Virtual Sound Source Generation for Adaptive Audio Reproduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sound reproducing apparatuses face limitations in creating an optimal virtual sound source due to fixed locations and the need for multiple speakers, which increases costs and space requirements, and fail to adapt to different environments and sound reproducing modes.
Innovation Solution
A sound reproducing apparatus and method that generates multiple virtual sound signals based on input multi-channel sound signals, allowing for the selection of optimal virtual sound source locations and numbers using a virtual sound signal generation unit with adders, subtracters, gain adjustment, and signal transfer filters, and a downmix unit with spatial transfer function processing, enabling adaptive allocation of virtual sound sources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple speakers are used to provide multi-directional sound sources, then sound quality is improved, but cost and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates virtual sound sources by processing audio signals to simulate the effect of multiple speakers. Instead of physically installing multiple speakers, the system generates virtual sound images through signal processing techniques that mimic how sound would propagate from multiple directional sources, providing the perceptual equivalent of having multiple speakers without the physical hardware
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical system of multiple physical speakers with an electronic signal processing system. By using audio processing algorithms to create virtual sound sources with different spatial characteristics, the system substitutes physical speaker installations with computational methods that achieve the same acoustic effect
2Device complexity
If fixed locations of virtual sound sources are used, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to different environments is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables dynamic adjustment of virtual sound source locations based on environmental conditions and user preferences. The system can adaptively determine optimal positions for virtual sound sources according to different reproducing environments, allowing the configuration to change dynamically rather than remaining fixed, thus improving adaptability without significantly increasing complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the spatial parameters of virtual sound sources adaptively based on environmental factors. By adjusting parameters such as virtual sound source location, distance, and spatial distribution according to different reproducing environments, the system achieves environmental adaptability while maintaining manageable device complexity through parameter-based control
Data Source
AI summary
A sound reproducing apparatus for providing an optimal virtual sound source and a sound reproducing method therefor are provided. The sound reproducing apparatus includes a virtual sound signal generation unit for generating more than one virtual sound signal corresponding to locations and the number of target virtual sound sources on the basis of more than one inputted sound signal, and a virtual sound signal downmix unit for downmixing said more than one virtual sound signal to virtual sound signal outputs corresponding to a predetermined number of output channels. The number and locations of diversely variable virtual sound sources are provided, thereby obtaining an effect of providing an optimal virtual sound source adaptively depending on each different environment.