Virtual Audio System Tuning via Recorded Transfer Functions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Audio systems in noisy environments, such as vehicle cabins, require extensive and costly tuning under various operating conditions to effectively compensate for dynamic noise changes, necessitating repeated measurements and access to the actual listening environment.
Innovation Solution
The method involves recording sounds and non-acoustic signals at sensor and evaluation locations within the listening environment, virtualizing transfer functions, and feeding these back to the acoustic compensation system controller, allowing for remote tuning without operating the vehicle, using binaural or monaural recordings and incorporating engine RPM, throttle position, and engine torque signals to adjust audio parameters dynamically.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If extensive on-site tuning under varied operating conditions is performed, then audio system performance is improved, but time consumption and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by recording noise data and transfer functions in advance during vehicle operation under various conditions. This pre-collected data is then used for virtual tuning sessions, eliminating the need for repeated on-site measurements and allowing tuning to be performed efficiently at any time afterward.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates virtual copies of the actual listening environment by recording and storing noise data, transfer functions, and operating condition parameters. These digital copies enable virtual tuning sessions that accurately simulate real-world conditions without requiring physical presence in the vehicle, thus reducing time and cost while maintaining tuning quality.
2Measurement precision
If repeated measurements under varied conditions are conducted, then tuning accuracy is improved, but cost and accessibility requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs comprehensive measurements and data collection in advance during vehicle operation, storing noise data, transfer functions, and operating condition parameters. This preliminary action ensures high measurement precision is achieved once, and the same accurate data can be reused for multiple virtual tuning sessions without requiring repeated complex on-site testing.
3Ease of operation
If virtual tuning is implemented, then accessibility and flexibility are improved, but measurement precision may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates accurate digital copies of the physical listening environment by recording transfer functions from each loudspeaker to sensor locations and evaluation points, along with actual noise data. These copies are so precise that virtual tuning sessions can be conducted with the same measurement precision as physical testing, while providing the flexibility of remote access and repeated tuning sessions without requiring vehicle availability.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method of virtually tuning an audio system that incorporates an acoustic compensation system, where the audio system is adapted to play audio signals in a listening environment over one or more sound transducers. The acoustic compensation system has an audio sensor located at a sensor location in the listening environment. The transfer functions from each sound transducer to the audio sensor location are inherent. The method contemplates recording noise at the sensor location, and creating virtual transfer functions from each sound transducer to the sensor location based on the inherent transfer functions from each sound transducer to the sensor location. Audio signals are processed through the virtual sound transducer to sensor location transfer functions. A virtual sensor signal is created by combining the audio signals processed through the virtual sound transducer to sensor location transfer functions with the noise recorded at the sensor location.