Playback Speaker Calibration Using Acoustic Reflections
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing audio playback systems require manual adjustment of equalization based on environment, which is often overlooked, requires a separate microphone, and does not adapt well to changes in speaker positions or environments.
Innovation Solution
A playback device with a microphone and processor that emits an audio signal and detects reflections to determine environmental characteristics, adjusting equalization settings automatically to enhance audio quality in different settings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual adjustment of equalization is implemented, then audio quality can be optimized for specific environments, but the system becomes complex and requires user intervention that is often overlooked
Solution Approach 1:
The playback device automatically performs equalization adjustment by emitting test signals, detecting reflections with its microphone, analyzing the acoustic environment, and modifying audio output without user intervention. This self-service approach eliminates the need for manual equalization setup while maintaining optimized audio quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from the microphone detecting reflected test signals to automatically adjust equalization settings. The playback device continuously monitors the acoustic environment through reflected sound detection and dynamically modifies audio output based on this feedback, eliminating manual adjustment requirements.
2Extent of automation
If a separate microphone is added to detect environmental reflections, then automatic equalization adjustment becomes possible, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The playback device integrates multiple functions into a single unit: it serves as both the audio source emitting test signals and the detector using its built-in microphone to capture reflections. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate external microphones while enabling automatic equalization adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges the test signal emission function and the reflection detection function into a single integrated device. The playback device combines its speaker output with its microphone input to perform complete acoustic environment analysis and automatic equalization without requiring separate external equipment.
3Adaptability or versatility
If equalization settings are fixed at factory configuration, then device complexity is minimized, but the system does not adapt well to changes in speaker positions or environments
Solution Approach 1:
The equalization settings transition from static factory configurations to dynamic automatically-adjusted settings. The system continuously adapts to environmental changes by emitting test signals, detecting reflections, and modifying audio output in real-time based on the actual acoustic conditions and speaker position.
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
Improves the listening experience by dynamically adjusting equalization based on the environment, eliminating the need for manual intervention and ensuring optimal audio settings regardless of speaker placement or location.
Implementation Method 1
emitting, by a playback device, a first audio signal, detecting, by the playback device, a second audio signal, wherein at least a portion of the second audio signal is a reflection of the first audio signal
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques described herein may involve dynamically adjusting the equalization of multiple speakers in a playback device. An example implementation involves a playback device emitting, via a speaker, a first audio signal. While emitting the first audio signal, the playback device detects, via a microphone, data representing a second audio signal, the second audio signal comprising one or more reflections of the first audio signal as emitted by the speaker within a surrounding environment. The playback device determines a frequency response curve based on the second audio signal, the frequency response curve representing acoustic characteristics of a system comprising the playback device and the surrounding environment. The playback device determines filter coefficients based on a difference between the determined frequency response curve and a target frequency response curve, and applies the filter coefficients to one or more filters during playback of audio content by the playback device.