Spatial Audio Visualization for Mobile Device Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current technologies fail to effectively display and control three-dimensional audio sound fields on mobile devices, making it difficult for users to manipulate and process spatial audio signals in a user-friendly manner.

Innovation Solution

A spatial audio visualization system that uses a microphone array, analogue-to-digital converter, and processor to capture and analyze audio signals, determining audio source direction and motion, and allows users to control the audio field orientation through a user interface, enabling visualization and filtering of audio signals by direction or range.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If audio signals are transformed into visual images in three-dimensional space, then spatial audio information is enhanced and made more controllable, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespatial audio informationVSAvoidprocessing system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates visual copies of audio signals by transforming audio data into visual representations in three-dimensional space. Each audio signal is converted into a visual image that replicates the spatial characteristics of the original sound, allowing users to see and manipulate audio information visually without altering the underlying audio data structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent adds a visual dimension to audio information by displaying transformed audio signals in three-dimensional space. This dimensional transformation allows spatial audio characteristics to be perceived and controlled visually, converting an auditory-only experience into a multi-sensory interface that preserves all original audio information while adding visual accessibility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of operation

If real-time audio signal processing and visualization is implemented, then user control of audio field orientation is improved, but computational requirements and processing time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaudio field controlVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary transformations of audio signals into visual representations in real-time as the signals are captured. By pre-processing the audio data into visual formats during the recording phase, the system eliminates the need for complex post-processing computations, allowing users to immediately interact with pre-computed visual audio fields without additional processing delays

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements real-time feedback by continuously displaying visual representations of audio signals as they are captured and processed. This immediate visual feedback loop allows users to see the audio field orientation and make adjustments in real-time, with the system responding instantly to user inputs without requiring batch processing or delayed computation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP2812785B1Visual spatial audio
Publication Date: 2020.11.25 NOKIA TECHNOLOGIES OY
  • EP2812785B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2812785B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2812785B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method comprising: receiving at least one audio channel signal; receiving at least one user interface input; generating a visualisation of the at least one audio channel signal dependent on the at least one user interface input; and rendering the at least one audio channel signal to generate a rendered audio signal dependent on the at least one user interface input wherein the rendered audio channel signal is substantially synchronised with the visualisation of the at least one audio channel signal.