Spatial Audio Signal Reconstruction via Virtual Time Delay
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Solution Overview
Problem
Microphone arrays face challenges in capturing spatial audio signals due to space constraints, as closely spaced microphones result in similar audio signals, losing the spatial aspect, and directional microphones are expensive and require additional spacing.
Innovation Solution
A method that involves positioning microphones at an actual distance with an actual time delay and determining a virtual time delay corresponding to a virtual distance to modify captured audio signals, allowing for spatial audio signal capture even with limited spacing, using either directional or non-directional microphones.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If microphones are positioned close together to save space, then device size is reduced, but spatial audio quality deteriorates because the captured signals become too similar
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the physical microphone array by synthesizing signals that mimic what would be captured by microphones positioned at ideal spaced locations. The virtual microphone array is a computational replica that reproduces spatial audio characteristics without requiring physical space, thereby resolving the contradiction between compact device size and spatial audio quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces signal processing algorithms as an intermediary between the physical microphones and the final audio output. This intermediary layer computationally enhances the closely-spaced microphone signals to resemble signals from widely-spaced microphones, allowing the system to achieve spatial audio quality equivalent to larger physical arrangements while maintaining a compact form factor.
2Measurement precision
If directional microphones are used to capture spatial audio, then spatial directionality is improved, but cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical solution of using physically directional microphones with a computational approach. Instead of relying on the physical orientation and directional sensitivity of microphone elements, the system uses signal processing algorithms to compute spatial directionality from omnidirectional or less-directional microphones, thereby reducing device complexity and cost while maintaining spatial audio performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the microphone system by processing signals in the temporal and frequency domains rather than relying on spatial orientation parameters. By analyzing time delays, amplitude differences, and spectral characteristics of signals from closely-spaced microphones, the system computes spatial information that would traditionally require directional microphones, thus simplifying the hardware while preserving directional accuracy.
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 audio quality by recreating spatial audio signals effectively within space constraints, using less expensive non-directional microphones and maintaining spatial audio aspects, even when microphones are closely spaced.
Implementation Method 1
determining a virtual time delay corresponding to a virtual distance to modify captured audio signals
Implementation Method 2
The second audio signal is associated with an actual time delay relative to the first audio signal
Data Source
AI summary
Examples disclose a method to receive a first audio signal at a first microphone positioned at an actual distance from a second microphone. Additionally, the examples disclose the method is further to receive a second audio signal at the second microphone, the second audio signal is associated with an actual time delay relative to the first audio signal. Also, the examples disclose the method is also to determine a virtual time delay corresponding to a virtual distance that is different from the actual distance and to obtain a spatial audio signal based the distances and the time delays.