Virtual Speaker Set Selection for Flexible 3D Audio Sampling

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing three-dimensional audio technologies, particularly Higher Order Ambisonics (HOA), are limited in the distribution of virtual speakers, leading to suboptimal sampling effects due to the fixed number of virtual speakers on regular polyhedrons, which restricts flexibility and audio playback quality.

Innovation Solution

A method for determining a virtual speaker set by selecting virtual speakers with high correlation to the HOA coefficients of the audio signal, using a preset distribution table and encoding analysis to optimize speaker placement, ensuring high signal-to-noise ratios and improved audio playback.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If multiple speakers are connected in parallel to increase output power, then the output power is improved, but the impedance becomes lower than the nominal value causing distortion

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoutput powerVSAvoidimpedance control precision
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the speaker system into multiple independent parallel branches, each containing a speaker and a switch. This segmentation allows independent control of each branch's impedance contribution, enabling the system to achieve high output power while maintaining nominal impedance by selectively activating appropriate branches based on the required power level.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces dynamic switching control where the impedance of each parallel branch is changed on-demand through switch activation. The control unit dynamically adjusts which branches are active based on the audio signal requirements, allowing the system to adapt impedance to match the nominal value while delivering variable power output.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Power

If the volume is increased to improve sound output, then the sound output is improved, but the speaker may be damaged due to excessive power

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesound output powerVSAvoidspeaker durability
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback control where the control unit monitors the audio signal characteristics and adjusts the switching pattern accordingly. The feedback mechanism prevents excessive power delivery to any single speaker by dynamically balancing the power distribution across parallel branches, allowing high sound output while protecting individual speakers from damage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the power distribution across multiple speaker branches based on real-time signal analysis. By selectively activating different combinations of parallel branches, the system can deliver high overall power for loud sound output while ensuring no single speaker receives excessive power that would cause damage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Stability of the object's composition

If a large capacitor is used to smooth voltage fluctuations, then the voltage stability is improved, but the circuit complexity and space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevoltage stabilityVSAvoidcircuit complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the power supply circuit into multiple parallel branches with individual capacitors for each branch. This segmentation distributes the voltage smoothing function across multiple smaller capacitor units rather than requiring a single large capacitor, reducing overall circuit complexity while maintaining voltage stability through parallel capacitor configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4294056B1Virtual speaker set determination method and device
Publication Date: 2026.05.06 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP4294056B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4294056B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4294056B1 patent drawingFigure 4a

AI summary

This application provides a method and an apparatus for determining a virtual speaker set. The method for determining a virtual speaker set includes: determining a target virtual speaker from F preset virtual speakers based on a to-be-processed audio signal, where each of the F virtual speakers corresponds to S virtual speakers, F is a positive integer, and S is a positive integer greater than 1; and obtaining, from a preset virtual speaker distribution table, respective position information of S virtual speakers corresponding to the target virtual speaker, where the virtual speaker distribution table includes position information of K virtual speakers, the position information includes an elevation angle index and an azimuth angle index, K is a positive integer greater than 1, F≤K, and F×S≥K. This application can improve audio signal playback effect.