Acoustic Waveguide Layout for Omnidirectional Tabletop Conference Audio

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Solution Overview

Problem

Unified communications systems (UCS) table top devices often have a single loudspeaker placement that results in unsatisfactory sound distribution, blocking sound in wide sectors around the table due to non-omnidirectional sound projection.

Innovation Solution

The use of a shepherds-hook shaped acoustic waveguide with two symmetrically positioned loudspeakers, each located at a specific distance from the waveguide's lower side wall and apex, minimizes comb filtering and ensures uniform sound pressure level and radiation pattern through concave or convex acoustic waveguides.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single loudspeaker is placed in a table top UCS device, then the device structure is simple, but the sound distribution becomes non-omnidirectional and blocks sound in wide sectors

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice structureVSAvoidsound distribution

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The single loudspeaker is segmented into multiple loudspeakers (typically two or more) positioned at different locations around the device. Each loudspeaker projects sound in a specific direction, and together they create omnidirectional sound coverage, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and sound distribution quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple loudspeakers are merged into a single integrated device structure. The loudspeakers are combined with the microphone array and processing components in one table top unit, maintaining ease of deployment while achieving omnidirectional sound projection through the coordinated operation of multiple transducers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Ease of operation

If loudspeakers are positioned to achieve omnidirectional sound distribution, then sound coverage improves, but comb filtering increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesound coverageVSAvoidcomb filtering

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Each loudspeaker is positioned at a specific location with optimized characteristics for its local zone. The loudspeakers have different positioning and potentially different directional characteristics tailored to their specific locations around the device, which minimizes overlapping sound paths and reduces comb filtering while maintaining omnidirectional coverage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The loudspeaker positions and orientations are arranged asymmetrically around the device rather than in a perfectly symmetric pattern. This asymmetric arrangement helps distribute sound paths more evenly and reduces the likelihood of constructive and destructive interference patterns that cause comb filtering, while still achieving omnidirectional sound distribution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

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

Achieves a substantially omnidirectional sound distribution around the audio device, minimizing comb filtering and ensuring uniform sound pressure level in all directions, enhancing audio clarity for all participants in a conference setting.

Implementation Method 1

an acoustic waveguide for use in a unified communications system conference room audio device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAcoustic waveguide: Waveguide

Implementation Method 2

a concave upper acoustic wave interfacing surface, wherein the concave upper acoustic wave interfacing surface comprises a concave shaped surface with a substantially continuously and linearly changing radius

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAcoustic reflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS20260059234A1Omni directional unified communications system tabletop audio device using two or more loudspeakers

Publication Date: 2026.02.26 CRESTRON ELECTRONICS INC

AI summary

An acoustic waveguide for use in a unified communications system conference room audio device is described herein, wherein the acoustic waveguide is a generally shepherds-hook shaped object, comprising: a lower, substantially planar non-acoustic wave interfacing surface; and a concave or convex shaped upper acoustic wave interfacing surface, wherein the concave or convex upper acoustic wave interfacing surface comprises a concave or convex shaped surface with a substantially continuously and linearly changing radius from a lower end to an upper end, and wherein when used with a substantially similar second acoustic waveguide that is similarly positioned within the audio device, but wherein the second acoustic waveguide is a mirrored opposite of the first acoustic waveguide, the combination of the two acoustic waveguides are adapted to generate a substantially uniform sound pressure level and radiation pattern about the audio device when each receive respective acoustic audio waves from respective loudspeakers located at substantially similar heights above the respective acoustic waveguides.