Wireless Loudspeaker Location Determination via Timing Signals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wireless loudspeaker systems face challenges in accurately determining the relative locations of loudspeakers, leading to inefficient channel mapping and potential improper placement, which affects audio quality and user experience.
Innovation Solution
The system employs wireless timing information based on IEEE 1588 and IEEE 802.1AS standards, combined with audio signal processing, to determine the precise locations of loudspeakers in 2D and 3D acoustic spaces, and automatically performs channel mapping and placement indications, using a digital timing engine for high-precision timestamping and microphone signals to calculate telemetry data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If wireless loudspeaker systems are used without wires connecting loudspeakers to the central unit, then ease of installation and system flexibility are improved, but accurate determination of relative loudspeaker locations becomes difficult, leading to improper channel mapping and placement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces timing information as an intermediary mechanism to enable location determination in wireless loudspeaker systems. The central unit transmits timing information to each loudspeaker, and the loudspeakers return responsive timing information, allowing the system to calculate relative locations based on transmission and reception time differences without requiring physical wire connections for location sensing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/wired connection system used in conventional loudspeaker systems with a wireless electromagnetic communication system. Instead of using physical wires to connect loudspeakers to the central unit for both power and location determination, the system uses wireless timing-based communication to achieve location determination, substituting mechanical connection with electromagnetic signal exchange.
2Measurement precision
If conventional wired loudspeaker systems are used with physical wire connections, then location determination is straightforward through wire connectivity, but system flexibility and ease of installation are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces timing information as an intermediary mechanism to enable location determination in wireless loudspeaker systems. The central unit transmits timing information to each loudspeaker, and the loudspeakers return responsive timing information, allowing the system to calculate relative locations based on transmission and reception time differences without requiring physical wire connections for location sensing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/wired connection system used in conventional loudspeaker systems with a wireless electromagnetic communication system. Instead of using physical wires to connect loudspeakers to the central unit for both power and location determination, the system uses wireless timing-based communication to achieve location determination, substituting mechanical connection with electromagnetic signal exchange.
3Measurement precision
If manual channel mapping is performed in wireless loudspeaker systems, then location accuracy can be ensured, but setup time and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements automatic channel mapping where the loudspeaker system performs location determination and channel assignment autonomously without requiring manual user input. The central unit automatically receives timing information from each loudspeaker, calculates their relative locations, and assigns appropriate audio channels based on the determined positions, enabling the system to self-configure during installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs feedback mechanisms where each loudspeaker returns responsive timing information to the central unit, which then uses this feedback to automatically determine locations and perform channel mapping. The system continuously receives timing data from loudspeakers and adjusts channel assignments based on the calculated relative positions, creating a closed-loop automatic configuration process.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and apparatuses are described for determining relative locations of wireless loudspeakers and performing channel mapping thereof. An audio processing component utilizes sounds produced by wireless loudspeakers during setup/installation procedures, which are received by a microphone at locations in an acoustic space, to determine an amount of time between when the audio signal is initially transmitted and when the microphone signal is received. The audio processing component also utilizes wireless timing signals provided by a wireless transceiver, at locations in the acoustic space, to wireless loudspeakers and then back to the wireless transceiver to determine an amount of time between transmission and reception by the wireless transceiver. The timing delays are used to determine the locations of the wireless loudspeakers in the acoustic space. Based on the determined locations, the audio processing component generates indications of correct or incorrect wireless loudspeaker placements, and performs audio channel mapping.