Portable Speaker Equalization Using Stored Room Acoustic Profiles
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Portable playback devices face challenges in calibrating themselves to account for changing acoustic environments due to their frequent repositioning, and they often lack access to network devices or remote databases for multi-location calibration.
Innovation Solution
The portable playback device uses built-in microphones and a locally stored database of calibration settings and room responses to perform self-calibration, leveraging previously generated data points from multi-location calibration processes in various environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If portable playback devices are frequently repositioned to adapt to different listening environments, then the device's versatility and adaptability improve, but the calibration accuracy deteriorates because the acoustic environment changes continuously
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary calibration by capturing acoustic environment data at multiple predetermined locations before final playback. This advance measurement and storage of acoustic characteristics allows the device to quickly retrieve pre-analyzed calibration data rather than performing real-time calibration when moved, thus maintaining accuracy despite frequent repositioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The system compensates for future calibration needs by pre-capturing acoustic data from multiple locations. When the device is moved to a new location, it can cushion against calibration inaccuracies by selecting the most appropriate pre-captured acoustic profile or interpolating between stored profiles, rather than starting from an uncalibrated state.
2Measurement precision
If multi-location calibration processes are implemented to improve calibration accuracy, then the calibration quality improves, but the device complexity increases due to the need for network devices and remote databases
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts and stores acoustic environment data from multiple locations into a local database within the portable playback device itself. By taking out the calibration data storage function from external network devices and embedding it locally, the system maintains multi-location calibration capabilities while eliminating the complexity of network infrastructure requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The portable playback device is designed to perform multiple functions: it acts as both the calibration tool and the playback device. The single device captures acoustic data, stores it locally, processes calibration algorithms, and performs playback, eliminating the need for separate network devices and databases, thus reducing overall system complexity while maintaining calibration quality.
3Measurement precision
If real-time calibration is performed when the device is moved to maintain calibration accuracy, then the calibration precision improves, but the time consumption increases due to the calibration process
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs calibration measurements in advance at multiple locations and stores the acoustic profiles locally. When moved to a new location, the device quickly retrieves the corresponding pre-calibrated acoustic profile rather than performing time-consuming real-time calibration, thus maintaining precision while minimizing time loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically selects calibration data based on the current location and environmental conditions. It can switch between different pre-captured acoustic profiles or interpolate between them based on the device's position, providing adaptive calibration that is both precise and time-efficient without requiring full real-time recalibration.
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 approach allows the portable playback device to effectively calibrate itself in different acoustic environments without relying on network devices or remote databases, ensuring optimal audio output and user experience.
Implementation Method 1
capturing, via the microphone, audio data representing reflections of the audio content within the room
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein are example techniques to facilitate calibrating a portable playback device. An example implementation involves determining that a playback device is to perform an equalization calibration of the playback device and initiating the equalization calibration. Initiating the equalization calibration involves (i) outputting audio content, (ii) capturing audio data representing reflections of the audio content within an area in which the playback device is located, (iii) determining an acoustic response of the area in which the playback device is located, (iv) selecting a stored acoustic response from the acoustic response database that is most similar to the determined acoustic response of the area in which the playback device is located, and (v) applying to the audio content, via the playback device, a set of stored audio calibration settings associated with the selected stored acoustic area response.