Spatial Audio Playback With Frequency-Split Up- and Side-Firing Transducers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional 3D audio rendering systems using up-firing transducers suffer from reduced immersive audio experience due to low-frequency audio leakage, causing listeners to localize sound sources incorrectly, as low-frequency sound propagates both vertically and horizontally, disrupting the perception of audio originating from overhead positions.
Innovation Solution
Utilizing side-firing transducers to output low-frequency audio, combined with time-alignment to ensure simultaneous arrival with up-firing transducers, enhances localization by directing low-frequency sound to reflect off walls, creating a more immersive experience by localizing sound between the up-firing and lateral reflection points.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If up-firing transducers are used to output vertical audio content, then overhead sound localization is achieved, but low-frequency audio leakage occurs causing incorrect sound source localization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the audio frequency content by routing low-frequency portions through side-firing transducers and high-frequency portions through up-firing transducers. This frequency-based segmentation prevents low-frequency leakage from up-firing transducers while maintaining overhead localization for high-frequency content, thereby resolving the localization accuracy problem.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces side-firing transducers as intermediary devices to handle low-frequency audio content. These transducers act as a mediator between the audio source and the listening environment, reflecting low-frequency sound off lateral surfaces to achieve proper localization without the harmful leakage associated with up-firing transducers.
2Measurement precision
If side-firing transducers are used to output low-frequency audio, then sound localization is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent design plays a dual role: it processes both low-frequency and high-frequency audio content, routing different frequency portions to appropriate transducers. This multi-functionality allows a single device to achieve accurate sound localization across the full audio spectrum without requiring separate dedicated systems for different frequency ranges.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a lateral dimension to audio output by incorporating side-firing transducers that reflect sound off lateral surfaces, complementing the vertical dimension provided by up-firing transducers. This dimensional expansion enables accurate localization of low-frequency content without increasing overall system complexity through alternative architectural approaches.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The combined use of up-firing and side-firing transducers improves audio localization, ensuring that low-frequency sound is perceived as originating from overhead positions, thereby enhancing the overall immersive audio experience.
Implementation Method 1
playing back the low-frequency portion via the side-firing transducer comprises causing the low-frequency portion to reflect off a lateral acoustic reflective surface
Implementation Method 2
playing back the high-frequency portion via the up-firing transducer comprises causing the high-frequency portion to reflect off an overhead acoustic reflective surface
Data Source
AI summary
A method of playing back audio content with improved immersiveness can include receiving, at a playback device, audio input including vertical content having a high-frequency portion and a low-frequency portion. The playback device can face along a first sound axis and comprise an up-firing transducer configured to direct sound along a second sound axis that is vertically angled with respect to the primary sound axis and a side-firing transducer or array configured to direct sound along a third axis that is horizontally angled with respect to the first sound axis. The low-frequency portion of the vertical content can be played back via the side-firing transducer or array, while the high-frequency portion of the vertical content can be played back via the up-firing transducer.