Loudspeaker Phase Control for Directional Audio
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional loudspeaker devices for controlling sound directionality in video or web conferences require multiple loudspeakers, leading to increased size and complexity, making them unsuitable for small spaces and ineffective in reducing sound leakage to outsiders.
Innovation Solution
A loudspeaker device comprising a pair of loudspeakers arranged at an acute angle with a phase control circuit that switches between in-phase and antiphase states to control sound directionality, allowing for directional sound output with a simpler configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple loudspeakers are arranged in a column to control sound directionality, then sound directionality control is improved, but device size and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the audio output function across multiple loudspeakers positioned at different locations (front, back, left, right), with each loudspeaker handling specific spatial zones. This segmentation enables directional sound control while maintaining a distributed, less complex overall architecture compared to a dense column arrangement.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a one-dimensional column arrangement to a two-dimensional or three-dimensional spatial distribution of loudspeakers around the listener. By positioning loudspeakers in multiple directions (front, back, left, right) rather than stacking them vertically, the system achieves superior directional control and spatial immersion while reducing the perceived complexity and footprint of the device.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple loudspeakers are arranged in a column to control sound directionality, then sound directionality control is improved, but device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The audio system is segmented into multiple independent loudspeaker units positioned at different spatial locations around the listener. Each loudspeaker handles specific directional zones, enabling effective sound directionality control without requiring a tall columnar structure. This distributed segmentation reduces the vertical footprint and overall device size while maintaining directional control capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The system redistributes loudspeakers from a vertical column configuration to a horizontal and spatially distributed configuration. By placing loudspeakers at front, back, left, and right positions rather than stacking them vertically, the invention achieves comparable or superior directional control with significantly reduced device height and footprint, making it suitable for environments with limited space.
3Ease of operation
If conventional loudspeaker devices are used for video conferences, then audio output is provided, but sound leakage to outsiders occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies local quality control by directing sound energy preferentially toward specific spatial zones where listeners are located (front, back, left, right) while minimizing sound energy in other directions. Each loudspeaker is configured to optimize sound quality for its designated directional zone, creating localized high-quality audio regions while reducing sound leakage to areas outside the intended listening zones.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements preliminary anti-action by using acoustic processing and positioning strategies that preemptively reduce sound propagation toward areas where outsiders might be present. Through careful phase and amplitude control of multiple loudspeakers, the system creates acoustic nulls or reduced energy regions in directions away from the intended listening area, thereby preventing sound leakage before it occurs.
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 device effectively controls sound directionality, reducing sound leakage to outsiders while maintaining clear audio for conference participants, achieving this with a more compact and simpler design compared to traditional solutions.
Implementation Method 1
a phase control circuit that switches between a first switching state and a second switching state, the first switching state being a state in which an input sound signal is inputted to both the first loudspeaker and the second loudspeaker, the second switching state being a state in which the input sound signal is inputted to one of the first loudspeaker and the second loudspeaker while an inverted sound signal is inputted to an other of the first loudspeaker and the second loudspeaker, the inverted sound signal being obtained by inverting a phase of the input sound signal
Data Source
AI summary
A loudspeaker device includes: a first loudspeaker that outputs a sound; a second loudspeaker that is adjacent to the first loudspeaker in a predetermined direction and outputs a sound in a direction intersecting with a direction in which the first loudspeaker outputs the sound; and a phase switching circuit that switches between a first switching state and a second switching state, the first switching state being a state in which an input sound signal is inputted to both the first loudspeaker and the second loudspeaker, the second switching state being a state in which the input sound signal is inputted to one of the first loudspeaker and the second loudspeaker while an inverted sound signal obtained by inverting a phase of the input sound signal is inputted to the other of the first loudspeaker and the second loudspeaker.