Audio Virtualizer Emulating Multi-Speaker Arrays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional two-speaker audio systems are limited in producing realistic sound effects, as they cannot replicate the multi-channel sound experience provided by systems with multiple speakers, such as 5.1 audio systems, which enhances surround sound playback.
Innovation Solution
An audio processor with a virtualizer and controller configures audio signals to create the illusion of additional virtual speakers around a listener, using Head-Related Impulse Responses and Transfer Functions to process audio information, allowing two speakers to emulate the sound distribution of multiple virtual speakers, thereby enhancing the perceived sound experience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a two-speaker system is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the sound realism and multi-channel effect are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses signal processing to create virtual copies of additional speakers through software algorithms. The audio processor generates synthetic audio signals that simulate the acoustic characteristics of speakers positioned at various locations around the listener, allowing a two-speaker physical system to produce multi-channel sound effects comparable to systems with five or more physical speakers.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts audio signal parameters including time delays, gain levels, and frequency responses to create the perception of sound coming from multiple directions. By manipulating these acoustic parameters through digital signal processing, the system transforms the output of two physical speakers to simulate the spatial distribution of sound that would normally require multiple physical speakers.
2Reliability
If multiple physical speakers are used, then the sound distribution and surround sound effect are improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical approach of adding more physical speakers with an electronic/software-based solution. Instead of increasing the physical speaker count to achieve surround sound effects, the system uses digital signal processing algorithms to synthesize multi-channel audio output from a two-speaker configuration, substituting mechanical complexity with computational processing.
3Ease of operation
If a two-speaker system is used, then the ease of operation and setup are improved, but the audio information rendering capability is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an audio processor as an intermediary device between the audio source and the two speakers. This intermediary component performs complex signal processing operations including virtualization algorithms and crosstalk cancellation, enabling the simple two-speaker configuration to preserve and render spatial audio information that would otherwise be lost in a basic stereo setup.
Data Source
AI summary
An audio processor, apparatus, and method use physical speakers to emulate one or more additional speakers. The physical speakers produce sounds that, from a listener's perspective, appear to come from at least one direction where a physical speaker is not present. Any number of additional speakers can be virtualized, such as three or five speakers that allow two speakers to emulate a 5.1 audio system.