Abstract:
An audio array for receiving or generating audio signals. The audio array includes first, second and third audio elements and first second and third structures. Each of the first second and third structures are right triangles. The first second and third audio elements are each secured to a respective one of the first, second and third structures and the first, second and third structures are positioned to extend at a substantially 90° angle to each other. The first second and third audio elements are positioned in a substantially central location of the first second and third structures. The first second and third audio elements are all either speakers or microphones. The first, second and third structures are all retained within a comprising a housing.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to microphones and loudspeakers and, more specifically, to a speaker/microphone array able to provide a uniform response, maintaining a constant Q with rising frequencies and microphone elements arranged in an annular 90°—90°—90° prismatic array to give a substantially 9 dB forward gain without lobing or frequency drop offs within the 90°—90°—90° pattern. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     Numerous types of loudspeakers and microphones have been provided in the prior art. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,165,587; 4,618,025; 4,635,748; 4,714,133; 5,123,500; 5,324,896; 5,502,772 and 5,514,841 all are illustrative of such prior art. While these units may be suitable for the particular purpose to which they address, they would not be as suitable for the purposes of the present invention as heretofore described. 
     This invention relates generally to audio reproduction techniques, and more specifically to an integrated, multiple speaker acoustic system whose enclosed units smoothly cover complementary frequency ranges without cross interference therebetween. 
     In an acoustical speaker having a movable diaphragm responsive over a range of frequencies, an air duct having a cross-sectional area less than that of the diaphragm substantially surrounding the diaphragm and in communication with one side thereof for acoustically isolating the diaphragm, dampening low-frequency ringing and acoustically loading the diaphragm for extending the frequency range to lower frequencies to enhance the performance of the speaker with small speaker enclosures. One embodiment provides for similar ducting for passive radiator diaphragms. 
     A speaker cabinet of the type used in stereo systems. A horizontal wall partitions the interior of the cabinet into an upper portion within which is positioned a full range speaker member, and a lower portion within which is positioned a low range speaker member. A pair of laterally spaced ports are formed in the partition wall to allow sound emanating from the low range speakers is spaced apart therefrom, in non-attached relation thereto to define a space between the full range speaker and the horn. Sound from the low range speaker and from the full range speaker enters into the space between the full range speaker and the horn and mixes so that the sound emanating from the horn is a full-bodied sound characterized by minimal distortion and substantial absence of unpleasant sounds of the type associated with speakers of the prior art. 
     The invention presents a method for improving overall efficiency and quality in sound reproduction systems by providing a system which establishes positive phase control over the many and varied resonant characteristics encountered in the reproduction and presentation of audio energy. The apparatus embodying the present method primarily consists of speaker structures within which drivers such as conventional cone drivers are acoustically coupled to both air and to the materials from which the enclosure of the speaker structure is formed by optimizing existing atmospheric pressure differentials and induced audio vibration readily available within these structures. The coupling is obtained through the use of acoustical resonator structure placed within a speaker enclosure and through particular distribution of mass in the enclosure and in the materials. 
     A loudspeaker enclosure is formed generally in the shape of a tetrahedron, having a triangular bottom panel and three upstanding triangular side panels. In a first embodiment, the lower edges of the three side panels are connected to the three edges of the bottom panel, and the upstanding edges of the side panels are connected together. One or more speakers are mounted in respective apertures formed through the front side panel of the enclosure such that the sound waves generated thereby are directed forwardly therefrom. Another speaker is supported within the enclosure facing generally downwardly, but is angled toward the front side panel of the enclosure. The sound waves generated by the downwardly facing speaker are emitted through an opening formed through the lower end of the front side panel. In a second embodiment, the side panels of the enclosure are connected together as above, but are supported above the bottom panel of the enclosure by a plurality of legs so as to define an open space extending about the bottom panel. The downwardly facing speaker faces directly downwardly toward the bottom panel, and the sound waves generated thereby are emitted through the open space around the enclosure. 
     An audio loudspeaker system is provided which consists of an enclosure having a front wall, a rear wall with a plurality of circular openings, a pair of side walls, a top wall and a bottom wall. A plurality of loudspeaker components are supported on the front wall of the enclosure for radiating sound energy therethrough and having varying frequency ranges. A plurality of tubular ducts are supported in the circular openings in the rear wall and extend inwardly into the enclosure to exhibit a tuned acoustic frequency to the loudspeaker components having the lowers frequency ranges. 
     A multi-dimentional speaker system having a specifically configured arrangement comprising, tweeters, mid-range, sub-woofer, woofer, air baffles and spacers to enhance sound reproduction. 
     The present invention relates to a reflex compression valve-divided chamber speaker cabinet which improves acoustic frequencies emanating from the speaker cabinet by specially designed and positioned ports located frontally and rearwardly within the speaker cabinet. The speaker cabinet greatly reduces reverb or lag caused by uncontrolled reflecting air within a standard baffle chamber resulting from the speaker cabinet design and electrical passive crossover network. 
     SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to microphones and loudspeakers and, more specifically, to a speaker microphone array able to provide a uniform response, maintaining a constant Q with rising frequencies and microphone elements arranged to give a similar response throughout the 90°—90°—90° pattern. 
     A primary object of the present invention is to provide an audio speaker/microphone array that will overcome the shortcomings of prior art devices, e.g. rising Q with frequency and varying frequency response with angle. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide an audio speaker/microphone array which is able to provide a uniform response with increasing audio signal frequencies. 
     A further object of the present invention is to provide an audio speaker/microphone array which is able to eliminate lobing and beaming of frequencies. 
     A yet further object of the present invention is to provide an audio each other. 
     A still further object of the present invention is to provide an audio speaker/microphone array including three speakers or microphones in a 90°—90°—90° array provide same frequency response at all points within the radiation reception pattern of the cluster. 
     A further object of the present invention is to provide an audio speaker/microphone array wherein the relationship between the speakers/microphone elements minimizes the directional effects of the speakers/microphone elements at a wide range of frequencies. 
     An even further object of the present invention is to provide an audio speaker/microphone array wherein the clustering of the microphone elements in a 90°—90°—90° array provides a Q of  8 . 
     A yet further object of the present invention is to provide an audio speaker/microphone array wherein the clustering of the microphone elements are in a prismatic array such as in a transmitter or receiver antenna. 
     A still further object of the present invention is to provide an audio speaker/microphone array wherein the microphone clustering provides a 9 dB forward gain over a single microphone with no lobing or frequency drop offs within the 90°—90°—90° reception pattern. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide an audio speaker/microphone array that is simple and easy to use. 
     A still further object of the present invention is to provide an audio speaker/microphone array that is economical in cost to manufacture. 
     Additional objects of the present invention will appear as the description proceeds. 
     An audio array for receiving or generating audio signals is disclosed by the present invention. The audio array includes first, second and third audio elements and first second and third structures. Each of the first second and third structures are right triangles. The first second and third audio elements are each secured to a respective one of the first, second and third structures and the first, second and third structures are positioned to extend at a substantially 90° angle to each other. The first second and third audio elements are positioned in a substantially central location of the first second and third structures. The first second and third audio elements are all either speakers or microphones. The first, second and third structures are all retained within a comprising a housing. 
    
    
     To the accomplishment of the above and related objects, this invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings, attention being called to the fact, however, that the drawings are illustrative only, and that changes may be made in the specific construction illustrated and described within the scope of the appended claims. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES 
     Various other objects, features and attendant advantages of the present invention will become more fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views. 
     FIG. 1 is a front view of the audio speaker/microphone array of the present invention contained within a speaker cabinet; 
     FIG. 2 is side perspective view of the audio speaker/microphone array of the present invention outside of the speaker cabinet; 
     FIG. 3 is a back view of the audio speaker/microphone array of the present invention showing all three speakers of the array; 
     FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the audio speaker/microphone array of the present invention taken along the line  4 — 4  of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the audio speaker/microphone array of the present invention taken along the line  5 — 5  of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the audio speaker/microphone array of the present invention taken along the line  6 — 6  of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 7 is a top side view of the audio speaker/microphone array of the present invention used in a microphone showing the position of microphone elements; and 
     FIG. 8 is a side perspective view of a microphone including the audio speaker/microphone array of the present invention. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE REFERENCED NUMERALS 
     Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views, the Figures illustrate the audio speaker/microphone array of the present invention. With regard to the reference numerals used, the following numbering is used throughout the various drawing figures. 
       10  audio speaker array of the present invention 
       12  speaker cabinet housing audio speaker/microphone array 
       14  first speaker of audio speaker/microphone array 
       16  second speaker of audio speaker/microphone array 
       18  third speaker of audio speaker/microphone array 
       20  structure for maintaining first speaker in position 
       22  structure for maintaining second speaker in position 
       24  structure for maintaining third speaker in position 
       26  right angle between structures for second and third speakers 
       28  right angle between structures for first and third speakers 
       30  right angle between structures for first and second speakers 
       32  point at which first, second and third structures meet 
       33  right angle of the first structure 
       34  open side of the cabinet 
       35  right angle of the second structure 
       36  cover 
       37  right angle of the third structure 
       38  retaining clips 
       40  front side of speaker cabinet 
       50  microphone array of the present invention 
       52  microphone 
       54  first microphone element 
       56  second microphone element 
       58  third microphone element 
       60  first structure 
       62  second structure 
       64  third structure 
       66  common point between the first, second and third structures 
       68  open side of the microphone 
       70  90° angle between adjacent structures in microphone 
       72  wire leading from microphone elements 
       74  adapter for connecting microphone elements to an amplifier 
       76  stand for microphone 
       78  handle for microphone 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views, FIGS. 1 through 6 illustrate the audio speaker array of the present invention indicated generally by the numeral  10 . FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate the array of the present invention is illustrated with audio microphones indicated generally by the numeral  50 . 
     The audio speaker array  10  is illustrated in FIG. 1 within a speaker cabinet  12 . The audio speaker array  10  includes a first speaker element  14 , a second speaker element  16  and a third speaker element  18 . The first speaker element  14  is maintained in position within the speaker cabinet  12  by a first structure  20 . The second speaker element  16  is maintained in position within the speaker cabinet  12  by a second structure  22 . The third speaker element  18  is maintained in position within the speaker cabinet  12  by a third structure  24 . The first, second and third structures  20 ,  22  and  24 , respectively, are preferably triangular in shape and even more preferably right triangles. 
     A first leg of the first structure  20  is positioned adjacent and in mating relation with a first leg of the second structure  22 . The first and second structures  20  and  22  preferably extend perpendicular to each other. A second leg of the first structure  20  is positioned adjacent and in mating relation with a first leg of the third structure  24 . The first and third structures  20  and  24  also preferably extend perpendicular to each other. A second leg of the second structure  22  is positioned adjacent and in mating relation with a second leg of the third structure  24 . The second and third structures  22  and  24  also preferably extend perpendicular to each other. The first, second and third structures  20 ,  22  and  24  have a prismatic relationship whereby each structure extends along a respective one of the x, y and z planes. The first, second and third structures  20 ,  22  and  24  all meet at a common point  32  forming three sides of a pyramid. The common point is at the right angle of each of the first, second and third structures  20 ,  22  and  24 . The first, second and third structures  20 ,  22  and  24  are positioned within the speaker cabinet  12  facing an open side  34  of the cabinet  12 . A cover  36  is positioned over the open side  34  of the cabinet  12 . The cover  36  is releasably connected to the cabinet  12  by retaining clips  38 . 
     A right side view of the speaker array  10  is illustrated in FIG.  2 . From this view, the first speaker element  14  is shown centrally positioned in the first structure  20 . Positioned at a 90° angle to the first structure  20  is the third structure  24  and the third speaker element  18  extends from the third structure  18  on a side opposite the first structure  20 . The right angle  33  of the first structure  20  is positioned to contact the right angle of the third structure  24  at the meeting point  32 . 
     A front view of the speaker array  10  is shown in FIG.  3 . As can be seen from this figure, the right angle  33  of the first structure  20 , the right angle  35  of the second structure  22  and the right angle  37  of the third structure  24  all meet at the point  32 . The first leg of the first structure  20  is positioned adjacent and in mating relation with the first leg of the second structure  22 . The first and second structures  20  and  22  preferably extend perpendicular to each other. The second leg of the first structure  20  is positioned adjacent and in mating relation with the first leg of the third structure  24 . The first and third structures  20  and  24  also preferably extend perpendicular to each other. The second leg of the second structure  22  is positioned adjacent and in mating relation with the second leg of the third structure  24 . The second and third structures  22  and  24  also preferably extend perpendicular to each other. The first, second and third structures  20 ,  22  and  24  have a prismatic relationship. The first speaker element  14  is substantially centrally positioned in the first structure  20 . The second speaker element  16  is substantially centrally positioned in the second structure  22 . The third speaker element  18  is substantially centrally positioned in the third structure  24 . 
     A cross-sectional view of the speaker array  10  taken along the connection between the first and second structures  20  and  22  and facing the second structure  22  is illustrated in FIG.  4 . As can be seen the second and third structures  22  and  24  form a right angle  26  therebetween. The hypotenuse of the second and third structures  22  and  24  are positioned against a front side  40  of the speaker cabinet  12  and the structures extend back from the front side  40  into the speaker cabinet  12 . The second speaker element  16  is shown substantially positioned on the second structure  22 . 
     A cross-sectional view of the speaker array  10  taken along the connection between the first and second structures  20  and  22  and facing the first structure  20  is illustrated in FIG.  5 . As can be seen the first and third structures  20  and  24  form a right angle  28  therebetween. The hypotenuse of the first and third structures  20  and  24  are positioned against the front side  40  of the speaker cabinet  12  and the structures extend back from the front side  40  into the speaker cabinet  12 . The first speaker element  14  is shown substantially positioned on the first structure  20 . 
     A top view of the speaker array  10  with a top side of the cabinet  12  removed is illustrated in FIG.  6 . As can be seen from this figure, the first and second structures  20  and  22  form a right angle  30  therebetween. The hypotenuse of the first and second structures  20  and  22  are positioned against the front side  40  of the speaker cabinet  12  and the structures extend back from the front side  40  into the speaker cabinet  12 . 
     The present invention is illustrated as a microphone array  50  in FIG. 7. A front view of the microphone  52  is shown with the microphone array  50  positioned substantially centrally therein. As can be seen, the audio microphone array  50  includes a first microphone element  54 , a second microphone element  56  and a third microphone element  58 . The first microphone element  54  is maintained in position within the microphone  52  by a first structure  60 . The second microphone element  56  is maintained in position within the microphone  52  by a second structure  62 . The third microphone element  58  is maintained in position within the microphone  52  by a third structure  64 . The first, second and third structures  60 ,  62  and  64 , respectively, are preferably triangular in shape and even more preferably right triangles. 
     A first leg of the first structure  60  is positioned adjacent and in mating relation with a first leg of the second structure  62 . The first and second structures  60  and  62  preferably extend perpendicular to each other. A second leg of the first structure  60  is positioned adjacent and in mating relation with a first leg of the third structure  64 . The first and third structures  60  and  64  also preferably extend perpendicular to each other. A second leg of the second structure  62  is positioned adjacent and in mating relation with a second leg of the third structure  64 . The second and third structures  62  and  64  also preferably extend perpendicular to each other. The first, second and third structures  60 ,  62  and  64  have a prismatic relationship whereby each structure extends along a respective one of the x, y and z planes. The first, second and third structures  60 ,  62  and  64  all meet at a common point  66  forming three sides of a pyramid. The common point is at the right angle of each of the first, second and third structures  50 ,  62  and  64 . The first, second and third structures  60 ,  62  and  64  are positioned within the microphone  52  facing an open side  68  of the microphone  52 . 
     A microphone  52  is illustrated in FIG. 8 including the microphone array  50  of the present invention. As can be seen from the figure, the microphone array  50  is positioned in the microphone at a substantially central location. The 90° angle between the structures is indicated by the numeral  70 . Extending from each of the microphone elements is a wire  72  for connection to an amplifier through an adapter  74 . A handle  78  extends from a bottom side of the microphone  52  and the wires extend therethrough. The microphone  52  is maintained in position by a stand  76  which releasably grasps the handle  78 . 
     The audio array  10 ,  50  of the present invention works as does any conventional speaker or microphone, the results are improved due to the arrangement of the speaker and microphone elements. The arrangement of the speaker or microphone elements in the 90°—90°—90° array provides a uniform response with increasing frequencies and eliminates lobing and beaming of frequencies. 
     From the above description it can be seen that the audio speaker/microphone array of the present invention is able to overcome the shortcomings of prior art devices by providing an audio speaker/microphone array which is able to provide a uniform response with increasing audio signal frequencies and eliminate lobing and beaming of frequencies. The audio speaker/microphone array includes speakers or microphones which form the array arranged at 90° to each other thereby providing the same frequency response at all points within the radiation reception pattern of the cluster, the cluster being a prismatic array such as in a transmitter or receiver antenna. The relationship between the speaker/microphone elements in the array minimizes the directional effects of the speaker/microphone elements at a wide range of frequencies and clustering of the microphone elements in the 90°—90°—90° array provides a Q of 8 and a 9 dB forward gain over a single microphone with no lobing or frequency drop offs within the 90°—90°—90° reception pattern. Furthermore, the audio speaker/microphone array of the present invention is simple and easy to use and economical in cost to manufacture. 
     It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together may also find a useful application in other types of methods differing from the type described above. 
     While certain novel features of this invention have been shown and described and are pointed out in the annexed claims, it is not intended to be limited to the details above, since it will be understood that various omissions, modifications, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and in its operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention. 
     Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention.