Acoustic System Spatial Depth Effect
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional acoustic systems, such as stereo and 5.1 multichannel formats, either lack depth perception or require complex setups with multiple speakers, failing to provide a simple and effective way to create a sense of sound depth for listeners.
Innovation Solution
An acoustic system with a compact chassis and structurally similar loudspeakers arranged at specific angular intervals, combined with processing electronics that differentiate audio frequencies to create distinct sound zones, allowing for a depth effect with fewer speakers while maintaining simplicity and ease of implementation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a stereo system with two speakers is used, then the system remains simple and easy to implement, but the listener cannot perceive depth of sound
Solution Approach 1:
The audio frequency spectrum is segmented into three distinct bands (low frequencies below 200Hz, mid frequencies from 200Hz to 2kHz, and high frequencies above 2kHz). This segmentation allows each speaker to handle specific frequency ranges differently, creating spatial differentiation and depth perception while maintaining a simple two-speaker system.
Solution Approach 2:
Different frequency bands are assigned different spatial characteristics: low frequencies are distributed equally to both speakers for omnidirectional perception, mid frequencies are differentiated between left and right speakers for lateralization, and high frequencies are shared for spatial envelopment. This local quality differentiation creates depth perception without adding physical speakers.
2Measurement precision
If a 5.1 multichannel system with six speakers is used, then depth effect is achieved, but the system requires complex setup and connection of multiple speakers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of multiple speakers into a two-speaker system by using frequency-based spatial encoding. The processing unit combines spatial information that would traditionally require separate physical speakers into frequency-modulated signals that can be reproduced by just two speakers, achieving depth effect with reduced complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical solution of adding more physical speakers with an electronic/processing solution. Instead of physically distributing speakers around the listener to create depth, the system uses digital signal processing to encode spatial information in frequency bands, substituting mechanical complexity with electronic intelligence.
3Ease of manufacture
If speakers are directed substantially parallel towards the listener, then the setup is simple, but the system lacks depth perception capability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adds a frequency dimension to create spatial perception. Instead of relying solely on the spatial dimension (speaker positions and orientations), the system uses frequency as an additional dimension to encode depth information. By manipulating which frequency bands are sent to which speaker, the system creates the perception of sound coming from different depths without changing the physical orientation of speakers.
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 system effectively generates a sense of sound depth for listeners using fewer speakers than traditional systems, reducing complexity and mechanical vibrations, and enhancing lateralization and depth perception without compromising the depth effect.
Implementation Method 1
The processing electronics are adapted to differentiate audio frequencies to be directed respectively to the loudspeakers, low frequencies being directed respectively to both loudspeakers and other frequencies being directed respectively to one loudspeaker
Implementation Method 2
M loudspeakers (HP j) structurally similar to each other and mounted on the chassis (5), and processing electronics (10) adapted to send M speaker signals (SS j) respectively to the loudspeakers (HP j)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
Acoustic system (1) for diffusing sound from N channels (Si) comprising audio frequencies, N being greater than or equal to two, the acoustic system comprising a frame (5), M loudspeakers (HPj) which are similar to each other and mounted on the frame (5), and a processing unit (20) designed to send M loudspeaker signals (SS,) to the loudspeakers, respectively. The loudspeakers are arranged at an angle about an axis (Z), two consecutive loudspeakers forming an angle (a) substantially equal to 360° divided by M. The processing unit (20) comprises a splitter (28) configured to produce the loudspeaker signals (SSj), each loudspeaker signal comprising the same shared bass component (SSLF), in which audio frequencies that are higher than a first predetermined frequency (f1) are non-existent or reduced, at least two of the loudspeaker signals further comprising a specific component (SSj MF) in addition to the shared bass component. In said specific component, audio frequencies lower than the first frequency are non-existent or reduced, each specific component being obtained from at least one of the channels, and at least two of the specific components being different from each other.