Playback Audio Equalization Using Environmental Reflections
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing audio playback systems require manual adjustment of equalization based on the environment, which is often overlooked by users and requires a separate microphone, making it inconvenient and infrequent.
Innovation Solution
A playback device with a speaker, microphone, and processor that emits an audio signal and detects its reflection to determine environmental characteristics, allowing for dynamic adjustment of equalization settings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual adjustment of equalization is provided, then audio quality can be optimized for different environments, but users often overlook this feature and it requires a separate microphone making it inconvenient
Solution Approach 1:
The playback device automatically performs equalization adjustment without requiring user intervention. The device uses its own microphone to detect environmental acoustic characteristics and autonomously modifies audio output parameters, making the system self-configuring and eliminating the need for manual setup
Solution Approach 2:
The function previously requiring a separate microphone is merged into the playback device itself. The playback device incorporates a built-in microphone that serves dual purposes: playing back audio and detecting environmental acoustic characteristics for automatic equalization adjustment
2Ease of operation
If automatic equalization adjustment is implemented, then user convenience is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The playback device is designed with multi-functionality where existing components serve multiple purposes. The speaker outputs audio while the built-in microphone detects acoustic environment, and the processor performs both playback control and environmental analysis, eliminating the need for dedicated separate components for each function
Solution Approach 2:
The device uses its own built-in microphone to detect environmental characteristics and automatically adjusts equalization without requiring external microphones or additional user equipment, achieving automatic adaptation while minimizing added hardware complexity
3Device complexity
If factory configuration is used, then device simplicity is maintained, but it cannot adapt to different environments making audio quality suboptimal
Solution Approach 1:
The equalization settings transition from static factory configuration to dynamic environment-based adjustment. The system continuously monitors acoustic characteristics through the built-in microphone and automatically modifies audio parameters in real-time to adapt to changing environmental conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback loop where the built-in microphone detects environmental acoustic characteristics, the processor analyzes this information, and automatically adjusts equalization settings accordingly. This closed-loop system enables continuous optimization of audio quality based on real-time environmental conditions
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
Improves the listening experience by automatically adjusting the equalization based on the environment, enhancing audio quality in various settings without user intervention.
Implementation Method 1
emitting an audio signal and detects its reflection to determine environmental characteristics
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques described herein may involve audio settings based on an environment. An example implementation may involve a playback device playing back first audio content and during playback of at least a portion of the first audio content, detecting, via the at least one microphone, an audio signal. At least a portion of the detected audio signal may include a reflection of the first audio content played back by the playback device. The playback device may determine an equalization setting based on at least the determined one or more reflection characteristics and apply the determined equalization setting during playback of second audio content.