Hybrid Speaker Audio Separation for Directional Surround Sound
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional speakers lack the ability to selectively direct sound to specific users or create immersive audio experiences, as they typically produce sound in all directions with low directivity, failing to simulate surround sound effectively.
Innovation Solution
A hybrid speaker system combining directional and nondirectional speakers, where a processor identifies specific sounds and generates separate outputs for directional and nondirectional speakers, using a converter to isolate and project sounds selectively, allowing for immersive audio and targeted sound delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If conventional speakers are used, then sound is produced in all directions, but sound directivity is low and immersive audio cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The audio system is segmented into multiple independent speaker units with different directional characteristics. The hybrid speaker combines conventional omnidirectional speakers with directional speakers (such as parametric array speakers), allowing each segment to handle specific spatial audio tasks. This segmentation enables precise control over sound propagation directions while maintaining ease of operation through integrated processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from traditional two-dimensional stereo audio to three-dimensional spatial audio by incorporating directional speakers that can project sound in specific directions. This adds a vertical and horizontal dimension to sound placement, creating immersive audio experiences without complicating the user interface or operation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional speakers are used, then simple sound output is achieved, but selective sound projection to specific users is not possible
Solution Approach 1:
The hybrid speaker system integrates multiple speaker types (omnidirectional and directional) into a single device that can perform both traditional omnidirectional audio output and selective directional sound projection. This multi-functionality allows the same device to serve different purposes - general audio playback and targeted sound delivery - without requiring separate specialized equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
An audio processing intermediary (such as a beamforming processor or directional signal generator) is introduced between the audio source and the speaker array. This intermediary processes the audio signals to create directional sound beams while maintaining the physical simplicity of the speaker hardware. The processing layer enables selective sound projection without significantly increasing device complexity.
3Length of moving object
If directional speakers are added to create immersive audio, then sound directionality improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges conventional omnidirectional speakers with directional speakers into a unified hybrid speaker system. By combining these different speaker technologies in a single integrated device, the system achieves improved sound directionality while managing complexity through unified design and control. The merged system operates as one cohesive unit rather than separate devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters of the speaker components dynamically. By adjusting parameters such as signal phase, amplitude, and frequency distribution across different speaker elements, the system can switch between omnidirectional and directional sound patterns. This parameter-based control allows flexible sound directionality adjustment without requiring physical reconfiguration of the device structure.
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 hybrid speaker system achieves immersive audio and selective sound projection by synchronizing directional and nondirectional speaker outputs, enhancing user experience with precise sound directionality and simulated surround sound.
Implementation Method 1
a directional speaker which may comprise a parametric array speaker that creates sound from ultrasound
Implementation Method 2
When an alternating current electrical audio signal is applied, the coil is forced to move rapidly back and forth due to Faraday's law of induction
Data Source
AI summary
An audio converter system is provided. The system comprises an audio input configured to receive a source audio, an audio output configured to couple to a hybrid speaker comprising at least two nondirectional speakers and a directional speaker, and a processor configured to generate an output audio for the hybrid speaker based on the source audio by: identifying a specific sound in the source audio, isolating the specific sound from the source audio, generating a directional speaker output for the directional speaker of the hybrid speaker based on the specific sound, and generating at least two channels of nondirectional speaker output for the at least two nondirectional speakers of the hybrid speaker.