Compact Public Address Access Point with Conical Acoustic Reflector
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing public address systems and wireless access points are not integrated, leading to challenges in designing compact systems that provide both effective wireless operation and high-quality sound, particularly in large areas where multiple access points are needed.
Innovation Solution
The integration of a compact public address access point apparatus that includes speakers, a mounting frame, and an access point housing, where the access point is positioned in front of the speaker to minimize interference, using a conical acoustic reflector and annular region to direct sound efficiently, and incorporating passive or active sound filtering to enhance sound quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the access point housing is placed in front of the speaker to minimize interference, then wireless operation is improved, but sound emission is blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the access point housing in front of the speaker (different spatial arrangement from conventional designs) and uses acoustic reflectors to redirect sound waves around the housing. This spatial reconfiguration allows wireless components to be closer to the antenna while sound propagates through alternative paths, resolving the contradiction between wireless reliability and sound emission.
Solution Approach 2:
Acoustic reflectors and waveguides are introduced as intermediary structures between the speaker and the environment. These components redirect sound waves around the access point housing, enabling sound to bypass the blocking housing and reach the surrounding space effectively, thus resolving the sound blocking issue while maintaining the housing's protective function.
2Volume of moving object
If the apparatus is made compact by integrating speaker and access point, then device size is reduced, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the speaker assembly and access point housing into a single compact apparatus. The speaker is positioned within the housing structure, and acoustic reflectors are incorporated as integral components. This merging reduces the overall system size while maintaining separate functional zones for audio and wireless operations, balancing compactness with manufacturability.
Solution Approach 2:
The apparatus is divided into distinct functional modules: speaker assembly, access point housing, acoustic reflectors, and mounting components. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured and tested separately before final assembly, reducing overall manufacturing complexity despite the integrated compact design.
3Area of stationary object
If multiple overlapping access points are used to cover large areas, then coverage area is increased, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the apparatus to simultaneously function as both a public address speaker and a wireless access point. This multi-functionality allows a single device to provide both audio coverage and wireless network coverage, reducing the number of separate devices needed to cover large areas and thereby simplifying the overall system complexity.
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
This configuration allows for better wireless operation by keeping magnetic components close to the antenna, reducing distortion, and provides high-quality sound with accurate voice reproduction, supporting simultaneous dual-band MIMO operations and efficient power usage.
Implementation Method 1
a conical acoustic reflector centered over a central region of the front of the speaker... the conical acoustic reflector is between the access point housing and the front of the speaker
Implementation Method 2
an annular region surrounding the conical acoustic reflector, wherein the annular region comprises a concave inner wall facing the conical acoustic reflector... sound may be emitted from between the annular region and the access point housing
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatuses that operate as both a public address speaker and a wireless access point (AP) for mounting to a ceiling or wall. The compact public address access points described herein may include an AP housing, enclosing a radio (e.g., a 3×3 MIMO radio) and antenna, that is coupled to a speaker assembly including a speaker, a conical acoustic reflector positioned between a front of the speaker and the housing of the AP, and an annular region comprising a concave inner wall facing the conical acoustic reflector. Although the AP is nested atop the front of the speaker, the speaker may produce high-quality sound with accurate voice reproduction without interfering with the operation of the wireless transmission of the AP. Methods of operating and installing these apparatuses are also described.