Personal Sound Zone Control via Acoustic Transducer Array
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In multi-sound environments such as vehicles, trains, and airplanes, users often experience disturbances from sounds generated by other individuals, making it difficult to enjoy individualized audio experiences.
Innovation Solution
A sound control system that creates personal sound zones using an array of acoustic transducers, such as loudspeakers, and advanced signal processing methods to isolate and control sound within each zone based on audio inputs and environmental acoustic information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple users share a common audio environment, then social interaction and shared experience are improved, but individual audio quality and personalization deteriorate due to cross-talk and environmental noise
Solution Approach 1:
The audio environment is segmented into multiple independent sound zones using an array of acoustic transducers. Each zone is controlled independently to deliver personalized audio content to different users simultaneously, eliminating cross-talk while maintaining shared environment capability
Solution Approach 2:
Different audio characteristics and content are applied to different spatial zones. Each sound zone has customized audio properties tailored to individual user preferences, while the overall system maintains versatility for shared experiences
2Device complexity
If traditional loudspeakers are used in shared environments, then device simplicity is maintained, but audio isolation and personalization capability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
A single loudspeaker unit is segmented into multiple independent sound zones through electronic control of an array of acoustic transducers. This allows one physical device to provide multiple isolated audio channels, maintaining device simplicity while achieving sound isolation
Solution Approach 2:
Signal processing algorithms act as intermediaries between the audio source and acoustic transducers. These algorithms create virtual sound barriers and directional audio beams, enabling personalization without adding physical complexity to the speaker system
3Object-affected harmful factors
If sound isolation techniques are applied to create personal zones, then individual audio quality is improved, but system complexity and processing requirements worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The signal processing is segmented into zone-specific processing channels, with each zone handled independently. This modular approach manages complexity by dividing the overall processing task into smaller, manageable segments for each sound zone
Solution Approach 2:
The same array of acoustic transducers and processing framework serves multiple functions: creating isolated sound zones, delivering personalized audio, and maintaining shared environment capability. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity compared to dedicated systems for each function
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 system effectively separates personal sound zones, allowing each user to enjoy their chosen audio without disturbance from other zones or environmental noise, enhancing the audio experience in shared environments.
Implementation Method 1
an array of acoustic transducers (e.g., loudspeakers) and advanced signal processing methods to isolate and control sound within each zone
Data Source
AI summary
Some demonstrative embodiments include apparatuses, systems and methods of sound control. For example, an apparatus may be configured to process one or more audio inputs to be heard in one or more personal sound zones, and a plurality of monitoring inputs, wherein the plurality of monitoring inputs represent acoustic sound at a plurality of predefined monitoring sensing locations, which are defined within the one or more personal sound zones; determine a sound control pattern based on the one or more audio inputs, and the plurality of monitoring inputs, the sound control pattern comprising a plurality of sound control signals configured to drive a respective plurality of acoustic transducers such that the one or more audio inputs are to be heard in the one or more personal sound zones; and output the plurality of sound control signals to the plurality of acoustic transducers.