Method for reproducing acoustical sound field

Abstract

The application relates to a method of reproducing an acoustical sound field to a listener at a first location using a sound reproduction system comprising a microphone array comprising a plurality of microphone units and a loudspeaker array comprising a plurality of loudspeaker units. The application further relates to a method of testing a hearing assistance system and to a hearing assistance test system. The object of the present application is to provide an improved sound field reproduction. The problem is solved in that the method comprises 1) determining a transfer function from each loudspeaker unit of the loudspeaker array to all microphone units of the microphone array, thereby providing a set of transfer functions; 2) Inverting the set of transfer functions and determining a system of optimal filters; 3) Placing the microphone array in a possible, intended position of the listener's head in a particular sound scene at a second location and recording sound of the particular sound scene at the second location; 4) Determining the loudspeaker signals of the particular sound scene configured to be played to the listener at the first location by the loudspeaker array by convolving the inverted system of optimal filters with the recorded signals. An advantage of the method is that since the (true) sound field around the head has been reproduced (for a particular listening situation), a listener is allowed to freely move the head. The invention may e.g. be used in sound reproduction systems, virtual reality systems, mobile telephones, hearing assistance systems, e.g. hearing aids, headsets, ear phones, active ear protection systems, etc.

Description

technical field [0001] This application relates to sound field reproduction. The present application relates in particular to a method of reproducing an acoustic sound field. [0002] The present application also relates to sound field reproduction systems. The present application also relates to a data processing system comprising a processor and program code, wherein the program code causes the processor to carry out at least some of the steps of the inventive method. [0003] For example, the invention is useful in applications such as sound reproduction systems, virtual reality systems, mobile phones, hearing aid systems such as hearing aids, headphones, headsets, active ear protection systems, and the like. Other applications can be, for example, a hands-free phone system, a teleconferencing system, a broadcasting system, a karaoke system, a classroom amplification system, and the like. Background technique [0004] The following description of the prior art relates ...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Another disadvantage of the WFS method is that a very large number of loudspeakers are required and reproduction is usually limited to the horizontal plane

Therefore, WFS is not suitable for testing hearing aid technology where a small listening area (to one person) is required

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