Audio Spatial Effect Enhancement via Time-Varying Signal Modulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional stereo audio systems struggle to provide uniform spatial enhancement due to factors like listener variability, audio signal characteristics, and speaker configuration, leading to inconsistent sound perception and weak enhancement effects, especially with small differences between left and right channels.
Innovation Solution
An architecture that enhances audio spatial effects by generating an enhanced output signal through modulation of summation and ambience signals with time-dependent functions, creating a continuous transformation of the sound field to simulate dynamic environments and improve sound source localization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional spatial enhancement methods are used to widen the sound image, then the spatial effect is enhanced, but the enhancement is non-uniform and inconsistent across different listeners and listening conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by transforming the static, deterministic spatial enhancement into a dynamic process. Time-varying functions are applied to continuously modulate the summation and ambience signals, creating a dynamic sound field that adapts over time. This dynamic approach compensates for the non-uniformities and inconsistencies of conventional static methods, providing more reliable and consistent spatial enhancement across different listeners and listening conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameters of the audio signals by applying time-varying functions that continuously modify the amplitude and phase characteristics of the summation and ambience signals. This parameter transformation creates a more uniform distribution of sound energy across different spatial positions and listening conditions, resolving the inconsistency problem of conventional methods.
2Ease of operation
If the difference between left and right channels is small, then the stereo signal is more balanced, but the spatial enhancement effect becomes much weaker
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by first decomposing the stereo signal into summation and ambience components before applying enhancement. The ambience signal, which contains the spatial information, is extracted and then amplified with time-varying functions. This preliminary decomposition allows the system to enhance spatial effects even when the original left-right channel difference is small, maintaining both balance and enhancement strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary approach by using the ambience signal as a mediator between the left and right channels. Instead of directly manipulating the small difference between channels, the system extracts the ambience component and uses time-varying functions to amplify its spatial characteristics. This intermediary mechanism enables strong spatial enhancement while preserving channel balance.
3Device complexity
If a stationary and deterministic processing method is used, then the processing is simple, but it cannot impart desired impressions on listeners in dynamic listening environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by using time-varying functions that continuously modulate the audio signals in a periodic or quasi-periodic manner. This periodic modulation creates a dynamic sound field that mimics natural acoustic environments, where sound reflections and reverberations naturally vary over time. The periodic action provides adaptability to dynamic listening environments while maintaining relatively simple processing architecture.
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosed subject matter relates to an architecture that can facilitate generation of enhanced spatial effects for stereo audio systems. Such can be accomplished by integrating on top ambience signal boosting employed in conventional systems. In particular, the ambience signal can be transformed according to a time-dependent function, which can simulate the auditory impressions of a real-world listening environment that may contain static, regularly moving, and/or irregular moving elements.