Speaker Connection State Detection via Waveform Similarity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems for determining the connection states of multiple speakers in a multi-channel reproduction system are time-consuming, requiring sequential output of impulse measurements from each speaker to identify their positions and assign channels, which prolongs the setup process.

Innovation Solution

A connection state determination system that uses a directional microphone to record mixed sounds from correctly and incorrectly connected surround left and right speakers, calculating similarity degrees between waveforms to quickly determine correct connections and automatically switch channel outputs to ensure proper sound distribution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If sequential impulse measurement is used to determine speaker positions, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespeaker position determination accuracyVSAvoidsetup time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple speaker measurements into a single simultaneous measurement process. Instead of measuring each speaker sequentially, the system captures audio signals from all speakers at once using multiple microphones positioned at different locations, thereby reducing setup time while maintaining position determination accuracy through spatial signal analysis

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces spatial dimensionality by placing microphones at multiple positions around the speaker arrangement. This multi-dimensional approach allows simultaneous capture of signals from all speakers, enabling parallel measurement that eliminates the sequential time requirement while preserving measurement precision through geometric signal differentiation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Measurement precision

If sequential measurement of each speaker is performed, then connection state determination accuracy is improved, but productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection state determination accuracyVSAvoidchannel assignment efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system merges the measurement processes for multiple speakers into a single simultaneous operation. By capturing all speaker signals at once using an array of microphones and processing them together through cross-correlation analysis, the system achieves both accurate connection state determination and high productivity through parallel processing

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables continuous useful action by performing measurements on all speakers simultaneously rather than interrupting the process between speakers. The continuous audio capture and parallel signal processing maintain constant productivity while preserving determination accuracy through uninterrupted multi-channel analysis

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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

Enables rapid determination of speaker connection states, allowing for efficient setup and ensuring accurate channel assignment without the need for sequential measurement, thereby reducing setup time and improving operational efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

a directional microphone is directed toward each of the plurality of speakers, and a mixed sound of reproduction sounds of a plurality of channels, which are output from the plurality of speakers, picked up by the directional microphone

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAcoustic wave propagation: Sound

Data Source

PatentEP3537728B1Connection state determination system for speakers, acoustic device, and connection state determination method for speakers
Publication Date: 2020.09.16 YAMAHA CORP
  • EP3537728B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3537728B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2C
  • EP3537728B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present disclosure has an object to determine connection states of a plurality of speakers configured to perform stereo reproduction or multi-channel reproduction in a short period of time. An acoustic device 100 according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes: a sound data acquirer configured to acquire data on a mixed sound of a reproduction sound of a first piece of sound data output from a speaker SL and a reproduction sound of a second piece of sound data output from a speaker SR, the mixed sound being picked up by a microphone 110 directed toward the speaker SL, a calculator configured to calculate each of a first similarity degree indicating similarity between the data on the mixed sound and the first piece of sound data and a second similarity degree indicating similarity between the data on the mixed sound and the second piece of sound data, and a determiner configured to determine connection states of the speaker SL and the speaker SR based on the first similarity degree and the second similarity degree.