Sensor-Based Audio Playback for Real-Time Sound Field Calibration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing home theater systems struggle to provide real-time sound field calibration that adapts to the position of the listener, leading to suboptimal audio experience.

Innovation Solution

Implementing location sensors such as video cameras and infrared cameras to triangulate the listener's position, adjusting the sound field in real-time through audio processing components, and using depth sensors to modify audio characteristics based on listener location.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If real-time listener position tracking is implemented using video cameras and infrared cameras, then sound field calibration quality is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesound field calibration qualityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the listening zone into multiple zones and uses multiple sensors (video cameras, infrared cameras, depth sensors) to track listener position in different spatial dimensions. This segmentation approach enables precise sound field calibration by measuring listener position, orientation, and distance separately for each zone, then combining the data to achieve comprehensive spatial awareness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an audio processing component as an intermediary that receives sensor data and processes it to determine listener characteristics. This intermediary component translates raw sensor measurements into actionable audio calibration parameters, reducing the complexity burden on individual sensors while maintaining high measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If multiple sensors are used to triangulate listener position, then listener position accuracy is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelistener position accuracyVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The system merges multiple sensor types (video cameras, infrared cameras, depth sensors) into an integrated sensor network that shares processing infrastructure and data pathways. By combining these sensors under a unified audio processing component, the system achieves high listener position accuracy while reducing overall manufacturing cost through shared resources and simplified integration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If sound field adjustments are made continuously as listener moves, then audio experience quality is improved, but processing power requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaudio experience qualityVSAvoidprocessing power

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs sound field calibration adjustments at periodic intervals based on listener movement detection rather than continuously. The audio processing component monitors sensor data and triggers sound field modifications only when listener position or orientation changes exceed predefined thresholds, maintaining high audio experience quality while reducing processing power consumption through event-driven operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

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 real-time sound field calibration that enhances the audio experience by providing an optimized sound field as the listener moves, improving aesthetics and audio quality.

Implementation Method 1

triangulate the position of the listener

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTriangulation:

Implementation Method 2

infrared cameras to triangulate the listener's position

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInfrared radiation detection: Infrared Radiation

Implementation Method 3

depth sensors to modify audio characteristics based on listener location

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSignal strength detection:

Implementation Method 4

generating, through an audio processing component, audio characteristics of a sound field modified by the position of the listener to play through a speaker

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectroacoustic transduction:

Data Source

PatentUS12574697B2Media playback based on sensor data

Publication Date: 2026.03.10 SONOS INC

AI summary

Example techniques relate to playback based on acoustic signals in a system including a first network device and a second network device. A first network device may detect a presence of a user using a camera and/or infrared sensors. The first network device sends, in response to detecting the presence of the user, a particular signal via the first network interface. The second network device receives data corresponding to the particular signal and plays back an audio output corresponding to the particular signal.