Rear Sound Bar Virtualization for Immersive Audio
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sound reproduction systems in small home theater spaces fail to create an immersive listening area for multiple listeners due to restricted speaker placement, resulting in a limited sound stage that does not encompass listeners, with rear auditory sound stages being inadequate or absent.
Innovation Solution
The use of a rear sound bar with customized processing to create a virtualized rear sound stage, combined with a front sound bar or discrete speakers, to generate an overall sound stage that envelops listeners, utilizing algorithms like cross talk cancellation, binauralization, and diffuse panning to account for speaker configuration and listener position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional sound reproduction system is used in a small home theater space, then the system is simple and easy to set up, but it fails to create an immersive listening area for multiple listeners
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual rear sound stage by processing and rendering audio signals that simulate the acoustic effect of physical rear speakers. The virtualization algorithm generates virtual speaker images behind the listener, copying the spatial audio experience of a full surround system without requiring actual rear speakers to be placed in the room.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional front sound stage to a three-dimensional immersive sound field by adding virtual rear speakers in the depth dimension. This creates a volumetric sound stage that envelops the listener from front, rear, and sides, transforming the listening experience from planar to spatial.
2Adaptability or versatility
If rear speakers are placed in small spaces, then immersive sound can be achieved, but speaker placement is restricted and positioning becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of physically placing rear speakers in constrained spaces, the system creates virtual copies of rear speaker positions through audio signal processing. The virtualization algorithm synthesizes the acoustic field that would exist if physical speakers were placed at ideal rear positions, eliminating the need for actual speaker placement in difficult-to-reach locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical system of physical speaker placement with an acoustic field generation system. Instead of moving and positioning physical speakers to achieve surround sound, the system uses signal processing to generate the same acoustic effect, substituting mechanical arrangement with computational audio rendering.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a rear sound bar with virtualization is used, then immersive listening experience is provided, but processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rear sound bar integrates multiple functions into a single device: it receives audio signals, performs virtualization processing to create rear speaker images, and outputs the processed signals. This multi-functional integration consolidates what would otherwise require separate components (rear speakers, virtualization processor, and amplification) into one unified device, managing complexity through integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the rear sound bar with the virtualization processing capability, combining the functions of physical speaker output and audio signal processing into a single integrated unit. This consolidation simplifies the overall system architecture by eliminating the need for separate rear speakers and virtualization processing equipment.
4Adaptability or versatility
If traditional front-only sound bars are used, then the system is simple, but the sound stage does not encompass listeners
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends the sound stage from a two-dimensional front plane to a three-dimensional volumetric field by adding virtual rear speakers. This dimensional expansion creates depth in the sound stage, allowing sound to envelop the listener from multiple directions including rear, side, and top, transforming the listening experience from flat to immersive.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates virtual images of rear speakers through audio processing, copying the spatial positioning and acoustic characteristics of physical rear speakers. This virtual copying allows the sound stage to extend to rear positions without requiring actual physical speakers at those locations, achieving comprehensive sound stage coverage through virtual spatial reproduction.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are described for providing an immersive listening area for one or more listeners. To improve the immersive experience a rear sound bar is placed behind the listeners and the input channels of the rear sound bar receive customized processing to create a virtual rear sound stage. The virtual rear sound stage and a front sound stage created by a front sound bar, combine to create an overall sound stage to encompass the listeners, providing the listeners with an immersive listening experience.