Patent Application
20230419935
The present invention relates to acoustic enclosures and, more particularly, to acoustic enclosures for sound amplification and signal processing.
Presently, electric guitar amplification via a loudspeaker and the dynamic response of the amplified sound is heavily dependent on the acoustic environment. Further, any acoustic signal from a guitar amplifier that is measured via acoustic sensors (microphones, etc.) is similarly dependent on the physical environment as well as the sensor configuration. The acoustic conditions encountered during guitar performance are variable and, therefore, difficult to control. Current methods to enforce consistency include ad hoc panels, blankets, guitar amplifier cases, and other types of passive enclosures that produce unintended effects (reflections, resonances, and filtering of desirable frequencies)
As can be seen, there is a need for a device that provides users with a consistent, desirable tone regardless of the surrounding acoustic environment, one that is portable, modular, and convenient for musicians that perform on stage and in the studio.
A general overview of the various features of the invention will be provided, with a detailed description following. Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides a portable and convenient acoustic enclosure capable of maintaining a consistent, desirable tone regardless of an acoustic environment.
The present invention integrates and enhances processes to amplify a musician's sound. A goal of the present invention is to provide musicians, and particularly guitar players, with a convenient, portable device that will allow them to maintain a consistent, desirable tone, regardless of an acoustic environment.
Advantages of the present invention include portability, modularity, and the integration of multiple functions such as acoustic attenuation and tone enhancement using acoustic sensors (microphones, accelerometers, etc.). The present invention may also reduce interconnection noise problems by tying all musical instrument effects to the same, integrated electrical network.
Some embodiments of the present invention may acoustically enhance the properties or qualities of a room or enclosed space and digitally enhance audio experience via signal processing to another sound amplification/recording system. For example, the present invention includes an acoustic enclosure that surrounds an amplifier (or loudspeaker) of a musical instrument. The acoustic enclosure has acoustic panels that define an acoustically enhanced spaced, which provides an attenuated, consistent, and enhanced acoustic tone for musicians in any room.
Advantageously, the panels that surround the enclosure are removably latched, and may contain active electronics and signal processing functionality to reamplify the enhanced sound generated by the acoustic action of the enclosure.
In some embodiments, the present invention enables processing an audio signal that starts with a musical instrument and is then output through a loudspeaker or a similar device into the acoustic enclosure. For example, the present invention may sense the audio signal directly from a loudspeaker system (as opposed to the instrument) and process the sound based on the acoustic properties of the loudspeaker and its interaction with the portable enclosure (and not the instrument).
The system may comprise multiple components. A primary enclosure may be assembled of six acoustic panels by latching them together to form an acoustic attenuation chamber that encloses a loudspeaker/amplifier. The method of securing the panels to form the acoustic enclosure is not particularly limited by the present invention. At least one panel may contain or include components to enable power and audio to interface with the enclosure and heat removal devices (such as a fan, thermoelectric cooler, etc.). Any panel may contain one or more sensors (i.e., a sensor array) comprising microphones, accelerometers, or other vibration transducers.
The panels may further include mechanical transducer mounting or access points, for example, for a user to include or insert a microphone. The mechanical transducer mounting may include an adjunct sound cavity operatively associated with the acoustic attenuation chamber. The transducer mounting or access point may be placed on any panel. In some embodiments, a user-provided microphone is an alternative to an embedded sensor array (e.g., microphone/accelerometer/sensor). A panel with a microphone (whether embedded or user-provided) may be referred to as a panel transducer.
In one aspect of the present invention, an acoustic attenuation enclosure includes a plurality of panels connectable to define a boundary of the acoustic attenuation enclosure housing an electroacoustic transducer converting an electrical audio signal propagated in an external environment, wherein the acoustic attenuation enclosure substantially maintains a first acoustics regardless of a second acoustics of the external environment.
In another aspect of the present invention, the acoustic attenuation enclosure further includes a sensor array along an interior surface of at least one panel of the plurality of panels, wherein the sensor array comprises microelectromechanical system (MEMS) or other miniature transducers; further providing a heat removal device through at least one panel of the plurality of panels; an input/output connection through at least one panel of the plurality of panels, wherein the input/output connection electrically couples the electroacoustic transducer with an instrument in the external environment; an adjunct sound cavity directly connected to an exterior surface of one of the panels of the plurality of panels, wherein the adjunct sound cavity provides a microphone; or a mounting port passing through one of the panels of the plurality of panels, wherein a microphone is mounted within the acoustic attenuation enclosure by way of the mounting port.
In yet another aspect of the present invention, a method of processing an acoustic energy, the method includes providing an electroacoustic transducer within the above-mentioned acoustic attenuation enclosure; sensing the acoustic energy through the sensor array; and processing the acoustic energy to neutralize acoustic reflections within said acoustic attenuation enclosure.
By first and second acoustics, it is understood to be the properties or qualities of a room, building, or enclosed space that determine how sound is transmitted in it.
These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description, and claims.
The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.
Referring now to the Figures,
In some versions of the present invention, a single panel may incorporate all the various components listed. In some embodiments, the components are included on some panels but not others.
Referring to
Referring to
In another embodiment of the present invention, a portion of acoustic energy that is sensed by the array of panel transducers 50 may be automatically processed to eliminate or neutralize acoustic reflections, structural resonances, and other non-ideal audio characteristics though the use of signal processing techniques (beamforming, filters, etc.). Further, this processed, acoustically neutral signal may be enhanced to highlight pleasing characteristics of the loudspeaker or frequency content that is not audible to the user due to the acoustic filtering properties of the enclosure. Additional filtering, transforms, or effects may alter the acoustic signal such that it sounds like the loudspeaker/guitar amplifier is in a different acoustic environment (large hall, damped studio, etc.). The processed signal may then be provided to the user via an electrical interface and can be used to direct record or reamplify in a live performance or practice setting. Beamforming may not be necessary or utilized in some embodiments of the present invention, particularly if only a single transducer (sensor) is available. In some embodiments of the present invention, a single, user-provided studio microphone may be processed by audio filters.
Signal processing capabilities can be configured by the user with a mobile app. Due to the consistent nature of the enclosure assembly, the sound produced may maintain consistency from room to room.
The unique signal processing capabilities (i.e., beamforming) of a plurality of embedded microphones (a sensor array) surrounding a loudspeaker is not easily achieved with existing studio microphones due to their cost and complexity of configuration, including supporting audio mixers/interfaces and interactions with the room acoustics. The embedded sensor aspect of this system eliminates a number of these issues.
The present invention can be used for any device, instrument, or machine that produces acoustic energy that should be attenuated in the presence of a user. It may also be used for devices that produce acoustic energy that should be monitored for performance. After completing assembly of the acoustic attenuating panels 14 with the integrated latching system 70 and enclosing a loudspeaker system 12, the present invention is configured for use with an alternating current (AC) power source and an audio input signal, typically from a musical instrument. The audio signal may be routed to the enclosed loudspeaker system via the interface box 60 to initiate operation of the system. The audio input signal may drive the loudspeaker 12 to generate acoustic energy within the enclosure. The acoustic energy is absorbed, reflected, transmitted, and sensed by the acoustic panels 14 with embedded sensors A portion of acoustic energy that is transmitted through panels 14 to the external environment is heard by the user and is an attenuated, filtered version of the original sound produced by the loudspeaker 12.
Incorporating all of this in a portable, modular panel-system acoustic attenuating enclosure 10 that can be assembled/dissembled on-site is a unique characteristic of the present invention.
Including the stage interface box 60 for effects power and tying that to the same power network as the loudspeaker may help to reduce noise (i.e., “ground loops”) ever-present in audio and musical instrument systems. The overall system may be utilized as a musical technology “hub” for the user.
The materials used to compose the present invention may vary due to cost, weight, and size restraints. The digital sensor processor (DSP) may be utilized, for example, when the materials composing the panels of the invention are not or are less acoustically neutral.
As used in this application, the term “about” or “approximately” refers to a range of values within plus or minus 10% of the specified number. And the term “substantially” refers to up to 80% or more of an entirety. Recitation of ranges of values herein are not intended to be limiting, referring instead individually to any and all values falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated, and each separate value within such a range is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein.
For purposes of this disclosure, the term “aligned” means parallel, substantially parallel, or forming an angle of less than 35.0 degrees. For purposes of this disclosure, the term “transverse” means perpendicular, substantially perpendicular, or forming an angle between 55.0 and 125.0 degrees. Also, for purposes of this disclosure, the term “length” means the longest dimension of an object. Also, for purposes of this disclosure, the term “width” means the dimension of an object from side to side. For the purposes of this disclosure, the term “above” generally means superjacent, substantially superjacent, or higher than another object although not directly overlying the object. Further, for purposes of this disclosure, the term “mechanical communication” generally refers to components being in direct physical contact with each other or being in indirect physical contact with each other where movement of one component affect the position of the other.
The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (“e.g.,” “such as,” or the like) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the embodiments and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the embodiments or the claims. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any unclaimed element as essential to the practice of the disclosed embodiments.
In the following description, it is understood that terms such as “first,” “second,” “top,” “bottom,” “up,” “down,” and the like, are words of convenience and are not to be construed as limiting terms unless specifically stated to the contrary.
It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.
It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.
This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. provisional application No. 63/366,889, filed 23 Jun. 2022, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63366889 | Jun 2022 | US |
