Playback Speaker Pairing for Automatic Multi-Channel Equalization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current technologies for accessing and playing multi-channel audio and video content lack the ability to efficiently pair and configure playback devices to enhance the listening experience, particularly in creating or enhancing multi-channel audio environments such as stereo or surround sound.
Innovation Solution
The described technology involves pairing two or more playback devices to configure them to output different subsets of audio channels, using a network interface, amplifier, and processor to process and equalize audio data, allowing for the creation of a multi-channel listening environment by reconfiguring devices to output specific channels, such as right and left channels, or front and rear channels, and optimizing synchronization and equalization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If playback devices are paired to create multi-channel audio environments, then audio reproduction quality and channel separation are improved, but device complexity and configuration requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The playback device automatically determines its pairing type by detecting whether a paired device is present and configuring itself accordingly. The processor automatically adjusts equalization settings based on the detected pairing scenario, eliminating the need for manual user configuration while achieving optimized audio reproduction quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes equalization parameters based on the pairing configuration. When a paired device is detected, the processor adjusts frequency response parameters to optimize multi-channel audio reproduction, transforming the audio output characteristics to match the pairing scenario without requiring manual intervention.
2Adaptability or versatility
If playback devices are dynamically reconfigured to output specific audio channels, then adaptability to different pairing scenarios is improved, but processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The playback device employs dynamic configuration where the processor continuously monitors for paired devices and automatically adjusts audio channel routing and equalization settings in real-time. This dynamic adaptation allows the device to switch between different pairing scenarios (single device, stereo pair, multi-channel surround) without manual reconfiguration, achieving high versatility through automated dynamic parameter adjustment.
Data Source
AI summary
Technology for grouping, consolidating, and pairing individual playback devices with network capability (players) to stimulate a multi-channel listening environment is disclosed. An example method includes receiving an audio signal containing a range of audio frequencies; amplifying, according to a gain parameter, the audio signal to be reproduced by at least one speaker. The example method includes automatically increasing the gain parameter to a higher gain parameter responsive to a determination that no more than a subset of the range of audio frequencies is to be reproduced by the at least one speaker. The example method includes amplifying, according to the higher gain parameter, the audio signal containing no more than the subset of the range of audio frequencies to be reproduced by the at least one speaker.