Dynamic Microphone Array for High-Fidelity Sound Reproduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sound reproduction technologies face challenges in accurately reproducing sound at an optional listening position in a space with a high sense of reality, particularly due to limitations in signal-to-noise ratio, reverberation, and the inability to track moving sound sources, leading to decreased sound quality and clarity.
Innovation Solution
A signal processing apparatus and method that utilize microphones attached to moving bodies in a target space to generate reproduction data based on recording signals, incorporating moving body position, orientation, and movement information to recreate sound as if heard from a specific listening position, enhancing sound localization and clarity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If microphones are placed at fixed positions in a space to record sound, then sound field reproduction is achieved, but the signal-to-noise ratio deteriorates when the distance from sound source to microphone is large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent attaches microphones to moving bodies (players, referees) instead of using fixed microphones. This dynamic positioning allows the microphones to maintain close proximity to sound sources throughout the event, ensuring high signal-to-noise ratio while accurately capturing the sound field from multiple moving perspectives simultaneously.
2Area of stationary object
If microphones are placed at a distance from the sound source to capture wide field sound, then coverage area is improved, but sound quality and clarity deteriorate due to signal-to-noise ratio limits
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a single fixed microphone for wide coverage, the patent segments the sound collection task across multiple microphones attached to different moving bodies. Each microphone captures high-quality sound from its local vicinity, and the combined data from all segmented positions reconstructs the comprehensive sound field with maintained clarity.
3Measurement precision
If beamforming is applied to recorded sound to emphasize sound source in a predetermined direction, then sound source localization is improved, but the apparatus size becomes extremely large due to required microphone opening
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses moving bodies to dynamically position microphones close to sound sources, eliminating the need for large fixed microphone arrays required for beamforming. The movement of the carriers provides the necessary spatial distribution for accurate localization without requiring a large static apparatus opening.
4Adaptability or versatility
If a plurality of microphones is used to achieve omnidirectional sound collection, then sound field coverage is improved, but calibration complexity increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent leverages the natural movement and positioning of the moving bodies to automatically establish microphone spatial relationships. The system uses the inherent motion data and position information from the carriers to self-calibrate, eliminating the need for complex manual calibration procedures typically required for omnidirectional microphone arrays.
5Measurement precision
If microphones are manually oriented to track sound source movement, then sound tracking accuracy is improved, but operational efficiency deteriorates due to manual rotation limitations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical rotation of microphones with automated electronic tracking through moving bodies. The carriers automatically follow the motion of players and referees, providing continuous accurate sound tracking without manual intervention, thereby maintaining high tracking accuracy while dramatically improving operational efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
The present technology relates to a signal processing apparatus and method that are capable of reproducing sound at an optional listening position with a high sense of reality. The signal processing apparatus includes a rendering unit that generates reproduction data of sound at an optional listening position in a target space on the basis of recording signals of microphones attached to a plurality of moving bodies in the target space. The present technology can be applied to a reproduction apparatus.