Acoustic Control Apparatus Directional Sound Field Generation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing technologies struggle to effectively control sound transmission, allowing voice guidance and conversations to reach unintended areas, leading to demands for an acoustic control technique that can transmit sound in specific directions.

Innovation Solution

An acoustic control apparatus that combines sound amplification control and acoustic power minimization control using multiple speakers, where the processor calculates acoustic filter coefficients based on amplification magnification, transfer functions, and speaker intervals to create sound amplification and reduction areas.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If voice services are transmitted in all directions, then more users can access the service, but noise pollution increases in areas where users do not require the service

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice coverageVSAvoidnoise pollution

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating spatially differentiated sound fields where different regions have different acoustic characteristics. Specifically, it generates sound amplification areas with enhanced sound pressure levels in directions where users need service, while simultaneously creating sound reduction areas with suppressed sound levels in directions where service is not required. This is achieved through coordinated control of multiple speakers using acoustic filter coefficients that are calculated based on transfer functions and speaker intervals, enabling localized sound quality adjustment without affecting other regions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Object-affected harmful factors

If acoustic control is implemented to transmit sound in specific directions, then noise pollution is reduced, but the complexity of the control system increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenoise pollutionVSAvoidcontrol system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs parameter changes by dynamically adjusting acoustic filter coefficients for each speaker based on calculated transfer functions and speaker intervals. The system modifies key acoustic parameters including sound pressure level, frequency response, and phase characteristics to achieve directional sound control. By changing these parameters in coordination across multiple speakers, the system creates desired sound amplification and reduction areas without requiring complex mechanical structures or additional hardware components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Manufacturing precision

If multiple speakers are used for sound amplification control, then sound transmission in specific directions is improved, but the difficulty of calculating and coordinating acoustic filter coefficients increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesound transmission precisionVSAvoidacoustic filter coefficient calculation

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-calculating transfer functions between each speaker and various control points in the acoustic space before implementing real-time sound control. The system performs advance computation of acoustic filter coefficients based on the known speaker intervals and desired sound field characteristics. This preliminary calculation enables the speakers to be coordinated efficiently during operation, reducing the computational burden during real-time control while maintaining precise directional sound transmission.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The apparatus achieves efficient sound transmission in specific directions by creating distinct sound pressure level gradients between amplification and reduction areas, effectively minimizing noise in unintended areas.

Implementation Method 1

the processor calculates a first relational expression between acoustic filter coefficients of acoustic filters to be applied to voice signals containing information of sounds played back by two or more sound sources

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAcoustic interference: Interference

Implementation Method 2

achieves efficient sound transmission in specific directions by creating distinct sound pressure level gradients between amplification and reduction areas

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSound pressure gradient: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentUS12327064B2Acoustic control apparatus, storage medium, and method

Publication Date: 2025.06.10 KK TOSHIBA

AI summary

An acoustic control apparatus includes a processor with hardware. The processor calculates a first relational expression between acoustic filter coefficients of acoustic filters to be applied to voice signals containing information of sounds played back by two or more sound sources, based on an amplification magnification in a sound amplification control point with respect to the sounds played back by the two or more sound sources, and on transfer functions between the sound amplification control point and the two or more sound sources. The processor calculates a second relational expression between the acoustic filter coefficients, based on information of a frequency of the voice signals, and on an interval between the two or more sound sources. The processor calculates the acoustic filter coefficients based on the first relational expression and the second relational expression.