Sound Allocation Mechanism for Spatial Audio Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current sound detection and presentation systems, such as video conferencing and hearing aids, face challenges in accurately identifying and isolating the desired sound source, leading to temporal gaps or contradictions in perception, and overloading the user's sensory experience due to background noise and misdirection of sound sources.
Innovation Solution
The system employs an assignment mechanism that considers the spatial arrangement of recording and playback devices, using criteria like sound pressure, electrical voltage, or viewing direction to assign sound reproduction, ensuring that the sound appears to originate from the intended source, similar to optical perspective correction, and incorporates multiple microphones and cameras for improved signal selection and noise reduction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple recording means are used to capture sound from different locations, then the coverage and reliability of sound capture is improved, but the difficulty of selecting the appropriate sound source and maintaining spatial accuracy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual sound source selection with an automated allocation mechanism that uses spatial arrangement data and acoustic criteria to automatically assign sound sources to recording means. The system calculates which recording device should capture sound based on the sound source's position relative to multiple microphones, eliminating the need for manual intervention while maintaining spatial accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service by allowing the allocation mechanism to autonomously determine and switch between appropriate recording means based on real-time spatial relationships. The allocation mechanism continuously monitors sound source positions and automatically selects the most suitable microphone without external control, making the system adaptive and self-regulating.
2Area of stationary object
If sound is captured by recording means positioned farther from the sound source, then broader spatial coverage is achieved, but the sound pressure and signal quality decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic sound source allocation where the system continuously adapts which recording means captures the sound based on real-time spatial relationships. When a sound source moves, the allocation mechanism dynamically switches between microphones to maintain optimal signal quality while preserving spatial coverage, making the system flexible rather than static.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies local quality by assigning different recording means to different spatial zones. Each microphone is optimally positioned for capturing sound from specific directions or areas, and the allocation mechanism ensures that the sound source is always captured by the microphone best suited for its current location, optimizing signal quality locally while maintaining global coverage.
3Measurement precision
If the allocation mechanism switches between different recording means based on spatial arrangement, then the accuracy of sound source localization is improved, but the complexity of the system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves universality by designing the allocation mechanism to handle multiple functions: spatial localization, sound source identification, recording means selection, and audio routing. This single multi-functional component replaces what would otherwise require separate systems for each function, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high localization accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges the functions of spatial analysis, sound source detection, and recording means control into a unified allocation mechanism. By combining these previously separate functions into one integrated system, the patent reduces the number of independent components needed while enhancing the precision of sound source localization through coordinated operation.
4Productivity
If background noise is captured along with the desired sound source, then the recording means can operate continuously without selective switching, but the perception quality and user experience deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the desired sound source from the mixed audio signal by using the allocation mechanism to selectively route only the relevant sound to the output. The system identifies and extracts the target sound source based on spatial criteria, separating it from background noise and other unwanted sounds, thereby improving perception quality while maintaining continuous recording operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The allocation mechanism acts as an intermediary between the multiple recording means and the final output, filtering and selecting which sounds are transmitted. This intermediary component processes the raw audio signals from all microphones and delivers only the relevant sound sources to the output, effectively blocking background noise while preserving recording continuity.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a system for capturing and displaying sound, wherein the system comprises at least one recording means, one allocation means and at least one playback means, wherein the recording means is configured to capture sound from a sound source, wherein the playback means is configured to reproduce the sound, and wherein the allocation means are configured to assign the reproduction of captured sound from at least one recording means to at least one of the playback means, wherein the allocation means are configured to assign to the playback means the reproduction of that sound which fulfills a certain criterion and/or to assign the reproduction of the sound captured by the recording means to the playback means in such a way that the spatial arrangement of the recording means and the playback means is taken into account.