IP Library › Granted Patent US 10,225,678
Granted Patent B2
US 10,225,678 · App. 15/565,387 · Granted Mar 5, 2019

Audio system, calibration module, operating method, and computer program

Inventor: Franz Lermer (Pilsting-Ganacker, DE)
Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
H04S7/301G08B29/10H04R29/007G01R31/26
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,225,678
App. No.
15/565,387
Granted
Mar 5, 2019
Kind
B2
Abstract

The invention relates to a calibration unit ( 20 ) for an audio system ( 2 ) having a generator ( 4 ) for generating a pilot tone ( 6 ), and a detector ( 16 a - c ) for the pilot tone ( 6 ), wherein at least one parameter (P 1, 2 ) determining the pilot tone ( 6 ) is changeable, which calibration unit comprises an input unit ( 22 ) for optionally setting the parameter (P 1, 2 ), wherein for at least one value (W 1, 2 ) of the parameter (P 1, 2 ), all detectors indicate a detection of the pilot tone ( 6 ). An audio system ( 2 ) comprises said calibration unit ( 20 ). In a method for operating the calibration unit ( 20 ), the parameters (p 1, 2 ) is regulated in such a way that all detectors ( 16 a - c ) indicate a detection of the pilot tone ( 6 ). A computer program carries out all steps of the method, when the program is performed on a computer and/or the calibration unit ( 20 ) or the audio system ( 2 ).

Claims (31)

1. A calibration unit ( 20 ) for an audio system ( 2 ), wherein the audio system ( 2 ) comprises:

an audio source device ( 8 ) for generating a useful audio signal ( 18 ),

an audio target device ( 10 a,b ) for the reception of the useful audio signal ( 18 ),

a transmission path ( 12 ) for the useful audio signal ( 18 ) from the audio source device ( 8 ) to the audio target device ( 10 a,b ),

a generator ( 4 ) for the generation of a pilot tone ( 6 ), which is to be transmitted in the direction from the audio source device ( 8 ) to the audio target device ( 10 a,b ) via the transmission path ( 12 ),

at least one detector ( 16 a - c ) for the pilot tone ( 6 ) which is connected to the transmission path ( 12 ), having a detector output ( 24 a - c ) for a detector signal (Sa-c) which is dependent upon the detection of the pilot tone ( 6 ),

wherein at least one of the defining parameters (P 1 , 2 ) of the pilot tone ( 6 ) is adjustable, and

the calibration unit ( 20 ) incorporates an input unit ( 22 ) for optionally setting the parameter (P 1 , 2 )

wherein, for at least one value (W 1 , 2 ) of the parameter (P 1 , 2 ), the detector signals (Sa-c) for all detectors ( 16 a - c ) in a known and error-free transmission path ( 12 ) indicate the detection of the pilot tone ( 6 ), and

a calibration module ( 26 ) connected to the detector output ( 24 a - c ) and configured to

act upon the parameters (P 1 , 2 ) of the at least one detector ( 16 a - c ), and

automatically set the values (W 1 , 2 ) of the parameters (P 1 , 2 ) with reference to the detector signal (Sa-c), in accordance with a calibration criterion (K).

2. The calibration unit ( 20 ) as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising

an output unit ( 28 ) for the output of the detector signal (Sa-c) from at least one of the detectors ( 16 a - c ).

3. The calibration unit ( 20 ) as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the calibration criterion (K) is configured such that the calibration module ( 26 ), starting from a predefinable starting value (WS), reduces or increases the value (W 1 , 2 ) to a limiting value (WG), at which the detector signal (Sa-c) still indicates the detection of the pilot tone ( 6 ).

4. The calibration unit ( 20 ) as claimed in claim 3 , wherein the calibration criterion (K) is configured such that the calibration module ( 26 ) decreases or increases the value (W 1 , 2 ) by a marginal value (WA) from its limiting value (WG), in the direction in which the detector signal (Sa-c) securely indicates the detection of the pilot tone ( 6 ).

5. The calibration unit ( 20 ) as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the parameter (P 1 , 2 ) is a frequency or amplitude of the pilot tone ( 6 ).

6. An audio system ( 2 ) comprising:

an audio source device ( 8 ) for generating a useful audio signal ( 18 ),

an audio target device ( 10 a,b ) for the reception of the useful audio signal ( 18 ),

a transmission path ( 12 ) for the useful audio signal ( 18 ) from the audio source device ( 8 ) to the audio target device ( 10 a,b ),

a generator ( 4 ) for the generation of a pilot tone ( 6 ), which is to be transmitted in the direction from the audio source device ( 8 ) to the audio target device ( 10 a,b ) via the transmission path ( 12 ),

at least one detector ( 16 a - c ) for the pilot tone ( 6 ) which is connected to the transmission path ( 12 ), having a detector output ( 24 a - c ) for a detector signal (Sa-c) which is dependent upon the detection of the pilot tone ( 6 ),

wherein at least one of the defining parameters (P 1 , 2 ) of the pilot tone ( 6 ) is adjustable, and

the calibration unit ( 20 ) incorporates an input unit ( 22 ) for optionally setting the parameter (P 1 , 2 )

wherein, for at least one value (W 1 , 2 ) of the parameter (P 1 , 2 ), the detector signals (Sa-c) for all detectors ( 16 a - c ) in a known and error-free transmission path ( 12 ) indicate the detection of the pilot tone ( 6 ), and

a calibration module ( 26 ) connected to the detector output ( 24 a - c ) and configured to

act upon the parameters (P 1 , 2 ) of the at least one detector ( 16 a - c ), and

automatically set the values (W 1 , 2 ) of the parameters (P 1 , 2 ) with reference to the detector signal (Sa-c), in accordance with a calibration criterion (K).

7. A method for operating a calibration unit ( 20 ) in the audio system of claim 1 .

8. The method as claimed in claim 7 , wherein it is executed before commissioning, in conjunction with commissioning, during the routine operation of the audio system ( 2 ), or a combination of the foregoing.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 9, 2017
From: LERMER, FRANZ
To: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
Reel/Frame 043817/0430 →
Priority Claims (1)
DE 10 2015 206 570 · Apr 13, 2015 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20180124542A1 · May 3, 2018