Four-Speaker VBAP Gain Calculation for Stable Sound Imaging
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sound processing techniques, such as VBAP, can result in unstable sound image localization, especially when users move, leading to a narrower sweet spot range due to the reliance on fewer speakers outputting sound.
Innovation Solution
A sound processing apparatus that calculates and adjusts output gains for four or more speakers to stabilize sound image localization by determining gains based on positional relationships among different combinations of speakers, ensuring all speakers contribute to maintaining the sound image at a target position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If three-dimensional VBAP is used with three speakers, then the sound image can be localized at a target position, but the localization becomes unstable when the user moves, narrowing the sweet spot range
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple VBAP calculations using different speaker combinations (two-speaker and three-speaker combinations) to determine the final output gains. By merging the results from multiple speaker configurations, the system achieves more stable sound image localization that maintains accuracy across user movements, effectively widening the sweet spot range while preserving localization precision.
2Ease of operation
If only two speakers output sound in three-dimensional VBAP, then the system simplifies operation, but the sound image localization becomes unstable and the sweet spot range narrows
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically adjusts the number of speakers contributing to sound output based on the target localization position. By calculating output gains for multiple speaker combinations and selecting/applying the appropriate combination, the system maintains simple operational control while ensuring that enough speakers are active to provide stable localization, thus preventing sweet spot narrowing.
3Reliability
If four or more speakers are used to calculate output gains based on multiple combinations, then the sweet spot range widens and localization stability improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the gain calculation process into distinct stages: first identifying relevant speaker combinations based on target position, then calculating output gains for each combination separately, and finally combining the results. This segmentation of the calculation process reduces overall complexity by breaking down the multi-speaker gain determination into manageable steps while maintaining localization stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of speaker combination selection based on the target sound image position. By dynamically determining which speaker combinations are relevant to the current target position and adjusting the calculation accordingly, the system reduces unnecessary computational complexity while maintaining the stability benefits of using multiple speakers across different positions.
Data Source
AI summary
The present technology relates to a sound processing apparatus and method, and a program for enabling more stable localization of a sound image.A virtual speaker is assumed to exist on the lower side among the sides of a tetragon having its corners formed with four speakers surrounding a target sound image position on a spherical plane. Three-dimensional VBAP is performed with respect to the virtual speaker and the two speakers located at the upper right and the upper left, to calculate gains of the two speakers at the upper right and the upper left and the virtual speaker, the gains being to be used for fixing a sound image at the target sound image position. Further, two-dimensional VBAP is performed with respect to the lower right and lower left speakers, to calculate gains of the lower right and lower left speakers, the gains being to be used for fixing a sound image at the position of the virtual speaker. The values obtained by multiplying these gains by the gain of the virtual speaker are set as the gains of the lower right and lower left speakers for fixing a sound image at the target sound image position. The present technology can be applied to sound processing apparatuses.