Customized Sound Distribution Speaker System

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional 2-way loudspeakers have limited dynamic control over sound dispersion in both vertical and horizontal dimensions, restricting their ability to produce high-fidelity full-bandwidth audio and adapt to complex environments like auditoriums or sports stadiums, where natural asymmetry requires more advanced sound distribution techniques.

Innovation Solution

A speaker system with a housing containing arrays of high-frequency and low-frequency driver segments, allowing for customized acoustical wavefronts with vertical and horizontal pattern control, amplitude, and phase control, using unique signal processing and amplification for each segment, and employing laser rangefinders and computer algorithms to optimize sound distribution based on venue geometry.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional 2-way loudspeakers with fixed mechanical dispersion characteristics are used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability of sound distribution to different listening situations deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability of sound distributionVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The loudspeaker system is divided into multiple independently controllable driver segments arranged in a 2-dimensional array, where each segment can be controlled separately to achieve dynamic adaptation to different listening situations. This segmentation allows the system to overcome the fixed dispersion characteristics of conventional 2-way speakers while maintaining manageable complexity through modular architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements dynamic control of sound dispersion characteristics through electronic adjustment of each driver segment's amplitude and phase, replacing the static mechanical control of conventional speakers. This dynamic capability enables real-time adaptation to various listening environments without requiring physical reconfiguration, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If dynamic control of sound dispersion in both vertical and horizontal dimensions is implemented, then the adaptability to complex environments is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to complex environmentsVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from conventional 1-dimensional linear driver arrangements to a 2-dimensional array configuration, enabling independent control of sound dispersion in both vertical and horizontal dimensions. This dimensional expansion provides the adaptability needed for complex environments like auditoriums and stadiums, while the systematic organization of the 2D array manages the inherent complexity through structured geometry.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Device complexity

If band-limited drivers in a 2-dimensional arrangement are used as a 1-way speaker, then the device complexity is reduced, but the sound quality deteriorates due to compromise of driver size and performance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidsound quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Different regions of the 2-dimensional driver array are assigned specialized functions: high-frequency drivers are positioned in the front plane for directional control, while low-frequency drivers are positioned behind them for omnidirectional bass radiation. This local differentiation allows each region to optimize its performance for its specific frequency range and dispersion requirement, maintaining high sound quality while utilizing the 2D arrangement effectively.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

4Adaptability or versatility

If conventional 2-way speakers with fixed horizontal dispersion angles are used, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but the adaptability to different listening situations deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to different listening situationsVSAvoidmanufacturing precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the fixed mechanical dispersion control of conventional speakers with electronic control systems that adjust the amplitude and phase of each driver segment. This substitution of mechanical control with electronic control enables dynamic adaptation to different listening situations while maintaining manufacturing precision through standardized driver components and systematic array configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP3205116B1Method and apparatus for providing customised sound distributions
Publication Date: 2021.07.28 GDE ENG
  • EP3205116B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3205116B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3205116B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A speaker system is disclosed for providing customised acoustical wavefronts with vertical and horizontal pattern control and amplitude and phase control. The system including a speaker housing (1) having therein at least a first array (2) of high frequency driver segments (3) and at least a secondary array (4) of low frequency driver segments (5) disposed behind said first array (2), said first array having sufficient space between said driver segments (3) to allow acoustic transparency whereby a wavefront from said secondary array (4) can substantially pass through said first array (2).