Soundbar Speaker Grouping for Dispersed Audio Fields
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current soundbars are limited to audio functions and require additional devices for video playback, leading to clutter and inconvenience for users seeking complete entertainment solutions.
Innovation Solution
A soundbar equipped with a plurality of speaker drivers and a control processor that can flexibly group speakers and control audio output directivity and time delay to generate sound fields, enabling both audio and video capabilities, including video playback from online sources and user storage of content.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a soundbar is dedicated only to audio functions, then audio performance is optimized, but additional devices are required for video playback leading to clutter
Solution Approach 1:
The soundbar is designed to perform multiple functions including audio playback, video playback from online sources, and content storage. The control processor is configured to handle various media types and the device can function as an entertainment hub, replacing multiple separate devices with a single multi-functional unit.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple devices are used for complete entertainment, then functional requirements are met, but clutter increases and ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines audio processing, video playback, storage, and control functions into a single integrated soundbar device. The control processor coordinates multiple functions within one device, eliminating the need for separate audio equipment, video players, and storage devices, thereby simplifying the user experience.
3Adaptability or versatility
If speaker drivers are fixed in static groups, then control is simplified, but audio field generation flexibility is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The control processor is configured to dynamically group speaker drivers based on the desired sound field configuration. Instead of fixed groupings, the system can adaptively assign speakers to different groups depending on the audio content, spatial audio requirements, or user preferences, enabling flexible sound field generation while maintaining manageable control through automated processor management.
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided an apparatus which can include a plurality of speaker drivers and a control processor. The control processor can be configured to flexibly group the speaker drivers. The control processor can be further configured to perform the tasks of controlling directivity of audio output from at least one group and providing time delay to audio output from at least one speaker driver from at least one controlled group so as to generate at least one sound field associable with a dispersed profile.