Headphone Spatial Audio Head Tracking via Gyro Signal Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing headphone systems suffer from the 'in-head' localization phenomenon, where sound images remain inside the listener's head and move with them, leading to unnatural sound perception, and require tethering to a central system to mitigate this issue, limiting freedom of movement.
Innovation Solution
A headphone system equipped with a gyroscope and digital signal processor that calculates and adjusts sound path delays and filter coefficients based on the listener's head position, using angle-dependent head-related transfer functions to create a more realistic spatial audio experience, allowing the listener to move freely without tethering.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If digital signal processing techniques are used to reduce in-head localization, then sound perception quality is improved, but the listener is tethered to a central system which limits freedom of movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical tethering system with a wireless communication system. The headphone system uses wireless communication to receive audio signals and spatial audio parameters from a central system, eliminating the physical connection while maintaining the ability to reduce in-head localization through digital signal processing techniques such as head-related transfer functions (HRTF) and dynamic audio parameter adjustment based on head position sensing.
2Reliability
If head position sensing and dynamic audio adjustment are implemented, then in-head localization is reduced and spatial audio quality is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple functions into the headphone system to manage complexity. The headphone includes a sensor for detecting head position, a processor for implementing spatial audio algorithms, and wireless communication capabilities, all within a single integrated device. This multi-functional approach allows the system to reduce in-head localization and provide spatial audio without requiring separate external equipment for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically changes audio parameters such as head-related transfer functions (HRTF), delay, and filter coefficients based on sensed head position. By continuously adjusting these parameters in response to head movement, the system maintains accurate spatial audio perception and reduces in-head localization effects without requiring a complete system redesign.
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 system effectively reduces 'in-head' localization by providing a realistic spatial sound effect, allowing listeners to roam freely while maintaining an immersive audio experience by continuously updating sound paths and filter coefficients based on head movement, minimizing drift and enhancing the sense of external sound sources.
Implementation Method 1
A sensor mounted on the headphone senses an angular velocity of a movement of the listener
Data Source
AI summary
A headphone system includes a headphone, a sensor, and a processor. The headphone may provide sound from virtual speakers to a listener via a plurality of sound paths that are filtered with a plurality of filters. The sensor may sense an angular velocity of a movement of the listener. The processor may receive the angular velocity and may calculate delays in the plurality of sound paths and filter coefficients for the plurality of filters based on the angular velocity, and insert the calculated delays in the plurality of sound paths and adjust the plurality of filters with the calculated filter coefficients.