In-Ear Cable Sensor Head Tracking Spatial Audio
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cable sets for in-ear monitoring in musicians provide an unnatural spatial impression and stressful listening experience due to the lack of natural sound localization, and they often require replacement of the entire system when defective, leading to unnecessary costs and inconvenience.
Innovation Solution
A cable set with a sensor attached to measure the alignment and positioning of the musician's head, allowing for precise tracking of head movements and orientation, enabling a natural and spatially accurate audio signal reproduction, and a separate transmitter unit for flexible connection to different monitoring units, allowing for cost-effective upgrades and maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If in-ear headphones with high sound insulation are used for monitoring, then the musician can perceive the audio signal without external noise interference, but the musician cannot locate environmental noise well and perceives the mood of the environment poorly
Solution Approach 1:
The audio signal is segmented into multiple channels (monitoring signal, ambient noise, directional sound) and processed separately. The system divides the audio processing into different functional modules: monitoring unit, receiver unit, and headphone output, allowing selective enhancement of different audio components to maintain both monitoring quality and environmental awareness.
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the audio signal receive different processing treatments. The monitoring audio signal is enhanced for clarity and volume, while ambient noise is selectively amplified and spatially processed to maintain directional information. This local quality adjustment allows the musician to perceive both the monitoring signal and environmental cues with appropriate characteristics.
2Reliability
If the cable set is permanently connected to the receiver unit, then the connection is stable and reliable, but the entire system must be replaced when the cable set is defective
Solution Approach 1:
The cable set is segmented into separate functional components: the cable itself, the plug connections, and the receiver unit interface. This segmentation allows the cable set to be independently replaced without affecting the receiver unit or headphones, enabling partial replacement rather than complete system replacement when the cable is defective.
Solution Approach 2:
The cable set is extracted as a separate, removable component from the overall monitoring system. The plug connections are designed to be detachable, allowing the cable set to be taken out and replaced independently while maintaining stable connection during use. This extraction principle enables cost-effective maintenance by replacing only the worn cable rather than the entire system.
3Measurement precision
If the audio signal is transmitted directly to in-ear headphones, then the monitoring is clear and precise, but the spatial impression is unnatural and causes orientation difficulties for the musician
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges multiple audio signals (monitoring audio, ambient noise, and spatial audio cues) into a unified output that preserves both clarity and spatial information. By combining these different audio components through the receiver unit, the system maintains precise monitoring while restoring natural spatial impression and directional orientation for the musician.
Solution Approach 2:
The receiver unit acts as an intermediary between the monitoring signal source and the headphones. It processes the audio signal to add spatial information and environmental cues that were lost in direct transmission, mediating between the need for clear monitoring and the need for natural spatial perception to prevent orientation difficulties.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a set of cables (301) comprising at least one electric audio line (302) for transmitting an audio signal from a receiving unit (231) to headphones or earphones (322), wherein the at least one electric audio line (302) comprises a first end (308) provided with a first plug (306) and connectable to the headphones or earphones (322), and a second end opposite the first end (308). At least one sensor (305) for measuring an orientation is fixed on the first electric audio line (302) and is arranged at a distance of at most 40 cm from the first end (308). Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for transmitting an audio signal from a monitoring unit (32) to headphones or earphones (322) located on the head (29) of a wearer (117). An audio signal, which reproduces a genuine spatial impression, can be provided to a wearer (117) of the headphones or earphones (322).