Higher-Order Ambisonics Rendering for Screen-Size Audio Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing spatial audio technologies struggle to adapt sound playback to differently-sized video screens, leading to mismatches between the perceived position of sound objects and visible objects on the screen, which distracts viewers and compromises the spatial audio experience.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that utilize space warping processing to adapt Higher-Order Ambisonics audio signals to match the perceived position of audio objects with the corresponding visible objects on the screen by decoding, warping, and rendering the audio signals based on the difference between the original and target screen sizes, using metadata to control the warping process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If Higher-Order Ambisonics audio signals are played back without adaptation to screen size, then the spatial audio can be reproduced with high fidelity and flexibility, but the perceived position of sound objects does not match the position of visible objects on differently-sized screens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adaptation of the Higher-Order Ambisonics audio signal based on the detected or received screen size parameters. The system adjusts the spatial rendering parameters in real-time according to the actual playback environment, transforming the static spatial audio into a dynamic system that adapts to different screen sizes while maintaining spatial accuracy and visual-audio correspondence.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies key parameters of the Higher-Order Ambisonics decoding process based on screen size information. By changing parameters such as the loudspeaker position coordinates, listening position coordinates, and rendering parameters according to the detected screen size, the system achieves accurate matching between sound objects and visible objects across different display formats.
2Manufacturing precision
If channel-based sound systems are used with specific loudspeaker placement rules, then sound mixing can be done coherently with visible objects on screen, but the flexibility for changing loudspeaker settings is very limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a universal Higher-Order Ambisonics framework that can adapt to various loudspeaker configurations and screen sizes. Instead of being constrained to specific channel-based layouts, the system provides multi-functionality by rendering spatial audio accurately for different playback environments, combining the advantages of coherent sound mixing with flexible adaptation capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transforms the static loudspeaker configuration requirements of channel-based systems into a dynamic adaptation process. By detecting screen size and automatically adjusting rendering parameters, the system maintains sound mixing coherence while providing flexibility for different loudspeaker settings and playback environments.
3Volume of moving object
If the number of loudspeaker channels is increased to improve spatial coverage, then the spatial audio experience is enhanced, but the difficulty of adapting audio content to sub-optimal loudspeaker positions increases extremely
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements an automatic adaptation system that detects screen size parameters and self-adjusts the Higher-Order Ambisonics rendering without requiring manual configuration. This self-service approach simplifies the complexity of adapting high-channel-count spatial audio systems by automating the parameter adjustment process based on detected playback environment characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The system manages the complexity of high-channel-count configurations by systematically changing rendering parameters based on screen size detection. Instead of requiring complex manual setup, the system automatically adjusts parameters such as loudspeaker positions and inter-channel correlations according to the detected playback environment, making high-channel systems as easy to deploy as lower-channel systems.
4Stability of the object's composition
If sound objects are mapped exclusively to the centre channel for stable positioning, then the positioning stability is improved, but the spaciousness of the overall sound scene becomes sub-optimal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic spatial distribution of sound objects based on detected screen size and playback environment. Instead of statically mapping all sound objects to the centre channel, the system dynamically determines the optimal spatial distribution, allowing sound objects to be positioned across multiple channels while maintaining stability through adaptive rendering that responds to the actual playback conditions.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for generating loudspeaker signals associated with a target screen size is disclosed. The method includes receiving a bit stream containing encoded higher order ambisonics signals, the encoded higher order ambisonics signals describing a sound field associated with a production screen size. The method further includes decoding the encoded higher order ambisonics signals to obtain a first set of decoded higher order ambisonics signals representing dominant components of the sound field and a second set of decoded higher order ambisonics signals representing ambient components of the sound field. The method also includes combining the first set of decoded higher order ambisonics signals and the second set of decoded higher order ambisonics signals to produce a combined set of decoded higher order ambisonics signals.