Directional Acoustic Radiating System for Immersive Audio
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional audio systems for televisions fail to effectively direct acoustic energy to create a spacious and immersive audio experience by uniformly radiating sound across different frequency ranges, leading to inadequate lateral sound distribution and an unbalanced acoustic image.
Innovation Solution
The audio system employs a combination of omnidirectional and directional acoustic devices, including crossover networks, signal processing circuitry, and passive directional devices, to separate and radiate low, midrange, and high-frequency content in a manner that maximizes lateral sound radiation, with specific arrays and devices positioned to direct sound orthogonally or laterally, ensuring more acoustic energy is radiated in desired directions than others.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional audio systems uniformly radiate sound across different frequency ranges, then the system structure is simple, but the lateral sound distribution is inadequate and the acoustic image is unbalanced
Solution Approach 1:
The audio system is segmented into multiple frequency-specific acoustic devices: omnidirectional devices for low frequencies, directional arrays for midrange frequencies, and passive directional devices for high frequencies. Each device type is optimized for its frequency range, enabling differentiated lateral sound distribution across the spectrum while maintaining system manageability through functional segmentation.
Solution Approach 2:
Different acoustic radiation characteristics are applied to different frequency ranges: omnidirectional radiation for low frequencies, directional radiation patterns for midrange frequencies, and passive directional radiation for high frequencies. This local optimization of radiation quality for each frequency band creates balanced lateral sound distribution without requiring complex uniform control across all frequencies.
2Reliability
If directional arrays and passive directional devices are used to maximize lateral sound radiation, then the acoustic image becomes more immersive, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments acoustic radiation functions across three device categories (omnidirectional, directional arrays, passive directional devices), each handling specific frequency ranges. This segmentation achieves reliable immersive acoustic imaging by optimizing each segment's radiation characteristics while keeping the overall device count manageable through functional specialization.
Solution Approach 2:
The directional arrays and passive directional devices serve multiple functions: they radiate midrange and high frequency content respectively, create lateral sound distribution, and contribute to the immersive acoustic image. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional dedicated devices, managing system complexity while achieving reliable acoustic performance.
3Ease of operation
If more acoustic energy is radiated laterally than in other directions, then the sound distribution is improved, but the direct radiation towards the listener is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies different radiation quality to different frequency ranges: omnidirectional radiation for low frequencies ensures adequate direct energy to the listener, while directional and passive directional devices for midrange and high frequencies optimize lateral distribution. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by maintaining direct radiation where needed while enhancing lateral distribution where beneficial.
Solution Approach 2:
Acoustic energy distribution is segmented by frequency range, with low frequencies providing omnidirectional direct energy and mid/high frequencies providing directional lateral energy. This segmentation allows the system to improve overall sound distribution through lateral radiation while preserving sufficient direct acoustic energy for the listener through the omnidirectional low frequency component.
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 enhances the audio experience by creating a more immersive and spacious acoustic image, with increased lateral sound radiation, reducing direct radiation towards the listener and improving the overall sound distribution within the listening area.
Implementation Method 1
an omnidirectional acoustical device for radiating acoustic energy corresponding to the low frequency content
Implementation Method 2
a first directional array comprising signal processing circuitry and more than one acoustic driver, for radiating acoustic energy corresponding to the midrange content
Implementation Method 3
a first passive directional device, for radiating acoustic energy corresponding to the high frequency content so that more acoustic energy corresponding to high frequency content
Implementation Method 4
a crossover network for separating the left channel, the right channel, and the center channel into low frequency content, midrange frequency content, and high frequency content
Data Source
AI summary
An three-way audio system that uses directional arrays for radiating mid-frequency acoustic energy and passive directional devices to radiate the high frequencies. the system includes a left channel, a right channel, and a center channel. A crossover network separates the left channel and the right channel into low frequency content, midrange frequency content, and high frequency content. An omnidirectional acoustical device radiates acoustic energy corresponding to the low frequency content of the combined left channel, right channel and center channel. A first directional array, comprising signal processing circuitry and more than one acoustic driver, radiates acoustic energy corresponding to the midrange content of one of the left channel and right channel signal so that more acoustic energy corresponding to the midrange content of one of the left channel signal and the right channel signal is radiated laterally than in other directions. A first passive directional device, radiates acoustic energy corresponding to the high frequency content of the one of the left channel and right channel signal so that more acoustic energy corresponding to the high frequency content of the one of the left channel signal and the right channel signal is radiated laterally than in other directions.