Multi-Crossover Acoustic Output Device for Spatial Audio

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional acoustic output devices face limitations in improving sound quality and creating a wide sound field due to spatial constraints and the need to reproduce multiple channel signals with a limited number of speaker units, which is difficult to overcome solely through signal processing.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of an acoustic output device that uses a multi-crossover system, where each speaker unit is assigned a specific frequency band through crossover frequencies in different bands, allowing one speaker unit to reproduce multiple channels, and a control method that manages these crossover frequencies to enhance sound quality and sound field effects.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the number of speaker units is increased to improve sound quality and sound field effect, then the sound quality and sound field effect are improved, but the spatial limitations and device size increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesound qualityVSAvoiddevice size
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the frequency spectrum into multiple bands and assigns different speaker units to reproduce specific frequency ranges. This segmentation allows each speaker to operate within its optimal frequency range, improving overall sound quality without requiring a proportional increase in the number of speakers. The frequency domain segmentation enables efficient utilization of limited speaker resources.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from spatial arrangement to frequency domain arrangement by implementing multi-crossover processing. Instead of adding more speakers in physical space, the system creates virtual speaker channels through frequency-based signal processing, effectively adding dimensions to the sound reproduction system without increasing physical footprint.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Device complexity

If signal processing is enhanced to reproduce multiple channel signals in one speaker unit, then the number of speaker units is reduced, but the sound quality improvement is limited by physical limitations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of speaker unitsVSAvoidsound quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the operational parameters of speaker units by assigning different frequency bands to different speakers through multi-crossover processing. This parameter differentiation allows each speaker to operate in its optimal frequency range, overcoming the physical limitations of single-speaker multi-channel reproduction and maintaining high sound quality with fewer speaker units.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

Each speaker unit is designed to handle multiple functions by reproducing different frequency bands for multiple channels. Through multi-crossover processing, a single speaker can contribute to multiple virtual channels (e.g., L, R, C, SL, SR) by processing different frequency portions, making the speaker system universally applicable to various channel configurations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If multi-crossover processing is implemented to assign different frequency bands to different speaker units, then sound quality is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesound qualityVSAvoidsignal processing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical speaker arrangements with electronic signal processing solutions. Instead of physically arranging multiple speakers to achieve frequency separation, the system uses digital multi-crossover processing to divide frequency bands and assign them to appropriate speakers, reducing mechanical complexity while maintaining or improving sound quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

This approach enables the acoustic output device to maximize sound field effects and improve sound quality by allowing a single speaker unit to handle multiple channels, reducing the number of required speaker units and occupied space, while maintaining effective sound reproduction across various frequency bands.

Implementation Method 1

at least one first speaker unit outputting an acoustic signal of a specific range, a plurality of second speaker units each outputting a sound range different from a sound range of the first speaker unit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic conversion: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3449644B1Acoustic output device and control method thereof
Publication Date: 2021.01.06 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP3449644B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2b
  • EP3449644B1 patent drawingFigure 2c~4a
  • EP3449644B1 patent drawingFigure 4b~4d

AI summary

An acoustic output device and a control method thereof are provided. The acoustic output device includes: at least one first speaker configured to output a first sound range; a plurality of second speakers configured to output a second sound range that is different from the first sound range; a first crossover circuit connected to the first speaker and one of the plurality of second speakers; a second crossover circuit connected to the first speaker and another of the plurality of second speakers; and a processor configured to control the first and second crossover circuits to provide acoustic signals to the first speaker and the plurality of second speakers, wherein a frequency band of an acoustic signal provided to the first speaker connected to the first crossover circuit is at least partially different from a frequency band of an acoustic signal provided to the first speaker connected to the second of crossover circuit, and wherein a frequency band of an acoustic signal provided to the one of the plurality of second speakers connected to the second crossover circuit is at least partially different from a frequency band of an acoustic signal provided to the other of the plurality of second speakers connected to the second of crossover circuit.