Discrete Binaural Spatialization for Multi-Source Audio on Two Channels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional audio systems for headsets, especially in augmented and virtual reality scenarios, are limited by two audio channels, which restrict the ability to spatially present more than two virtual sound sources effectively, leading to a constrained sound scene experience.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for discrete binaural spatialization that assigns virtual positions to multiple sound sources within an angular range, generating multi-source audio signals and combining them to create a binaural signal that simulates the presence of each sound source at its respective position, utilizing existing bandwidth efficiently by applying localization summing and phantom source perceptual phenomena.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If traditional two-channel audio transmission is used for wireless connectivity, then bandwidth consumption is reduced, but the number of virtual sound sources that can be spatialized is limited to two
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the audio processing into distinct functional modules: a spatializer that processes individual sound sources independently, a panner that distributes signals across channels based on virtual positions, and a combiner that merges the processed signals. This segmentation allows multiple sound sources to be handled systematically through two channels by processing each source independently and combining the results.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces the dimension of virtual positioning by assigning angular positions to sound sources. Instead of treating audio signals as simple left-right channel assignments, the system adds a spatial dimension by calculating panning positions based on virtual angles, enabling multiple sound sources to be distinguished through their angular positions even when transmitted over only two channels.
2Quantity of substance
If multiple sound sources are spatialized on two audio channels, then bandwidth is efficiently utilized, but the ability to accurately represent each sound source's position is degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by processing each sound source individually with its own spatialization parameters. Each sound source is assigned a specific virtual position and processed through the spatializer with unique panning calculations, ensuring that local positional information is preserved for each source even when multiple sources share the same two audio channels.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter representation by using virtual angular positions instead of direct channel assignments. By transforming sound source locations into angular parameters and using these to drive panning calculations, the system maintains position accuracy information in a compressed format that fits within two channels while preserving the ability to reconstruct spatial positions.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments relate to binaural spatialization of more than two sound sources on two audio channels of an audio system. Sound signals each emitted from a corresponding sound source are collected, and a respective virtual position within an angular range of a sound scene is assigned to each sound source. Multi-source audio signals are generated by panning each sound signal according to the respective virtual position. A first multi-source audio signal is spatialized to a first direction to generate a first left signal and a first right signal. A second multi-source audio signal is spatialized to a second direction to generate a second left signal and a second right signal. A binaural signal is generated using the first left signal, the second left signal, the first right signal, and the second right signal. The binaural signal is such that each sound source appears to originate from its respective virtual position.