Non-Planar Transducer Arrays
First Claim
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1. Apparatus for creating a sound field, said apparatus comprising:
- an array of sonic output transducers, which array is capable of directing at least one sound beam in a selected direction;
wherein said transducers lie on a curved surface subtending 90°
or more.
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Abstract
Non-planar acoustic arrays are disclosed in which the plurality of transducers lie on a curved surface. The curved surface preferably subtends at least 90° and, in a preferred embodiment of the invention is a closed convex surface such as a cylinder. The curvature of the surface allows beams to be directed in a greater variety of directions. Apparatus and methods are disclosed in which only certain of the transducers are used for beam-forming, in accordance with the position of the transducer relative to the desired beam.
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Citations
28 Claims
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1. Apparatus for creating a sound field, said apparatus comprising:
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an array of sonic output transducers, which array is capable of directing at least one sound beam in a selected direction;
wherein said transducers lie on a curved surface subtending 90°
or more. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 21, 22, 23, 24, 27)
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16. Apparatus for creating a sound field, said apparatus comprising:
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an array of sonic output transducers, which array is capable of directing at least one beam in a first selected direction;
wherein said transducers lie on a curved surface; and
wherein said apparatus comprises a processor arranged to determine a first subset of transducers to use when directing sound in said first direction. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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25. A method for creating a sound field, said method comprising:
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providing an array of sonic output transducers which lie on a curved surface subtending 90°
or more; and
directing a beam of sound using said array.
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26. A method for creating a sound field, said method comprising:
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providing an array of sonic output transducers which lie on a curved surface;
selecting a direction in which to beam sound;
selecting a first subset of transducers in accordance with said direction such that said first subset contains only those transducers that have an unimpeded component of radiation in a direction which contributes to a beam in said selected direction;
using only said first subset of transducers to beam sound in said selected direction.
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28. A cylindrical sonic transducer array comprising a plurality of sonic output transducers distributed over the surface of a cylinder with their primary radiating directions lying along a radius of the cylinder.
Specification