Steerable Speaker Array for Aircraft Audio
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional headsets used in aircraft are uncomfortable and inconvenient for long periods, failing to effectively mitigate ambient noise while providing clear communication in noisy environments.
Innovation Solution
An electrically steerable speaker or microphone array system that detects the direction of a user's voice to focus sound output or input, eliminating the need for headsets by using phased array techniques and ultrasonic transducers to direct audio content precisely to the user, enhancing sound pressure levels in the intended direction and reducing noise from other areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If headsets are used to muffle ambient aircraft noise, then noise isolation is improved, but comfort deteriorates due to inconvenience and discomfort during long periods of wear
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the noise isolation function from the headset form factor. Instead of requiring the user to wear a headset to block ambient noise, the system uses microphone arrays and signal processing to extract and deliver clear audio content directly to the user's listening position, eliminating the need for physical noise-blocking headsets.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the mechanical headset system with an electrical and acoustic field-based system. Instead of using physical headsets with ear cups and boom mics, the system uses electrically steerable speaker arrays and microphone arrays with digital signal processing to achieve noise isolation and clear communication without mechanical contact with the user.
2Loss of information
If headsets are used for clear communication in noisy environments, then communication clarity is improved, but comfort deteriorates due to long-term wear inconvenience
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the communication clarity function from the headset. Using direction-of-arrival estimation and beamforming, the system extracts the speaker's voice from the noisy environment and delivers it clearly to the intended listener without requiring headsets at either end of the communication link.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces digital signal processing and beamforming algorithms as intermediaries between the speaker and listener. Instead of direct acoustic coupling through headset microphones and speakers, the system uses microphone arrays to capture spatial audio information, processes it through direction-of-arrival estimation and beamforming, and delivers enhanced clarity through steerable speaker arrays.
3Area of stationary object
If conventional speakers are used to provide audio content, then coverage area is improved, but noise interference worsens by annoying other passengers with unwanted audio
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies local quality by making the audio coverage spatially selective. Instead of uniform omnidirectional speaker coverage, the system uses steerable speaker arrays that concentrate acoustic energy in specific directions toward individual listeners, creating localized audio zones that prevent noise interference to other passengers.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces dynamics to the audio coverage by making it adaptable and steerable. The speaker arrays can dynamically change their beam direction and focus based on the location and preferences of individual listeners, allowing the audio coverage area to be reconfigured in real-time to serve different passengers without causing interference to others.
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 system allows pilots and passengers to communicate clearly and enjoy in-flight entertainment without headsets, improving comfort and reducing ambient noise interference, while enabling controlled cabin functions like lighting and entertainment system control based on voice commands.
Implementation Method 1
using phased array techniques to focus enhanced sound pressure levels in the steered beam pointing direction
Implementation Method 2
captures direction of arrival information from the spoken utterance of a pilot or aircraft passenger
Implementation Method 3
employs phased array techniques to focus enhanced sound pressure levels in the steered beam pointing direction
Implementation Method 4
steer the beam pattern of a transducer array, such as a speaker array or microphone array
Implementation Method 5
the speaker array is implemented using ultrasonic transducers which are driven with an ultrasonic (inaudible to the human ear) carrier which is modulated with the audio program content
Implementation Method 6
ultrasonic carrier which is modulated with the audio program content
Implementation Method 7
outfitting the aircraft with sound absorbing materials on the interior wall surfaces, bulkhead surfaces and carpeted flooring
Data Source
AI summary
Audio content is controllably directed to or from an aircraft occupant, such as the pilot or a passenger using a microphone array of at least two transducers, positioned onboard an aircraft to pick up utterances of the aircraft occupant. An electronically steerable transducer array coupled to an onboard an aircraft audio system, such as an avionics communication system or in-flight entertainment system supplies audio content to the aircraft occupant. A signal processor coupled to the microphone array processes utterances sensed by the transducers using a time of arrival algorithm to determine an utterance originating direction. A controller circuit then supplies a pointing direction control signal to the steerable beamforming speaker array or microphone array based on the utterance originating direction to cause the steerable transducer array to direct the audio content in the direction of the sensed utterance and thereby direct the audio content to or from the aircraft occupant.