Audio Signal Processing for Virtual Space Sound Connection
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Solution Overview
Problem
In acoustic systems, the connection between initial reflected sounds and reverberant sounds often causes discomfort due to mismatched volume levels and timing, especially when simulating sounds in virtual spaces.
Innovation Solution
An audio signal processing method that generates control signals based on the geometrical shape of a virtual space to synchronize the timing of connection between initial reflected and reverberant sounds, gradually increasing the reverberant sound level to match the initial reflected sound level at the connection point.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the initial reflected sound and reverberant sound are simply connected after individual measurement, then the sound field can be reproduced, but discomfort occurs in sound connection due to volume level mismatch
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-calculating the connection timing based on the geometrical shape of the virtual space before actual sound reproduction. The system determines when the initial reflected sound should transition to the reverberant sound by calculating the time required for sound to travel across the virtual space, ensuring smooth volume level matching at the connection point and preventing abrupt transitions that cause discomfort.
2Manufacturing precision
If the reverberant sound level is suddenly increased to match the initial reflected sound level, then volume matching is achieved, but connection discomfort increases due to abrupt level change
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the reverberant sound level transition gradual rather than abrupt. The system dynamically adjusts the reverberant sound level over time, increasing it progressively from a lower initial value to match the initial reflected sound level at the predetermined connection timing. This dynamic level transition smooths the volume curve and eliminates abrupt changes that would cause connection discomfort.
3Device complexity
If the connection timing is not calculated based on virtual space geometry, then the processing is simpler, but the volume and timing synchronization between sound types deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by using the geometrical shape parameters of the virtual space (such as distance between sound source and listener, room dimensions) to calculate the optimal connection timing. The system transforms spatial geometric parameters into temporal parameters (connection time) through sound speed calculations, achieving precise volume and timing synchronization without complex real-time processing during sound reproduction.
Data Source
AI summary
An audio signal processing method includes generating an initial reflected sound control signal according to a geometrical shape of a virtual space, generating a reverberant sound control signal using a reflected sound parameter of the virtual space, calculating timing of connection, the timing of connection being a point in time at which a volume of an initial reflected sound reproducible by the initial reflected sound control signal is a same as a volume of a reverberant sound reproducible by the reverberant sound control signal, based on the geometrical shape of the virtual space, and increasing, in a period of time before the timing of connection, a level of the reverberant sound control signal so as to cause the volume of the reverberant sound to be closer to the volume of the reverberant sound at the timing of connection.