Determining Loudspeaker Layout Using Audible Markers

Abstract

A method consistent with certain implementations involves switching one or more loudspeakers to behave as one or more microphones while remaining loudspeakers behave as speakers. An audible signal is generated and the outputs of the microphones are processed to identify geometric location of loudspeakers. A filter transfer function is generated for the loudspeakers to psycho-acoustically relocate one or more of the loudspeakers from the identified geometric locations when the one or more loudspeakers are used as loudspeakers. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.

1 . A multi-channel audio amplifier, comprising:
 a plurality of audio amplifiers having a plurality of audio amplifier outputs;   one or more programmed processors;   a loudspeaker interface configured to connect a plurality of loudspeakers to the plurality of audio amplifier outputs;   an array of switches configured to switch a connection at the loudspeaker interface between one of the plurality of audio amplifiers and a coupling where the loudspeaker serves as a microphone;   the array of switches operating under control of the one or more programmed processors; and   the one or more processors being programmed to analyze audio signals received by one or more of the loudspeakers serving as microphones to compute a geometric configuration of a plurality of the loudspeakers when the plurality of loudspeakers are connected to the loudspeaker interface.   
     
     
         2 . The multi-channel audio amplifier according to  claim 1 , further comprising a signal processor that receives information from the one or more processors to generate a modified audio signal to one or more of the plurality of loudspeakers to change an apparent geometric location for one or more of the plurality of loudspeaker's with relation to others of the plurality of loudspeakers using psycho-acoustic simulation of movement of the one or more loudspeakers. 
     
     
         3 . The multi-channel audio amplifier according to  claim 1 , where the array of switches is switched under control of the one or more programmed processors to sequentially change each loudspeaker connection to serve as the microphone, and where each of the remaining loudspeakers is driven with an audio test signal. 
     
     
         4 . The multi-channel audio amplifier according to  claim 1 , where the array of switches is switched under control of the one or more programmed processors to sequentially change each loudspeaker to be driven as a loudspeaker with an audio test tone while all remaining loudspeaker connections serve as a microphones. 
     
     
         5 . The multi-channel audio amplifier according to  claim 1 , where the geometric configuration of the plurality of loudspeakers is computed using trilateration calculations. 
     
     
         6 . The multi-channel audio amplifier according to  claim 1 , where the array of switches is switched under control of the one or more programmed processors to change each loudspeaker connection to serve as the microphone, and where each of the remaining loudspeakers is driven with an audio test signal. 
     
     
         7 . The multi-channel audio amplifier according to  claim 6 , where a distinct different audio test signal is used to drive each of the remaining loudspeakers. 
     
     
         8 . A multi-channel audio amplifier, comprising:
 a plurality of audio amplifiers having a plurality of audio amplifier outputs;   one or more programmed processors;   a loudspeaker interface configured to connect a plurality of loudspeakers to the plurality of audio amplifier outputs;   an array of switches configured to switch a connection at the loudspeaker interface between one of the plurality of audio amplifiers and a coupling where the loudspeaker serves as a microphone;   the array of switches operating under control of the one or more programmed processors;   the one or more processors being programmed to analyze audio signals received by one or more of the loudspeakers serving as microphones to compute a geometric configuration of a plurality of the loudspeakers when the plurality of loudspeakers are connected to the loudspeaker interface by use of trilateration calculations;   a signal processor that receives information from the one or more processors to generate a modified audio signal to one or more of the plurality of loudspeakers to change an apparent geometric location for one or more of the plurality of loudspeaker's with relation to others of the plurality of loudspeakers using psycho-acoustic simulation of movement of the one or more loudspeakers.   
     
     
         9 . The multi-channel audio amplifier according to  claim 8 , where the array of switches is switched under control of the one or more programmed processors to sequentially change each loudspeaker connection to serve as the microphone, and where each of the remaining loudspeakers is driven with an audio test signal. 
     
     
         10 . The multi-channel audio amplifier according to  claim 8 , where the array of switches is switched under control of the one or more programmed processors to sequentially change each loudspeaker to be driven as a loudspeaker with an audio test tone while all remaining loudspeaker connections serve as a microphones. 
     
     
         11 . The multi-channel audio amplifier according to  claim 8 , where the array of switches is switched under control of the one or more programmed processors to change each loudspeaker connection to serve as the microphone, and where each of the remaining loudspeakers is driven with an audio test signal. 
     
     
         12 . The multi-channel audio amplifier according to  claim 11 , where a distinct different audio test signal is used to drive each of the remaining loudspeakers. 
     
     
         13 . A method, comprising:
 switching one or more loudspeakers of a plurality of loudspeakers to behave as one or more microphones while one or more remaining loudspeakers of the plurality of loudspeakers behave as speakers;   generating an audible signal;   saving outputs of the one or more loudspeakers acting as microphones;   processing the microphone outputs to identify geometric locations of the one or more loudspeakers; and   generating a filter transfer function for the one or more of loudspeakers to psycho-acoustically relocate one or more of the loudspeakers from the identified geometric locations when the one or more loudspeakers are used as loudspeakers.   
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 13 , where the audible signal drives one or more of the plurality of loudspeakers that are not switched to behave as one or more microphones. 
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 13 , where the geometric location of the one or more loudspeakers is computed using trilateration calculations. 
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 13 , where the switching is carried out using an array of switches that are switched under control of one or more programmed processors to sequentially change each loudspeaker to be driven as a loudspeaker with an audio test tone while all remaining loudspeaker connections serve as a microphones. 
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 13 , where the switching is carried out using an array of switches that are switched under control of one or more programmed processors to change each loudspeaker connection to serve as the microphone, and where each of the remaining loudspeakers is driven with an audio test signal. 
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 13 , where a distinct different audio test signal is used to drive each of the remaining loudspeakers. 
     
     
         19 . A computer readable storage medium storing instructions that when executed using one or more programmed processors carries out the method according to  claim 13 .