Speaker Assembly with Movable Reflectors for Adaptive Sound Direction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional speaker assemblies fail to effectively direct sound towards users while avoiding obstacles, leading to inconsistent sound quality and energy wastage due to increased volume, as the sound distribution is dependent on user location and is not adaptively adjusted.
Innovation Solution
A speaker assembly with movable reflectors, controlled by a sensor and processor system, that adjusts the position of reflectors to direct sound waves towards users without moving the speakers, using location sensors like ultrasonic or camera-based systems to distinguish users from obstacles and adapt the sound reflection accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the speaker assembly increases volume to ensure sound reaches users, then sound coverage is improved, but energy consumption increases and sound quality deteriorates due to wastage
Solution Approach 1:
The reflectors are made movable rather than fixed, allowing them to dynamically adjust their positions based on real-time detection of user locations. This dynamic adjustment enables the sound reflection paths to be optimized for each user's position, directing sound precisely where needed without wasting energy in empty spaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates location sensors (ultrasonic or camera-based) that continuously detect user positions and feed this information back to the controller. The controller uses this feedback to calculate optimal reflector positions and adjust them accordingly, creating a closed-loop system that adapts sound distribution to actual user needs in real-time.
2Device complexity
If the speaker assembly uses fixed reflectors, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to different user locations deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The reflectors transition from fixed to movable components, enabling the system to adapt to different user locations. The movable reflectors can be positioned and repositioned based on real-time user detection, providing adaptability while maintaining relatively simple individual reflector designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The sound reflection function is segmented into multiple independent reflectors that can be individually positioned and controlled. This segmentation allows the system to handle multiple user locations simultaneously by adjusting specific reflectors, providing adaptability without requiring a completely complex integrated system.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the speaker assembly moves the speakers themselves to direct sound, then sound directionality is improved, but weight and complexity of the speaker system increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of moving the speakers themselves, the system introduces movable reflectors as intermediary elements. These reflectors act as mediators that redirect sound waves from the stationary speakers toward the desired directions. This approach achieves sound directionality without requiring the heavy and complex operation of moving the speakers themselves.
Solution Approach 2:
The sound direction control function is extracted from the speakers and transferred to separate movable reflectors. This separation allows the speakers to remain stationary and lightweight while the reflectors handle the directional control task, reducing the overall weight and complexity of the speaker assembly.
4Device complexity
If the speaker assembly does not distinguish between users and obstacles, then device complexity is reduced, but sound quality and user experience deteriorate due to incorrect sound reflection
Solution Approach 1:
The location sensors provide continuous feedback on the spatial environment, detecting both users and obstacles. The controller processes this feedback information to distinguish between users (who should receive sound) and obstacles (which should block sound). This feedback mechanism enables accurate sound reflection without requiring overly complex detection algorithms.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies different sound reflection strategies to different spatial locations based on local quality assessment. Areas with detected users receive directed sound reflection, while areas with obstacles have reflection paths adjusted or blocked. This localized approach to sound control improves accuracy without requiring the entire system to be overly complex.
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 solution enhances sound quality by directing sound waves accurately to users at varying locations while minimizing energy consumption and reducing the complexity and weight of the speaker system by using lightweight reflectors instead of moving the speakers themselves.
Implementation Method 1
one or more movable reflectors configured and arranged to reflect sound produced by the one or more speakers
Implementation Method 2
the location sensor comprises an ultrasonic sensor or a sound sensor
Implementation Method 3
the location sensor comprises an ultrasonic sensor or a sound sensor
Data Source
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AI summary
There is disclosed a speaker assembly (102). The speaker assembly (102) comprises one or more speakers (104) for producing sound and one or more movable reflectors (110) configured and arranged to reflect sound produced by the one or more speakers (104). There is further provided a controller (106), the controller being configured to receive information of a location of one or more users (112). In response to receiving that information, the controller (106) is configured to cause adjustment of a position of the one or more reflectors (110) without causing adjustment of a position of the one or more speakers (104), so as to direct sound produced by the one or more speakers (104) towards the one or more users.