GB2292041A

GB2292041A - Omnidirectional loudspeaker

Info

Publication number: GB2292041A
Application number: GB9515347A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Haqi Ismail Hussain Almossawi
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1994-07-28
Filing date: 1995-07-26
Publication date: 1996-02-07
Also published as: GB9415200D0; GB9515347D0

Abstract

Stereophonic audio signals are replayed through a loudspeaker arrangement comprising a single enclosure having a plurality of drive units situated upon each of its faces. Each face may also be ported. The enclosure may contain signal processing units. The enclosure may be rotatable. The arrangement is said to improve the stereo effect and broaden the "sweet spot". <IMAGE>

Description

THE SWEETSPOT SPEAKER Technical Field This invention relates a Sweetspot Speakers enclosure, and to a method of operating a Sweetspot Speakers system.

Background It is important to understand how the characteristics of the present invented apparatus method relates to the existing speakers and their enclosures. Almost all speakers enclosures, in use, comprise of single components unidirectional speakers.

Such speakers are referred to as Woofer, Midrange or Tweeter, and featured as 1. they use well proven passive technology 2. they cover, in parts, the sound range of 20Hz to 20kHz 3. they are unidirectional and used in an array 4. the complexity of sound transmission requires the use of 2units of speakers enclosure (Left and Right) for each of the Front and Rear (surround), i. e. 4-speakers enclosures ; and the conventional principle of sound transmission needs sound transmission from 2 or 4 directions towards a central location, the Sweetspot, in which the sound is heard and/or read.

To obtain the Sweetspot effect from the conventional speakers enclosures,the listener has to be placed in a location between the Left and Right speakers enclosures, changing the location will change the sound effect.

Therefore, the SweetsDot is defined as a location, wherein the stereo effect of sounds is greatest, or the listener hears the same sound effects from the Left and/or Right ear.

The present invention seeks to improve the conventional methods and apparatus.The Sweetspot Speaker is a 3D apparatus method,to provide the Sweetspot effect of sound from one unit of speakers enclosure. The nub of this technique is to use a principle of sound transmission from a central point, Sweetspot, in all directions in which the sound spectra may be heard and/or read.

If this is difficult to imagine, the reader may experiment with the vision using the two eyes, locate an object then the reader may look at the identified object from the Left, Right and/or both eyes and compare the differences; to enable the reader to do the similar things with hearing sound effects.

If two eyes can identify a 3D object,then two ears MUST be able to identify ONE stereo,or 3D, source of sound; Two or Four mono sources for the stereo, or 3D, sounds may not represent the 3D sound effects of the Sweetspot. Therefore,the present apparatus method provides a Sweetspot of sound transmissions, while the conventional speakers and their enclosures provide a boundary conditioned of sound receiving method of a Sweetspot.

Essential Technical Features According to the present invention a Sweetspot Speaker provides a symmetrical operable arrangement of speakers enclosure, comprising a preferred elastic shape, containing an interior space proportional to the speakers dimensions or power.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a symmetrical speakers enclosure comprising axial faces provided with speakers operable arrangement and ventilation means.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a symmetrical speakers enclosure providing operable arrangement means for physical processing of sound pressure proportional to the enclosure volume and speakers power.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a symmetrical speakers enclosure providing operable arrangement means, comprising axial faces provided with, or attached to, one or more speaker means which cover the required sounds.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a symmetrical speakers enclosure comprising axial speakers connected in parallel or serial form provided with electrical components or multiple axes electrical, 2- or 3-way, crossover network(s).

According to another aspect of the present invention, a symmetrical speakers enclosure comprising one or more axial speaker provided with parallel and/or serial connections, wherein the axial arrangements may be identical for more than one axis and/or axial face.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a symmetrical speakers enclosure comprising one or more axial speaker arranged in an even number per each axis, providing a required impedance in a triplicate system for three identical axes.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a symmetrical speakers enclosure comprising one or more axial speaker in which at least one axis (+ve and -ve) may comprise of the surround (Left and Right) effect of sound.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a sweetspot operable arrangement may comprise of rotational sound means, the rotational means may include mechanical rotation of the speakers enclosure, electromechanical rotation of the signals supply and/or digital electronic rotational means of signals supply. The operable arrangement may include electromechanical rotary switch provided with mechanical brushes and electrical motor fed from a signal supply or other means as proportional function to the sound intensity and frequency.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, a method of operating Sweetspot Speaker provides sound transmission from a central spot, Sweetspot, in all directions in which the sound may be heard and/or read; and a principal sound transmission from one unit source of speakers enclosure, which may have axial or spherical sound transmission similar to the light transmitted from a bulb.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, a method of operating Sweetspot Speaker comprising a preferred symmetrical elastic shape provided with axial faces comprising an interior space proportional to the dimensions and/or power of the speakers; providing physical processing means of sound pressure proportional to the enclosures volume and speakers power; axial faces provided with, or attached to, one or more speakers to cover the required audible sounds; axial speakers connected in parallel or serial form provided with electrical components or multiple axes of electrical, two or three way, crossover networks; axial arrangements which may be identical for more than one axis and/or axial face, at least one axis (+ve and -ve) may comprise of the Rear effect of sound; and the rotational sound means which may include an electromechanical rotation of signals supply.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, a method of operating a Sweetspot Speakers may comprise of sound processing means embedded inside the enclosures structure.

The output mode produced by the sound output means may be arranged to be audible sounds. The output means may include means to filter the noises and infrasounds. The output sound means may include means to increase the signal to noise ratio.

The audible output means may include sound regulation means.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, a method of operating Sweetspot Speaker including 3-axial sound means (+ve and -ve), providing the sound effects of the Left and Right signal supply.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, a method of operating a Sweetspot Speaker provides a code of listening for health and safety with the minimisation or prevention of the risk of injury from unbalanced air pressures.

According to a yet further aspect of the present invention there is provided apparatus substantially as herein described when used in a method substantially as herein described.

Example Specific embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the diagrammatic drawings in which Figure 1. shows a schematic 3D view of the Sweetspot Speaker, (1 is the solid frame of a cubic enclosure, 2 the ventilation hole for sound pressure from speaker 5 which may be placed to fit the hole 2, 3 the optional processor hole; 4 is the axial face of enclosure 1, 6 the enclosures interior; 7 a preferred set of the enclosures polarity;ll and 8 are the +ve terminals for the Left (11) and Right (8) side of the signals input, 10 and 9 are the -ve terminals for the Front and Rear channels).

Figure 2. shows a schematic 3D view of an electromechanical rotary switch, (21 is the rotary disc, 22 and 23 the upper contact spring and disc, 24 and 25 the rotations centre and axis, 26 the opposite fixed disc, 27 the lower contact spring, 28 the motor, 29 the motors polarity, 30 the rotary contact points with an optional resistant disc(s) along points 8-11).

The contact between points 10, 8 and/or 11 is maintained when disc 21 is superimposed on top of the disc 26, then spring 27 contacts disc 23 and thereby spring 22 contacts multiple redistant disc 30 between points 8 and 11 to form the required change in signals voltage and direction when the disc 21 rotates by the motor 28 around the axial centre 24.

Figure 3. shows an electrical circuitry of one axis of the speakers enclosure, (31,32,33 are the Tweeter, Midrange and Woofer speakers 5; 34-35 the Capacitor and coil inductor; X +ve and -ve are the two opposite directions along X-axis; 36 the power amplifier). The axial representation suggests, for example, the connection of the +ve polarities of each of the +ve and -ve X- and Y-axis to the terminal points 11 and 8 respectively; their -ve terminals may be connected to terminal point 10. On the other hand, the Z-axis,or any one axis, may connect its negative polarities to terminal point 9 or 10, while the +ve polarities of the +ve and -ve Z-axis may be connected to terminal points 11 and 8, in either way.

According to one embodiment, a Sweetspot Speaker may suggest a cubic embodiment (1) for this enclosure as shown in figure 1, to enable axis components to be triplicated for three axes.

Each axial face is provided with, or attached to, one or more speakers (5) which covers the required audible frequency range.

Also,each axial face (4) may comprise of ventilation holes (2) and an optional integrated opening holes (3) for processing sound pressure proportional to the enclosure volume and/or speakers power.

According to another embodiment, other symmetrical enclosures may be used instead of a cubical enclosure. Each axial face, 4 fig.1, may comprise of one or more speaker unit which may provide the required sound. Any one axis may comprise of an even number of speakers, having the related electrical connections to achieve the required impedance.

The interior space (6, fig.l) of the speakers enclosure comprises of proportional volume as a function of the size and power of the enclosed speakers. The ventilation holes (2, fig.1) have symmetrical sizes and distribution, proportional to the speakers size and power, to fit the speaker on top, and to transmit the processed sound from the speakers rear.

The optional embedded holes (3,fig.1) inside each axial face 4 of the speakers enclosure are designed to further process the sound from the speakers rear, and to exit the output sound from the axial face. Each of the three +ve and -ve axes provides the sound effect of the Left and Right input signals.

The Sweetspot Speaker may comprise of variety of speakers arranged along symmetrical axes, proportional to the speakers dimensions and power. The axial speakers, fig.3, of any one axis may be connected in parallel or serial form with their electrical components (34, 35) or multiple axes electrical, two or three way, crossover network in a proportional method to their distribution, to achieve an impedance equivalent to that of the power amplifier (36, fig.3).

At least one axis may comprise of Rear speakers,e.g. Z-axs.

For example, a symmetrical arrangement of X-axis (fig.3) requires a Tweeter 31, Midrange 32 and Woofer 33 speakers 5 to cover the required frequencies along the +ve and -ve sides of the X-axis. A twin, of 3-way, crossover network may be used to cover two faces of one axis wherein the total impedance may be chosen to be equivalent to that of the power amplifier (6, fig.3). Then, the identical arrangement may be triplicated to cover a symmetrical 3-axes arrangement. Also, the axial representation and their terminals (7 fig.1, fig.3) provide a method of terminals connection with the power amplifier.

The Sweetspot operable arrangement may comprise of rotational means of sound to enable the movement of the surround effect, the rotational means may include mechanical rotation of the enclosure (less practical),electromechanical rotation of the signals supply and/or digital electronic (favourable option) means of speakers signal rotation.

A rotational mean may comprise of a base motor which rotates the speakers enclosure along one of its axis, e.g. diagonal axis. The rotational means may comprise of electromechanical rotational switches (fig.2), provided with electrical brushes 22 and 27. The electromechanical means may provide a feedback motor (28) which may be fed (29) from a voltage supply taken in a parallel or serial form from the feedback sound signals or other means. An a.c. to d.c. signal converter may be placed in between the feedback signals and the motor 28 terminals 29.

The feed back signal may be supplied from the Left, Right or Rear signals, i.e. 8-11. The sound rotation means may have a proportional function with the sound intensity and frequency.

However, the signal rotational means may be placed in between the amplifier and the speakers enclosure.

The internal electrical design of the speakers enclosure may comprise of interpreting input signals and output responsive signals from an indicator means,to increase the induced signal to noise ratio, filter unwanted signals, separate any feedback signal from the induced signals, which indicator is arranged to provide an indication of a change in fluctuating input electronic signals for activating of said Sweetspot Speaker to initiate the performance of the Sweetspot.

The Sweetspot Speaker may be provided with four terminal connection points (7, fig.l). Two Red (+ve, 8 and 11) for the Left 11 and Right 8 side, and two Black (-ve, 9 and 10) points. The (-ve, 10) is a common connection, and the Rear (-ve, 9) terminal point has an optional feature, i.e. may be used as 9 or 10.

The following table refers to the polarity of the terminal connection points 7, fig.1. For example, 8-11 are the connection points between the Sweetspot speaker and the power amplifier. The electrical terminal is indicated by the +ve or -ve sign. The combination of two connection points, e.g.

10 and 11, provides the mono sound. On the other hand, the nil indicates that the related connections may be avoided e. . -ve, 10 . -ve, 9 . +ve, 11 . +ve, 8 g. . Front . Rear . Left . Right Front . -ve . nil . mono . mono -ve, 10 Rear . nil . -ve ? . mono . mono -ve, 9 Left . mono . mono . +ve . nil +ve, 11 Right . mono . mono . nil . +ve +ve, 8 It may be preferred to connect the inner two Black terminals (-ve, 9 and 10) with the Front and Rear (Surround) negative terminals (-ve) of the power amplifier. The outer two Red terminal (+ve, 8 and 11) points may be connected to the two Front (Left and Right) positive (+ve) terminals of the power amplifier, in either way.The operator MUST make sure that the Surround channels of the power amplifier are switched ON to achieve the maximum effect.

Terminals (+ve, 8 and -ve, 10) and (+ve, 11 and -ve, 10) may be connected to the related polarities of the Right and Left terminals of the power amplifier, to provide a different sound effect of the Sweetspot.

The operator may join terminals (7, fig.1), using 2" single cable, in parallel or serial connections to obtain the required impedance. Then the final connection points may be connected to the Right side, of the Front channel, of the power amplifier. A similar steps may be followed to connect another Sweetspot Speaker to the Left side of the Front channel of the power amplifier, to provide another sound effect.

The Sweetspot Speaker may be provided with the suspension and/ or stand means, which means may be provided with an internal chain, wire rope grip, and connection points; to suspend the Sweetspot Speaker and provide a permanent and safe position.

The suspension and/or mobile means depends on the enclosure size or nominal power.

The present invented apparatus and method is designed to provide an equal sound effects around the Sweetspot, or provide the listener or reader with the same sound effects from the Left andior Right receiving side. Therefore, the transmission of a Sweetspot sound provides a code of listening for health and safety with the minimisation or prevention of te risk cf injury and psychological effects from unbalanced air pressures.

Claims

1. A Speakers operable arrangement arranged, in use, to provide the Sweetspot effect of sound; comprising a speakers enclosure, electromagnetic components along a symmetrical 3D axes; providing a proportional dimensions of speakers enclosure; including means for sound transmission, means for applying sound processing, means responsive to characterise of said Sweetspot Speaker; and operative when so activated by fluctuating input electronic signals for activating and thereby initiate the performance of the Sweetspot.

2. A Sweetspot Speaker providing the Sweetspot effect of sound, at a code of listening for health and safety with the minimisation or prevention of the risk of injury and the psychological effects from unbalanced sound pressures.

3. A speakers operable arrangement as claimed in Claims 1 and 2, wherein said the Sweetspot Speaker providing a symmetrical speakers enclosure comprising a preferred symmetrical elastic shape, e.g. cube.

4. A speakers operable arrangement as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, wherein said the Sweetspot Speaker providing a symmetrical interior space proportional to the dimensions and/or power of the sound production means.

5. A speakers operable arrangement as claimed in Claim 3 and 4, wherein said the Sweetspot Speaker comprising axial faces provided with ventilation and/or sound processing means.

6. A speakers operable arrangement as claimed in Claim 5, wherein said the Sweetspot Speaker comprising means for physical processing of sound pressure proportional to the enclosure volume and speakers power.

7. A speakers operable arrangement as claimed in any preceding Claim, wherein said the Sweetspot Speaker comprising axial faces provided with, or attached to, one or more of sound production means, e.g. speakers.

8. A speakers operable arrangement as claimed in any preceding Claim, wherein said the Sweetspot Speaker comprising one or more axial speaker means, in an even number per each axis, and providing the required impedance.

9. A speakers operable arrangement as claimed in any preceding Claim, wherein said the Sweetspot Speaker comprising axial speaker means connected in parallel or serial form provided with electrical components and/or multiple axes electrical, two or three way, crossover network(s).

10. A speakers operable arrangement as claimed in any preceding Claim, wherein said the Sweetspot Speaker comprising one or more axial speaker means in a symmetrical axial system, to enable axis components to be triplicated for three axes, in which at least one axis comprising the surround sound effect.

11. A speakers operable arrangement as claimed in any preceding Claim, wherein said the Sweetspot Speaker comprising rotational sound means provided with electromechanical and/or digital electronic rotational means of signals supply.

12. A speakers operable arrangement as claimed in any preceding Claim, wherein said the Sweetspot Speaker comprising electromechanical signal rotational means including a rotary switch pi-ovided with mechanical brushes and electrical motor fed from the signal supply or other means as a proportional function of the intensity and frequency of transmitted sounds.

13. A speakers operable arrangement as claimed in any preceding Claim,wherein said the Sweetspot Speaker comprising suspension and/or mobile operable means.

14. A method of operating a Sweetspot Speaker providing axial or spherical sound transmission of Sweets pot from a speakers enclosure in all directions.

15. A method of operating Sweetspot Speaker, as claimed in Claim 14, comprising a symmetrical elastic shape provided with axial faces1 an interior space and physical processing means of sound pressure proportional to the enclosures volume and speakers power, axial faces attached to one or more speaker, axial speakers and electrical components with the required impedance, axial arrangements which may be identical for more than one axis or axial face and at least one axis comprises of the surround effect, and rotational sound means which may include electromechanical rotation of signals supply.

16. A method of operating a Sweetspot Speakers, as claimed in Claims 14 and 15, comprising sound processing and ventilation means embedded inside speakers enclosure in which the output mode produced by the sound input means arranged to be audible sounds, to filter noises and infrasounds and increase the signal to noise ratio, provided with regulation means.

17. A method of operating Sweetspot Speaker as claimed in any preceding Claim, comprising an interpreting input signals and output responsive signals from an indicator means, which indicator is arranged to provide an indication of a change in fluctuating input electronic signals for activating of said Sweetspot Speaker to thereby initiate the performance of a Sweetspot.

18. A method of operating a Sweetspot Speaker as claimed in any preceding Claim, providing a code of listening for health and safety.

19. Apparatus method providing a Sweetspot of sound transmission as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 13 when used in a method as claimed in any of Claims 14 to 18.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows 1. A Speakers' operable arrangement arranged, in use, to provide the Sweetspot effect of stereo sound emission, from one unit source of speakers' enclosure, in all directions; enabling the listener to receive the stereo effects of sound in all locations around the operable arrangement; characterised the rotational sounds as a function of the the sound's intensity and spectra.

2. A Speakers' operable arrangement arranged, in use, to provide the Sweetspot effect of stereo sound emission, at a code of listening for health and safety with the minimisation or prevention of the risk of injury and the psychological effects from unbalanced sound pressures.

3. A speakers' operable arrangement as claimed in Claims 1 or 2, wherein said the Sweetspot speakers' enclosure provides the Sweetspot effect of sound; comprising a speakers' enclosure, electromagnetic components along a symmetrical 3D axes; providing a proportional dimensions of speakers enclosure; including means for sound transmission, means for applying sound processing, means responsive to characterise of said Sweetspot Speaker; and operative when so activated by fluctuating input electronic signals for activating and thereby initiate the performance of the Sweetspot.

4. A speakers' operable arrangement as claimed in Claims 1-3, wherein said the Sweetspot Speaker providing a symmetrical speakers' enclosure comprising a preferred symmetrical elastic shape, e.g. cube.

5. A speakers' operable arrangement as claimed in Claim 1-4, wherein said the Sweetspot Speaker providing a symmetrical interior space proportional to the dimensions and/or power of the sound production means.

6. A speakers' operable arrangement as claimed in Claims 35, wherein said the Sweetspot Speaker comprising axial faces provided with ventilation and/or sound processing means.

7. A speakers' operable arrangement as claimed in Claim 6, wherein said the Sweetspot Speaker comprising means for physical processing of sound pressure proportional to the enclosure volume and speakers power.

8. A speakers' operable arrangement as claimed in any preceding Claim, wherein said the Sweetspot Speaker comprising axial faces provided with, or attached to, one or more of sound production means, e.g. speakers, enabling stereo sound emission from each axial face.

9. A speakers' operable arrangement as claimed in any preceding Claim, wherein said the Sweetspot Speaker comprising one or more axial speaker means, in an even number per each axis, and providing the required impedance.

10. A speakers' operable arrangement as claimed in any preceding Claim, wherein said the Sweetspot Speaker comprising axial speaker means connected in parallel or serial form provided with electrical components and/or multiple axes electrical, two or three way, crossover network(s).

11. A speakers' operable arrangement as claimed in any preceding Claim, wherein said the Sweetspot Speaker comprising one or more axial speaker means in a symmetrical axial system, to enable axis components to be triplicated for 3 axes, in which at least one axis comprising the surround sound effect.

12. A speakers' operable arrangement as claimed in any preceding Claim, wherein said the Sweetspot Speaker comprising rotational sound means provided with electromechanical and/ or digital electronic rotational means of signals supply.

13. A speakers' operable arrangement as claimed in any preceding Claim, wherein said the Sweetspot Speaker comprising electromechanical signal rotational means including a rotary switch provided with mechanical brushes and electrical motor fed from the signal supply or other means as a proportional function of the intensity and frequency of transmitted sounds.

14. A speakers' operable arrangement as claimed in any preceding Claim, wherein said the Sweetspot Speaker comprising suspension and/or mobile operable means.

15. A method of operating a Sweetspot Speaker providing the Sweetspot effect of stereo sound emission from one unit source of speakers' enclosure, in all directions; enabling the listener to receive the stereo effects of sound in all locations around the operable arrangement; characterised the rotational sounds as a function of the the sound's intensity and spectra.

16. A method of operating a Sweetspot Speaker providing axial or spherical sound transmission of Sweetspot from a speakers' enclosure in all directions.

17. A method of operating Sweetspot Speaker, as claimed in Claim 15-16, comprising a symmetrical elastic shape provided with axial faces, an interior space and physical processing means of sound pressure proportional to the enclosures volume and speakers power, axial faces attached to one or more speaker, axial speakers and electrical components with the required impedance, axial arrangements which may be identical for more than one axis or axial face and at least one axis comprises of the surround effect, and rotational sound means.

18. A method of operating a Sweetspot Speaker, as claimed in Claims 15-17, comprising sound processing and ventilation means embedded inside the speakers' enclosure, in which the output mode produced by the sound input means arranged to be audible sounds, to filter noises and infrasounds and increase the signal to noise ratio, provided with regulation means.

19. A method of operating Sweetspot Speaker as claimed in any preceding Claim, comprising an interpreting input signals and output responsive signals from an indicator means, which indicator is arranged to provide an indication of a change in fluctuating input electronic signals for activating of said Sweetspot Speaker to thereby initiate the performance of a Sweetspot.

20. A method of operating a Sweetspot Speaker as claimed in any preceding Claim, providing a code of listening for health and safety.

21. Apparatus method providing a Sweetspot of sound transmission as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 14 when used in a method as claimed in any of Claims 15 to 20.