Selective Spatial Audio Processing for Unwanted Noise
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Solution Overview
Problem
Unwanted noise, such as wind noise, detracts from the immersive audio experience provided by stereo or spatial audio signals, affecting the stability and quality of the audio scene.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method for detecting unwanted noise in audio signals and modifying the stereo or spatial audio signal based on a determined level of spatial interest in the audio scene, reducing directional and/or spatial representation by suppressing the affected signals, and providing a modified audio signal for output.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If stereo or spatial audio processing is applied to enhance immersion, then audio quality and spatial perception are improved, but susceptibility to unwanted noise increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between stereo/spatial audio modes and monaural mode based on noise detection. When unwanted noise is detected above a threshold, the system transitions from the immersive stereo/spatial mode to a more robust monaural mode, and switches back when noise subsides. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by adjusting the audio processing mode according to environmental conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors the audio input for unwanted noise and uses this feedback to control the audio processing mode. A noise detector analyzes the stereo/spatial audio signal in real-time, and based on the detected noise level, triggers mode switching between stereo/spatial and monaural processing. This feedback mechanism ensures audio quality is maintained when possible while protecting against noise degradation.
2Reliability
If spatial audio processing is used to create immersive experience, then directional and spatial representation is enhanced, but stability in noisy environments deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The audio processing mode is dynamically adjusted based on environmental noise conditions. The system maintains stable stereo/spatial processing when conditions are favorable, but transitions to a more stable monaural mode when noise disrupts the audio scene composition. This dynamic switching preserves immersive experience when possible while ensuring stability when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs continuous feedback from noise detection to maintain audio scene stability. When unwanted noise is detected that compromises the stability of the spatial audio representation, the system switches to monaural mode which is inherently more stable in such conditions, then returns to stereo/spatial mode when stability is restored.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If monaural version is produced to suppress unwanted noise, then noise reduction is achieved, but spatial and directional information is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically selects between monaural and stereo/spatial processing modes based on real-time noise assessment. Monaural processing is applied only when and where unwanted noise is detected, while stereo/spatial processing is maintained in clean conditions. This dynamic approach minimizes information loss by preserving spatial processing whenever possible while applying monaural suppression only when necessary.
Solution Approach 2:
The noise suppression is applied selectively rather than globally to the entire audio signal. The system processes individual audio channels and applies monaural conversion only when noise is detected in specific spatial regions, preserving spatial information in noise-free areas while suppressing noise in affected areas. This local application minimizes overall information loss.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus, method and computer program is described comprising: providing a stereo or spatial audio signal produced using individual signals from respective microphones of a user device, the stereo or spatial audio signal representing an audio scene; detecting unwanted noise in at least one of the individual signals; responsive to detecting the unwanted noise, modifying the stereo or spatial audio signal based on a determined level of spatial interest in the audio scene meeting a predetermined condition; and providing the modified audio signal for output via one or more speakers.