Spatial Audio Reconstruction Using Microphone and Speaker Arrays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing communication devices lack spatial cues in audio transmission, leading to a dull and non-immersive listening experience for users, as mono audio fails to provide information about the source's location relative to the device.
Innovation Solution
Devices capture audio signals using multiple microphones, encode them with location and timestamp information, and transmit this data to another device for spatial audio reconstruction, allowing speakers to output audio as if the user were at the original location.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If mono audio is transmitted from one device to another, then the transmission is simple and straightforward, but the listening experience becomes dull and lacks spatial awareness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the audio transmission into multiple channels, each carrying spatial information from different directions. Instead of transmitting a single mono audio stream, the system divides the audio into directional components that can be independently processed and reconstructed at the receiving end, preserving spatial cues while maintaining manageable complexity through structured segmentation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from one-dimensional mono audio transmission to multi-dimensional spatial audio transmission by adding directional and positional dimensions. Audio signals are encoded with spatial metadata indicating source location, distance, and direction, transforming the audio from a single channel into a multi-channel spatial representation that recreates the three-dimensional acoustic environment
2Loss of information
If speakers output audio equally from all positions, then the output is simple and uniform, but spatial cues are not provided to the listener
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by assigning different audio characteristics to different speaker positions based on the spatial location of the sound source. Each speaker outputs audio with adjusted volume, timing, and spectral content according to its position relative to the perceived sound source, creating localized audio zones that collectively reconstruct the spatial scene rather than uniform output from all speakers
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the receiving device analyzes the encoded spatial audio data and adjusts speaker output dynamically based on the decoded position information. The feedback loop ensures that spatial cues are accurately reconstructed by continuously monitoring and adjusting the audio output from multiple speakers to match the original spatial characteristics
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
This approach enhances the listening experience by providing spatial cues, creating an immersive audio environment that mimics the original sound source's position, improving user engagement.
Implementation Method 1
triangulate the location based on a time each of the two or more microphones received the audio input
Data Source
AI summary
The technology generally relates to spatial audio communication between devices. For example, a first device and a second device may be connected via a communication link. The first device may capture audio signals in an environment through two or more microphones. The first device may encode the captured audio with direction information. The first device may transmit the encoded audio via the communication link to the second device. The second device may decode the encoded audio to be output by one or more speakers of the second device. The second device may output the decoded audio to recreate positions of the captured audio signals.