Rhombus Loudspeaker Array Layout for Flat 3D Soundbars
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Solution Overview
Problem
Designing flat panel loudspeakers with limited depth and internal volume poses challenges in acoustics and component choice, making it difficult to achieve a rich 3D audio experience while requiring a small number of loudspeakers.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a plurality of loudspeakers arranged in specific rhombus configurations within a plane, with processing circuitry to process input signals and output sound waves in desired directions, allowing for efficient beamforming and sound field generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a small number of loudspeakers is used in flat panel design, then device complexity and internal volume are reduced, but the ability to produce rich 3D audio experience deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The loudspeaker array is divided into multiple subsets, where each subset forms a rhombus configuration. This segmentation allows each subset to independently contribute to different spatial audio zones, enabling rich 3D audio reproduction with fewer total loudspeakers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs asymmetric rhombus configurations where the primary diagonal is longer than the secondary diagonal. This asymmetry creates directional sound beam patterns that can be steered to different locations, enhancing spatial audio perception while using minimal loudspeakers.
2Productivity
If loudspeakers are arranged in specific rhombus configurations, then beamforming efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from conventional linear or grid arrangements to two-dimensional rhombus configurations. This dimensional change enables simultaneous control of horizontal and vertical sound propagation, improving beamforming efficiency while maintaining manageable device complexity through geometric regularity.
3Ease of operation
If flat panel loudspeakers are designed with limited depth, then ease of mounting and aesthetic appeal are improved, but acoustic performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the spatial arrangement parameters of loudspeakers within the constrained depth, using rhombus configurations with specific diagonal ratios. This parameter optimization allows the system to achieve effective beamforming and spatial audio reproduction despite the limited physical depth of the flat panel.
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 solution enables a rich sound experience with both horizontal and vertical sound impressions using a minimal number of loudspeakers, improving sound quality and reducing complexity in signal processing.
Implementation Method 1
a first subset, of the plurality of loudspeakers, comprises at least three loudspeakers, wherein the centers of the at least three loudspeakers of the first subset are arranged at at least three corners of a first rhombus within the plane
Implementation Method 2
The device may comprise a housing, wherein the plurality of loudspeakers are arranged, for example, at one side of the housing, wherein the plurality of loudspeakers may be configured to emit sound waves in a direction substantially normal to this side of the housing
Data Source
AI summary
A device and a method are provided for producing a sound field are disclosed. The device comprises a plurality of loudspeakers arranged at a plurality of locations within a plane and a processing circuitry configured to drive the plurality of loudspeakers. A first subset of the plurality of loudspeakers defines a first rhombus within the plane and a second subset of the plurality of loudspeakers defines a second rhombus within the plane. The first rhombus is oriented substantially perpendicular to the second rhombus. Further subsets of the plurality of loudspeakers may define further rhombic sub-arrays. The audio device may be implemented as a soundbar or a sound panel, which provides a richer sound experience.