudspeaker Localization via Adaptive Echo Cancellation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sound systems face challenges in accurately positioning loudspeakers, leading to suboptimal audio quality due to incorrect placement, misidentification of left and right channels, and echo interference from nearby loudspeakers.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a microphone array with adaptive echo cancellation filters and source localization algorithms to determine the correct positioning of loudspeakers, allowing for automatic correction of their placement and inversion of audio feeds if necessary.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple loudspeakers are installed to provide quality audio, then audio quality is improved, but positioning accuracy deteriorates due to installation errors

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaudio qualityVSAvoidloudspeaker positioning accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses microphones to capture audio signals from loudspeakers and processes these signals through transfer function estimation to determine actual loudspeaker positions. This feedback mechanism allows the system to detect positioning errors and provide guidance for correction, ensuring accurate loudspeaker placement without requiring manual precision during installation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual positioning and measurement methods with an automated acoustic measurement system. Instead of relying on physical measurement tools and manual adjustment, the system uses audio signal processing to automatically determine loudspeaker positions, eliminating the need for complex mechanical positioning equipment and reducing installation complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Device complexity

If manual positioning methods are used, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning system complexityVSAvoidloudspeaker position measurement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces complex manual positioning equipment with a simple audio-based measurement approach. By using existing microphones and audio processing capabilities, the system achieves high measurement precision without requiring specialized mechanical measurement tools, keeping the overall device complexity low while maintaining high accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces audio signals as an intermediary medium to transfer position information. Instead of directly measuring physical positions with complex instruments, the system uses sound waves as carriers to convey spatial information, which can then be extracted and processed to determine loudspeaker locations with high precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If echo cancellation is implemented, then audio quality is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaudio qualityVSAvoidsignal processing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces complex hardware-based echo cancellation mechanisms with software-based audio signal processing. By using digital signal processing algorithms to estimate transfer functions and identify loudspeaker positions, the system achieves effective echo cancellation without requiring additional physical components or complex hardware architectures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

This solution ensures accurate loudspeaker positioning, improves audio quality by minimizing echo interference, and enables automatic correction of misconfigurations, enhancing the overall sound experience.

Implementation Method 1

a microphone array to receive sound from a loudspeaker

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAcoustic wave propagation: Sound

Implementation Method 2

process the audio signals and the microphone signals to remove an echo (produced by a nearby loudspeaker) from the microphone signals using a plurality of adaptive echo cancellation filters

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEcho cancellation: Echo

Data Source

PatentUS9609141B2Loudspeaker localization with a microphone array

Publication Date: 2017.03.28 AVAGO TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL SALES PTE LTD

AI summary

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide systems and methods for source localization using a microphone array. Such an embodiment, among others, utilizes circuitry to process audio signals and microphone signals to remove an echo (produced by a nearby loudspeaker) from the microphone signals using a plurality of adaptive echo cancellation filters. Location information is then determined for the loudspeaker based on the plurality of adaptive echo cancellation filters used to remove the echo.