Directivity Speaker Array with Release Ducts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional stereo speaker arrays struggle to provide separate and distinct audio experiences to multiple listeners across a wide range of audio frequencies, often resulting in signal interference and reduced directional sound clarity.
Innovation Solution
A directivity speaker array system featuring driver assemblies with release ducts and perforated enclosures that progressively release audio signals, allowing for beamforming and maximizing signal intensity along specific axes while minimizing interference between listeners.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional stereo speaker arrays are used to provide separate audio channels to multiple listeners, then stereo sound experience is achieved for a single design position, but signal interference occurs and directional sound clarity is reduced for other listeners
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by configuring different driver assemblies with specific directivity indices tailored to their spatial positions relative to listeners. Each driver assembly is optimized to provide focused sound projection toward specific listener positions, creating localized high-quality sound zones without interfering with other listeners. This is achieved through selective positioning and orientation of drivers with varying directivity characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by enabling the speaker array to adaptively adjust signal patterns across different frequency ranges. The system dynamically transitions between omnidirectional and directional sound projection modes depending on frequency content, allowing optimal sound distribution to multiple listeners throughout the audible spectrum while maintaining directional clarity where needed.
2Measurement precision
If driver assemblies are configured to provide focused directional sound to maximize signal intensity along specific axes, then directional sound clarity is improved, but the ability to provide seamless audio experience across wide frequency ranges becomes challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action through frequency-based signal processing where different driver assemblies are activated or emphasized at different frequency ranges. The system periodically transitions between utilizing omnidirectional drivers for low frequencies and directional drivers for high frequencies, creating a seamless audio experience across the entire spectrum while maintaining optimal directionality at each frequency band.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by varying the directivity index parameter of different driver assemblies across frequency ranges. The system adjusts which drivers are active and their respective directivity characteristics based on frequency content, enabling seamless transition between omnidirectional and directional sound projection modes to cover the full audible spectrum effectively.
3Measurement precision
If multiple driver assemblies are used to provide separate stereo images to multiple listeners, then audio experience for multiple listeners is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the speaker array into multiple independent driver assemblies, each responsible for specific spatial zones and frequency ranges. This modular segmentation allows each driver to be optimized for its specific function while collectively providing separate stereo images to multiple listeners. The segmented architecture enables independent control and adjustment of each driver assembly without affecting the entire system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements universality by designing driver assemblies that can serve multiple functions: omnidirectional drivers handle low frequencies for all listeners, while directional drivers handle high frequencies for specific listeners. Each driver assembly can operate in different modes depending on frequency content and listener position, reducing the total number of specialized components needed while maintaining high stereo image quality for multiple listeners.
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
The system effectively provides seamless transitions in signal patterns across frequency ranges, ensuring each listener receives a clear and distinct audio experience with enhanced directional sound perception.
Implementation Method 1
The release duct progressively releases an audio signal, which propagates from the duct inlet and along the enclosure surface through the enclosure, through perforations in the perforated surface along the particular axis as the signal propagates along the enclosure surface away from the duct inlet
Implementation Method 2
The array includes a set of driver assemblies which collectively generate a signal pattern, via beamforming of separate audio signals generated by the separate driver assemblies, which is associated with a directivity index
Data Source
AI summary
Some embodiments provide a directivity speaker array, comprising multiple driver assemblies, which is configured to provide audio signal patterns, which include audio content, to one or more listeners where the signal patterns are associated with at least a certain threshold directivity across a range of frequencies in which the array can transition between the providing audio signal patterns via beamforming of signals generated by multiple driver assemblies and via an individual driver assembly, based on overlapping frequency ranges at which such provided audio signal patterns are associated with at least the certain threshold directivity. A driver assembly can include a release duct which progressively releases an audio signal generated by a coupled driver, via perforations in a perforated surface, as the signal propagates along a surface of an enclosure of the duct such that an intensity of the audio signal is maximized along the particular axis of propagation.