Loudspeaker Position Profiling for Accurate Sound Field Grouping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing multi-channel loudspeaker systems face challenges in achieving balanced sound reproduction across various listening positions due to inaccurate loudspeaker positioning and grouping, leading to audio artifacts and inefficient manual data logging, especially in non-co-located loudspeaker setups.

Innovation Solution

A method and system for automatically generating a loudspeaker position profile (LPP) that determines the true location and type of each loudspeaker, grouping them spatially and by type, and providing a searchable data structure for simultaneous control of sound parameters.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If manual data logging and grouping methods are used for loudspeaker positioning, then the process is simple to implement, but it is time-consuming and involves manual data logging

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic generation of loudspeaker position profileVSAvoidsystem complexity for automatic measurement and data processing

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-measurement by using the loudspeaker system itself to generate test signals that are captured by acoustic detectors, automatically determining loudspeaker positions and characteristics without requiring external manual measurement tools or procedures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical data collection methods with an automated electronic measurement system that uses acoustic detectors, signal processing, and computer algorithms to automatically determine loudspeaker positions, types, and spatial relationships

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If conventional sound field management systems are used that don't consider true loudspeaker positions, then the system is easier to operate, but it leads to poor localization of sounds and improper stereo/3D imaging

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of loudspeaker position determinationVSAvoidoperational simplicity of sound field management

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary automatic measurement and characterization of loudspeaker positions and types before sound field management operations, creating a loudspeaker position profile that is stored and used for subsequent automated sound field control, eliminating the need for manual position input during operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses acoustic detectors to capture actual sound field characteristics and compares them with expected characteristics based on loudspeaker positions, automatically adjusting sound field management parameters to achieve accurate sound localization and imaging

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Productivity

If groups of loudspeakers are controlled simultaneously based on location and type, then sound field tuning efficiency is improved, but data acquisition for grouping is time-consuming and involves manual data logging

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveefficiency of sound field tuningVSAvoidtime for data acquisition and loudspeaker grouping

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically performs preliminary grouping of loudspeakers into spatial groups and type groups based on measured position and characteristics data, creating organized groups before sound field tuning operations to enable efficient simultaneous control of multiple loudspeakers

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines multiple data acquisition functions into a single automated measurement process that simultaneously collects position, type, and spatial relationship data for all loudspeakers, then automatically organizes them into groups for efficient control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

The LPP enables accurate setting of gain, delay, and phase values, ensuring balanced sound representation across multiple listening positions, improving sound localization and allowing simultaneous control of loudspeakers for optimized sound field management.

Implementation Method 1

receiving measurement data of sound reproduced by each loudspeaker from the plurality of loudspeakers, wherein the sound is measured by one or more acoustic detectors placed at each target position

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSound propagation: Sound

Implementation Method 2

calculating from the measurement data an angle of arrival, AoA, for each loudspeaker at each target position

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAngle of arrival calculation:

Data Source

PatentEP4654615A1A system and a method for generating a loudspeaker position profile for sound management of an acoustic system

Publication Date: 2025.11.26 HARMAN BECKER AUTOMOTIVE SYST GMBH

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Figure 2b

AI summary

A computer-implemented method of generating a loudspeaker position profile for sound management of an acoustic system comprising a plurality of loudspeakers is provided. The method comprises receiving measurement data; determining types of loudspeakers; calculating angles of arrival; determining a spatial group for each loudspeaker; grouping loudspeakers into spatial groups; assigning each loudspeaker to a type group; grouping loudspeakers into type groups; generating the loudspeaker position profile; and providing the loudspeaker position profile to a sound field management system.