Virtual Speaker Delay for Uniform Sound Radiation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Speaker arrays experience non-uniform radiation patterns and restricted frequency control due to physical gaps between speakers, leading to distorted sound fields and difficulty in forming personal sound zones.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that generate a virtual sound source signal with a virtual delay value, allowing for a sampling rate change in the speaker output signal, effectively overcoming the limitations of minimum delay values and physical speaker gaps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a fixed speaker array is used with minimum delay value, then the device structure is simple, but the frequency band control is restricted and non-uniform radiation pattern occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the delay parameter from a fixed minimum delay value to a variable virtual delay value that can be adjusted independently of the sampling rate. This allows the speaker array to adapt to different frequency bands by modifying the delay parameter, thereby resolving the contradiction between simple device structure and limited frequency control adaptability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic delay adjustment capability where the delay value can be changed in real-time based on virtual speaker positioning. This dynamic parameter adjustment enables the system to adapt to different operating conditions and frequency ranges without changing the physical speaker array configuration
2Stability of the object's composition
If speakers are placed close together to reduce gaps, then the radiation pattern becomes more uniform, but the physical size of the speaker array increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a virtual speaker as an intermediary element that exists in the signal processing domain rather than physical space. This virtual speaker enables uniform radiation patterns by providing additional phase control without requiring physical speakers to be placed closer together, thus achieving pattern uniformity without increasing the physical array size
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical approach of physically moving speakers closer together with a signal processing approach using virtual delay values. This substitution achieves the same effect of improved radiation uniformity through digital signal manipulation rather than mechanical reconfiguration
3Device complexity
If minimum delay value is used for signal processing, then the processing is simple, but near-field effects cause non-uniform radiation pattern
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the delay parameter from the fixed minimum delay value to a virtual delay value that can be optimized for different operating conditions. This parameter change eliminates near-field effects and achieves uniform radiation patterns while maintaining relatively simple signal processing through straightforward delay adjustment
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 suppresses near-field effects and non-uniform radiation patterns, enabling proper sound direction sensing and expanding the controllable frequency band, thus enhancing sound quality and directivity control.
Implementation Method 1
generating a virtual sound source signal delayed by a virtual delay value, instead of by the minimum delay value, according to a sampling rate of an input sound source signal
Implementation Method 2
A speaker array combines a plurality of speakers and is used to control a direction in which sound is to be reproduced
Implementation Method 3
a phenomenon occurs in that radiation properties are generated non-uniformly in the sound source signals radiated from each speaker due to insufficient interference
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for outputting a sound source signal by using a virtual speaker are provided. The method includes generating a virtual sound source signal delayed by a virtual delay value, instead of by the minimum delay value, according to a sampling rate of an input sound source signal, from the input sound source signal; generating a speaker output signal in which a sampling rate is changed based on the input sound source signal and the generated virtual sound source signal; and outputting the generated speaker output signal. Thus, a non-uniform radiation pattern, which causes distortion in a sound radiated from a speaker array, is removed and the limitation of a frequency band of a controllable sound source signal is overcome, thereby providing a stable sound.