Head-Mounted Sound Localization Using Four-Microphone Time Differences
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current head-mounted devices are unable to accurately present the position of sound sources in virtual reality scenes, reducing the user's experience of real-world sound.
Innovation Solution
A sound source position determination method using a head-mounted device with at least four microphones, determining microphone coordinates in a space coordinate system, calculating time differences of audio signal reception, and establishing sound source coordinates based on these coordinates and time differences.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If head-mounted devices use conventional sound presentation methods, then the device structure remains simple, but the sound source position cannot be accurately presented
Solution Approach 1:
The device is segmented into multiple functional components: multiple microphones are distributed at different positions on the head-mounted device, and multiple loudspeakers are arranged corresponding to different spatial directions. This segmentation enables the system to capture and reproduce sound from multiple spatial perspectives simultaneously, achieving accurate sound source positioning without requiring a monolithic complex structure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical/acoustic sound presentation with an electronic signal processing system. The microphones convert sound waves to electrical signals, which are then processed through coordinate transformation algorithms and played back through loudspeakers. This substitution of mechanical acoustic methods with electronic signal processing enables precise spatial control of sound sources
2Measurement precision
If multiple microphones and loudspeakers are added to achieve accurate sound positioning, then sound source position accuracy improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The multiple microphones and loudspeakers serve dual functions: they individually capture and reproduce sound, and collectively work together to determine sound source position through time difference analysis. Each component is part of a unified coordinate system that maps physical positions to spatial audio presentation, enabling the system to handle multiple sound sources and spatial positions simultaneously without requiring separate dedicated components for each function
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the physical parameter of sound arrival time into a measurable electrical signal parameter through the microphones. By analyzing time differences in signal arrival at different microphone positions, the system calculates sound source coordinates. This parameter transformation from temporal to spatial domain enables accurate positioning while maintaining a manageable device structure
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
Accurately calculates the position of sound sources in the real-world environment, enhancing the user's experience of sound in virtual reality scenes.
Implementation Method 1
determining time differences between receiving time points at which the microphones receive audio signals sent by a sound source to be positioned
Data Source
AI summary
Some embodiments of the disclosure disclose a sound source position determination method, a device and a storage medium. The method is applied to a head-mounted device including at least four microphones. The method includes: determining microphone coordinates of the microphones in a space coordinate system according to a device coordinate of a preset sound source device; determining time differences between receiving time points at which the microphones receive audio signals sent by a sound source to be positioned; determining a sound source coordinate of the sound source to be positioned in the space coordinate system according to the microphone coordinates and the time differences. According to the disclosure, a sound source position emitting sound can be accurately calculated by the head-mounted device, so that a user can clearly know the specific position of the sound source emitting the sound in a reality space environment when wearing the head-mounted device.