Sound Image Localization Control Apparatus Using Time-Difference Signal Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sound image localization techniques face limitations when trying to localize a sound image at a position on the straight line connecting a virtual sound source and a real sound source, as the signals from these sources are highly correlated, leading to incorrect localization and frequency deterioration when combined, and require complex configurations with multiple speakers.
Innovation Solution
A sound image localization control apparatus that produces first and second audio signals with a time difference using gain controllers and a delaying unit, allowing the virtual sound source signal to be supplied to one speaker, while the real sound source signal is supplied to another, thereby reducing correlation and enabling accurate localization without increasing the number of speakers or complicating the process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the real-sound source signal and virtual-sound source signal are added together to localize the sound image, then the sound image can be localized at a position on the straight line connecting the virtual sound source and the real sound source, but the signals are highly correlated, causing the virtual sound source to be localized at an unexpected position and frequency characteristics to deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the audio signal processing into separate paths: one path processes the real-sound source signal while another path processes the virtual-sound source signal with additional delay and gain adjustment. This segmentation prevents the direct addition of highly correlated signals, thereby avoiding localization errors and frequency deterioration while maintaining accurate sound image positioning.
2Measurement precision
If multiple speakers are used to avoid overlapping of real-sound source signals and virtual-sound source signals, then the virtual sound source can be localized more accurately, but the configuration of the audio apparatus becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the real-sound source signal and virtual-sound source signal processing within a unified audio apparatus configuration, using delay and gain adjustment mechanisms to prevent signal overlap issues. This merging approach achieves accurate virtual sound source localization without requiring separate speaker configurations, thereby reducing system complexity while maintaining localization precision.
3Device complexity
If the same speaker is used to output both real-sound source signals and virtual-sound source signals, then the audio apparatus configuration is simplified, but the sound image localization becomes inaccurate due to signal correlation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the temporal and amplitude parameters of the virtual-sound source signal by introducing a delay and adjusting the gain before combining it with the real-sound source signal. This parameter modification reduces the correlation between the two signals, enabling accurate sound image localization from a single speaker while maintaining simplified audio apparatus configuration.
Data Source
AI summary
A sound image localization control apparatus includes: a distributing unit configured to produce first and second audio signals which have a time difference, from an input audio signal, and configured to supply the first audio signal to one of a plurality of speakers; and a virtual-sound source processing unit configured to produce a virtual-sound source signal for localizing a sound source at a virtual sound source position in a space where the plurality of speakers are disposed, which is to be supplied to the one of the plurality of speakers, based on the second audio signal.