Direction Estimation Enhancement for Parametric Spatial Audio Capture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current spatial audio capture methods, such as those used in mobile devices and commercial recording equipment, face challenges in accurately estimating sound direction due to factors like irregular device handling, wind noise, and acoustic ambience, leading to suboptimal spatial analysis quality.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves an apparatus and method that combine time-frequency domain direction-of-arrival estimates with broadband direction estimates of sound sources, biasing the former towards the latter to produce more stable and accurate direction metadata, which is then used to enhance spatial audio reproduction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If spatial audio capture methods are used with microphone arrays in mobile devices, then spatial sound reproduction is enabled, but direction estimation accuracy deteriorates due to irregular device handling, wind noise, and acoustic ambience
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces broadband direction estimates as an intermediary to bridge the gap between time-frequency domain estimates and actual sound source directions. The broadband estimates act as a mediator that corrects biases in the time-frequency domain direction-of-arrival estimates, thereby improving overall direction estimation accuracy while preserving spatial sound reproduction capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where broadband direction estimates are used to correct and refine the time-frequency domain direction estimates. This feedback loop continuously improves the accuracy of direction metadata by comparing and adjusting estimates based on broadband information, thereby resolving the contradiction between adaptability and measurement precision.
2Productivity
If time-frequency domain direction-of-arrival estimates are used, then spatial audio processing is enabled, but direction accuracy deteriorates due to biases from device handling and acoustic environment
Solution Approach 1:
The broadband direction estimates serve as an intermediary correction mechanism that targets the biases introduced during time-frequency domain processing. By using broadband estimates to adjust the time-frequency domain estimates, the system maintains high processing capability while improving directional accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter representation by introducing broadband direction estimates that complement the time-frequency domain estimates. This parameter change allows the system to correct directional biases by transforming the estimation approach, thereby improving accuracy without sacrificing processing productivity.
3Measurement precision
If broadband direction estimates are combined with time-frequency estimates, then direction accuracy improves, but processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges broadband direction estimates with time-frequency domain estimates in a coordinated manner. By combining these two estimation approaches, the system achieves improved direction accuracy. The merging is performed through a processing apparatus that integrates both estimates to produce corrected direction metadata.
Solution Approach 2:
The broadband estimates act as an intermediary that simplifies the overall processing complexity by providing a correction mechanism that can be applied systematically. This intermediary approach allows the complex task of improving direction accuracy to be managed through a structured process of estimation and correction.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus comprising means configured to: obtain at least one audio signal; determine at least one direction parameter of at least one propagating sound associated with the at least one audio signal; determine at least one direction of at least one sound source associated with the at least one audio signal; modify the at least one direction parameter in accordance with the determined at least one direction; and output the modified at least one direction parameter.