Head Tracking Spatial Sound Reproduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current spatial sound reproduction systems fail to accurately adapt sound directions as a user moves their head, leading to a suboptimal listening experience in terms of spatial sound field perception.
Innovation Solution
The method involves obtaining ambient audio signals and processing them with directional transfer function pairs that are updated based on the user's head movement, selecting an updated directional transfer function pair that is more closely associated with the new target direction, and interpolating between transfer functions to smoothly change the sound direction, using head-related transfer functions and head tracking to ensure accurate spatial sound reproduction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If directional transfer function pairs are updated based on head movements to improve spatial sound accuracy, then spatial sound perception accuracy is improved, but computational complexity and processing overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the audio signal processing into separate channels (first ambient audio signal, second ambient audio signal, third ambient audio signal) and applies different directional transfer function pairs to each channel based on their respective target directions. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each channel's spatial characteristics without requiring complete reprocessing of all signals, thereby improving spatial accuracy while managing computational complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent updates directional transfer function pairs selectively rather than continuously for all signals. Specifically, it determines whether a change in head position warrants updating the transfer function pair, and only updates when necessary. This partial action approach maintains spatial accuracy when needed while avoiding unnecessary computational overhead during stable listening conditions.
2Measurement precision
If multiple ambient audio signals are processed simultaneously with updated directional transfer function pairs, then spatial sound field accuracy is improved, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary determination of whether head position changes require transfer function pair updates before actually processing the audio signals. By assessing the need for updates in advance and only proceeding with updates when necessary, the system maintains accurate spatial sound fields when needed while minimizing processing time during periods when updates are not required.
3Measurement precision
If directional transfer function pairs are frequently updated to track head movements, then spatial accuracy is improved, but perceived timbral stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by determining whether head position changes are significant enough to warrant transfer function pair updates. By filtering out minor head movements that would cause unnecessary updates, the system prevents rapid fluctuations in timbral characteristics while still maintaining spatial accuracy for meaningful head position changes.
Data Source
AI summary
A method, apparatus and computer program wherein the method includes: obtaining at least three ambient audio signals wherein at least one of the ambient audio signals is to be processed with a first directional transfer function pair and at least one other of the ambient audio signals is to be processed with a second directional transfer function pair wherein the directional transfer function pairs to be used are based on target directions of the ambient audio signals; determining a change of the target direction for the at least one ambient audio signal to an updated target direction; selecting an updated directional transfer function pair associated with the updated target direction wherein the updated directional transfer function pair is selected from a plurality of directional transfer functions and the updated directional transfer function pair is more closely associated with the updated target direction than the first directional transfer function pair; and processing the at least one ambient audio signal with the selected updated directional transfer function pair and processing the at least one other ambient audio signal with the second directional transfer function pair.