Speaker Calibration via Acoustic Timing for Listener Position
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional multi-channel speaker systems fail to provide optimal sound adjustment for listeners who change positions, leading to an uneven sound distribution and a limited surround sound experience due to the lack of precise sound calibration based on the listener's location.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that utilize timing information to identify the speaker position relative to the user, employing a processor to communicate audio and timing signals, determine absolute distances, and calibrate speakers for enhanced sound adjustment, shifting the acoustic sweet-spot to ensure optimal audio reproduction at the listener's current location.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If speaker systems use fixed manufacturer specified configurations, then system simplicity is maintained, but sound distribution becomes uneven when listener position changes
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts speaker output levels based on real-time listener position detection. The processor receives timing information from the listener's device, calculates absolute distances to each speaker, and automatically calibrates sound levels to maintain uniform distribution regardless of listener location.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by using timing information from the listener's mobile device to determine listener position. The processor continuously receives timing signals, calculates distances based on sound transmission time, and adjusts speaker calibration accordingly to maintain optimal sound distribution.
2Device complexity
If the system calibrates sound based on fixed sweet-spot position, then calibration complexity is reduced, but listening experience deteriorates when listener moves from center position
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-calibration by automatically detecting listener position through timing information from the listener's device. The processor calculates absolute distances and adjusts speaker levels without requiring manual intervention, enabling the system to adapt to different listener positions while maintaining simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes sound output parameters (volume levels, timing delays) based on calculated listener position. By dynamically adjusting these parameters according to absolute distance measurements, the system maintains optimal sound distribution across various listener locations without increasing operational complexity.
3Measurement precision
If the system uses timing information to determine listener position, then sound calibration precision is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the listener's mobile device as an intermediary to obtain timing information. The mobile device captures timing signals from speakers and relays this information to the processor, which calculates absolute distances. This approach achieves high precision without requiring complex sensors or tracking systems in the speaker system itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces complex mechanical position detection systems with acoustic timing measurements. By using the speed of sound and timing information from the listener's device, the system calculates listener position without requiring mechanical sensors, cameras, or other complex detection hardware.
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
This solution enables precise sound calibration and adjustment, improving the surround sound experience by ensuring balanced audio output regardless of the listener's position, thereby enhancing the overall listening experience.
Implementation Method 1
determine a first absolute distance between the first speaker and the electronic device, based on the first timing signal and the second timing signal
Data Source
AI summary
Various aspects of a system and method for speaker position identification with respect to a user based on timing information for enhanced sound adjustment in a multi-channel speaker system are disclosed herein. The system includes an electronic device that receives a first timing signal from a control device of the speaker system. The first timing signal indicates a first time instant at which an audio signal is communicated, by the control device, to a first speaker of a plurality of speakers of the speaker system. An output of the audio signal is recorded from the first speaker at a second time instant by the electronic device. An absolute distance between the first speaker and the electronic device associated with a user, is determined based on the first and second time instant. A first instruction to calibrate at least the first speaker is generated based on the determined absolute distance.