Virtual Sound Reproduction with Listener Position Compensation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional virtual sound reproducing systems using a 2-channel speaker system suffer from a significant decrease in stereoscopic sensation when a listener moves out of the predetermined listening position, as the head-related transfer function (HRTF) is determined for a specific location.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that sense the listener's position and adjust the output levels and time delays of the two speakers to compensate for their distance and angle relative to the center position, ensuring optimal stereo sound reproduction by calculating and applying listener position compensation values.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If HRTF is determined for a predetermined listening position, then the surround sound effect is optimized at that position, but the stereoscopic sensation dramatically decreases when the listener moves out of that position

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestereoscopic sensation accuracyVSAvoidlistener position adaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic adjustment of audio parameters based on real-time listener position detection. The system continuously monitors listener position and dynamically modifies output levels and time delays of speakers to maintain optimal stereoscopic sensation across different listening positions, transforming the static HRTF approach into a dynamic adaptive system

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes physical parameters of the audio output by adjusting output levels and time delays based on detected listener position. When the listener moves from the predetermined position, the system calculates compensation values and modifies the audio signal parameters to compensate for the position change, thereby maintaining consistent stereoscopic sensation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Device complexity

If a 2-channel speaker system is used to reproduce multi-channel sound, then the device complexity is reduced, but the stereoscopic sensation decreases when the listener is not at the sweet-spot position

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespeaker system complexityVSAvoidstereoscopic sensation accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical solution of using multiple physical speakers (5.1 or 7.1 channel system) with a signal processing approach. By using a 2-channel speaker system with dynamic output level and time delay adjustments based on listener position, the system achieves adaptable stereoscopic sensation without requiring additional physical speakers

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS7860260B2Method, apparatus, and computer readable medium to reproduce a 2-channel virtual sound based on a listener position

Publication Date: 2010.12.28 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

A method of reproducing a virtual sound and an apparatus to reproduce a 2-channel virtual sound from a 5.1 channel (or 7.1 channel or more) sound using a two-channel speaker system. The method includes: generating a 2-channel virtual sound from a multi-channel sound, sensing a listener position with respect to two speakers, generating a listener position compensation value by calculating output levels and time delays of the two speakers with respect to the sensed listener position, and compensating output values of the generated 2-channel virtual sound based on the listener position compensation value.