Phase-Aligned Internal and External Speaker Beam-Forming
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing home entertainment systems face challenges in providing effective surround sound without the need for costly and complex speaker arrays, as internal device speakers are often disabled due to interference with the surround field, and proper installation of separate surround speakers can be costly and inconvenient.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that utilize internal speakers of a device in phase-aligned conjunction with external speakers to form a surround beam-forming system, allowing for the creation of a surround sound field without requiring a large number of elements and simplifying speaker placement by using the internal speakers to generate a beam that is directed away from the listener, providing a diffuse sound experience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If internal speakers are disabled to avoid interference with surround field, then surround sound performance is improved, but device functionality and cost-effectiveness deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines internal device speakers with external surround speakers into a unified beam-forming system. The internal speakers are integrated as active elements that work in conjunction with external speakers to generate directed sound beams, rather than being disabled or used separately. This merging allows the internal speakers to contribute constructively to the surround sound field while maintaining their functionality within the device.
Solution Approach 2:
The internal speakers serve multiple functions: they act as both traditional stereo speakers for direct listening and as beam-forming elements for directed surround sound. This multi-functionality allows the same hardware to adapt to different operational modes (stereo, simulated surround, actual surround, beam-forming) without requiring separate speaker systems for each mode.
2Reliability
If separate surround speakers are installed properly, then surround sound quality is improved, but installation cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of separate surround speakers with the device's internal speakers into a single integrated system. By using the internal speakers as active beam-forming elements alongside external speakers, the system eliminates the need for completely separate surround speaker installations while maintaining surround sound quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The internal speakers are designed to serve multiple purposes: they function as primary speakers for direct audio output and as auxiliary beam-forming elements for surround sound effects. This universality reduces the need for additional dedicated surround speakers, thereby lowering installation costs and complexity while maintaining audio quality.
3Ease of manufacture
If internal speakers are used in conjunction with external speakers for beam-forming, then cost and installation complexity are reduced, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically detects and adapts to the available speaker configuration. It self-calibrates to determine whether internal speakers are present and functional, and automatically configures the beam-forming parameters accordingly. This self-service capability reduces the need for manual setup and complex user configuration, offsetting the increased system complexity through automated management.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts its operation based on the detected speaker configuration. It can switch between different modes (stereo, simulated surround, actual surround, beam-forming) and automatically optimizes beam-forming parameters based on the presence and characteristics of internal and external speakers. This dynamic adaptation manages system complexity by making the system flexible rather than rigid.
4Reliability
If speakers are placed in specific locations for optimal surround sound, then sound diffusion is improved, but placement flexibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts beam-forming parameters based on the actual speaker locations. Rather than requiring fixed speaker placements for optimal performance, the system adapts its sound beam directions and diffusion patterns to match the configured speaker positions. This allows users to place speakers flexibly while maintaining effective surround sound through automated parameter optimization.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters (beam direction, diffusion angle, signal timing) based on speaker configuration. By adjusting these parameters according to the actual speaker locations, the system maintains effective sound diffusion and surround effects regardless of where the speakers are physically placed in the room.
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
This approach enables the use of internal speakers to enhance surround sound performance, reducing costs and installation complexity while maintaining effective surround sound delivery, and allows for flexible speaker placement and additional features like Night Mode and Picture-in-Picture modes.
Implementation Method 1
the speakers in the device are typically disabled by the user (or the amplifiers are unused), as the regular stereo image produced from the internal speakers will interfere with the surround field provided by the array
Implementation Method 2
The term 'diffuse' indicates that the sound does not appear to emanate from a single direction, which is generally provided via reflections from or more surfaces that cause the sound to be reflected toward the user from multiple angles
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system for sound beam-forming using internal device speakers in conjunction with external speakers provides a low cost alternative to present external surround array systems. A processing circuit within an audio device or audio/visual (AV) device such as a digital television (DTV) generates signals for internal and external speakers that phase-align the internal speakers with the external speakers for beam-forming. The beam may be a surround beam directed away from a listening position so that surround channel information is only heard as reflections. Alternatively, the beam may be a “night mode” beam that concentrates sound at a particular location or multiple beams may be formed for picture-in-picture or other applications where it is desirable to provide multiple isolated listening locations.