Directional Sound Panel Control for Balanced Off-Center Listening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing directional sound technologies fail to appropriately control sound channels when a user is not in the center area of a sound panel, leading to significant differences in sound perception between the left and right ears.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that determine a target position of a user relative to a sound panel, dividing sound-emitting areas into two groups on either side of this position, ensuring each group has the same number of areas to balance sound output and reduce pressure differences.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a single sound channel is controlled to emit sound when the user is in the center area, then the user can hear the sound properly, but when the user moves away from the center, the sound pressure balance between left and right ears deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The sound panel is divided into multiple independent sound-emitting areas (first group and second group) that can be independently controlled. When the user is in the center area, a single sound channel is activated; when the user moves to the side areas, multiple sound-emitting areas are segmented and activated on both sides to maintain sound pressure balance, thereby resolving the contradiction between center-area precision and side-area adaptability
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the number and configuration of activated sound-emitting areas based on the user's real-time position. The control unit switches between different operating modes: single-channel mode for center positions and multi-channel mode for side positions, enabling the system to adapt to varying user positions while maintaining optimal sound pressure balance
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple sound-emitting areas are activated to cover side positions, then user position coverage is improved, but the difference in sound pressure between left and right ears increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs asymmetric activation strategies based on user position. When the user is in side areas, sound-emitting areas are activated asymmetrically relative to the center, with different numbers of areas in the first and second groups. The control unit compensates for this asymmetry by adjusting the audio signal distribution to maintain balanced sound pressure at the user's ears, thus achieving both wide coverage and precise sound pressure control
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit dynamically changes the activation parameters of sound-emitting areas based on user position detection. It adjusts which specific areas are activated and modifies the audio signal parameters (such as volume and phase) for each area to compensate for positional variations, thereby maintaining consistent sound pressure balance across different user positions
3Adaptability or versatility
If all sound-emitting areas are activated to ensure coverage, then no position is left uncovered, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system activates only the necessary subset of sound-emitting areas based on the user's detected position rather than all areas. When the user is in the center, only one area is activated; when in side areas, only the required number of areas in the first and second groups are activated. This partial action approach ensures adequate coverage while minimizing power consumption by keeping unnecessary areas inactive
Data Source
AI summary
A directional sound control method, applied to an electronic device, includes determining a target position of a user relative to a sound panel, based on the target position, determining a first group of sound-emitting areas and a second group of sound-emitting areas from a plurality of sound-emitting areas of the sound panel, and controlling sound-emitting areas in the first group of sound-emitting areas and sound-emitting areas in the second group of sound-emitting areas to output an audio signal. The sound-emitting areas are arranged longitudinally along the sound panel. The plurality of sound-emitting areas are arranged sequentially in parallel. The first group of sound-emitting areas and the second group of sound-emitting areas are located on two sides of and adjacent to the target position. Each of the first group of sound-emitting areas and the second group of sound-emitting areas includes at least one sound-emitting area.