Sound Apparatus Virtual Sound Source Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sound systems fail to allow users to easily designate the position of a virtual sound source at their listening position, limiting the ability to achieve desired sound effects when the listening position differs from the recommended reference position.

Innovation Solution

A sound system that enables users to designate the position of a virtual sound source by operating a terminal apparatus to transmit direction information, which the sound apparatus uses to generate audio signals that simulate the sound source's position based on loudspeaker, listening, and virtual sound source information, allowing sound to be heard from a desired direction at an arbitrary position.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the user listens at a position different from the reference position, then the user can listen at an arbitrary position, but the desired sound reproduction effect cannot be acquired

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelistening position flexibilityVSAvoidsound reproduction effect
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the audio signal based on the user's listening position. The sound reproduction apparatus calculates correction coefficients according to the relative position between the user and loudspeakers, and applies real-time correction to maintain accurate sound reproduction effects regardless of where the user sits in the listening room.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If a technique of correcting an audio signal is used based on position information, then the desired sound effect can be acquired, but the complexity of the system increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesound effect accuracyVSAvoidsignal correction system
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces complex mechanical positioning and adjustment mechanisms with computational methods. Instead of physically adjusting loudspeaker positions or using complex acoustic structures, the system uses digital signal processing to calculate correction coefficients based on position information, achieving accurate sound reproduction through software rather than hardware complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Manufacturing precision

If the user designates the position of a virtual sound source, then the sound image can be localized at the desired position, but the ease of operation is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesound image localization precisionVSAvoidvirtual sound source designation
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically determines the user's listening position and calculates the appropriate correction coefficients without requiring manual input. The sound reproduction apparatus self-adjusts by detecting the relative position between the user and loudspeakers, eliminating the need for users to manually designate virtual sound source positions while still achieving precise sound image localization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3007468B1Program used for terminal apparatus, sound apparatus, sound system, and method used for sound apparatus
Publication Date: 2024.01.10 YAMAHA CORP
  • EP3007468B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3007468B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3007468B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A sound apparatus includes: an acceptance unit that accepts an input of an input audio signal from outside; a communication unit that accepts from a terminal apparatus first direction information indicating a first direction, the first direction being a direction in which a virtual sound source is arranged; a position information generation unit that generates virtual sound source position information based on listening position information, the first direction information and boundary information, the listening position information indicating a listening position, the boundary information indicating a boundary of a space where the virtual sound source is arranged, the virtual sound source position information indicating a position of the virtual sound source on the boundary; a signal generation unit that imparts, based on loudspeaker position information, the listening position information and the virtual sound source position information, a sound effect to the input audio signal such that a sound is heard at the listening position as if the sound comes from the virtual sound source, to generate an output audio signal, the loudspeaker position information indicating positions of a plurality of loudspeakers; and an output unit that outputs the output audio signal to outside.