Adaptive Surround Sound Field Generation via Mobile Audio Network
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for generating a surround sound field using mobile devices are inefficient and ineffective due to synchronization issues, varying device locations, and differences in audio capturing device gains and frequency responses, making it difficult for end users to create a high-quality surround sound experience.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that utilize an ad hoc network of audio capturing devices, such as mobile phones, to estimate topology and align audio signals, and apply adaptive processing techniques like Ambisonics and B-format processing to generate a surround sound field, using a server to coordinate and process audio signals from multiple devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If audio signals are captured by multiple mobile devices in an ad hoc network, then the accessibility and ease of operation for end users is improved, but the synchronization and topology estimation become more difficult due to varying device locations and recording times
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback mechanisms where devices exchange timing information and audio signals to continuously adjust and refine synchronization. The server receives timing data from each device and uses this feedback to calculate appropriate time offsets, ensuring that despite varying recording times and locations, the audio signals are properly synchronized in the surround sound field.
Solution Approach 2:
A central server acts as an intermediary that coordinates between multiple mobile devices. The server receives audio signals and timing information from various devices, performs centralized topology estimation and synchronization calculations, then processes the signals into a coherent surround sound output. This intermediary approach simplifies the complexity for individual devices while maintaining overall system synchronization.
2Quantity of substance
If audio signals from multiple devices with different gains and frequency responses are combined, then the quantity of audio input is improved, but the manufacturing precision and consistency of audio quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts parameters such as gain levels, frequency response characteristics, and time offsets for each device's audio signal. By changing these parameters based on measured or estimated device characteristics, the system compensates for variations in microphone quality and positioning, thereby maintaining consistent audio quality across multiple input devices with different specifications.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary calibration and characterization of each audio capturing device before combining signals. This may involve measuring the frequency response, gain levels, and spatial positioning of each device in advance, then pre-calculating the necessary processing parameters. This preliminary action ensures that when signals are combined, the variations in device characteristics are already accounted for, maintaining audio quality consistency.
3Manufacturing precision
If professional sound mixing engineers or dedicated recording equipment are used, then the quality of surround sound field is improved, but the ease of operation and accessibility for end users deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables end users to create surround sound fields using their own mobile devices without requiring professional equipment or expertise. The automated algorithms perform topology estimation, synchronization, and signal processing independently, allowing ordinary users to capture and process audio signals with standard mobile device microphones, thus making professional-quality surround sound creation accessible to everyone.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the need for mechanical/professional audio equipment and manual mixing processes with software-based algorithms running on mobile devices. Instead of requiring physical surround sound microphones and professional sound mixing engineers, the system uses computational methods to estimate topology, synchronize signals, and generate surround sound fields from standard mobile device audio inputs.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2C
Figure 3
AI summary
Embodiments of the present invention relate to adaptive audio content generation. Specifically, a method for generating adaptive audio content is provided. The method comprises extracting at least one audio object from channel-based source audio content, and generating the adaptive audio content at least partially based on the at least one audio object. Corresponding system and computer program product are also disclosed.