Acoustic Image Localization via Coordinate Transformation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing audio mixing consoles struggle to accurately localize acoustic images in physical spaces with non-rectangular shapes, as they typically assume a rectangular parallelepiped space, leading to potential mislocalization of sound images.

Innovation Solution

An information processing method and apparatus that receive space information defining both logical and physical coordinate systems, allowing for coordinate transformation to accurately localize acoustic images based on the physical shape of the space.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a mixing console uses a rectangular parallelepiped coordinate system for acoustic image localization, then the device complexity is reduced and ease of operation is improved, but the manufacturing precision of acoustic image localization deteriorates in non-rectangular physical spaces

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoidlocalization precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a coordinate transformation module as an intermediary between the simple rectangular coordinate system (easy for users) and the complex physical space geometry (accurate for localization). This intermediary transforms coordinates from the rectangular logical space to the actual physical space coordinate system, allowing users to operate with simple coordinates while achieving precise localization in complex spaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If a mixing console assumes a rectangular parallelepiped space model, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability to different physical space shapes deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidadaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal coordinate transformation system that can handle multiple types of physical space geometries (rectangular, irregular, curved, etc.) through a single transformation framework. The system accepts various physical space shape inputs and automatically adapts the coordinate transformation accordingly, making the mixing console versatile for different venue types without requiring separate specialized systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Manufacturing precision

If coordinate transformation between logical and physical space systems is implemented, then the localization precision is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocalization precisionVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary coordinate transformation calculations in advance, storing transformation parameters and pre-computed data structures that enable fast real-time localization. By preparing the transformation framework beforehand and caching relevant spatial information, the system reduces the computational burden during actual operation, balancing precision with acceptable complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4149124B1Information processing method, information processing apparatus and program
Publication Date: 2025.06.04 YAMAHA CORP
  • EP4149124B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4149124B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4149124B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An information processing method receives settings of a plurality of pieces of information on a plurality of physical spaces that respectively correspond to a plurality of pieces of information on a plurality of logical spaces, receives a first group of a plurality of pieces of first acoustic image localization information that indicates a position of an acoustic image to be localized in each of the plurality of logical spaces using first coordinates in the plurality of logical spaces, receives a change in one piece of first acoustic image localization information, among the first group of the plurality of pieces of first acoustic image localization information, changes other pieces of first acoustic image localization information, among the first group of the plurality of pieces of first acoustic image localization, in response to the received change in the one piece of first acoustic image localization information, and transforms the first group of the plurality of pieces of first acoustic image localization information respectively into a plurality of pieces of second acoustic image localization information using second coordinates in the plurality of physical spaces.