Media Playback Audio Processing for Wider Balanced Directional Sound
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing media playback systems often limit the area where a balanced directional audio effect can be perceived, as listeners may experience dominance of one audio channel over another depending on their position relative to the audio drivers.
Innovation Solution
The system processes audio signals for each audio driver based on its inherent radiation pattern to create target radiation patterns, compensating for differences in loudness and timing to expand the area where a balanced directional effect is perceivable.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If audio signals are played back using conventional media playback systems, then the system is simple and easy to operate, but the area where a balanced directional audio effect can be perceived is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary processing of audio signals by determining transfer functions based on inherent radiation patterns before playback. This advance preparation allows the system to pre-calculate the necessary signal modifications needed to achieve balanced directional effects across multiple listening positions, eliminating the need for complex real-time adjustments during playback
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameters of audio signals by applying frequency-dependent processing and phase adjustments based on determined transfer functions. These parameter modifications transform the audio signals to compensate for the inherent radiation patterns of different audio drivers, enabling balanced directional effects to be perceived over a wider area without increasing physical system complexity
2Manufacturing precision
If audio signals are processed to compensate for differences in loudness and timing, then the balanced directional audio experience is enhanced, but the processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies different processing characteristics to different audio drivers based on their individual inherent radiation patterns. Each audio driver receives customized signal processing tailored to its specific acoustic properties, allowing precise compensation of loudness and timing differences while maintaining manageable overall system complexity through localized rather than global processing approaches
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces complex mechanical or physical adjustments (such as adjusting speaker positions, orientations, or hardware equalization) with digital signal processing based on determined transfer functions. This substitution allows for precise audio balance control through software-based frequency-dependent processing and phase adjustment, achieving high manufacturing precision without corresponding increases in physical system complexity
Data Source
AI summary
Example techniques relate to audio generation in a media playback system. Based on one or more first functions and first characteristics of an area, the system may generate first audio that includes a first audio signal and a second audio signal. The system provides the first audio signal to at least one first audio driver and the second audio signal to at least one second audio driver, thereby causing a first playback device and a second playback device to play back the first audio synchronously. The system receives second characteristics of the area and based on one or more second functions and the second characteristics, generates second audio comprising a third audio signal and a fourth audio signal. The system provides the third audio signal to the at least one first audio driver and the fourth audio signal to the at least one second audio driver.