Audio Panning Transformation Using Unit-Vector Coordinates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing panning systems, such as Dolby Atmos, face challenges in rendering spatialized audio objects effectively, particularly in translating 3D coordinate systems and handling audio objects within a room-centric format for listener-centric playback environments, without prior knowledge of the speaker arrangement.
Innovation Solution
The Solo-Mid Panning Method converts Dolby Atmos coordinates to Unit-Vector coordinates using the Map() function, applies warping functions to adjust azimuth angles, and employs a Unit-Vector Panner to render audio objects into speaker-based and non-speaker-based multi-channel formats, utilizing a triangular tessellation strategy to handle objects inside the room.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If Dolby Atmos coordinate system is used for spatialized audio rendering, then audio objects can be positioned in 3D space, but the system cannot render audio objects within the room without prior knowledge of speaker arrangement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediate coordinate transformation system that converts Dolby Atmos room-centric coordinates to listener-centric coordinates. This intermediary transformation layer enables audio objects to be rendered within the room space without requiring prior knowledge of the specific speaker arrangement, thereby resolving the contradiction between rendering versatility and system complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If traditional panning systems are used, then speaker-based rendering is achieved, but flexibility for non-speaker-based playback environments is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal panning system that can handle both speaker-based and non-speaker-based playback environments through a unified coordinate transformation approach. The system maintains spatialization accuracy while adapting to different playback configurations by transforming coordinates rather than requiring environment-specific processing, thus achieving both versatility and precision.
3Adaptability or versatility
If audio objects are rendered on the surface only, then simple panning is achieved, but rendering of audio objects within the room volume is not possible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends the rendering capability from 2D surface panning to 3D volumetric rendering within the room. By implementing coordinate transformations that account for three-dimensional positioning, the system enables audio objects to be placed and rendered anywhere within the room volume, not just on the speaker arrangement surface, while managing complexity through systematic coordinate conversion.
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AI summary
A method of creating a multichannel audio signal by: determining an expected series of audio emission source locations around an expected listener location; determining a surface around the expected listener location, the surface including the expected series of audio emission source locations; mapping an audio object location into a surface energy component having a surface energy location and magnitude and an expected listener location energy component having an expected listeners location energy location and magnitude; panning an audio object signal for the surface energy component to surrounding expected audio emission sources to produce a first set of surface panned audio emission signals; panning the audio object signal for the expected listeners location energy location to surrounding expected audio emission sources to produce a second set of expected listeners location panned audio emission signals; combining the first and second set of panned audio signals to produce the multichannel audio signal.