Playback Calibration Prompting for Changing Room Acoustics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing audio systems struggle to optimize audio playback in multiple listening zones within a room or area, leading to suboptimal listening experiences due to variations in acoustic behavior.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising at least one playback device, a microphone, a signal processor, and a processing unit that modulates and demodulates audio content to determine optimal equalization settings for each playback device based on detected audio content.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If audio content is played back in multiple listening zones simultaneously, then accessibility and social sharing of audio content is improved, but acoustic variations in different zones cause suboptimal listening experiences
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies local quality by determining zone-specific equalization settings for each listening zone based on acoustic measurements. The processing unit calculates individual EQ profiles for each zone that account for the unique acoustic characteristics of that location, ensuring optimal sound quality in each zone rather than using a uniform setting across all zones.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements dynamics by dynamically adjusting equalization settings based on real-time acoustic measurements. The system measures the acoustic response in each zone and automatically adapts the EQ parameters to match the measured acoustic environment, making the system flexible and responsive to different spatial conditions.
2Reliability
If acoustic measurements are taken in multiple zones to optimize playback, then listening experience quality is improved, but system complexity and calibration time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system achieves universality by using a single portable calibration device that can be moved to multiple zones to perform acoustic measurements. This one device serves multiple functions: it measures acoustic responses in different zones, transmits data to the processing unit, and enables the system to characterize multiple listening environments without requiring separate measurement equipment for each zone.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements self-service through automatic equalization setting determination. The processing unit automatically calculates and applies zone-specific EQ settings based on the acoustic measurements taken by the calibration device, eliminating the need for manual configuration or expert intervention in each zone.
3Reliability
If zone-specific equalization settings are determined, then audio playback optimization in each zone is improved, but processing time and computational requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies preliminary action by performing acoustic measurements and determining equalization settings during an initial calibration phase. Once the zone-specific EQ settings are established, they are stored and applied automatically during subsequent playback operations, eliminating the need for repeated measurements and processing during normal use.
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 system provides optimized audio playback across multiple listening zones, enhancing the listening experience by ensuring synchronized and echo-free audio delivery.
Implementation Method 1
a microphone configured to detect the rendered audio content
Implementation Method 2
a signal processor configured to modulate the detected audio content with a modulation signal having a modulation frequency
Data Source
AI summary
Example techniques involve calibration of one or more playback devices. An example implementation involves a playback device playing back audio content using a first calibration via the one or more audio transducers and the one or more amplifiers. The first calibration is based on a response of a listening environment to audio content playback by the playback device. The playback device records, via one or more microphones, at least a portion of the played back audio content. Based on the recorded audio content, the playback device detects a change in the response of the listening environment to audio content playback by the playback device. Responsive to detecting the change in the response, the playback device causes output of a prompt to initiate a calibration procedure for the playback device. The calibration procedure involves a mobile device recording playback by the playback device.