Masking Sound Generation for Wave Field Synthesis Leakage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multi-zone reproduction techniques using wave field synthesis struggle to effectively prevent sound leakage between regions, with previous methods either failing to cancel sounds at positions other than the control point or requiring a large number of speakers and microphones to achieve minimal leakage.
Innovation Solution
A signal processing apparatus and method that generates a masking sound to mask content sounds from adjacent regions, using external information and sensors to determine the appropriate masking sound level and characteristics, allowing for effective sound isolation without increasing the number of speakers or microphones.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If sound cancellation is performed at a control point using a microphone and speaker pair, then sound is canceled at that specific point, but sound leaks at positions other than the control point, especially farther away from the control point
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a masking sound as an intermediary element to address sound leakage. Instead of attempting to cancel sound at multiple control points (which would require many microphones and speakers), the system generates a masking sound that propagates through the space and masks the leaked sound waves, making them inaudible to listeners without requiring additional cancellation infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful leaked sound waves into a beneficial masking effect. By generating a masking sound with appropriate amplitude and frequency characteristics, the system transforms the leaked sound from a problematic interference into a controlled auditory element that masks the unwanted sound, effectively turning the leakage problem into a solution.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a large number of control points are used to form one guidance region, then sound leakage is reduced, but the number of speakers required increases significantly, as the number of control points must be one or more less than the number of speakers
Solution Approach 1:
The masking sound acts as an intermediary that enables sound isolation without requiring a large number of speakers. Instead of using many speakers to create multiple control points for sound cancellation, the system uses a single masking sound source (or limited sources) that propagates through the guidance region and masks leaked sounds, dramatically reducing the speaker count requirement.
Solution Approach 2:
The masking sound serves multiple functions simultaneously: it masks leaked sounds from adjacent regions, maintains sound isolation within the guidance region, and can be adjusted dynamically based on environmental conditions. This multi-functional approach replaces what would traditionally require many dedicated speakers for sound cancellation.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If masking sound level is increased to mask leaked sounds, then sound isolation is improved, but the masking sound may become audible and disruptive in the guidance region
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the masking sound parameters (amplitude, frequency, duration) based on detected conditions. The masking sound level is increased only when and where leaked sounds are detected, and is modulated to match ambient noise characteristics. This parameter adaptation allows effective masking of leaked sounds while minimizing the audibility and disruption of the masking sound itself in the guidance region.
Solution Approach 2:
The masking sound is implemented as a dynamic, adaptive signal rather than a static one. The system continuously monitors the acoustic environment and adjusts the masking sound characteristics in real-time, increasing masking effectiveness when needed while reducing visibility when the guidance region is quiet, thus balancing masking performance with auditory comfort.
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 solution enables easy suppression of leaking sounds, improving sound isolation between regions by dynamically adjusting masking sound levels and characteristics based on environmental factors and sensor data, thus enhancing the auditory experience by reducing unwanted noise.
Implementation Method 1
generates a masking sound for masking a sound of the first content and a sound of the second content heard in a region between the first region and the second region
Data Source
AI summary
The present technology relates to a signal processing apparatus and method, and a program that can easily make a leaking sound difficult to hear.A signal processing apparatus includes a masking sound generation unit that, in a case where a first content is reproduced in a first region and a second content is reproduced in a second region by wave field synthesis using a speaker array, generates a masking sound for masking a sound of the first content and a sound of the second content heard in a region between the first region and the second region. The present technology can be applied to content reproduction systems.