How a Speaker Bounces Sound Off the Ceiling for Wider Audio

This patent describes a speaker system with special upward-firing drivers and slots designed to bounce high-frequency sound off a ceiling, creating a wider, more immersive listening experience.

What it covers

The patent describes a speaker for transmitting sound waves that reflect off a ceiling down to a listener. It includes a cabinet with standard direct-firing drivers and a pair of unique upward-firing cone drivers. These upward-firing drivers are placed near the ends of an inclined top surface of the cabinet, specifically at an inclination angle of between 18 to 22 degrees relative to the horizontal axis (claim 1). Sound from these drivers passes through "projection slots" cut into the top surface. These slots are designed to produce a wide sound dispersion pattern perpendicular to the slot and a narrow one along it for high frequencies. The distance between these slots is set to create an "overlapping reflected sound projection" for high frequencies when the sound bounces off the ceiling, making the sound appear wider to a listener.

What it doesn't cover

• —Speakers that only fire sound directly at the listener without using ceiling reflections for overhead effects.
• —Upward-firing speakers where the top surface is not inclined between 18 to 22 degrees relative to the horizontal axis (claim 1).
• —Speakers that do not use specific "projection slots" where the slot length matches the cone driver's diameter (claim 1).
• —Systems where the upward-firing drivers do not create an "overlapping reflected sound projection" for high frequencies at a listening position (claim 1).
• —Speakers that achieve wider sound dispersion through purely electronic means without the described physical driver and slot configuration.

The clever bit

The clever bit is the precise combination of the specific "inclination angle" (18-22 degrees), the unique "projection slots" (matching cone diameter and creating specific dispersion patterns), and their spacing to create an "overlapping reflected sound projection" that achieves wider horizontal dispersion for high-frequency reflected sound, ensuring a consistent and immersive overhead sound effect.

Why it matters

This patent is significant for creating more immersive audio experiences, particularly for home theater systems that aim to replicate the feeling of sound coming from above or all around the listener. It addresses the challenge of making reflected sound feel wide and consistent across a listening area, which is crucial for formats like Dolby Atmos. By precisely controlling the reflected sound, it enhances the realism of overhead audio effects.

Real-world examples

• 1.Dolby Atmos enabled soundbars
• 2.Dolby Atmos enabled home theater speakers
• 3.Immersive audio systems in living rooms