Electroacoustical transducing

• US 5,809,153 A
• Filed: 12/04/1996
• Issued: 09/15/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 12/04/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Bose Corporation
• Original Assignee: Bose Corporation
• Inventors: Holl, Timothy, Aylward, J. Richard, Schreiber, William P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Chan, Wing F.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Barnie, Rexford N.
• Application Number:
  US08/760,349
• Time in Patent Office: 650 Days
• Field of Search: 381/155, 381/188, 381/82, 381/94.7, 381/94.3, 381/97, 381/98, 381/99, 381/102, 381/104, 381/153, 381/160, 381/192, 381/205, 381/198, 381/80, 381/90, 181/198, 181/199, 181/185
• US Class Current: 381/337
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/20 Arrangements for obtaining desired frequency or directional characteristics for stereophonic purpose H04R5/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2205/022 Plurality of transducers corresponding to a plurality of sound channels in each earpiece of headphones or in a single enclosure
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 27/00 Public address systems circuits for preventing acoustic reaction H04R3/02; circuits for distributing signals to loudspeakers H04R3/12; monitoring or testing arrangements for public address systems H04R29/007; amplifiers H03F
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 5/02 Spatial or constructional arrangements of loudspeakers
• CPC Class Codes: H04S 1/002 Non-adaptive circuits, e.g. manually adjustable or static, for enhancing the sound image or the spatial distribution control circuits for electronic adaptation of the sound field H04S7/30
• CPC Class Codes: H04S 5/00 Pseudo-stereo systems, e.g. in which additional channel signals are derived from monophonic signals by means of phase shifting, time delay or reverberation

Abstract

Electroacoustical transducing apparatus includes an input for receiving an audio electrical signal. A first electroacoustical transducer is constructed and arranged to radiate first sound waves in a first direction in a first frequency range in response to an audio electrical signal on the input. A second electroacoustical transducer is constructed and arranged to radiate sound energy in a second direction in a second frequency range. A third electroacoustical transducer is constructed and arranged to radiate sound energy in a third direction within the second frequency range. Intercoupling circuitry intercouples the input with the second transducer and the third transducer and is constructed and arranged to cause the second transducer and the third transducer to radiate sound energy in the second and third directions in response to an audio electrical signal on the input relatively phased with respect to energy radiated in the second frequency range by the first transducer in the second and third directions in phase opposition therewith to oppose radiation in second and third directions from the first transducer within the second frequency range, the first frequency range being greater than and embracing the second frequency range.

Claims

1. A loudspeaker system comprising,

an input for receiving an audio electrical signal;

a first electroacoustical transducer constructed and arranged to radiate in a first direction for radiating first sound waves in a first frequency range in response to an audio electrical signal on said input;

a second electroacoustical transducer facing a second direction for radiating second sound waves;

a third transducer facing a third direction for radiating third sound waves;

a first low pass filter and a delay circuit coupling said input with said second transducer and said third transducer;

said first low pass filter for providing modified audio signals to said second transducer and to said third transducer,

said delay circuits constructed and arranged so that said second sound waves are substantially out of phase with said first sound waves radiated in said second direction to buck said first sound waves in said second direction and so that said third sound waves are substantially out of phase with said first sound waves radiated in said third direction to buck said first sound waves in said third direction.

2. A loudspeaker system in accordance with claim 1, wherein said delay circuit comprises a frequency dependent phase shifter.

3. A loudspeaker system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said first transducer has a first radiating surface,

said second transducer has a second radiating surface separated from the first radiating surface by an acoustic path and said delay circuit furnishes a delay approximately equal to a length of time required for sound waves to travel the length of said acoustic path.

4. A loudspeaker system in accordance with claim 1, wherein said second transducer and said first transducer are oriented substantially in space quadrature.

5. A loudspeaker system in accordance with claim 1 and further comprising a reflecting surface generally perpendicular to said first direction and constructed and arranged to coact with said first transducer to reflect sound energy radiated by said first transducer.

6. A directional loudspeaker system comprising,

a first loudspeaker having a substantially dipole sound radiation pattern in a predetermined frequency range;

a second loudspeaker having a substantially omnidirectional sound radiation pattern in said frequency range;

wherein said first loudspeaker and said second loudspeaker are constructed and arranged so that radiation from said first and second loudspeakers cumulatively combine in a first direction and differentially combine in a second direction opposite to said first direction.

7. A directional loudspeaker in accordance with claim 6, wherein said first loudspeaker comprises a transducer having front and back radiating surfaces further comprising,

a first enclosure for said first transducer having two opposing open faces,

said first transducer disposed in said first enclosure so that said front and back radiating surfaces face respective ones of said open faces.

8. A directional loudspeaker in accordance with claim 7 wherein said second loudspeaker comprises a transducer having front and back radiating surfaces and further comprising,

a second enclosure for said second transducer having one open face,

said second transducer disposed in said second enclosure so that one of said radiating surfaces faces said open face,

said first and second enclosures being contiguous.

9. Multichannel audio reproduction apparatus, comprising,

an enclosure;

a first audio channel signal input;

a first transducer disposed in said enclosure and coupled to said first audio channel signal input for radiating first sound waves in response to a signal on said first audio channel signal input;

a second transducer disposed in said enclosure for radiating second sound waves;

a first signal modifier intercoupling said first audio channel signal input and said second transducer for providing a modified first signal to said second transducer such that said second sound waves substantially buck said first sound waves in a first direction;

a second audio channel signal input;

a third transducer disposed in said enclosure and coupled to said second audio channel signal input for radiating third sound waves in response to a signal on said second audio channel signal input;

a fourth transducer, disposed in said enclosure for radiating fourth sound waves;

a second signal modifier intercoupling said second audio channel signal input and said fourth transducer for providing a modified second signal to said fourth transducer such that said fourth sound waves buck said second sound waves in said first direction.

10. Multichannel audio reproduction apparatus in accordance with claim 9 wherein said first signal modifier comprises a low pass filter so that said second transducer operates over a different range of frequencies than said first transducer.

11. Multichannel audio reproduction apparatus in accordance with claim 10 wherein said different range of frequencies has an upper limit corresponding substantially to an upper limit of a range of frequencies in which said first transducer radiates sound substantially omnidirectionally.

12. Multichannel audio reproduction apparatus in accordance with claim 10 wherein said first transducer has a radiating surface having a circumference and wherein said low pass filter has a break frequency,

said break frequency having a corresponding wavelength on the order of two times said circumference.

13. Multichannel audio reproduction apparatus in accordance with claim 9 wherein said first signal modifier comprises a phase shifter.

14. Multichannel audio reproduction apparatus in accordance with claim 13 wherein said phase shifter shifts a phase of said first channel signal by an amount proportional to a frequency of said signal.

15. Multichannel audio reproduction apparatus in accordance with claim 9 wherein said first direction is generally orthogonal to a second direction faced by said first transducer.

16. Multichannel audio reproduction apparatus in accordance with claim 15 and further comprising,

a fifth transducer for radiating fifth sound waves,

said fifth transducer disposed in said enclosure facing a third direction generally opposite a direction faced by said second transducer and orthogonal to said second direction,

said fifth transducer coupled to said first signal modifier such that said fifth sound waves buck said first sound waves radiated in said third direction.

17. Multichannel audio reproduction apparatus in accordance with claim 16 wherein said third direction is substantially opposite said first direction.

18. Multichannel audio reproduction apparatus in accordance with claim 16 and further comprising,

a sixth transducer for radiating sixth sound waves,

said sixth transducer disposed in said enclosure facing a fourth direction generally opposite a direction faced by said fourth transducer and orthogonal to the direction said third transducer faces,

said fifth transducer coupled to said second signal modifier such that said fifth sound waves buck said third sound waves radiated in said fourth direction.

19. Multichannel audio reproduction apparatus in accordance with claim 18 and further comprising a room having a listening location embracing said enclosure,

wherein said first direction is substantially toward said listening location.

20. Multichannel audio reproduction system, comprising,

a first transducer,

a second transducer,

a first audio channel signal input coupled to said first transducer so that said first transducer radiates first sound waves in response to a signal on said first audio channel signal input;

a second audio channel signal input coupled to said second transducer so that said second transducer radiates second sound waves in response to a signal on said second audio channel signal input;

a third transducer,

a first signal modifier intercoupling said first audio channel signal input and said third transducer for providing a modified first channel signal to said third transducer;

a second signal modifier intercoupling said second audio channel signal input and said third transducer for providing a modified second channel signal to said third transducer;

wherein said third transducer radiates third sound waves that buck in a first direction said first sound waves and said second sound waves.

21. Multichannel audio reproduction system in accordance with claim 20 and further comprising a room embracing said multichannel audio reproduction system and having a listening location,

wherein said first direction is substantially toward said listening location.

22. Multichannel audio reproduction system in accordance with claim 20 wherein said first signal modifier comprises a low pass filter.

23. Multichannel audio reproduction system in accordance with claim 20 wherein said first signal modifier comprises a frequency dependent phase shifter.

24. Multichannel audio reproduction system in accordance with claim 20 and further comprising,

a third audio channel signal input coupled to said third transducer,

wherein said third sound waves are representative of a signal on said third audio channel signal input, said modified first channel signals and said modified second channel signals;

and

a third signal modifier intercoupling said third audio channel signal input and said first transducer for providing a modified third channel signal to said first transducer,

wherein said first transducer radiates sound waves responsive to signals on said first audio channel signal input and sound waves that buck in a second direction, sound waves radiated by said third transducer.

25. Multichannel audio reproduction system comprising,

a first source of a first channel signal,

a first transducer facing a first direction coupled to said first source so that said first transducer radiates sound waves representative of said first channel signal;

a second source of a second channel signal,

a second transducer facing a second direction coupled to said second source so that said second transducer radiates sound waves representative of said second channel signal,

a first signal modifier intercoupling said first source and said second transducer for providing a modified first channel signal to said second transducer such that said second transducer radiates sound waves that are representative of said first channel signal and that substantially reduce the amplitude of sound waves representative of said first channel signal radiated by said first transducer in said second direction.

26. Multichannel audio reproduction system in accordance with claim 25 wherein said first signal modifier comprises a low pass filter.

27. Multichannel audio reproduction system in accordance with claim 25 wherein said first signal modifier comprises a frequency dependent phase shifter.

43. Multichannel audio reproduction system in accordance with claim 25 and further comprising,

a second signal modifier intercoupling said second source and said first transducer for providing a modified second channel signal to said first transducer such that said first transducer radiates sound waves that are representative of said second channel signal and that substantially reduce the amplitude of sound waves representative of said second channel signal radiated by said second transducer in said first direction.

28. A loudspeaker system comprising,

an audio input for receiving an audio signal;

a housing;

a first transducer mounted in said housing, facing a first direction coupled to said audio input for radiating first sound waves representative of said audio signal;

a second transducer mounted in said housing facing a second direction for radiating second sound waves;

a delay circuit coupling said audio input to said second transducer delaying said audio signal so that said second waves are substantially out of phase with said first sound waves radiated in said second direction to oppose radiation of said first sound waves in said second direction, wherein said housing is adapted to be mounted on an acoustically reflective surface,

wherein an axis of said first transducer intersects an axis of said second transducer at an angle significantly different from 180°

.

29. A loudspeaker system in accordance with claim 28 wherein said acoustically reflective surface is a wall.

30. A loudspeaker system in accordance with claim 28 wherein said housing is adapted to be mounted in a closed-backed cabinet.

31. A loudspeaker system in accordance with claim 28 wherein said first direction is directed laterally to an intended listening position.

32. A loudspeaker system in accordance with claim 28 wherein said second direction is directed toward an intended listening position.

33. Electroacoustical transducing apparatus comprising,

an input for receiving an audio electrical signal,

a first electroacoustical transducer constructed and arranged to radiate first sound waves in a first direction in a first frequency range in response to an audio electrical signal on said input,

a second electroacoustical transducer constructed and arranged to radiate sound energy in a second direction in a second frequency range,

a third electroacoustical transducer constructed and arranged to radiate sound energy in a third direction within said second frequency range,

intercoupling circuitry intercoupling said input with said second transducer and said third transducer constructed and arranged to cause said second transducer and said third transducer to radiate sound energy in said second and third directions in response to an audio electrical signal on said input relatively phased with respect to energy radiated in said second frequency range by said first transducer in said second and third directions in phase opposition therewith to oppose radiation in second and third directions from said first transducer within said second frequency range,

said first frequency range being greater than and embracing said second frequency range.

34. Electroacoustical transducing apparatus in accordance with claim 33 wherein said intercoupling circuitry includes a low pass filter intercoupling said input and said first and third transducers constructed and arranged to selectively transmit spectral components within said second frequency range from said input to said first and third transducers.

35. Electroacoustical transducing apparatus in accordance with claim 33 wherein said intercoupling circuitry includes a delay network constructed and arranged to furnish a delay to spectral components transmitted from said input to said second and third electroacoustical transducers related to the distance between said first electroacoustical transducer and said second and third electroacoustical transducers respectively so that sound energy from said first electroacoustical transducer radiated in said second and third directions arrives at said second and third electroacoustical transducers in phase opposition with respect to energy radiated by said second and third electroacoustical transducers respectively in said second and third directions respectively.

36. Electroacoustical transducing apparatus in accordance with claim 35 wherein said delay network comprises a frequency dependent phase shifter.

37. Electroacoustical transducing apparatus in accordance with claim 33 wherein said first and second directions are in substantial space quadrature.

38. Electroacoustical transducing apparatus in accordance with claim 37 and further comprising a room having walls surrounding a normal listening area,

said electroacoustical transducing apparatus positioned in said room so that said first direction is toward a wall of said room and one of said second and third directions is directed to said normal listening area of said room to create virtual images outside said room so that a listener in said normal listening area perceives a sound image created by said electroacoustical transducing system that extends outside said room.

39. Electroacoustical transducing apparatus in accordance with claim 33 therein said first electroacoustical transducer is characterized by a substantially omnidirectional polar radiation pattern in said second frequency range and said second and third electroacoustical transducers comprise an acoustic dipole to oppose sound energy radiated by said first electroacoustical transducer in said second direction and augment radiation from said first electroacoustical transducer in said first direction.

40. Electroacoustical transducing apparatus comprising,

a first electroacoustical transducer that is an acoustic dipole and characterized by a figure-of-8 radiation pattern having first and second oppositely phased lobes in a first frequency range,

and a second electroacoustical transducer having a substantially omnidirectional radiation pattern in said first frequency range and co-acting with said first electroacoustical transducer for providing cumulative combination with sound energy in one of said lobes and differential combination with sound energy in the other of said lobes.

41. Electroacoustical transducing apparatus in accordance with claim 40 wherein said first electroacoustical transducer comprises a loudspeaker driver having a vibratable diaphragm with a front surface and a back surface,

and a first enclosure supporting said first transducer constructed and arranged to allow radiation from both said front and back surfaces.

42. Electroacoustical transducing apparatus in accordance with claim 41 wherein said second electroacoustical transducer comprises a loudspeaker driver having a vibratable diaphragm and further comprising,

a second enclosure supporting said second electroacoustical transducer constructed and arranged to allow radiation from only one of said front and rear surfaces.

44. A multichannel audio reproduction system comprising,

a plurality of audio signal channels each associated with a corresponding direction of radiation,

a corresponding plurality of electroacoustical transducers each having a maximum of radiation in a corresponding one of said radiation directions coupled to the audio signal channel associated with said direction of radiation,

a corresponding plurality of signal modifiers each coupling a respective audio signal channel to at least one other of said electroacoustical transducers associated with a different direction,

said multichannel audio reproduction system constructed and arranged so that radiation from each of said electroacoustical transducers is opposed by radiation from at least one other of said electroacoustical transducers in all but the maximum radiation direction of each transducer.