Soundbar Microphone Array for Automated Spatial Calibration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional surround sound systems require cumbersome manual calibration and cannot detect changes in loudspeaker positions or listener locations without full recalibration, making them inconvenient for users.
Innovation Solution
An integrated microphone array in a soundbar or anchoring component estimates the positions of surround loudspeakers and listeners using test signals and sound cues, allowing for automated spatial calibration and minimal user intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a multi-element microphone is tethered to an AV receiver for calibration, then measurement capability is provided, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate due to cumbersome cables
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the microphone from the tethered connection to the AV receiver and integrates it directly into the soundbar. This eliminates the cumbersome cable connection while maintaining the calibration measurement capability, allowing the soundbar to autonomously perform spatial calibration without external equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the microphone functionality with the soundbar device, integrating the calibration capability directly into the audio playback system. This combination eliminates the need for separate calibration equipment and simplifies the overall system setup.
2Reliability
If traditional calibration methods are used, then initial setup is possible, but the system cannot detect changes in loudspeaker positions or listener locations without full manual recalibration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous monitoring using the integrated microphone array to track loudspeaker positions and listener locations in real-time. This continuous action allows the system to detect position changes and perform automatic recalibration without interruption to the listening experience, maintaining both accuracy and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the microphone array to continuously receive feedback about the acoustic environment, including loudspeaker positions and listener locations. This feedback loop enables the system to automatically detect changes and adjust calibration parameters dynamically, maintaining accurate spatial audio representation despite position variations.
3Measurement precision
If manual recalibration is performed after loudspeaker or listener position changes, then calibration accuracy is maintained, but user convenience and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-calibration by automatically detecting position changes through the integrated microphone array and initiating recalibration procedures without user intervention. The soundbar autonomously measures new positions, calculates updated parameters, and applies corrections, eliminating the need for users to manually perform time-consuming recalibration tasks while maintaining accurate calibration.
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 accurate and dynamic calibration of surround sound systems, improving the listening experience by adapting to changes in loudspeaker positions and listener location without the need for manual recalibration.
Implementation Method 1
the angle of the loudspeaker is estimated using two or more microphones in the microphone array and based on a time difference of arrival (TDOA) of the test signal at the two or more microphones in the microphone array
Implementation Method 2
receiving, by the microphone array, a sound from a listener; estimating a position of the listener relative to the microphone array
Data Source
AI summary
A method for calibrating a surround sound system is disclosed. The method utilizes a microphone array integrated in a front center loudspeaker of the surround sound system or a soundbar facing a listener. Positions of each loudspeaker relative to the microphone array can be estimated by playing a test signal at each loudspeaker and measuring the test signal received at the microphone array. The listener's position can also be estimated by receiving the listener's voice or other sound cues made by the listener using the microphone array. Once the positions of the loudspeakers and the listener's position are estimated, spatial calibrations can be performed for each loudspeaker in the surround sound system so that listening experience is optimized.