Speaker Array Area-Sound Reproduction via Interference Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing area-sound reproduction systems face challenges in delivering targeted sound to specific positions without interference from environmental noise, leading to issues with sound leakage and reduced intelligibility due to the spherical propagation of sound waves from speakers.
Innovation Solution
An area-sound reproduction system featuring a speaker array with a processor that adjusts sound output based on a control line, where sound waves constructively interfere on a reproduction line and destructively interfere on a non-reproduction line, ensuring sound pressure exceeds noise levels on the reproduction line while not exceeding noise levels on the non-reproduction line, using environmental noise or background music as masking sound.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sound is reproduced using conventional speakers, then sound can be delivered to a broad area, but sound leaks to non-target areas and is cancelled by environmental noise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the spatial area into distinct zones: a reproduction line where sound constructively interferes and a non-reproduction line where sound destructively interferes. This segmentation allows targeted sound delivery to specific positions while preventing sound leakage to other areas, resolving the contradiction between broad sound coverage and sound containment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different acoustic properties to different spatial locations: constructive interference is created at the reproduction line (target position) while destructive interference is created at the non-reproduction line (non-target positions). This local differentiation of acoustic quality enables reliable sound delivery to the target while suppressing sound in non-target areas.
2Measurement precision
If sound pressure is increased to exceed noise levels, then sound intelligibility improves, but sound leakage to non-target areas increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the acoustic parameters (sound pressure, phase) differently at different spatial locations. By adjusting the phase relationships of sound waves from multiple speakers, the system creates constructive interference at the reproduction line (increasing sound pressure to exceed noise levels) while creating destructive interference at the non-reproduction line (minimizing sound pressure and preventing leakage).
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple speakers are used to create directional sound, then sound can be targeted to specific positions, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the speaker array multi-functional: the same array of speakers can create constructive interference at one position while creating destructive interference at other positions. This universal capability allows a single speaker array to perform both sound reinforcement at the target position and sound suppression at non-target positions, eliminating the need for separate systems.
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
Effectively prevents sound cancellation by noise and leakage to non-target areas, ensuring clear sound delivery on the reproduction line while minimizing discomfort from unwanted sounds on the non-reproduction line.
Implementation Method 1
a reproduction line in which sound waves emitted from the speaker array constructively interfere with each other
Implementation Method 2
a non-reproduction line in which the sound waves destructively interfere with each other
Data Source
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AI summary
An area-sound reproduction system includes a speaker array in which a plurality of speakers are linearly arranged side by side, a sound collector that collects an environment sound in an environment where the area-sound reproduction system is installed, and a processor that adjusts reproduced sounds that the plurality of speakers are caused to output, based on a control line, and causes the area-sound reproduction system to output the reproduced sounds, the control line being set at a position substantially in parallel with the speaker array and apart from the speaker array by a predetermined distance, and including a reproduction line in which sound waves emitted from the speaker array constructively interfere with each other and a non-reproduction line in which the sound waves destructively interfere with each other, in which the processor measures a noise level from the collected environment sound, and adjusts the reproduced sounds, at each frequency, such that a sound pressure of the reproduced sound reaching the reproduction line on the control line exceeds the noise level, and a sound pressure of the reproduced sound reaching the non-reproduction line on the control line does not exceed the noise level.