Motorized Speaker Tracking Listener for Audio Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing networked speaker systems lack the ability to automatically track and adjust their sound emission axis to maintain optimal audio delivery towards a primary listener as they move within a space, leading to suboptimal sound performance and user convenience issues.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a computer medium with executable instructions that identify a primary listener location and actuate motors to adjust the speaker's sound axis, using sensors and motor assemblies to ensure continuous alignment with the listener, even if they move behind obstacles or in three-dimensional space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a speaker system is made portable and wireless for flexibility, then ease of movement is improved, but the ability to automatically track and maintain optimal sound delivery to a moving listener deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The speaker system transitions from a static configuration to a dynamic one by incorporating motors that enable automatic physical movement and repositioning. The speaker can autonomously adjust its position and orientation in three-dimensional space to track the primary listener's movement, maintaining optimal sound delivery without manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs sensors to detect the primary listener's location and continuously feeds this information back to the control system. Based on this feedback, the controller actuates motors to adjust the speaker's position and orientation, creating a closed-loop system that automatically adapts to listener movement.
2Productivity
If the speaker automatically moves to track the listener in three-dimensional space, then sound delivery optimization is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The speaker system is divided into functionally independent modules: sensing components for detecting listener position, processing components for calculating optimal orientation, actuation components (motors) for physical adjustment, and control components for coordinating operations. This modular segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while working together as an integrated system.
Solution Approach 2:
The motor assembly serves multiple functions: it positions the speaker in three-dimensional space, orients the sound emission axis toward the listener, and can be controlled to execute specific movement patterns. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized components, thereby managing overall system complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the speaker uses sensors and motors to track and reposition itself, then adaptability to listener movement is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The speaker system performs self-positioning and self-orientation without requiring external manual adjustment. The integrated sensor-motor-control system enables the speaker to autonomously detect listener position, calculate optimal orientation, and execute movements to maintain optimal sound delivery, eliminating the need for complex external positioning infrastructure.
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 maintains optimal sound delivery towards the primary listener, enhancing user experience by ensuring consistent audio performance and adapting to changing listener positions and environments.
Implementation Method 1
listener location can be tracked using a variety of technologies including radar
Implementation Method 2
listener location can be tracked using a variety of technologies including light detection and ranging (Lidar)
Implementation Method 3
acoustics (e.g., ultrasonic ranging)
Implementation Method 4
The speaker tracking the listener can be moved, e.g., by a stepper motor or motors in the horizontal plane
Implementation Method 5
an axis of sound emitted by the speaker intersects the PLL
Data Source
AI summary
A networked speaker system automatically moves a speaker in one or more of the horizontal planes, the vertical plane, and elevation (z-dimension) to maintain the axis of the sound cone directed toward a listener as a listener moves about a space. In addition, or alternatively, the speaker can be moved to optimize sound performance when multiple speakers are activated.