Multichannel Audio Signal Generation Using Location Data

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for generating multichannel audio signals struggle to accurately recreate the spatial audio experience by considering multiple audio sources and their positions, leading to an incomplete representation of the audio image and lack of immersion in listening experiences.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising mobile communication terminals with microphones and GPS receivers, which transmit audio signals and location data to a server that processes these signals to generate a stereo signal, allowing users to select a location and orientation within an audio space, thereby creating a multichannel signal that simulates the audio experience from various sources at that location.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If multiple microphones are used to record audio signals from different locations, then the spatial audio representation is improved, but the complexity of processing and positioning the signals increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespatial audio representationVSAvoidsignal processing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The audio signal processing is divided into separate modules: location data processing, audio signal processing, and spatial relationship calculation. Each module handles specific tasks independently, making the overall complex system manageable and easier to implement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A server acts as an intermediary between mobile communication terminals and the audio processing system. The server receives location data and audio signals from multiple terminals, processes them to generate multichannel audio signals, and transmits the results back to users, centralizing the complex processing function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If the system processes audio signals from multiple locations to create immersive audio experience, then the audio image quality is improved, but the computational resources required increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaudio image qualityVSAvoidcomputational resources
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The system processes audio signals from multiple locations even when not all locations are fully utilized, creating a robust multichannel audio signal that maintains high quality regardless of the exact number or position of active audio sources.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts audio parameters such as panning, volume, and spatial positioning based on the relative positions of audio sources and the user's selected location, optimizing computational efficiency while maintaining audio image quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If the system generates multichannel audio signals based on user-selected location, then the adaptability to different listening positions is improved, but the processing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to listening positionsVSAvoidsignal processing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system pre-processes audio signals and spatial relationships in advance, calculating positional data and audio characteristics before the actual audio playback, so that when a user selects a location, the processing is already optimized for that position.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the processing parameters and audio signal characteristics based on the user's selected location and the positions of audio sources, allowing efficient adaptation to different listening positions without requiring complete reprocessing from scratch.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2356653B1Apparatus and method for generating a multichannel signal
Publication Date: 2019.12.18 NOKIA TECHNOLOGIES OY
  • EP2356653B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2356653B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2356653B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An apparatus comprises a processor configured to receive a first audio signal and first location data,the first location data relating to a location of a source of the first audio signal; receive a second audio signal and second location data, the second location data relating to a location of a source of the second audio signal; receive selected location data relating to a selected location; and generate a multichannel signal in dependence on the first and second audio signals, the first and second location data and the selected location data.