METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR SUBWOOFER CALIBRATION

• US 20130305152A1
• Filed: 05/08/2012
• Published: 11/14/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 05/08/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
• Inventors: Chamness, Mike, Griffiths, Neil
• Granted Patent: US 9,524,098 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/716
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04847 Interaction techniques to control parameter settings, e.g. interaction with sliders or dials
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04883 for inputting data by handwriting, e.g. gesture or text
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/165 Management of the audio stream, e.g. setting of volume, audio stream path
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2227/005 Audio distribution systems for home, i.e. multi-room use
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 27/00 Public address systems circuits for preventing acoustic reaction H04R3/02; circuits for distributing signals to loudspeakers H04R3/12; monitoring or testing arrangements for public address systems H04R29/007; amplifiers H03F
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 29/001 for loudspeakers H04R29/007 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 3/04 for correcting frequency response
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 3/14 Cross-over networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04S 7/301 Automatic calibration of stereophonic sound system, e.g. with test microphone
• CPC Class Codes: H04S 7/307 Frequency adjustment, e.g. tone control H04S7/301 takes precedence

Abstract

Methods and apparatus are disclosed for subwoofer calibration. An example method includes determining a crossover frequency of a playback system, and the playback system includes the subwoofer and a playback device. The example method includes the subwoofer and the playback device configured to output a multimedia content in synchronization. The example method also includes outputting from the subwoofer and the playback device a series of tones near the crossover frequency. The example method also includes prompting a user to select a tone set from the series of tones, and includes automatically adjusting a phase of the subwoofer in relation to the playback device based on the user selection.

Claims

1. A method to calibrate a subwoofer, the method comprising:

determining a crossover frequency of a playback system, the playback system including the subwoofer and a playback device, wherein the subwoofer and the playback device are configured to output a multimedia content in synchronization;

outputting from the subwoofer and in conjunction with the playback device a series of tones near the crossover frequency;

prompting a user to select a tone set from the series of tones; and

automatically adjusting a phase of the subwoofer in relation to the playback device based on the user selection.

2. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the series of tones includes spectral content including harmonics that span frequencies above and below crossover.

3. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the series of tones includes a first tone set and a second tone set, the second tone set played by the subwoofer or the playback device 180 degrees offset in phase from the first tone set.

4. A method as defined in claim 3, wherein the subwoofer adjusts the phase to alternate outputting the first tone set and the second tone set.

5. A method as defined in claim 1 further comprising:

adjusting a subwoofer level based on the user selection.

6. A method as defined in claim 1 further comprising:

providing a user interface in association with the subwoofer, wherein the user interface accepts user input to facilitate a user selection.

7. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein determining a crossover frequency of a playback system includes prompting a user to select a speaker size associated with the playback device, wherein the speaker size corresponds to a crossover frequency.

8. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein determining a crossover frequency of a playback system includes the subwoofer identifying a speaker size associated with the playback device.

9. A subwoofer device comprising:

a communication interface;

a speaker driver; and

a processor configured to;

receive, via the communication interface, an audio characteristic of a playback device configured to output multimedia content in synchronization with the subwoofer device;

determine a crossover frequency based on the audio characteristic;

output, in synchronization with the playback device, via the speaker driver, a first tone set and a second tone set, the first tone set and the second tone set being output by a subwoofer in a reversed polarity;

receive an indication of a selection of the first tone set or the second tone set; and

calibrate a phase of the subwoofer device based on the received indication.

10. A subwoofer device as defined in claim 9, wherein the series of tones includes spectral content including harmonics that span frequencies above and below crossover.

11. A subwoofer device as defined in claim 9, wherein the second tone set is 180 degrees offset in phase from the first tone set.

12. A subwoofer device as defined in claim 11, causing the processor to:

adjust the subwoofer device phase to alternate outputting the first tone set and the second tone set.

13. A subwoofer device as defined in claim 9, causing the processor to:

adjust a subwoofer level based on the received indication.

14. A subwoofer device as defined in claim 9, causing the processor to:

accept selection of the first tone set or the second tone set via a user interface, the user interface in association with the subwoofer.

15. A subwoofer device as defined in claim 9, wherein determining a crossover frequency causes the processor to:

compare the audio characteristic of the playback device to an audio characteristic of the subwoofer; and

determine the crossover frequency based on the comparison.

16. A computer readable storage medium including instructions for execution by a processor, the instructions, when executed, cause the processor to implement a method to calibrate a subwoofer, the method comprising:

identifying the subwoofer and a playback device, wherein the subwoofer is to be configured to output multimedia content in synchronization with the playback device, and wherein the subwoofer and the playback device are to be coupled to a playback system;

receiving an audio characteristic of the playback device;

determining the crossover frequency of the subwoofer and the playback device based on the audio characteristic;

generating a first tone set including a frequency below the crossover frequency;

generating a second tone set based on the first tone set, wherein the second tone set includes a phase offset from the first tone set;

receiving input selecting the first tone set or the second tone set; and

adjusting a phase setting of the subwoofer or the playback device based on the received input.

17. A method as defined in claim 16, wherein the first tone set includes a harmonic tone above the crossover frequency.

18. A method as defined in claim 16, wherein the subwoofer adjusts the phase to alternate outputting the first tone set and the second tone set.

19. A method as defined in claim 16 further comprising:

adjusting a subwoofer level based on the received input.

20. A method as defined in claim 16 further comprising:

providing a user interface in association with the subwoofer, wherein the user interface accepts user input to facilitate a user selection.