Audio Depth Dynamic Range Enhancement via Spatial Gain
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Solution Overview
Problem
The mismatch between perceived audio and visual depth in audiovisual media experiences due to varying playback environments and formats leads to a less realistic experience for viewers, as audio cues do not align with visual cues, causing misalignment in the perceived distance of objects on the screen.
Innovation Solution
The audio depth dynamic range enhancement system modifies the audio signal by applying gain functions to sub-signals based on spatial depth parameters, allowing for compression and expansion of the perceived distance along an imaginary depth axis, thereby aligning audio and visual cues, and adjusting the apparent dynamic range of depth to match the intended experience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single audio soundtrack mix is used for various video release formats (2D, 3D, theatrical, home theatre), then the audio track can be universally distributed, but the perceived depth alignment between audio and visual cues deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts audio depth parameters based on the detected video format and playback environment. The audio processor modifies reverberation time, early reflection levels, and other depth-related parameters in real-time to match the visual depth cues of the current video format, transforming a static audio mix into an adaptive one that maintains depth alignment across different formats.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes physical parameters of the audio signal such as reverberation time, early reflection levels, and frequency content to match the perceived visual depth. By adjusting these acoustic parameters dynamically, the system maintains depth alignment between audio and visual cues while preserving compatibility across multiple video formats.
2Ease of operation
If the listener sits closer to the visual media device, then the viewing experience becomes more immersive, but the perceived distance between audio sources and visual objects deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms that detect the listener's position relative to the visual media device and adjust audio parameters accordingly. By monitoring viewing distance and modifying audio depth cues in real-time, the system maintains accurate perceived distance alignment even when the listener is positioned close to the screen, preserving both immersion and spatial accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The audio processor dynamically adjusts depth parameters based on the listener's proximity to the display. When the listener sits closer to the device, the system modifies reverberation and spatial cues to compensate for the reduced physical distance, ensuring that perceived audio distance remains aligned with visual depth despite changes in listening position.
3Ease of manufacture
If audio cues are not aligned with visual cues, then the audio and visual tracks can be independently produced, but the realism of the audiovisual experience deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the audio signal into different depth layers or spatial zones, allowing independent processing of near-field and far-field audio cues. This segmentation enables the audio track to be produced independently from the visual track, while the post-processing algorithms align the segmented audio components with corresponding visual depth information to restore realism.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces an intermediary processing layer between independent audio and visual track production and the final audiovisual output. This intermediary audio processor analyzes both audio and visual cues, identifies mismatches in perceived depth, and applies corrective transformations to align the cues, thereby maintaining realism without requiring coordinated production of tracks.
Data Source
AI summary
An audio depth dynamic range enhancement system and method for enhancing the dynamic range of depth in audio sound systems as perceived by a human listener. Embodiments of the system and method process an input audio signal by applying a gain function to at least one of a plurality of sub-signals of the audio signal having different values of a spatial depth parameter. The sub-signals are combined to produce a reconstructed audio signal carrying modified audio information. The reconstructed audio signal is output from the system and method for reproduction by the audio sound system. The gain function alters the gain of the at least one of the plurality of sub-signals such that the reconstructed audio signal, when reproduced by the audio sound system, results in modified depth dynamic range of the audio sound system with respect to the spatial depth parameter.