Virtual Speaker VBAP Layout for Stable Sound Image Localization
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sound image localization techniques using VBAP can result in unstable sound image positioning, especially when users move, leading to a narrower sweet spot range due to the reliance on fewer speakers outputting sound.
Innovation Solution
A sound processing apparatus with four or more speakers that calculates and adjusts output gains based on positional relationships between speakers to stabilize sound image localization, ensuring all speakers contribute to maintaining the sound image at the target position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If VBAP is performed using three speakers, then the sound image can be fixed at the target position, but only two speakers output sound in some cases leading to unstable localization when the user moves
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the output of multiple speakers (four or more) to fix the sound image, rather than relying on only two or three speakers. By merging the sound output from multiple speakers simultaneously, the system achieves both precise localization and stable performance when the user moves, resolving the contradiction between localization precision and localization stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes all four or more speakers contribute to sound image fixation simultaneously, rather than having only specific speakers active. This multi-functional approach ensures that any speaker can contribute to maintaining the sound image position, providing universal coverage and stable localization regardless of user movement or target position.
2Ease of operation
If only two speakers output sound, then the system simplifies operation, but the sweet spot range becomes narrower
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the sound output from four or more speakers to create a broader sweet spot range. By combining multiple sound sources working simultaneously, the system expands the effective listening area while maintaining simple automated gain control operation through the gain calculating unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of speaker utilization from selective (2-3 speakers) to comprehensive (4+ speakers). The gain calculating unit automatically adjusts the gain parameters of all speakers based on their positional relationships, expanding the sweet spot range while keeping the operation simple through automated parameter adjustment.
Data Source
AI summary
The present technology relates to a sound processing apparatus and a sound processing system for enabling more stable localization of a sound image.A virtual speaker is assumed to exist on the lower side among the sides of a tetragon having its corners formed with four speakers surrounding a target sound image position on a spherical plane. Three-dimensional VBAP is performed with respect to the virtual speaker and the two speakers located at the upper right and the upper left, to calculate gains of the two speakers at the upper right and the upper left and the virtual speaker, the gains being to be used for fixing a sound image at the target sound image position. Further, two-dimensional VBAP is performed with respect to the lower right and lower left speakers, to calculate gains of the lower right and lower left speakers, the gains being to be used for fixing a sound image at the position of the virtual speaker. The values obtained by multiplying these gains by the gain of the virtual speaker are set as the gains of the lower right and lower left speakers for fixing a sound image at the target sound image position. The present technology can be applied to sound processing apparatuses.