Playback Loudness Matching Across EQ Presets and Room Changes
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing media playback systems face challenges in maintaining consistent perceived loudness across different equalization settings and environments, leading to variations in audio playback experience due to changes in music genres, content sources, and location-specific acoustics.
Innovation Solution
A method and device for loudness matching on playback devices, which determine loudness representations for different equalization settings and adjust playback accordingly by using a loudness adjustment factor, ensuring consistent perceived loudness across changes in equalization settings or between multiple playback devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If different equalization settings are used for different music genres and content sources, then audio quality and genre suitability are improved, but perceived loudness consistency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the loudness parameter based on the selected equalization preset. When a user selects a specific genre preset (e.g., rock, jazz, classical), the system automatically modifies the loudness parameter to compensate for the characteristic loudness changes introduced by that preset's equalization curve. This ensures that perceived loudness remains consistent across different music genres and content sources while maintaining the genre-specific tonal characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring the equalization setting state and using this information to automatically adjust loudness compensation. The playback device detects which preset is active and applies the corresponding loudness adjustment, creating a closed-loop system where the equalization choice directly influences the loudness compensation applied. This feedback mechanism ensures automatic adaptation without requiring manual user intervention.
2Adaptability or versatility
If playback devices are moved to different locations within a media playback environment, then environmental adaptability is improved, but perceived loudness consistency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-calculating and storing loudness adjustment factors for different spatial locations within the media playback environment. When a playback device is moved to a new location, the system retrieves the pre-determined adjustment factor for that location and applies it immediately, rather than requiring real-time measurement or user adjustment. This preliminary preparation ensures rapid adaptation to environmental changes while maintaining loudness consistency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the loudness parameter based on the playback device's spatial position within the environment. Different locations have pre-determined loudness compensation values stored in the system, and the device automatically selects and applies the appropriate parameter setting based on its current position. This enables the system to adapt to environmental acoustics variations while maintaining consistent perceived loudness across different locations.
3Reliability
If loudness adjustment factors are calculated and applied for different equalization settings and locations, then perceived loudness consistency is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reduces system complexity by applying preliminary action - all loudness adjustment factors are pre-calculated and stored during system setup or initialization. When equalization presets or location changes occur, the system simply retrieves and applies the pre-determined adjustment factors from storage, rather than performing complex real-time calculations. This preliminary preparation significantly reduces the computational burden during operation while maintaining loudness consistency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies partial action by focusing loudness adjustment only on the specific parameters affected by equalization changes and location variations, rather than reprocessing the entire audio signal chain. The patent selectively modifies only the loudness compensation parameter based on preset selection or location change, leaving other audio processing parameters unchanged. This targeted approach reduces system complexity by limiting the scope of adjustments to only what is necessary.
Data Source
AI summary
An example method may involve a device determining a first loudness representation for a playback device based on a first equalization setting applied to a representation of average music. The device may also determine a second loudness representation for the playback device, based on a second equalization setting applied to the representation of average music. The device may also determine a loudness adjustment factor based on the first and second loudness representations, and then causing the playback device to play back media based on the second equalization setting and the determined loudness adjustment factor.