Acoustically Isolated Sound Field for Personalized Audio Zones
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sound reproduction systems fail to provide personalized audio experiences for multiple listeners in a shared environment, as they often require volume adjustments that may be uncomfortable for others, and existing solutions lack reliable and efficient methods for detecting listener positions and preferences.
Innovation Solution
A sound reproduction system that includes a loudspeaker arrangement generating acoustically isolated sound fields and a listener evaluation block to provide customized audio signals based on listener position and identity, using a microphone to detect the sound beam and adjust audio settings such as volume and equalization, allowing for individualized audio experiences without the need for headphones or earbuds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the volume is turned up for a hearing-impaired listener, then the hearing-impaired listener can understand the dialog, but it becomes uncomfortable for others in the same area
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates spatially differentiated audio zones where different volume levels and audio settings are delivered to different physical locations in the room. Each listener receives personalized audio treatment at their specific position while others experience different audio conditions at their respective positions, resolving the conflict between individual hearing needs and group comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The audio output is segmented into multiple independent sound beams or audio zones, each targeted at a specific listener position. Instead of a single omnidirectional sound field, the system divides the audio reproduction into separate spatial channels, allowing each listener to receive customized audio without affecting others.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the volume is turned down for a single individual's comfort, then that individual experiences comfort, but it is not acceptable to the rest of the people watching the movie
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies different audio settings (volume, equalization, audio track selection) to different spatial zones corresponding to different listeners' positions. Each listener experiences audio optimized for their preferences and hearing capabilities, while other listeners experience audio suited to their needs, eliminating the need to compromise anyone's experience.
Solution Approach 2:
The audio signal is segmented into multiple personalized streams, each delivered to a specific listener through directional sound beams. This allows simultaneous delivery of different volume levels and audio content to different listeners, satisfying both individual comfort needs and group entertainment requirements.
3Adaptability or versatility
If traditional sound reproduction systems are used, then the system complexity remains low, but they fail to provide personalized audio experiences for multiple listeners
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically detects listener positions using microphones and acoustic feedback, identifies listeners based on stored profiles, and configures personalized audio settings without manual intervention. The system self-adjusts sound beam directions, volume levels, and equalization parameters based on real-time listener detection, reducing the need for complex manual configuration while maintaining high adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses microphones to capture acoustic feedback from the environment and from listeners' devices, continuously monitoring sound field conditions. This feedback is processed to detect listener positions and adjust audio parameters in real-time, enabling dynamic personalization without requiring complex pre-programming or manual setup.
4Reliability
If listener position detection methods are made more reliable and efficient, then personalized audio delivery is improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the existing audio playback infrastructure and built-in microphones to perform listener detection, turning the sound reproduction system itself into the detection instrument. By analyzing acoustic feedback from the environment and from listeners' mobile devices, the system detects listener positions without requiring separate complex detection hardware, achieving reliable detection with minimal additional complexity.
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
Enables personalized audio control for multiple listeners by accurately detecting their positions and preferences, providing customized audio settings that enhance the listening experience while maintaining comfort for all users in the same environment.
Implementation Method 1
a loudspeaker arrangement (105) configured to generate from a customized audio signal (106) an acoustically isolated sound field at a position dependent on a sound field position control signal (111)
Implementation Method 2
The microphone arrangement is configured to pick up the sound beam when sweeping the listening position and to provide a corresponding microphone signal
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 4
AI summary
The sound reproduction includes generating from a customized audio signal an acoustically isolated sound field at a position dependent on a sound field position control signal, providing a listening position signal representing a position of a listener and a listener identification signal representing the identity of the listener, and processing the listening position signal, the listener identification signal and an audio signal. The sound reproduction further includes controlling via the sound field position control signal the position of the sound field dependent on the listening position signal so that the position of the sound field is at the position of the listener, and processing the audio signal according to an audio setting dependent on the identity of the listener to provide the customized audio signal.