Speaker Array Beamforming for Crosstalk Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic devices with multiple speaker units struggle to provide directional and stereophonic sound output effectively, leading to crosstalk and reduced stereoscopic sound experience, especially in small volume speaker arrays.
Innovation Solution
An electronic device with a speaker array comprising multiple tweeter units and mid-range units, controlled by processors that use beamforming for high-range sound signals and psychoacoustic models, including HRTF filters, to directionally output R-channel and L-channel signals, thereby minimizing crosstalk and enhancing stereoscopic sound.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple speaker units are used to provide directional sound output, then stereophonic sound experience is improved, but crosstalk occurs and sound directionality is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The speaker array is segmented into multiple independent speaker units (first speaker unit, second speaker unit, third speaker unit, fourth speaker unit) positioned at different locations. Each speaker unit can independently control its sound output, allowing directional sound delivery to specific ears while preventing crosstalk. The processor divides the audio signal into separate channels for each speaker unit, enabling precise control over sound distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
Different speaker units are assigned different functions based on their positions and characteristics. The first and second speaker units are optimized for delivering sound to the right ear, while the third and fourth speaker units are optimized for the left ear. Each speaker unit has tailored audio signals applied according to its specific location and orientation, creating localized sound zones that enhance stereophonic experience without causing crosstalk.
2Volume of moving object
If speaker units are positioned close together in small volume devices, then device compactness is improved, but sound directionality and stereoscopic effect are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes three-dimensional spatial positioning of speaker units to create directional sound fields. By arranging speakers in a three-dimensional configuration (first speaker unit at front-right, second speaker unit at rear-right, third speaker unit at front-left, fourth speaker unit at rear-left), the system achieves stereophonic sound effects in a compact volume. The processor applies phase and amplitude adjustments to create spatial separation of sound waves, effectively utilizing the third dimension to overcome the limitations of compact size.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of relying on physical distance between speakers to create directional sound, the patent uses electronic signal processing to achieve directionality. The processor applies beamforming techniques and individual speaker control to direct sound waves electronically, replacing the need for large physical speaker separations. This allows compact device volume while maintaining stereoscopic sound effects through sophisticated audio signal manipulation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If beamforming method is applied to all frequency ranges, then sound directionality is improved, but complexity of signal processing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The audio signal is segmented into different frequency ranges (high frequency and low frequency components). The processor applies beamforming processing selectively to the high frequency components to achieve strong directional sound, while using simpler processing methods for the low frequency components. This segmentation allows the system to maintain sound directionality without applying overly complex processing to all frequencies, thereby reducing overall processing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Different processing methods are applied to different frequency components based on their characteristics. High frequency signals, which benefit most from beamforming for directionality, receive sophisticated signal processing. Low frequency signals, which naturally propagate differently, receive simplified processing. This localized quality approach optimizes directionality where needed while minimizing unnecessary processing complexity elsewhere.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device including a speaker array including a plurality of speaker units, a memory and one or more processors. The plurality of speaker units include a plurality of tweeter units that output high-range sound signals of a critical frequency or above and a plurality of mid-range units that output low-range and mid-range sound signals below the critical frequency. The one or more processors are configured to execute the at least one instruction to control the plurality of tweeter units to, by using a beaming forming method for high-range sound signals, directionally output right (R) channel signals toward a right ear of a user and directionally output left (L) channel signals toward a left ear of the user, and control the plurality of mid-range units to, by using a psychoacoustic model for the low-range and mid-range sound signals, output the R-channel signals and the L-channel signals.