Directional Sound Speaker Array for In-Flight Audio
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional headphones and earphones used in entertainment systems, such as in-flight entertainment, are uncomfortable for long periods, pose hygiene issues, are prone to wear and maintenance costs, and can be damaged or vandalized, especially in public settings.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of directional sound systems that use a media player with directional sound speakers and a controller to focus sound beams onto a specific target region, reducing leakage to less than 20 dB, eliminating the need for headphones or earphones by integrating the sound system into seating or common areas, and using noise cancellation modules to minimize external noise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If headphones or earphones are used for audio delivery, then audio can be delivered to listeners, but comfort deteriorates during long periods of use and hygiene issues arise in public settings
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the audio delivery function from the listener's personal device (headphones/earphones) and relocates it to the entertainment system's speaker array. By using directional sound technology with multiple speakers arranged in an array, the system projects audio directly to the listener without requiring them to wear personal audio devices, thereby maintaining audio delivery reliability while eliminating comfort and hygiene issues
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces directional sound technology as an intermediary between the audio source and the listener. This intermediary uses beam forming and acoustic focusing to create a directed sound path that delivers audio content to the target listener without requiring physical contact or personal audio devices, thus resolving the contradiction between reliable audio delivery and listener comfort
2Reliability
If headphones or earphones are used in public settings, then audio can be delivered to listeners, but hygiene and sanitation deteriorate due to shared use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the personal audio device from the listener and relocates the audio delivery mechanism to the fixed entertainment system. By using directional speakers mounted in seatbacks or overhead panels, the system delivers audio without requiring shared headphones or earphones, thereby maintaining audio delivery while eliminating hygiene concerns associated with shared personal audio devices
Solution Approach 2:
The directional sound system provides self-service audio delivery to each listener individually through acoustic beam forming. Each listener receives their own directed audio stream without needing to share physical audio devices with others, automatically resolving hygiene issues while maintaining reliable audio delivery to the intended target
3Reliability
If headphones or earphones are used, then audio can be delivered to listeners, but maintenance costs increase due to wear and damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the audio delivery function from disposable or wear-prone personal audio devices (headphones/earphones) and integrates it into the fixed entertainment system infrastructure. By using durable directional speakers mounted in seatbacks or overhead panels, the system eliminates the need for frequent replacement of worn headphones, thereby maintaining audio delivery reliability while reducing maintenance costs
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of providing durable fixed speakers and requiring listeners to use disposable or wear-prone headphones, the patent inverts the approach by providing durable fixed directional speakers that eliminate the need for personal audio devices entirely. This inversion transfers the durability requirement from temporary personal devices to permanent installed equipment, reducing maintenance costs while maintaining audio delivery
4Ease of operation
If conventional speakers are used, then audio can be heard by listeners, but sound leakage increases affecting other passengers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a localized sound field directed specifically at the intended listener using beam forming technology. The acoustic energy is concentrated in a specific spatial region (the target listener's position) rather than being distributed uniformly, thereby providing audio accessibility to the target while minimizing sound leakage to surrounding areas through precise acoustic focusing
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the audio output into multiple directional beams, each targeted at a specific listener or zone. By using an array of speakers that can independently control acoustic direction for different segments of the audience, the system provides audio accessibility to intended listeners while preventing sound leakage to other segments, achieving spatial separation of audio content
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 solution provides high-quality audio without the discomfort and maintenance issues of traditional headphones, reduces noise leakage, and enhances passenger experience by directing sound precisely to intended listeners, reducing the workload for flight attendants and minimizing equipment wear and theft.
Implementation Method 1
a beam forming and audio wave shaping module configured to direct the sound beam such that the sound beam extends to a preset distance from the directional sound speakers
Implementation Method 2
Directional sound is a technology that concentrates acoustic energy into a narrow beam so that it can be projected to a discrete area
Implementation Method 3
the directional sound controller may further include a noise cancelling/reduction module that is configured to reduce and/or neutralize sound leakage outside the target region
Data Source
AI summary
Entertainment systems are provided including directional sound speakers associated with a media player of the entertainment system; and a directional sound controller associated with the directional sound speakers of the media player. The directional sound controller is configured to direct a sound beam associated with the media player at a defined target region such that the sound beam is only audible within the defined target region and experiences less than about 20 dB of leakage outside the target region during operation of the media player. In-flight entertainment systems and related methods are also provided.