Spatialized Soundfield Beamforming for Multi-Listener Localization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing spatialized sound systems struggle to accurately create virtual sound images for multiple listeners outside the sweet spot, especially when using loudspeakers, due to issues with cross-talk cancellation and varying head-related transfer functions among individuals, leading to distorted sound perception and limited control over the sound field.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for spatialized audio using digital signal processing to control speakers, employing beamforming techniques and adaptive algorithms to optimize sound delivery based on listener position and environmental reflections, ensuring accurate sound localization and control across different listening positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If amplitude stereo technique is used to create virtual sound images, then sound localization is improved within the angle spanned by loudspeakers, but accurate virtual imaging outside the loudspeaker angle span cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from conventional 2D stereo imaging to 3D spatial audio by incorporating vertical dimension control through multiple loudspeakers and advanced signal processing. This enables virtual sound images to be positioned in three-dimensional space, overcoming the limitation of traditional amplitude stereo that is confined to the horizontal plane between loudspeakers.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts multiple acoustic parameters including amplitude, phase, time delay, and frequency content across different loudspeakers. By changing these parameters adaptively based on desired virtual source position and listener characteristics, the system achieves accurate sound localization both within and outside the conventional loudspeaker angle span.
2Measurement precision
If cross-talk cancellation is applied to optimize sound for one listener, then sound localization is improved for that listener, but accurate multiuser spatialization becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the audio signal into multiple frequency bands and processes each band separately with different spatialization parameters. This allows the system to accommodate multiple listeners with different head-related transfer functions by providing frequency-dependent spatial cues that work across various listening positions and orientations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system designs the spatialization algorithm to serve multiple functions simultaneously: it optimizes for individual listener localization while also maintaining acceptable performance for multiple users. This is achieved through robust beamforming and adaptive processing that adjusts to different listener configurations without requiring separate optimization for each user.
3Device complexity
If a sparse transducer array is used to reduce system complexity, then device complexity is reduced, but control over the sound field and accuracy of virtual imaging deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the need for densely packed physical transducers with sophisticated digital signal processing algorithms. By using computational beamforming and adaptive filtering, the system achieves precise sound field control with fewer physical loudspeakers, substituting mechanical complexity with computational intelligence.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces digital signal processing as an intermediary between the sparse transducer array and the sound field. This intermediary layer performs complex operations including beamforming, cross-talk cancellation, and head-related transfer function compensation, enabling accurate virtual imaging despite the limited number and spacing of physical transducers.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system provides precise spatialized audio reproduction for multiple listeners, maintaining accurate sound localization and minimizing cross-talk, even outside the sweet spot, by dynamically adjusting sound beams and compensating for individual head-related transfer functions.
Implementation Method 1
an audio transducer array... each audio transducer in the audio transducer array comprising a diaphragm
Implementation Method 2
acoustic interaction of the object... environmental reflections
Data Source
AI summary
A signal processing system and method for delivering spatialized sound, comprising: a spatial mapping sensor, configured to map an environment, to determine at least a position of at least one listener and at least one object; a signal processor configured to: transform a received audio program according to a spatialization model comprising parameters defining a head-related transfer function, and an acoustic interaction of the object, to form spatialized audio; generate an array of audio transducer signals for an audio transducer array representing the spatialized audio; and a network port configured to communicate physical state information for the at least one listener through digital packet communication network.