Audio Signal Processing Device for Virtual Sound Source Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing audio systems with multiple loudspeakers lack an intuitive and easy-to-understand method for setting and moving the position of a virtual sound source, affecting the natural sound effect and user experience.
Innovation Solution
An audio signal processing device and position information acquisition device that utilize a portable terminal with angle information sensors to convert rotation angles into coordinate information, allowing users to intuitively set and move virtual sound sources by performing operations on a touchscreen interface, which are then communicated to the audio amplifier for signal processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional audio systems use multiple loudspeakers to reproduce sound with high sense of presence, then sound quality is improved, but the operation for setting virtual sound source position becomes complex and non-intuitive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex manual positioning operations with automatic position detection using a portable terminal's sensors (accelerometer, gyro sensor, geomagnetic sensor). The terminal automatically calculates its position relative to loudspeakers through sensor data processing, eliminating the need for manual coordinate input or complex setting procedures while maintaining accurate virtual sound source positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The portable terminal serves itself by using its own built-in sensors to detect its position and automatically provide position information to the audio signal processing device. The terminal's sensors self-determine the user's location and orientation, converting this into coordinate information that automatically sets the virtual sound source position without requiring external assistance or complex user configuration.
2Device complexity
If manual setting methods are used for virtual sound source position, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision of position setting deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes manual positioning with automatic position detection using the portable terminal's sensor system. The accelerometer, gyro sensor, and geomagnetic sensor work together to precisely determine the terminal's spatial position and orientation through mathematical calculations, achieving high measurement precision without adding mechanical complexity to the audio system itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter measurement approach by using sensor data (acceleration, rotation angle, magnetic field direction) to calculate position coordinates. This transforms the positioning problem from manual coordinate input to automatic parameter detection and calculation, improving precision while keeping the audio device simple.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the virtual sound source position is moved freely, then adaptability is improved, but the natural sound effect deteriorates due to lack of distance-based gain adjustment
Solution Approach 1:
The audio signal processing device continuously receives updated position information from the portable terminal and automatically adjusts the gain of each loudspeaker based on the calculated distance between the virtual sound source and each loudspeaker. This feedback loop ensures that as the virtual sound source moves, the sound distribution naturally reflects the spatial relationships, maintaining realistic audio effects throughout the movement range.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes the gain parameters of loudspeakers based on the real-time position of the virtual sound source. As the virtual sound source moves closer to or farther from each loudspeaker, the gain is automatically adjusted to reflect distance attenuation, creating natural sound effects that vary continuously with position while allowing free movement adaptability.
Data Source
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AI summary
An audio signal processing device includes a calculator for generating a plurality of audio signals to be given respectively to a plurality of loudspeakers based on an audio signal corresponding to a virtual sound source having position information. The calculator calculates, with respect to each loudspeaker, a distance between each of the plurality of loudspeakers and the virtual sound source on the basis of position information indicating a position of the virtual sound source and loudspeaker position information indicating positions of the plurality of loudspeakers, and calculates an audio signal corresponding to the virtual sound source to be supplied to each of the plurality of loudspeakers on the basis of the distance.