Multi-Zone Audio Tuning for Cross-Zone Isolation and Spatial Balance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Multi-zone audio systems in vehicles face challenges in achieving seamless integration of zone-specific and cross-zone controls, leading to conflicts between user-defined settings and cross-zone audio distribution, particularly in producing spatial audio effects while maintaining acoustic isolation between zones.
Innovation Solution
The technology computes adjustment signals for both zone-specific and cross-zone equalization filters based on user inputs and volume settings, using look-up tables and gain determination logic to balance audio output across zones, ensuring user-preference prioritization and maintaining acoustic isolation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If zone-specific equalization filters are used to provide individual control for each listening zone, then acoustic isolation between zones is improved, but integration with cross-zone audio distribution control deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines cross-zone equalization control and zone-specific equalization control into a unified system. The control circuitry integrates both types of equalization filters and coordinates their operation through a common control interface, allowing users to adjust both cross-zone spatial effects and individual zone settings through integrated controls rather than separate independent systems
Solution Approach 2:
The control circuitry is designed to perform multiple functions: it controls both the cross-zone equalization filter for spatial audio distribution and the zone-specific equalization filters for individual zone adjustment. This multi-functional control system handles both cross-zone and zone-specific operations through a unified interface, eliminating the need for separate control mechanisms
2Reliability
If cross-zone equalization filter is used to achieve target spatial audio distribution, then spatial audio effects are improved, but user-defined zone-specific settings are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the operation of equalization filters based on user inputs. When users adjust zone-specific volume settings, the control circuitry dynamically modifies the gain of individual acoustic transducers while maintaining the target spatial distribution pattern. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to preserve both spatial audio effects and user-defined zone-specific preferences simultaneously
Solution Approach 2:
The control circuitry receives feedback from user volume settings and automatically adjusts the equalization filter outputs accordingly. When a user changes the volume setting for a specific zone, the system processes this input and modifies the gain of relevant acoustic transducers to maintain both the cross-zone spatial distribution and the user's desired zone-specific volume levels
3Ease of operation
If individual acoustic transducers are controlled independently for each zone, then zone-specific volume control is improved, but cross-zone spatial effects deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by assigning different gain control characteristics to different acoustic transducers based on their spatial location and the listening zones they serve. Each acoustic transducer's gain is individually adjusted according to the specific requirements of its associated listening zone while contributing to the overall spatial audio distribution pattern, allowing zone-specific control without compromising cross-zone effects
Data Source
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AI summary
The technology described in this document can be embodied in a method that includes receiving information indicative of a volume setting corresponding to each listening zone of a plurality of listening zones. The method also includes generating a zone-specific adjustment signal for each of the plurality of listening zones, wherein the zone-specific adjustment signal for a given listening zone accounts for a cross-zone effect associated with a volume setting corresponding to another listening zone, and is configured to adjust an output of corresponding zone-specific circuitry. The method further includes generating an additional adjustment signal configured to adjust an output of a cross-zone equalization filter. The output of the cross-zone equalization filter is configured to generate a target acoustic distribution across multiple listening zones. The method also includes generating an output of an acoustic transducer of the multi-zone audio system based on the zone-specific adjustment signals and the additional adjustment signal.