Highly-Directional Speaker Beam Steering for Surround Sound
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional multi-channel home theater systems require multiple speakers and significant space, wiring, and setup complexity, making them impractical for many consumers, and struggle to provide consistent audio experiences across different seating positions in commercial settings.
Innovation Solution
A system using highly-directional speakers with sensors to dynamically adjust their orientation and position within a listening environment, allowing for the generation of two- or three-dimensional surround sound experiences by tracking user and object positions, enabling audio events to be directed precisely without the need for multiple speakers at specific locations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple speakers are used to create surround sound experience, then audio quality is improved, but device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple speaker functions into a single highly-directional speaker that can dynamically steer audio beams to create virtual surround sound. Instead of using multiple physical speakers distributed throughout the room, one speaker with beam-steering capability replaces them, merging the functions of multiple devices into one while maintaining surround sound quality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from traditional multi-speaker spatial distribution to a single-dimension solution with multi-dimensional audio output. A single speaker positioned in one location generates audio beams in multiple directions simultaneously, adding dimensional complexity to the audio output while reducing physical spatial requirements
2Reliability
If multiple speakers are positioned at specific locations, then surround sound experience is improved, but ease of operation and installation become more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the installation and positioning requirements of multiple speakers into a single speaker unit. Instead of installing multiple speakers at specific locations throughout the room, users only need to install one highly-directional speaker in a convenient location, dramatically simplifying the installation process while maintaining surround sound capability
Solution Approach 2:
The single highly-directional speaker performs multiple functions that traditionally required multiple speakers. It can generate audio events in different directions, create virtual speaker positions, and adapt to various listening scenarios, making it a universal solution that replaces multiple specialized speaker units
3Reliability
If speakers are positioned to provide consistent audio experience, then audio quality is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic beam steering that automatically adjusts audio direction based on user position. Sensors track user location and the speaker dynamically redirects audio beams to maintain consistent surround sound experience regardless of where the user sits, eliminating the need for complex static positioning arrangements
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses sensors to detect user position and provides feedback to the audio processing system. This feedback loop enables real-time adjustment of beam direction and audio distribution, ensuring consistent audio experience across different seating positions without requiring complex pre-positioning
Data Source
AI summary
One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a technique for generating an audio event within a listening environment. The technique includes determining a speaker orientation based on a location of the audio event within a sound space being generated within the listening environment and causing a speaker to be positioned according to the speaker orientation. The technique further includes, while the speaker is positioned according to the speaker orientation, causing the audio event to be transmitted by the speaker.