Stereo Audio Panning for Security Source Attribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing security systems combine all audio tracks from clients at different locations into a single track, making it difficult to attribute dialogue to specific clients and leading to overlap or obfuscation of important sounds during emergency situations.
Innovation Solution
The creation of a stereo composite track where each source is automatically panned to a distinct location, along with the generation of separate 'forensic' audio tracks for individual sources, enhances the differentiation of sources on playback and aids in attribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If all audio tracks are combined into a single composite track, then the system simplifies audio processing and storage, but it becomes difficult to attribute dialogue to specific clients and important sounds may overlap or be obfuscated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the audio processing into multiple distinct tracks, each corresponding to a specific client or audio source. Instead of combining all audio into a single mixed track, the system maintains separate audio tracks for each client, preserving the ability to attribute dialogue to specific sources while still providing a composite view when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces spatial positioning information (pan angles) as an additional dimension for audio tracks. Each audio track is associated with specific pan angle information that indicates its spatial position in the audio field, allowing the system to differentiate and attribute audio sources not just by time but by spatial dimension as well.
2Ease of manufacture
If all audio sources are panned to center position, then the mixing process is simplified, but the differentiation between audio sources is reduced making attribution difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different pan angle values to different audio tracks based on their spatial characteristics. Instead of uniformly panning all sources to center, each audio track receives a specific pan angle that reflects its spatial position, creating local differentiation in the audio field while maintaining overall system simplicity.
3Measurement precision
If multiple audio tracks are processed with individual pan angles, then source differentiation is improved, but the processing complexity and computational requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary assignment of pan angles to each audio track during the audio capture and initial processing phase. By establishing the spatial positioning information early in the audio workflow, the system avoids the need for complex real-time spatial analysis and processing, reducing overall computational complexity while maintaining precise source differentiation.
Data Source
AI summary
A method, system, server and device are disclosed. According to one or more embodiments, a server is provided. A first audio track is received which includes first audio originating from a premises client at a premises location. A second audio track is received which includes second audio originating from a remote client. A first pan angle is determined for the first audio track and a second pan angle is determined for the second audio track. The second pan angle is different from the first pan angle. A stereo composite track is generated based on the first pan angle and the second pan angle, where the stereo composite track includes the first audio track and the second audio track.