Playback Self-Calibration Using PCA-Based Room Response Estimation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing playback devices struggle with efficient self-calibration in environments where multi-location calibration with network devices is not feasible or practical, due to lack of access or user participation.
Innovation Solution
Playback devices utilize onboard microphones to determine a self-response, map it to an estimated room response using a database and model derived from a dataset of previously captured room responses, and apply calibration settings to offset acoustic characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multi-location calibration with network devices is used, then calibration accuracy is improved, but user participation and device access requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The playback device performs self-calibration by using its own onboard microphones to capture audio output and determine room response characteristics. The device independently executes the calibration process without requiring external network devices or user intervention, transforming a multi-device collaborative task into a self-service operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the calibration functionality from the network device dependency and implements it locally on the playback device itself. By taking out the calibration process from the external network device context and embedding it within the playback device's own capabilities, the system eliminates the need for user participation while maintaining calibration accuracy.
2Measurement precision
If multi-location calibration with network devices is used, then calibration accuracy is improved, but device complexity and setup requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The playback device autonomously performs self-diagnosis and self-calibration using its onboard microphones and processing capabilities. The device independently determines its room response characteristics and applies appropriate calibration settings without requiring complex external equipment or user-configured setups.
Solution Approach 2:
The playback device integrates multiple functions into a single unit, combining audio playback, self-monitoring via onboard microphones, room response analysis, and calibration application. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate network devices and reduces overall system complexity while maintaining calibration accuracy.
3Ease of operation
If self-calibration with onboard microphones is used, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The playback device uses its onboard microphones to capture feedback from its own audio output, creating a closed-loop measurement system. The device analyzes the reflected and absorbed audio signals to infer room response characteristics, enabling accurate room acoustics estimation through self-feedback without requiring external measurement devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The onboard microphones serve as intermediaries between the playback device's audio output and the room's acoustic characteristics. By using the microphones to capture and analyze the interaction between audio signals and room acoustics, the device indirectly measures room response with sufficient accuracy for calibration purposes.
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 effective room response estimation and calibration without requiring user interaction or network device access, improving audio output consistency across various environments.
Implementation Method 1
determines, based on the captured audio data, an acoustic response of the area in which the portable media player is located
Data Source
AI summary
Example techniques described herein relate to calibration of a playback device. Using example techniques, a playback device may self-calibrate by measuring a self-response and using a transfer function to map the self-response to an estimate of a room response. The playback device may determine calibration settings to at least partially offset acoustic characteristics of an environment surrounding the playback device as represented in the estimated room response. The transfer function may be derived from a principal component analysis of a dataset including multiple room responses, perhaps as measured during a multi-point calibration process of the playback device in various environments and conditions.