Networked Speaker Volume Calibration for Consistent Audio Output

Solution Overview

Problem

In multi-channel audio systems, users face inconvenience in manually adjusting volume characteristics of speaker devices with different volume profiles, leading to inconsistent sound perception, and there is a risk of exceeding the recommended volume range.

Innovation Solution

An audio output system identifies a host speaker device with optimal volume characteristics and calibrates slave speaker devices to match these characteristics through network communication, using parameters like sound pressure, input sensitivity, and output power, ensuring consistent volume across all devices without manual user intervention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a volume characteristic is controlled using a user interface, then a user can adjust the balance of the volume, but it is inconvenient for a user to control a volume characteristic of a speaker device manually

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevolume control convenienceVSAvoidmanual calibration requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The speaker devices automatically perform volume characteristic calibration by exchanging parameter information through network communication. Each speaker device receives parameter information from other devices and automatically adjusts its volume characteristics without requiring manual user intervention, thereby resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements automatic feedback loops where speaker devices continuously exchange parameter information and adjust their volume characteristics based on received data. This automated feedback mechanism eliminates the need for manual calibration while maintaining optimal volume balance across all devices

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Ease of operation

If a user adjusts volume characteristics manually, then the balance of volume can be controlled, but there could be a problem that a user might control the volume characteristic out of a provided range

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevolume adjustment flexibilityVSAvoidvolume range control accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The speaker devices automatically perform volume characteristic calibration by exchanging parameter information through network communication. Each speaker device receives parameter information from other devices and automatically adjusts its volume characteristics without requiring manual user intervention, thereby resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements automatic feedback loops where speaker devices continuously exchange parameter information and adjust their volume characteristics based on received data. This automated feedback mechanism eliminates the need for manual calibration while maintaining optimal volume balance across all devices

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If speaker devices have different volume characteristics, then each device can operate independently, but a user perceives the sounds output through the speaker devices differently

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice independenceVSAvoidvolume characteristic consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes the operational parameters of speaker devices dynamically by exchanging parameter information through network communication. Each speaker device adjusts its volume characteristics based on received parameter data, transforming the fixed volume characteristics into adaptive parameters that ensure consistent sound perception across all devices while maintaining their independent operational capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3358863B1Audio output system and control method thereof

Publication Date: 2023.05.17 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

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AI summary

An audio output system is provided. The audio output system may include a first speaker device configured to output audio based on a first volume characteristic, and a second speaker device configured to output audio based on a second volume characteristic, wherein the first speaker device and the second speaker device may share device information with each other in response to the first speaker device and the second speaker device operating while being interlocked with each other, and the audio output system may be configured to identify a host speaker device which satisfies a predetermined condition based on the shared device information, and wherein the identified host speaker device may be configured to transmit at least one parameter which affects a volume characteristic of the host speaker device for a volume characteristic of another speaker device to be consistent with a volume characteristic of the host speaker device.