Multi-Speaker Audio Channel Mapping for Off-Center User Listening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic devices with multiple speakers struggle to adapt audio output based on user location, leading to inefficient sound distribution and varying user experiences, especially when users are positioned off-center or in non-predetermined listening regions.
Innovation Solution
An electronic apparatus equipped with detection devices to locate users, processors to control audio output based on user position, and communication capabilities to adjust audio signals across multiple speakers, allowing dynamic channel mapping and mixing to optimize sound distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If channel mapping is based on predetermined speaker locations assuming user is in front, then left and right audio signals are output through left and right speakers respectively, but user experience deteriorates when user is positioned off-center or in non-predetermined listening regions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic channel mapping that automatically adjusts audio signal distribution based on real-time detection of user location. The system transitions from static predetermined mapping to dynamic location-based mapping, enabling the electronic device to adapt audio output characteristics according to where the user is positioned in the listening environment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs detection devices to continuously monitor user location and provides feedback to the audio output device. This feedback loop enables the system to sense user position and automatically adjust channel mapping accordingly, ensuring optimal audio experience regardless of user positioning without requiring manual intervention.
2Loss of energy
If audio signals are output through all speakers, then complete sound distribution is achieved, but audio energy is wasted in regions where no user is present
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by directing audio signals preferentially toward regions where users are detected. Instead of uniform distribution across all speakers, the system concentrates audio energy in specific directional zones corresponding to user locations, thereby improving energy efficiency while maintaining adequate sound coverage where needed.
3Adaptability or versatility
If detection devices are added to detect user location, then audio output can be adapted based on user position, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates detection device functionality into existing electronic devices, enabling multi-functionality. The same detection infrastructure can serve multiple purposes including user location detection for audio adaptation, while potentially supporting other device functions, thereby reducing the relative complexity burden of adding detection capabilities.
Data Source
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AI summary
An electronic apparatus including a detection device configured to detect a user around the electronic apparatus; a plurality of speakers spaced apart from each other; an audio output device configured to generate an audio signal to be provided to each of the plurality of speakers, and provide the generated audio signal to at least one of the plurality of speakers; and a processor configured to control the audio output device to generate the audio signal corresponding to each speaker by using mapping information of a channel to be output through each of the plurality of speakers, wherein the processor is configured to control the audio output device by selectively using one mapping information of first mapping information provided based on locations of the plurality of speakers or second mapping information provided based on a user location, based on the user location detected by the detection device.