Asymmetric Horn Waveguide Aiming for Even Cinema Sound Coverage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cinema speaker systems struggle to provide even spectrum coverage across all seating areas due to the use of symmetrical or conical horns, which result in inadequate sensitivity and coverage patterns, especially in large venues with complex 3D sound effects.

Innovation Solution

A speaker system featuring an asymmetric horn waveguide acoustically coupled to a conical driver, housed in a spherical enclosure, and a three-axis mounting system that allows for precise aiming and rotation, providing progressive horizontal coverage and narrow vertical dispersion to optimize sound projection across the entire audio spectrum.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If symmetrical or conical horns are used in speaker systems, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the spectrum coverage is uneven and sensitivity is inadequate across all seating areas

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehorn structure simplicityVSAvoidspectrum coverage evenness
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies asymmetry by designing a horn waveguide with non-uniform cross-sectional dimensions where the width and height vary differently along the horn's length. Specifically, the horn has a first dimension that tapers at a first rate and a second dimension that tapers at a second rate, creating an asymmetric geometry that optimizes acoustic wave propagation and provides even spectrum coverage across all frequency ranges and seating areas.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

2Area of stationary object

If standard waveguides are used to provide adequate coverage, then coverage area is improved, but lower sensitivity is compromised due to energy distribution issues

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoverage areaVSAvoidsensitivity
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by precisely controlling the taper rates of the horn's dimensions. The first dimension tapers at a first rate while the second dimension tapers at a second rate, with specific relationships between these rates optimized to maintain acoustic energy efficiency. This parameter optimization ensures that the horn provides wide coverage area while maintaining high sensitivity by preventing energy loss and ensuring efficient sound wave propagation throughout the venue.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Length of moving object

If high Q horns are used to provide narrow long throw coverage, then coverage for distant listeners is improved, but some sections of the cinema are placed out of the coverage area

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethrow distanceVSAvoidcoverage area
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of moving objectVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by creating a horn waveguide whose acoustic characteristics dynamically adapt to different listening positions. The asymmetric tapering creates a coverage pattern that naturally transitions from narrow at the source to wider at distance, providing both long throw capability for distant listeners and adequate coverage for closer sections without requiring multiple speaker systems or compromising sensitivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 solution ensures even audio spectrum coverage across all seating areas, enhancing sound quality by softening coverage for short throws and sharpening it for long throws, thereby improving the overall audio experience in large venues like cinemas.

Implementation Method 1

a horn waveguide acoustically coupled to the driver to form a horn speaker

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAcoustic wave propagation: Sound

Implementation Method 2

asymmetric horn waveguide acoustically coupled to a conical driver to form a horn speaker

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWaveguide: Waveguide

Data Source

PatentUS11252500B2Asymmetrical high-frequency waveguide, 3-axis rigging, and spherical enclosure for surround speakers
Publication Date: 2022.02.15 DOLBY LABORATORIES LICENSING CORP
  • US11252500B2 patent drawing
  • US11252500B2 patent drawing
  • US11252500B2 patent drawing

AI summary

Embodiments are described for a high-frequency waveguide that improves the performance of large-scale surround sound and immersive audio environments. A horn waveguide is configured to be asymmetric about one of a vertical axis and horizontal axis of the waveguide to form an asymmetric horn waveguide. A spherical enclosure surrounds the asymmetric horn waveguide to form a horn speaker, and a three-axis mounting system is configured to fix the horn speaker to one of a wall or ceiling surface of the venue, wherein the mounting system facilitates rotating the horn speaker to a location that provides maximum coverage of the venue within the passband of the asymmetric horn waveguide.