Automated Sound System Equalization for Vehicle Acoustics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for acoustically optimizing motor vehicle sound systems are inefficient, particularly in small, highly reflective areas, and existing automated techniques are either too resource-intensive or ineffective in achieving optimal acoustic results.
Innovation Solution
An automated technique that adjusts the sound system by individually assessing and equalizing the electrical sound signals for each group of loudspeakers at multiple listening positions, using a digital signal processing system to match the frequency and phase responses to a target sound profile, while considering location-specific factors and psycho-acoustic parameters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If wave-field synthesis is used to model acoustics in any area, then acoustic modeling accuracy is improved, but device complexity and resource requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the acoustic space into discrete measurement positions within the vehicle interior. Instead of attempting to model the entire continuous acoustic field, the system measures and optimizes at specific discrete locations (driver position, passenger positions, etc.), thereby achieving practical acoustic optimization without the complexity of full wave-field synthesis
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses transfer functions measured at discrete positions to create virtual models of the acoustic environment. These transfer function models are then used to predict and optimize acoustic behavior without requiring physical wave-field synthesis hardware, achieving accurate acoustic modeling through computational copying rather than physical replication
2Extent of automation
If automated equalization techniques are used, then manual intervention is eliminated, but measurement precision and acoustic results deteriorate in highly reflective small areas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where transfer functions are measured at multiple discrete listening positions, compared against target functions, and used to generate equalization filters that are applied to the loudspeaker signals. This closed-loop automated process continuously optimizes acoustic performance without manual intervention while maintaining precision through iterative refinement
Solution Approach 2:
The patent automatically adjusts multiple acoustic parameters including frequency response, phase response, and time alignment by modifying equalization filter parameters. The system changes these parameters based on measured transfer functions to achieve optimal acoustic results at all listening positions simultaneously, overcoming the limitations of manual adjustment in highly reflective environments
3Manufacturing precision
If individual loudspeaker equalization is performed, then frequency and phase response accuracy is improved, but processing time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary measurements of transfer functions at all listening positions before generating equalization filters. By pre-characterizing the acoustic environment and storing transfer function data, the system eliminates the need for repeated measurements during the equalization process, thereby reducing total processing time while maintaining high frequency and phase response accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the equalization of multiple loudspeakers into a unified process by calculating equalization filters that simultaneously optimize the acoustic response at all listening positions. Instead of sequentially adjusting each loudspeaker independently, the system merges the optimization process into a single computational step that achieves high precision for all speakers at once, reducing overall processing time
Data Source
AI summary
An automatic sound system equalizer adjusts a sound system to a target sound, where the sound system includes at least two groups of loudspeakers supplied with electrical sound signals to be converted into acoustical sound signals. The equalizer sequentially supplies each group with the respective electrical sound signal; sequentially assesses the deviation of the acoustical sound signal from the target sound for each group of loudspeakers, and adjusts at least two groups of loudspeakers to a relatively small, preferably minimum deviation from the target sound by equalizing the respective electrical sound signals supplied to the groups of loudspeakers.