Rotating Electroacoustic Device for User-Directed Audio
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Solution Overview
Problem
The placement of electroacoustic devices in notebook computers often results in audio being directed away from the user, leading to a less immersive experience, and existing solutions fail to effectively address interference with microphones and optimal sound directionality.
Innovation Solution
The electroacoustic devices are designed to eject or rotate out from a cavity in the base member as the display member opens, using mechanisms like springs, magnets, or gears to ensure they are directed towards the user, with optional extendible enclosures for enhanced sound quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If electroacoustic devices are placed in a fixed position in the base member, then the device structure remains simple and compact, but the audio is directed away from the user resulting in a less immersive experience
Solution Approach 1:
The electroacoustic device is made movable rather than fixed, allowing it to dynamically change its orientation and position. The device can rotate or eject from the base member to redirect audio toward the user when the display is opened, and return to a retracted position when closed, providing dynamic adaptability to different usage states.
Solution Approach 2:
The electroacoustic device is pre-configured with a mechanism (such as a hinge, spring, or motor) that automatically positions it in the correct orientation before the user needs to hear the audio. When the display member is opened, the mechanism proactively rotates or ejects the electroacoustic device to face the user, ensuring optimal audio directionality is already in place before audio playback begins.
2Ease of operation
If electroacoustic devices are positioned to direct sound towards the user, then audio experience is improved, but interference with microphones may occur
Solution Approach 1:
Both the electroacoustic device and the microphone array are made dynamically positionable. The system can adjust their relative positions and orientations to achieve optimal audio output direction while maintaining sufficient separation to prevent microphone interference. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to balance audio directionality with interference avoidance.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the base member are assigned different functions: one region houses the electroacoustic device optimized for sound projection toward the user, while another region positions the microphones for optimal pickup. The design creates distinct spatial zones with specialized characteristics, allowing the electroacoustic device to project sound forward while microphones remain positioned to capture audio without direct exposure to the speaker output.
3Ease of operation
If electroacoustic devices are made extendible to enhance sound quality, then audio experience is improved, but the device form factor becomes less compact
Solution Approach 1:
The electroacoustic device incorporates an extendible mechanism that allows it to increase in size or projection area only when needed for optimal audio performance. When the display is opened and the device is in use, it can extend or rotate to a larger effective radiating area. When closed or not in use, it retracts to a compact form that maintains the overall compactness of the device.
Solution Approach 2:
The electroacoustic device is designed with a nested structure where components can be folded or retracted into each other. The extendible portions of the device can be stored within the main body of the base member when not in use, allowing the device to achieve a larger effective size for sound projection only when activated, while maintaining a compact form factor during transport or when closed.
Data Source
AI summary
Examples disclosed herein provide electroacoustic devices of a computing device. An example computing device includes a base member and a display member rotatably connected to the base member via a hinge. The display member is to cover a top surface of the base member when the device is in a closed position. The computing device includes an electroacoustic device residing within a cavity along the top surface of the base member. As an example, when the display member is to be opened from the closed position of the device, the electroacoustic device is to rotate out from the cavity.