Patent Application
20180060025
Embodiments disclosed herein generally relate to an interface for audio control.
High-end stereo products in the market today require the user to sit in one small “sweet spot” for optimal stereo imaging and spatial realism. If the consumer moves even from the left side of the sofa to the right side, the listening experience changes drastically. To experience truly immersive sound, the ambience, and the spatial cues of a live musical performance, the consumer must install complicated and expensive acoustic treatment in the listening room.
According to at least one embodiment, a system for providing an audio interface at a mobile device is provided. The system has a mobile device including an interface programmed to detect a loudspeaker system. The mobile device presents, via a user interface, a display screen to receive user input of sweet-spot commands. The mobile device sends sweet-spot parameters to the loudspeaker system in response to the sweet-spot commands.
In another embodiment, the mobile device presents, via the user interface, a sweet-spot button being moveable on the display screen to receive the sweet-spot command indicating a sweet-spot location.
In another embodiment, the mobile device presents, via the user interface, a selectable size option to receive the sweet-spot command indicating a sweet-spot size.
In another embodiment, the mobile device presents, via the user interface, a setup screen to receive user input of loudspeaker setup input. The mobile device presents on the setup screen a distance input for receiving a separation distance between loudspeakers.
In another embodiment, the mobile device determines a display screen scale size based on the separation distance between the loudspeakers.
In another embodiment, the mobile device is sends loudspeaker setup input to the loudspeaker system.
According to at least one embodiment, a non-transitory computer-readable medium tangibly embodying computer-executable instructions of a software program is provided. The software program is executable by a processor of a computing device to provide operations for presenting, via a user interface, a display screen to receive user input of audio command. The display screen includes at least one sweet-spot button being moveable to select a sweet-spot location.
In another embodiment, the display screen includes a pair of speaker icons indicating a pair of loudspeakers, wherein the sweet-spot button is movable relative to the pair of speaker icons.
In another embodiment, the medium and computing device to provide operations for presenting a selectable size option for receiving a sweet-spot size input. The sweet-spot button is presented in one of a plurality of sizes based on the sweet-spot size input.
In another embodiment, the display screen includes at least two sweet-spot buttons. Each sweet-spot button is moveable independently to select at least two sweet-spot locations.
In another embodiment, the display screen includes an audio player control for controlling and selecting audio media.
In another embodiment, the medium and computing device to provide operations for presenting, via the user interface, a setup screen to receive user input of loudspeaker setup input. The setup screen includes a distance input for receiving a separation distance between loudspeakers.
In another embodiment, the medium and computing device to provide operations for presenting, via the user interface, a panorama control screen for receiving user input of a sound stage size.
In another embodiment, the medium and computing device to provide operations for presenting a display screen including at least one sweet-spot button being moveable. The display screen is dynamically updated as the sweet-spot button is moved between at least a first sweet-spot location and a second sweet-spot location.
In another embodiment, the medium and computing device to provide operations for presenting a selectable size option for receiving a sweet-spot size input. The display screen is updated to vary a size of the sweet-spot button based on the sweet-spot size input.
In another embodiment, the display screen includes audio beam indicators extending between a pair of speaker icons and the sweet-spot button. The medium and computing device to provide operations for dynamically moving the audio beam indicators as the sweet-spot button is moved between the first and second sweet-spot locations.
In another embodiment, the medium and computing device to provide operations for presenting a setup screen for receiving user input of loudspeaker setup input.
In another embodiment, the medium and computing device to provide operations for determine display screen parameters based on the loudspeaker setup input received.
In another embodiment, the medium and computing device to provide operations for presenting a panorama control screen for receiving user input of a sound stage size.
In another embodiment, the display screen includes at least two sweet-spot buttons. Each sweet-spot button is moveable independently.
As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention that may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale; some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention.
In the variable acoustic loudspeakers 12, beamforming is employed to provide a stereo, or multichannel, listening experience with a movable “sweet spot” by directing the left and right loudspeakers 12 to a relatively well-defined area in the listening room where the perceived separation is optimal. The operation that allows the sweet spot to be moved is beamforming.
Beamforming is accomplished by selectively filtering different audio frequencies. Digital signal processing is used in driving the variable acoustics loudspeaker 12 having an array of drivers. By applying different filters to the input channel, distinct output channels are generated and routed to different drivers in a cylindrical array on the variable acoustic loudspeakers 12, discussed in more detail below.
Each of the loudspeakers 12 concentrates its acoustic energy in a preferred direction, forming a beam. The beam can be steered in a selectable direction. By forming a beam of both the left and right loudspeakers and suitably directing the beams, the intersection of the left and right beams forms the sweet spot.
Digital beamforming filters may be implemented in conjunction with the loudspeaker array. For instance, by concentrating the acoustic energy in a preferred direction, a beam is formed. The beam can be steered in a selectable target direction or angle. By forming a beam of both the left and right channels and suitably directing the beams, the intersection of the two beams may form a sweet spot for imaging. In an example, different beam widths may be selected by the user, permitting different sweet spot sizes. Thus, by using the array of drivers, the variable acoustic loudspeaker may be designed to have a precisely-controllable directivity at vertical, horizontal and oblique angles that works in arbitrary rooms, and without room treatment.
The audio system 10 including variable acoustic loudspeakers 12 and control system 20 permit independent control of spatial directivity functions and their frequency dependency. As discussed in detail herein, the variable acoustic loudspeaker 12 may provide for an adjustable size of listening area with a focused sweet spot versus diffuse sound (party mode); natural sound of voices and musical instruments by adapting the correct directivity pattern; natural image of audio objects in a stereo panorama without distraction by unwanted room reflections; a full 360° spherical control of the sound field; an ability to create separate sound zones in a room by assigning different channels to different beams; multichannel playback with a single speaker (using side wall reflections); suppression of rear energy by at least 20 dB down to low frequencies without side lobes (e.g. within 40 Hz to 20 KHz); and a compact size, highly scalable beam control at wavelengths larger than the enclosure dimensions due to super-directive beamforming techniques.
The audio system includes a control system 20 that allows a user to move and control the sweet spot. The control system 20 generally includes any number of microprocessors, ASICs, ICs, memory (e.g., FLASH, ROM, RAM, EPROM and/or EEPROM) and software code to co-act with one another to perform a series of operations.
The control system 20 includes an application running on a mobile device 14 and the mobile device is in communication with a speaker controller 22. The speaker controller 22 is in communication with each variable acoustic loudspeaker 12 and may be integrated within each of the loudspeakers 12. The control system 20 also includes predetermined data, or “look up tables” that are based on calculations and test data and stored within the memory. The controller 22 communicates with other components of the system (e.g., the television 32, mobile device and/or a user interface etc.) over one or more wired or wireless connections using common bus protocols (e.g., CAN and LIN).
The mobile device 14 communicates remotely with the speaker controller 22 over a network 16. The network 16 may be a wired network, a wireless network or a combination of both.
The speaker controller 22 includes a network receiver 24, a variable acoustic controller 26 and a digital signal processing controller 28, as shown in
The mobile device 14 includes the application graphic user interface (GUI) 36. This GUI 36 could be implemented on a mobile device 14 such as a mobile phone, a tablet, a laptop computer with display, or any suitable handheld device.
The audio system 10 is capable of producing five-channel stereo surround sound using only two loudspeakers 12 positioned at two locations in a room. Typical surround sound systems require four or more loudspeakers precisely positioned at different locations in the room to produce the same surround sound quality.
The audio system 10 is a fully active loudspeaker system that utilizes beam steering of each of the at least two beams from each loudspeaker 12 to achieve optimal sound distribution in any room environment giving the user full control to adapt the sound field to their unique lifestyle. Further, the audio system 10 allows optimal sound distribution without expensive acoustic treatment and with minimal equipment that does not require complicated installation in the listening room.
The user is not restricted to designing the living space around their audio system. Instead, the user can place the loudspeakers 12 wherever it is convenient and tailor the sound to the room layout. And, the expensive and obtrusive room acoustic treatment panels found in traditional high-end stereo systems are not required since the loudspeakers 12 control the beam pattern and eliminate the unwanted room reflections.
A complex and heavy rack of electronics with miles of cables are not required to drive the loudspeakers 12. The self-contained audio system 10 packs the loudspeakers, amplifiers, and digital signal processors into a compact form. The user only needs a mobile device or suitable user interface for control.
Each of the loudspeakers 12 may be positioned asymmetrically in the room while still being able to produce surround sound for any seating configuration. The two loudspeakers 12 may be positioned at any location relative to each other as long as the two loudspeakers 12 are angularly oriented parallel to each other. In one embodiment, the two loudspeakers 12 are positioned at least approximately four meters between each other and each loudspeaker 12 is positioned at least approximately one meter from a wall.
The loudspeaker 12 and variable acoustic radiation using DSP are described in U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 62/382,212, filed Aug. 31, 2016, and International Application No. PCT/US2017/049543, filed Aug. 31, 2017, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated in their entirety by reference herein. The pair of loudspeakers 12 combines state-of-the-art digital signal processing (DSP), loudspeaker design, and in-depth knowledge of room acoustics to deliver high-resolution loudspeakers that create a flexible, user-controllable hi-fidelity listening experience. The loudspeaker 12 is an all-in-one loudspeaker system controllable via the mobile device 14. The loudspeaker 12 is a fully active loudspeaker that utilizes beam steering to achieve optimal sound distribution in any room environment giving the user full control to adapt the sound field to their unique lifestyle.
The user can move and resize the sweet spot on a user interface 36. The sweet spot can be steered to move and focus the sound at a particular location in the room. Additionally, the size of the sweet spot can be adjusted. The interface 36 models the speaker arrangement in the listening area or room and allows a user to move and control the sweet spot. For example, a user may move the sweet spot using just a finger on the touch screen 38.
As shown in
The mobile device 14 may facilitate control of various processor functions via a sound control application 42. The application 42 may be downloadable to the mobile device 14 and may be used to control and interface with the processor 44. The application 42 may provide the interface 36 of the mobile device 14 with the GUI in order to present information to the user, as well as receive commands from the user. For example, the user may move the sweet spot using just a finger on the touch screen 38. The interface 36 is described in more detail below.
As illustrated in
The mobile device 14 may include the sound control application 42 stored on the storage 46. The application 42 may interface with the processor 44 to display various screens via the interface 36. These screens may facilitate moving, resizing and controlling the sweet-spot, as well as other audio control functions. The application may also include a player interface that can select music tracks for streaming over the network 16.
The sweet spot 56 may also be moved or steered to a second position and adjusted to be smaller and more focused at a different location for a narrow intimate focus for one listener 58, for example. The sweet spot may also be adjusted to be wider than sweet spots 50, 56 to provide omni-directional setting for a full saturated room sound. The “omni-directional” or diffuse sound may be a 270-degree sound beam. The diffuse beam fills most of the room with sound while still attenuating reflections off the rear wall of the room.
The loudspeaker 12 having sound beam steering utilizes DSP array processing to control the directivity via beam forming. This advanced algorithm adjusts the location and size of the “sweet spot” in real time so the user can optimize the listening experience to suit their individual needs. In at least one embodiment, high-resolution audio is delivered through up to thirty-two transducers (twelve tweeters, sixteen midrange, four woofers) over twenty-two channels of amplification delivering 1250W of power. However, other numbers of transducers, over numbers of audio channels and other power outputs may be employed. For example, in another embodiment, thirty-four transducers, including a subwoofer, and twenty-four channels of audio may be used to deliver high resolution steerable audio. One embodiment of the transducer arrays of the loudspeakers 12 are discussed below. The audio system 10 and loudspeakers 12 are controlled by the user through the user interface 36 and the application 42 on the mobile device 14 in communication with the speaker controller 22, as discussed in more detail below.
Referring to
As shown in
The input button 66 allows the user to select analog or digital input. The input button 66 may also allow the user to select or other input parameters. The input button 66 allows the user to select the number of sweet-spots, or select single-speaker mode, or dual-speaker mode, for example. The mode-selection button 67 allows the user to choose the number of sweet spots, or number of acoustic beams, as discussed in
As shown in
When the sound control application 42 is launched for the first time, the application 42 may search for a speaker controller 22 and associated controllable loudspeakers 12. The application 42 may instruct the mobile device 14 to send a request to the speaker controller 22 via the network 16 which may in turn respond with controller information such as a controller ID, IP address, etc. Upon ‘pairing’ of the controller 22 and the mobile device 14, an interface may be created, allowing commands, responses and information to be transmitted and received between the devices.
Once the mobile device 14 is paired with the speaker controller 22, the sound control application 42 may initiate a set up screen, as shown in
The distance setup screen in
As shown in
The panorama control is implemented on a left or right loudspeaker 12 by adding or subtracting a portion of the opposite channel. The slider 98 is initially in the center. Moving the slider 98 to the left shrinks the virtual soundstage, and moving the slider 98 to the right increases the virtual sound stage. Panorama control requires both left and right pure channels being supplied to both variable acoustic loudspeakers 12. New versions of left and right (L′ and R′) are generated and used in place of the original pure channels based on the position of the panorama slider 98.
The audio output to the first and second sweet spots 94, 96 may be controlled independently and simultaneously. Further, as shown in
Each of the sweet spots 100, 102, 104 may have a different size. Further, the volume of each sweet spot 100, 102, 104 may be independently controlled independent of the size of the sweet spot.
The size, position and number of sweet spots may also be controlled based on other inputs or devices. For example, as shown in
In another embodiment, the audio system 10 may be in communication with the individual user devices of a plurality of listeners and the audio system may receive position data of each of the listeners based on position data of the user devices. The audio system may adjust the size and position of the sweet spot produced by the loudspeaker 12 based on the sensed position of each user device. The audio system may receive position data from the user devices based on acoustic watermarks, such as acoustic signals hidden in the music, GPS data or other suitable positioning data to detect the listeners relative to the position of the loudspeakers 12.
As shown in
The tweeter row is flanked by at least one pair of midrange rows of midrange transducers 124, one midrange row along the upper section and another midrange row along the lower section. As illustrated, each midrange row has eight midrange transducers. The midrange row may have six to eight midrange transducers, or any suitable number of transducers. The midrange transducers 124 are spaced evenly around the circumference of the upper and lower sections.
As shown in
In another embodiment, the loudspeaker 12 may be a two-way version with eight full-range transducers in the center row, with two pairs of woofers. In this embodiment, there are no additional midrange transducers or tweeters.
Each section provides individual horizontal beam control in a dedicated frequency band. Vertical control is achieved by optimal crossover design and can be varied by choice of crossover frequencies.
The hourglass shape of the loudspeaker 12 is a design that complements any home decor. The sleek profile, small size and hourglass shape of the loudspeaker 12 also provides an optimized loudspeaker array designed to maximize the performance of the sound beam forming and steering. The loudspeakers 12 allow sound to be directed to where it is needed and directed away from where sound is not wanted. The loudspeakers 12 also allow projection of multiple beams using just one loudspeaker 12.
As shown in
The loudspeaker 12 in
The loudspeaker 12 may have audio inputs such as wireless Bluetooth with aptX, Wi-Fi (such as Chromecast, etc.), RCA or optical inputs. The loudspeaker 12 may have any suitable audio inputs known to a person of ordinary skill in the art. The loudspeaker 12 may also have video inputs such as HDMI or other suitable video inputs. The loudspeaker 12 may also be configured to connect to the internet using RJ45 Ethernet, for example, or any suitable internet connection.
The loudspeakers 12 may also include a light assembly 140. The light assembly 140 is designed to provide a visual indication of the approximate width and angle of the audio beam projected from the loudspeaker 12. As shown, alight ring 140 is positioned adjacent a top surface of the loudspeaker 12. The light assembly may also be positioned at an intermediate location between rows of transducers. The light ring 140 may be positioned along the periphery of the loudspeaker 12 and may be generally circular, however any suitable shaped light assembly may be used to provide a visual reference.
At block 212, the controller may present a setup screen via the interface 110. The introductory screen may be similar to the screen illustrated in
At block 214, the controller may receive a setup input indicating the distance between the two loudspeakers 12. Other setup inputs may also be received by the controller via interface 36, such as the room dimensions, or wall locations relative to the loudspeakers 12, for example.
At block 216, the controller may determine the setup parameters based on the input received. For example, the controller may scale the screen area and pixels based on the input of the distance between the two loudspeakers 12.
At block 218, the controller, via the network transceiver 40, sends the setup parameters to the speaker controller 22.
At block 220, the controller may present a sweet-spot steer screen similar to the screen illustrated in
At block 222, the controller may receive sweet-spot commands from the user via the interface 36. For example, the controller may receive commands indicating the sweet-spot location based on the selected position of the sweet-spot button 70. The controller may also receive commands indicating the desire sweet-spot size, such as in
At block 224, the controller may determine the sweet-spot parameters. For example, if the user drags the sweet-spot button 70 to a pixel or screen location, the controller may determine the actual physical location of the sweet spot in the room based on the scale of the screen.
At block 226, the controller, via the network transceiver 40, sends the sweet-spot parameters to the speaker controller 22.
At block 228, the controller determines if any sweet-spot commands changed. For example, the controller determines if the sweet-spot button 70 has been moved or dragged to a new location. The controller also determines if a new sweet-spot size has been selected.
At block 312, the controller receives sweet-spot parameters. The controller 22 may receive the sweet-spot parameters from the mobile device 14 via the network receiver 24. The controller 22 may receive requested sweet-spot parameters such as the sweet-spot location and sweet-spot size.
At block 314, the controller 22 determines the output parameters of the speaker in order to achieve the requested sweet-spot parameters. The speaker output parameters may include the beam angle, beam width, speaker delay and speaker gain.
At block 316, the controller may first determine the speaker beam angles and distance based on the sweet-spot location. The controller 22 determines the required beam distance of each steerable beam 72, 74 from each variable acoustic loudspeaker 12 so that the steerable beams 72, 74 intersect at the sweet spot.
The beam angle and beam distance may be different for each steerable beam 72, 74. At block 318, the controller determines if the beam distance is different for each steerable beam 72, 74.
At block 320, if the distance is different for each steerable beam 72, 74, the controller 26 determines the different required acoustic outputs for each variable acoustic speaker 12. At block 322, the controller 26 may provide different speaker delay output commands for each of the loudspeakers 12. For a beam with a shorter distance, a delay is introduced to ensure the sound arrives at the sweet spot at the same time as the beam with the longer distance. For example, in the example in
At block 324, if the distance is different for each steerable beam 72, 74, the controller 26 provides different speaker gain output commands to each of the loudspeakers 12. The gain for each loudspeaker 12 may be adjusted to ensure the volume is the same from each loudspeaker 12 at the sweet-spot location. Gain may be adjusted based on an inverse relationship to distance. Again, using the example in
At block 326, the controller 22 determines the required DSP beam forming requirements based on the sweet-spot location and desired sweet-spot size. The digital signal processor 28 provides the signal processing for beam-forming. The processor 28 digital audio input consists of left and right stereo channels, and outputs twenty-two channels based on various filtering and mixing operations to direct the beams.
Beamforming is accomplished by selectively filtering different audio frequencies. For the purpose of beamforming, three input bands are handled separately: high-frequency, mid-range and bass. The high-frequencies are output in twelve channels to the tweeters 120; the mid-range frequencies are output in eight channels to the mid-range drivers 124; and the bass frequency is output in two channels to the bass drivers 128.
At block 328, the digital signal processor 28 provides a beam angle command to each of the variable acoustic loudspeakers 12 to form the steerable beams 72, 74 in a required direction based the sweet-spot location. The angle from each of the left and right loudspeakers 12 may be different. The angle may be measured from a vertical axis 110 as shown in the speaker button 88. In the example in
At block 330, the digital signal processor 28 provides a beam width command to each of the variable acoustic loudspeakers 12 to form steerable beams 72, 74 at a required width based on the selected sweet-spot size. In general, the beam width for each of the steerable beams 72, 74 will be generally equal.
At block 332, the controller provides the light assembly 140 with a signal for the angular position and width of the illuminated portion. The angular position may be based on the audio beam angle and the width light portion is based on the audio beam width of each of the variable acoustic loudspeakers 12. The angular positions of the illuminated portion for each loudspeaker may be different based on the relative position of the sweet spot. However, the width of the illuminated portion for each of the loudspeaker 12 will be generally equal.
At block 334, the controller 22 determines if any sweet-spot inputs have changed. The steerable audio beams 72, 74 can be easily changed at will and the beam can be steered quickly and accurately. For example, the sweet spot and corresponding steerable audio beams can be changed in 50-75 milliseconds.
The controller 22 may also receive requests for panorama control. As shown in
While exemplary embodiments are described above, it is not intended that these embodiments describe all possible forms of the invention. Rather, the words used in the specification are words of description rather than limitation, and it is understood that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Additionally, the features of various implementing embodiments may be combined to form further embodiments of the invention.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 62/465,621, filed Mar. 1, 2017, and is a continuation-in-part and claims priority to International Application No. PCT/US2017/049543 filed Aug. 31, 2017, which claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 62/382,212, filed Aug. 31, 2016, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated in their entirety by reference herein.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62465621 | Mar 2017 | US | |
| 62382212 | Aug 2016 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | PCT/US2017/049543 | Aug 2017 | US |
| Child | 15693256 | US |
