Object-Based Audio Format Conversion for Immersive Playback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing audio content systems fail to provide a user-customized immersive experience across various playback environments, as they are limited to playing back pre-mixed stereo content without considering the specific capabilities of the playback device.
Innovation Solution
A computer system that processes audio content by converting its format based on the playback environment, using metadata to render immersive experiences on devices with varying capabilities, including smartphones, audio receivers, and home cinemas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If audio content is provided in a completed stereo form, then the content can be simply played back on any device, but the user cannot experience a customized immersive audio experience across various playback environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-processing audio content into an object-based format with embedded metadata during the content creation phase. This allows the audio objects and their spatial information to be prepared in advance, enabling flexible adaptation to different playback environments without requiring complex real-time processing during playback.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by dynamically adjusting audio rendering parameters based on the detected playback environment characteristics. The system modifies spatial audio parameters, channel configurations, and rendering settings according to the specific capabilities of the playback device, enabling the same content to deliver optimized immersive experiences across diverse environments.
2Ease of operation
If audio content is provided in a completed mixed form, then the playback process is simple, but the content cannot be optimized for specific playback device capabilities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by separating the audio content into distinct audio objects with individual metadata rather than providing a pre-mixed stereo signal. This segmentation allows the playback system to independently process and position each audio object according to the specific capabilities of the playback device, achieving both simplified playback operations and device-optimized output.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the same audio content format is used across all devices, then the system is easy to implement, but the immersive experience cannot be customized for different playback environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary approach by using a standardized object-based audio format as a universal intermediate representation. This format serves as a mediator between content creation and diverse playback environments, allowing automatic adaptation to different devices through metadata interpretation without requiring complex manual format conversion or reprocessing for each device type.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer system for processing audio content may receive content that includes metadata on spatial features about a plurality of objects, convert a format set according to a production environment of the content to a format according to a playback environment in an electronic apparatus, and transmit the content in the converted format to the electronic apparatus. The computer system may support content produced in various production environments and various playback environments.