Surround Signal Rendering From Stereo Downmix Spatial Information
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods and apparatuses are unable to generate a surround signal with multi-channel features in environments capable only of producing mono or stereo signals, limiting the efficient processing of media signals.
Innovation Solution
A signal processing apparatus and method that utilizes spatial information to convert a media signal into a surround signal by generating source mapping information, applying filter information for a surround effect, and integrating this information with a downmix signal to produce a surround signal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional methods are used to generate multi-channel signals, then multi-channel features can be achieved, but the system cannot operate in environments limited to mono or stereo signal generation
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adapts its processing mode based on the capabilities of the reproduction environment. It can switch between generating full multi-channel surround signals when capable, and generating stereo downmix signals with spatial information when the environment is limited, making the system flexible and adaptable to different playback scenarios without requiring complex hardware changes
Solution Approach 2:
The signal processing apparatus is designed to perform multiple functions: it can generate both multi-channel surround signals and stereo downmix signals with spatial information. This universal capability allows a single system to serve both high-end multi-channel environments and standard stereo environments, eliminating the need for separate processing paths for different capabilities
2Reliability
If spatial information is used to generate surround signals in stereo-only environments, then surround effect can be achieved, but the system lacks native multi-channel generation capability
Solution Approach 1:
Spatial information acts as an intermediary that bridges the gap between stereo downmix signals and surround sound reproduction. The system encodes spatial characteristics (such as inter-channel level differences, inter-channel time differences, and coherence) into the stereo signal, which can then be decoded to recreate surround effects without requiring actual multi-channel source material, enabling reliable surround reproduction in stereo-only environments
3Productivity
If the system is designed for multi-channel signal processing, then surround effects can be generated, but it cannot efficiently process media signals in mono or stereo-only devices
Solution Approach 1:
The signal processing is segmented into distinct functional components: a downmixing stage that creates stereo signals from multi-channel sources, and a spatial information encoding stage that captures directional characteristics. This segmentation allows the system to efficiently process signals for stereo devices while preserving the information needed for surround reconstruction, improving productivity by avoiding unnecessary processing steps for stereo-only outputs
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for processing a media signal and method thereof are disclosed, by which the media signal can be converted to a surround signal by using spatial information of the media signal. The present invention provides a method of processing a signal, the method comprising of generating rendering information by using spatial information indicating features between multi-sources and filter information having a surround effect; and generating a surround signal by applying the rendering information to a downmix signal generated by downmixing the multi-sources, wherein a tab number of a filter used in applying the rendering information to generate the surround signal is variable.