Audio Transducer Transparency Mode Spatial Audio Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current transparency modes in devices with Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) functionality do not accurately reproduce external sound directions and diffuseness due to mismatched microphone and speaker placements, leading to inadequate perception of surrounding sounds, especially in noisy environments.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that utilize at least two external microphones to determine sound direction, diffuseness, or distance, and modify audio signals accordingly to improve the perception of these parameters, ensuring that the transparency signal is rendered more accurately, even when internal audio signals are loud.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If transparency mode uses external microphones to capture surrounding sounds, then the user can hear external environment, but the sound direction and diffuseness perception is inaccurate due to microphone-s speaker placement mismatch
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary processing system that captures spatial characteristics (direction, diffuseness, distance) from external microphones and translates them into corrected audio signals suitable for the user's ear position. This intermediary processing layer bridges the gap between external microphone capture and internal speaker playback, resolving the spatial mismatch problem.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts audio signal parameters including direction, diffuseness, and distance based on the determined spatial characteristics. By changing these parameters according to the relationship between microphone and speaker positions, the system accurately reproduces the intended spatial audio experience despite the physical placement differences.
2Measurement precision
If multiple microphones are used to improve sound direction determination, then spatial accuracy is enhanced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the audio processing function into separate modules: external microphone array for spatial characteristic capture, processing unit for determining direction and diffuseness, and internal speakers for reproduction. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while working together to achieve accurate spatial audio.
Solution Approach 2:
The external microphone array serves multiple functions: capturing ambient sound for transparency mode, determining sound direction, assessing diffuseness, and estimating distance. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components, thereby managing device complexity while improving measurement precision.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for generating audio signals for a device equipped with a transparency mode, the method including: obtaining at least two external audio signals from at least two microphones located on the device; determining at least one of sound direction or diffuseness or distance between a first microphone and a second microphone of the at least two microphones based on the at least two external audio signals; modifying at least one of the at least two external audio signals based on the determined at least one of sound direction or diffuseness or distance; and rendering the at least one modified audio signal.