Multi-Channel Audio Segmentation for Wider, Undistorted Spatial Sound
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Solution Overview
Problem
Portable devices with closely spaced loudspeakers struggle to reproduce a wide spatial audio image due to distortion and reduced dynamic range when applying stereo widening techniques, leading to softer and distorted sound, and degradation of central audio content engagement and timbre.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that process multi-channel audio signals by deriving coherent and non-coherent sound components, applying stereo widening only to non-coherent components, and combining them to create a partially extended spatial audio image, ensuring the central audio content remains clear and undistorted.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If stereo widening techniques are applied to multi-channel audio signals on portable devices, then the spatial audio image width is enhanced, but the dynamic range is reduced and distortion increases
Solution Approach 1:
The audio signal is segmented into two distinct components: a first signal component representing coherent sounds within a focus range (central audio content), and a second signal component representing coherent sounds outside the focus range and non-coherent sounds (spatial background). This segmentation allows different processing strategies to be applied to each component, preserving the quality of central content while enhancing spatial width through stereo widening applied only to the second component.
2Area of stationary object
If stereo widening is applied to enhance spatial audio image, then the perceivable width is widened, but the central audio content engagement and timbre are degraded
Solution Approach 1:
Different processing qualities are applied to different spatial regions of the audio signal. The first signal component (central focus range) is processed with high fidelity to preserve engagement and timbre, while the second signal component (peripheral regions) undergoes stereo widening to expand spatial width. This local differentiation of processing quality ensures that central content maintains its original characteristics while the overall spatial image is widened.
Data Source
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AI summary
According to an example embodiment, a technique for processing an input audio signal (101) comprising a multi-channel audio signal is provided, the technique comprising: deriving (104), based on the input audio signal (101), a first signal component (105-1) comprising a multi-channel audio signal that represents a focus portion of a spatial audio image conveyed by the input audio signal and a second signal component (105-2) comprising a multi-channel audio signal that represents a non- focus portion of the spatial audio image; processing (112) the second signal component (105-2) into a modified second signal component (113) wherein the width of the spatial audio image is extended from that of the second signal component (105-2); and combining (114) the first signal component (105-1) and the modified second signal component (112) into an output audio signal (115) comprising a multi- channel audio signal that represents partially extended spatial audio image.