Audio Capture Apparatus Stabilizing Scene Orientation

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Solution Overview

Problem

In telepresence and multi-channel or three-dimensional voice conferencing applications, orientation changes in the recording device can cause an uncomfortable rotation of the audio scene for listeners, especially when using mobile devices, leading to an unstable listening experience.

Innovation Solution

An apparatus and method that analyze audio signals to determine orientation parameters, define a reference orientation and position, and process directional parameters to stabilize the audio signal with respect to motion, using a processor and memory configured to perform these tasks, allowing for compensation of orientation changes in both recording and listening devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If orientation changes in the recording device are allowed for mobile device flexibility, then the device can be moved and repositioned easily, but the audio scene rotates accordingly causing an unstable listening experience

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice mobilityVSAvoidaudio scene stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies preliminary anti-action by detecting orientation changes of the recording device and applying compensatory transformations to the audio signals in advance. The processor monitors the orientation parameters and pre-corrects the audio scene rotation by transforming the multi-channel audio signals to counteract the detected device movement, thereby preventing the unstable listening experience before it occurs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring the orientation parameters of the recording device and using this information to dynamically adjust the audio signal processing. The processor receives orientation data, compares it with reference orientation, and applies real-time compensatory transformations to the audio signals, creating a closed-loop system that maintains audio scene stability despite device mobility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Stability of the object's composition

If head tracking is used to compensate for listener orientation changes, then the listening experience is stabilized, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaudio scene stabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies universality by designing the orientation compensation mechanism to handle multiple scenarios through a unified approach. The same processor and transformation algorithms used for recording device orientation compensation are also applied for listener orientation compensation, allowing the system to serve multiple functions (recording side compensation and listening side compensation) with a single integrated mechanism, thereby reducing overall system complexity.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses an intermediary approach by introducing a reference orientation framework that mediates between the recording device orientation and the listener orientation. The processor uses this reference frame as an intermediary to transform audio signals, simplifying the complexity by providing a common reference point rather than directly coupling the recording and listening systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Stability of the object's composition

If multi-channel audio signals are processed to maintain spatial audio experience, then immersion is improved, but computational requirements and processing complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespatial audio experienceVSAvoidprocessing power
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies segmentation by dividing the multi-channel audio signal processing into separate transformation stages. The processor segments the audio signal handling into orientation detection, reference orientation establishment, and compensatory transformation phases, allowing each stage to be optimized independently and reducing the overall computational burden while maintaining spatial audio quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS9445174B2Audio capture apparatus
Publication Date: 2016.09.13 NOKIA TECHNOLOGIES OY
  • US9445174B2 patent drawing
  • US9445174B2 patent drawing
  • US9445174B2 patent drawing

AI summary

An apparatus comprising: an audio signal analyser configured to analyse at least one audio signal to determine at least one audio component with an associated orientation parameter; a reference definer configured to define at least one of: a reference orientation for an apparatus; and a reference position for the apparatus; a directional determiner configured to determine a direction value based on the reference orientation/position for the apparatus and at least one of: an orientation of the apparatus; a position of the apparatus; an orientation of a further apparatus co-operating with the apparatus; and a position of the further apparatus; and a directional processor configured to process at least one associated directional parameter for the at least one audio component dependent on the direction value.