Playback Speaker Pairing for Automatic Multi-Channel Audio Setup
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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 receive and process audio data, and adjust equalization settings to create a multi-channel listening environment, allowing for dynamic configuration and pairing based on user commands or audio content changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If playback devices are paired to create multi-channel audio environments, then the listening experience and audio channel separation are improved, but the device complexity and configuration requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The playback devices automatically detect and pair with each other to form multi-channel audio environments without requiring manual configuration. The system self-configures the audio channels and equalization settings based on the detected device pairings, eliminating the need for complex user setup procedures while achieving improved audio channel separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts equalization parameters and audio channel assignments based on the pairing configuration. When devices are paired, the system automatically modifies audio processing parameters to optimize the multi-channel output, allowing the audio characteristics to adapt to the configured pairing without manual intervention.
2Manufacturing precision
If equalization settings are adjusted for different pairing types, then the audio quality is improved, but the processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The equalization settings are dynamically adjusted based on the detected pairing type. The system automatically switches between different equalization configurations depending on whether devices are paired in stereo, surround, or other multi-channel arrangements, allowing audio quality to be optimized for each pairing scenario without requiring manual reconfiguration.
Solution Approach 2:
Different equalization parameter sets are applied based on the pairing configuration. The system stores multiple equalization profiles and automatically selects and applies the appropriate profile when devices are paired, enabling high-quality audio output for various pairing types while simplifying the user experience through automatic parameter selection.
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.