Position-Aware Acoustic Signal Processing for Realistic Sound Reproduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing acoustic presentation technologies fail to account for the unique acoustic characteristics of different locations, leading to a lack of realism in sound reproduction.

Innovation Solution

A signal processing apparatus and method that convolves acoustic transfer characteristics with virtual sound source data based on the user's current position, using room impulse responses (RIR) and head-related transfer functions to enhance sound localization and realism.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If acoustic presentation is performed at specific positions without considering location characteristics, then the system is simple and easy to operate, but the realism and authenticity of sound reproduction deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverealism of acoustic presentationVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by pre-acquiring and storing acoustic transfer characteristics (such as room impulse responses) for multiple positions in the target area before actual acoustic presentation. When the user arrives at a specific position, the system simply retrieves and applies the pre-prepared acoustic characteristics for that position, thereby achieving realistic sound reproduction without requiring complex real-time processing at the presentation moment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates copies of acoustic transfer characteristics for different positions in the target area. Instead of calculating acoustic properties from scratch for each position, the system acquires and stores copied representations (room impulse responses) of the acoustic environment at each position. These copied characteristics are then applied during acoustic presentation to reproduce the authentic sound environment of the specific location.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Reliability

If acoustic transfer characteristics are acquired for each position in the target area, then the acoustic presentation becomes more realistic, but the data storage requirements and processing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveacoustic presentation realismVSAvoiddata storage requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system extracts only the essential acoustic transfer characteristics (room impulse responses) needed for realistic presentation at each position, rather than storing complete acoustic environment data. By taking out and storing only the critical transfer function information, the system achieves realistic acoustic presentation while minimizing data storage requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the system uses position-based acoustic characteristics, then the acoustic presentation adapts to different locations, but the system complexity and computational load increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocation-based acoustic adaptationVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies local quality by assigning specific acoustic transfer characteristics to each position in the target area. Each position has its own customized acoustic characteristics (room impulse responses) that reflect the local acoustic environment. When acoustic presentation occurs at a specific position, only the local acoustic characteristics for that position are applied, enabling location-based adaptation without requiring global system reconfiguration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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

Enables highly realistic acoustic presentation by accurately simulating sound characteristics of specific locations, such as movie theaters or urban areas, enhancing user experience and safety through localized sound reproduction.

Implementation Method 1

an acoustic transfer characteristic convolution processing unit that convolves an acoustic transfer characteristic according to a current position of a presentation destination of a virtual sound source among the acoustic transfer characteristic associated with each position in a space and virtual sound source data of the virtual sound source

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAcoustic transfer characteristic convolution:

Implementation Method 2

using room impulse responses (RIR) and head-related transfer functions to enhance sound localization and realism

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRoom impulse response simulation: Reverberation

Data Source

PatentUS12445794B2Signal processing apparatus and method, acoustic reproduction apparatus, and program

Publication Date: 2025.10.14 SONY GROUP CORP

AI summary

The present technology relates to a signal processing apparatus and method, an acoustic reproduction apparatus, and a program that can achieve more realistic acoustic presentation. The signal processing apparatus includes an acoustic transfer characteristic convolution processing unit that convolves an acoustic transfer characteristic according to a current position of a presentation destination of a virtual sound source among the acoustic transfer characteristic associated with each position in a space and virtual sound source data of the virtual sound source. The present technology can be applied to an acoustic reproduction system.