Sound Source Direction Detection Using Direct-Sound Metrics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current techniques for determining sound source direction are limited in their ability to accurately differentiate between direct and indirect sound, leading to inefficiencies in spatial audio processing and sound source localization.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method that utilize direct-sound metrics and metadata to determine sound source directions by accumulating values based on the balance between direct and other sound, independent of the audio capture device, allowing for precise sound source localization using low bit-rate streams.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If digital signal processing is used to convert delays between correlated audio events to sound source position, then sound source direction can be determined, but the ability to accurately differentiate between direct and indirect sound is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the audio signal processing into distinct components: direct sound metrics calculation, indirect sound metrics calculation, and their combination. By separating the processing of direct and indirect sound paths, the system can independently evaluate each component's contribution to the overall sound field, thereby improving the reliability of direct sound differentiation while maintaining direction determination accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces new parameters (direct sound metrics and indirect sound metrics) that change based on the balance between direct and indirect sound. By monitoring these parameter changes over time and comparing them against reference values, the system can dynamically adjust its determination of sound source direction, enhancing both measurement precision and reliability in varying acoustic environments
2Measurement precision
If spatial audio processing is performed to determine sound source position, then direction information can be obtained, but the processing efficiency is reduced due to inability to distinguish direct from indirect sound
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary calculation of direct sound metrics and indirect sound metrics separately before combining them for final sound source localization. This preliminary separation allows the system to pre-process and evaluate different sound paths independently, reducing the computational complexity of the overall processing while maintaining high localization accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces metrics as intermediary variables that mediate between the raw audio signals and the final sound source position determination. These metrics serve as intermediate representations that capture the essential characteristics of direct and indirect sound, enabling more efficient processing while preserving the accuracy needed for precise localization
3Measurement precision
If microphone signals from spatially separated microphones are used for spatial audio processing, then direction parameters can be determined, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent develops a universal processing framework that can handle microphone signals from various spatial configurations. By creating metrics that are independent of the specific audio capture device and working principle, the system can process signals from different microphone array geometries using the same methodology, reducing the apparent complexity despite using multiple spatially separated microphones
Data Source
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AI summary
An apparatus comprising means for: providing a plurality of metrics (10) associated with multiple directions, wherein the metrics are dependent, for the respective multiple directions, on an amount of direct-sound propagated (110); accumulating, for the respective multiple directions, values (20) dependent upon the metrics associated with the respective multiple directions to enable determination of sound source directions (120).