NFC Speaker Setup for Automatic Parameter Configuration

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Solution Overview

Problem

The setup of speaker systems, particularly wireless and professional systems, is currently manual and error-prone, requiring users to enter speaker locations and configure specific parameters, with automated room correction relying on accurate microphone placement during calibration.

Innovation Solution

A system using Near Field Communication (NFC) for wirelessly receiving and transmitting speaker information between a mobile device and speakers, allowing automatic configuration of speaker parameters such as size, alignment delay, and equalizer settings, and subsequently transmitting audio data to the speakers via an audio control unit.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual setup process is used for speaker configuration, then user control and customization are improved, but setup time and error probability increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser controlVSAvoidsetup time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system stores speaker information (location, parameters, calibration data) in NFC tags attached to each speaker before the actual setup process. When a speaker is added to the system, the mobile device automatically reads this pre-stored information via NFC, eliminating the need for manual entry of speaker parameters and location data.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The speaker system performs self-configuration by automatically transmitting its own information to the mobile device through NFC. The mobile device then automatically configures the speaker parameters in the audio control unit without requiring user intervention for data entry, allowing the system to set itself up autonomously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Manufacturing precision

If manual parameter entry is required for speaker configuration, then configuration accuracy can be controlled, but error probability and setup complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconfiguration accuracyVSAvoidsetup complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses NFC tags to store and transmit speaker information including location coordinates, parameter settings, and calibration data. This digital copying of speaker data eliminates manual typing errors while maintaining configuration accuracy, as the information is automatically transferred from the NFC tag to the mobile device and then to the audio control unit.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Productivity

If automated room correction is implemented, then setup time is reduced, but dependency on accurate microphone placement increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesetup efficiencyVSAvoidmicrophone placement accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs room calibration measurements and stores the results in NFC tags attached to each speaker during the manufacturing or initial setup phase. This preliminary calibration eliminates the need for on-site microphone placement and automated room correction measurements, as the acoustic characteristics are pre-determined and stored for automatic retrieval during setup.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Adaptability or versatility

If wireless speaker systems are used, then system flexibility and ease of installation are improved, but location determination accuracy deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem flexibilityVSAvoidlocation determination accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses NFC tags as an intermediary carrier to store and transmit precise speaker location information. The NFC tag contains pre-determined location data that is automatically read by the mobile device via NFC communication, providing accurate location determination without requiring complex wireless triangulation or manual coordinate entry, thus maintaining both wireless flexibility and location precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

Enables a streamlined, error-reduced setup process for speaker systems by automatically configuring speaker parameters and aligning acoustic fields, improving the efficiency and accuracy of speaker system setup and room correction.

Implementation Method 1

wirelessly receiving, via Near Field Communication (NFC), speaker information for at least one speaker in a speaker system

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectNear Field Communication (NFC): Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

wirelessly transmitting the speaker information to an audio control unit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWireless transmission: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3130129B1Automatic speaker setup
Publication Date: 2019.03.06 HARMAN INT IND INC
  • EP3130129B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3130129B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3130129B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

In one embodiment, a computer-program product embodied in a non-transitory computer readable medium that is programmed for performing an automatic speaker setup is provided. The computer-program product includes instructions for wirelessly receiving, via Near Field Communication (NFC), speaker information for at least one speaker in a speaker system. The computer-program product further includes instructions wirelessly transmitting the speaker information to an audio control unit that transmits audio data to the at least one speaker based on the speaker information.