Parametric Speaker Direction Control for Targeted Audio

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional sound reproducing devices using ultra-directional speakers struggle to effectively direct sound to specific targets while minimizing noise exposure to passers-by, often failing to fully capture attention from all potential viewers due to sharp directivity.

Innovation Solution

A sound reproducing device incorporating parametric speakers, drivers, a human-body sensor, and a controller, which adjusts the direction of parametric speakers and switches between parametric and loudspeaker outputs based on detected personnel proximity to ensure targeted sound delivery and reduce noise exposure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If ultra-directional speakers are used to direct sound to specific targets, then sound can be delivered only to specific targets, but the advertisement cannot fully draw attention from people

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenoise exposure to passers-byVSAvoidattention coverage from audience

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the directivity of sound output based on the number of detected persons. When one or two persons are detected, the parametric speakers maintain sharp directivity for targeted sound delivery. When three or more persons are detected, the system switches to wide directivity mode to cover more audience members, thus adapting the sound delivery strategy to the current situation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the directivity parameter of the sound output by switching between parametric speakers (sharp directivity) and wide directivity mode. This parameter change allows the system to optimize between targeted sound delivery and broad audience coverage based on the number of persons present.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If sharp directional sound is used to target specific persons, then only specific targets can pay attention to the advertisement, but the advertisement cannot fully draw attention from people

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesound targeting precisionVSAvoidaudience coverage

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically switches between sharp directional sound and wide sound coverage based on the number of detected persons. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to maintain high targeting precision when few persons are present while expanding audience coverage when more persons are detected.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the sound directivity parameter from sharp to wide based on the number of persons detected. This parameter change enables the system to optimize between precise targeting and broad coverage according to the current audience size.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If wide directivity loudspeaker is used to reach more people, then the advertisement can draw attention from more people, but passers-by other than targets will also hear the sound noisily

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaudience coverageVSAvoidnoise exposure to non-targets

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically selects between wide directivity and sharp directional sound based on the number of detected persons. This dynamic selection ensures that wide directivity is only used when necessary (three or more persons), thereby minimizing noise exposure to non-targets while maximizing audience coverage when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the sound directivity parameter from wide to sharp based on the number of persons detected. This parameter change allows the system to reduce noise exposure to non-targets by switching to sharp directional sound when fewer persons are present, while still enabling wide coverage when more persons are detected.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 directs sound to specific individuals while minimizing noise exposure to others, ensuring that advertisements draw attention from a wider audience without being overly disruptive.

Implementation Method 1

a sound reproducing device employing a parametric speaker

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAcoustic radiation pressure: Acoustic Radiation Pressure

Data Source

PatentUS8666106B2Sound reproducing device

Publication Date: 2014.03.04 PANASONIC HOLDINGS CORP

AI summary

A sound reproducing device includes parametric speakers disposed to a display, a loudspeaker, drivers, a human-body sensor, and a controller. The loudspeaker has a wider directivity than the parametric speakers. The drivers change directions of the parametric speakers, respectively. The parametric speakers and the drivers constitute at least two parametric speaker units each composed of respective one of the parametric speakers and respective one of the drivers. The controller reproduces sound information based the number of persons in front of the display detected from an output from the human-body senor. The sound reproducing device reduces the possibility for a number of persons to hear the sound noisily, and allows drawing more attention to the content, e.g. an advertisement.