Ultrasonic Transducer Array for Private Head-Mounted Audio
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wearable speaker systems often generate sound that can be heard by others besides the user, and existing sound isolation solutions like on-ear and in-ear headphones can be bulky and uncomfortable.
Innovation Solution
A head-mountable speaker system utilizing a transducer array that radiates ultrasonic waves, which are demodulated by air to produce a narrow beam of audible sound directed towards the user's ear, minimizing sound leakage and allowing for adjustable beam steering.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional loudspeaker components are used to generate sound, then sound can be heard by the user, but the sound can also be heard by others besides the user (poor sound privacy)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a highly directional sound beam that concentrates acoustic energy in a specific localized region (near the user's ear) rather than distributing it uniformly in all directions. The transducer array generates ultrasonic waves that interact with air molecules to produce audible sound only in the immediate vicinity of the user's ear, ensuring sound privacy while maintaining ease of operation without requiring physical isolation structures
2Object-affected harmful factors
If on-ear and in-ear headphones are used to provide sound isolation, then sound privacy is improved, but the device becomes bulky and uncomfortable for the user
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical sound isolation system (headphones requiring physical contact with the ear) with an acoustic field-based system. Instead of using physical barriers and sealed earpieces, the system uses precisely controlled ultrasonic waves that interact with air to generate audible sound only in the user's immediate auditory vicinity, eliminating the need for bulky headphone structures while maintaining sound privacy and user comfort
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a transducer array radiates ultrasonic waves to create directional sound, then sound privacy and directional delivery are improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the sound generation function across multiple transducers in an array, where each transducer element can be independently controlled to generate ultrasonic waves. This segmentation allows for precise directional control of the sound beam through phase and amplitude modulation of individual elements, achieving sound privacy while managing system complexity through modular transducer design and electronic beamforming techniques
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
The system provides private sound for the user with high sound pressure levels and directional sound delivery, ensuring only the user can hear the sound, while being adjustable for different users and comfortable to wear.
Implementation Method 1
a processor configured to control the transducer array to radiate ultrasonic waves toward an ear of a user of the head-mountable support structure
Implementation Method 2
The ultrasonic waves result in audible sound at the ear of the user
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus includes a head-mountable support structure, a transducer array coupled to the support structure, and a processor configured to control the transducer array to radiate ultrasonic waves toward an ear of a user of the head-mountable support structure. The ultrasonic waves are audible.