Speaker Array Apparatus for Dynamic Surround Sound Adaptation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional surround sound systems face challenges in producing a surround sound field due to obstacles in the sound beam reflection path or lack of reflecting walls, and the virtual surround sound field is limited to a narrow space, restricting the listening position.
Innovation Solution
A speaker array apparatus that includes a beam formation calculating section, sound source localization applying section, selecting section, and phase controlling section, which allows for the selection of either a realistic or virtual surround sound field based on the installation environment, using test sound beams to analyze the environment and adjust sound phases for optimal sound localization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sound beams are reflected by walls to produce a realistic surround sound field, then the surround sound field can be properly produced, but the system cannot work when obstacles exist in the reflection path or when reflecting walls do not exist
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between two operational modes (realistic surround sound field mode and virtual surround sound field mode) based on the installation environment. The selecting section determines which mode to use, and the phase controlling section adjusts accordingly, making the system adaptable to different spatial conditions including rooms with obstacles or no reflecting walls.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes its operational parameters by switching between beam formation calculation (for realistic surround) and head-related transfer function calculation (for virtual surround). This parameter change allows the system to adapt to different installation environments while maintaining reliable surround sound field production.
2Reliability
If a virtual surround sound field is produced on the basis of a head-related transfer function, then the surround sound field can be virtually localized, but the listening position is limited to a narrow space
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the virtual point sound source positions based on the detected listening position. When the listening position changes, the sound source localization applying section recalculates the positions of virtual point sound sources to maintain proper spatial relationships, thereby expanding the usable listening area while preserving virtual surround sound field reliability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the system provides both realistic and virtual surround sound field options, then the installation flexibility is improved, but the device complexity increases due to multiple calculating sections and selection mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The phase controlling section serves multiple functions: it controls phases for beam formation when realistic surround mode is selected, and it applies head-related transfer functions when virtual surround mode is selected. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated control sections, thereby managing system complexity while maintaining versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The selecting section automatically determines the appropriate surround sound field mode based on the installation environment without requiring manual configuration. The system self-adjusts by selecting the suitable calculating section (beam formation or sound source localization), reducing operational complexity for the user while maintaining high adaptability.
Data Source
AI summary
A speaker array apparatus includes a speaker array that emits sounds of a plurality of channels, a beam formation calculating section that performs a calculation for controlling phases of the sounds so that the speaker array emits sound beams in directions set for the respective channels, a sound source localization applying section that performs a calculation for controlling the phases of the sounds emitted from the speaker array so as to form a plurality of virtual point sound sources, and performs a calculation of auditory sensation characteristics at a listening position on a basis of a head-related transfer function, a selecting section that selects one of the beam formation calculating section and the sound source localization applying section, and a phase controlling section that controls the phases of the sounds emitted from the speaker array on a basis of a calculation result of the beam formation calculation section which is selected by the selecting section or applies the auditory sensation characteristics and controls the phase of a wavefront from the virtual point sound source on a basis of a calculation result of the beam formation calculating section which is selected by the selecting section.