Virtual Surround-Sound Processing Module Crosstalk Cancellation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Multichannel audio systems, such as home theater systems, face challenges in setup complexity due to numerous speakers and wiring, and their performance is often compromised by the room environment, leading to issues like timbre and spatial mismatches in virtual surround-sound systems.
Innovation Solution
A 3.1 virtual surround-sound system with a processing module that spatially processes surround-right and surround-left channels using a center speaker with multiple drivers, providing virtualized audio through crosstalk cancellation and head-related transfer function filtering, allowing for reduced setup complexity and increased center-channel stability with less stringent speaker spacing and listening distance requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a lower number of speakers is used to reduce set-up complexity, then ease of operation is improved, but the performance of the surround-sound system is significantly compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses virtualization techniques to create virtual surround-sound channels by processing audio signals through head-related transfer functions and crosstalk cancellation algorithms. This allows the system to simulate the presence of multiple physical speakers using a reduced number of actual speakers, thereby maintaining surround-sound performance while reducing set-up complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical arrangement of multiple physical speakers with a signal processing system that uses a lower number of speakers combined with digital signal processing. The spatial audio effects are achieved through computational methods including HRTF filtering and crosstalk cancellation rather than through multiple physical transducers arranged in specific configurations
2Device complexity
If reflections off walls are used to simulate sound source location, then device complexity is reduced, but performance is significantly compromised due to room environment sensitivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates virtual copies of surround-sound channels through signal processing. By applying head-related transfer functions and crosstalk cancellation to a reduced set of physical speakers, the system generates virtual audio paths that replicate the spatial characteristics of a full surround-sound system without relying on physical reflections
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces digital signal processing as an intermediary between the audio source and the speakers. This intermediary layer includes HRTF filtering and crosstalk cancellation algorithms that transform the audio signals to create the desired spatial effects, eliminating the need for physical reflections to achieve surround-sound positioning
3Ease of operation
If conventional virtual surround-sound systems are used, then setup complexity is reduced, but center-channel stability is poor and listening sweetspot is small
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs crosstalk cancellation algorithms that use feedback mechanisms to monitor and adjust the audio signals. By calculating and applying corrective filters based on the interaction between speakers and the listening environment, the system maintains stable center-channel performance and expands the listening sweetspot despite using a reduced number of speakers
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system offers a surround-sound experience with improved center-channel stability, a wider listening sweetspot, and reduced sensitivity to the listening environment, effectively addressing the limitations of conventional 1.1 and 2.1 virtual surround-sound systems.
Implementation Method 1
surround channels are spatially processed by a processing module and virtualized via playback over an array of drivers of the center speaker
Implementation Method 2
Separate drivers of a center speaker together provide virtualized surround-right and surround-left audio after crosstalk cancellation
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of a virtual surround-sound system and methods for simulating surround-sound are generally described herein. Other embodiments may be described and claimed. In some embodiments, a processing module may include spatial processor spatially processes surround-left and surround-right channel signals and front-left and front-right channel signals and combines the spatially-processed signals for providing to drivers of center speaker after crosstalk cancellation and combining with a center-channel signal. In some embodiments, the processing module may include circuitry to cause the spatial processor to refrain from spatially processing either the front-left and front-right channel signals when front-left and/or front-right speakers are connected.