Digital Processor for Individual 3D Sound in Cars
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional multi-loudspeaker multichannel 3-D sound systems in vehicles require high cabling effort, numerous power amplifiers, and complex audio processing to achieve three-dimensional sound reproduction, which is inefficient and cumbersome.
Innovation Solution
A digital processor with an ambient portion extractor and spatial effect processing stage that generates a spatial effect signal from a multi-channel signal, allowing for the combination of the processed signal with the spatial effect signal to produce a stereo sound stage for at least two different listening positions using three or more loudspeakers, reducing the need for multiple power amplifiers and simplifying audio processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a multi-loudspeaker multichannel 3-D sound system is used for three-dimensional sound reproduction in vehicles, then the sound reproduction quality is improved, but the cabling effort and number of power amplifiers increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple audio channels into a reduced set of channels using matrix encoding. Specifically, it encodes front left, front right, center, and surround channels into front left and front right channels only, allowing reproduction with fewer loudspeakers while maintaining spatial sound effects through digital signal processing
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates virtual sound channels through digital processing rather than physical loudspeakers. By processing the encoded signals with spatial effect processing, it generates virtual surround and center channels that are reproduced through the front loudspeakers, eliminating the need for physical rear and center loudspeakers
2Measurement precision
If a multi-loudspeaker multichannel sound system is implemented, then three-dimensional sound reproduction is achieved, but the audio processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs matrix encoding in advance to compress multiple channels into fewer channels before reproduction. The encoding process pre-calculates the signal distribution matrix, and the encoded signals are stored or transmitted in this compressed form, simplifying the reproduction process
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the audio signal parameters by changing from multiple independent channel signals to encoded composite signals. The spatial effect processing stage adjusts parameters like delay, gain, and filtering to create the perception of three-dimensional sound from the reduced channel set
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional multi-channel processing is used to generate signals for different channels, then the sound coverage for multiple listening positions is improved, but the number of required loudspeakers and amplifiers increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the front loudspeakers perform multiple functions by encoding multiple channel information into them. The front left and front right loudspeakers reproduce not only their respective channel signals but also contribute to center, surround, and other spatial effects through the matrix encoding and spatial processing, eliminating the need for dedicated center and rear loudspeakers
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments provide a digital processor including an ambient portion extractor and a spatial effect processing stage. The ambient portion extractor is configured to extract an ambient portion from a multi-channel signal. The spatial effect processing stage is configured to generate a spatial effect signal based on the ambient portion of the multi-channel signal. The digital processor is configured to combine the multi-channel signal or a processed version thereof with the spatial effect signal.