Parametric Audio System Ultrasonic Emitters 3D Sound
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional surround sound systems require multiple speakers placed around the listening environment, leading to increased costs, complex wiring, and limited ability to accurately place sound in three-dimensional space, as sound appears to originate from discrete speaker locations rather than specific distances or positions.
Innovation Solution
The use of parametric audio processing with ultrasonic emitters, which apply HRTF filters and acoustic crosstalk cancellation to create adjusted channel signals, modulating frequencies onto an ultrasonic carrier to generate modulated output signals for playback, allowing sound to appear to emanate from specific locations in a 360-degree space using as few as two emitters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple speakers are used to surround the listener, then sound can be reproduced from various directions, but the system requires increased number of speakers, complex wiring, and higher cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple speaker channels into a single omnidirectional speaker that radiates sound uniformly in all directions. Instead of using separate speakers for different sound channels (left, right, center, surround), the invention merges these functions into one device that emits sound waves that reach the listener from all directions simultaneously, thereby reducing the number of speakers needed while maintaining surround sound capability
Solution Approach 2:
The omnidirectional speaker serves multiple functions that would traditionally require separate speakers. A single speaker unit provides front, rear, left, and right sound reproduction capabilities, making it a universal audio output device that replaces the entire multi-speaker surround sound system
2Manufacturing precision
If conventional speakers are used, then sound is produced at the speaker face, but the sound cannot be accurately placed at specific distances or positions in three-dimensional space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional sound placement (front/back, left/right) to three-dimensional sound placement by adding the distance dimension. The omnidirectional speaker enables sound to be positioned not only in directional space but also at specific distances from the listener by controlling the propagation path of sound waves through the omnidirectional radiation pattern, creating true 3D audio positioning
3Measurement precision
If speaker volume is increased to make sound appear closer, then the sound intensity increases, but the effect is limited and does not accurately simulate distance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical approach of adjusting speaker power to simulate distance with an acoustic field-based approach. Instead of increasing power to make sound appear closer, the omnidirectional speaker creates sound waves that naturally propagate through the acoustic field, allowing distance perception to be controlled by the spatial distribution and intensity distribution of sound waves rather than by power alone, providing more accurate distance simulation
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 a fully immersive three-dimensional audio experience by creating sound at specific spatial positions, allowing accurate placement of audio components in the listening environment, enhancing spatial awareness and realism, such as in video games, without the need for multiple speakers.
Implementation Method 1
a left ultrasonic emitter and a right ultrasonic emitter to generate parametric audio signals
Implementation Method 2
apply acoustic crosstalk cancellation filters to the adjusted left and adjusted right channel signals
Implementation Method 3
apply HRTF filters to the left and right input channel signals to generate adjusted left and adjusted right channel signals
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods that use ultrasonic emitters for producing multi-dimensional parametric audio are provided. The systems and methods can be configured to determine HRTF filters for the left and right ears of a listener using an optical imaging system to scan a profile of a listener. Audio content may be encoded into a left and right channel for producing a three dimensional sound effect for the listener of the audio content by: processing the sound channel into left and right input channel signals; applying the HRTF filters and acoustic crosstalk cancellations filters to the left and right channel signals to generate output left and right channel signals; and modulating the left and right output channel signal frequencies onto an ultrasonic carrier.