Computer Vision Spatial Audio for Moving Source Localization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic devices struggle to accurately capture and output spatial audio due to limitations in microphone placement and stereo audio capabilities, leading to a lack of realistic audio localization when the audio source moves relative to the camera.
Innovation Solution
Implementing audio source spatial detection circuitry to analyze image data from a camera to determine the spatial location of an audio source, using face detection and azimuth angle calculations to apply audio spatialization based on the source's position, thereby generating spatial audio output.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional microphone placement and stereo audio capabilities are used, then device complexity is reduced, but spatial audio accuracy and realism deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces computer vision technology as an intermediary to bridge the gap between simple microphone arrays and complex spatial audio processing. The vision system captures spatial information about audio sources, which then guides the audio processing to achieve accurate spatial reproduction without requiring extremely complex audio hardware
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical/audio-based spatial detection systems with an optical (camera-based) system. Instead of using multiple microphones and complex acoustic processing to determine source location, the system uses image data from cameras to detect audio source positions and applies spatialization accordingly
2Reliability
If audio spatialization is applied based on image data, then audio localization realism is improved, but processing time and computational load increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by continuously capturing and analyzing image data to determine audio source locations before audio processing is needed. By proactively establishing the spatial context through vision, the system reduces real-time processing delays when audio spatialization must be applied
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a visual copy or representation of the audio source's spatial position from image data, then uses this copied spatial information to guide audio processing. This allows the system to work with processed image data rather than raw sensor inputs, potentially reducing processing time
3Measurement precision
If face detection and azimuth angle calculations are implemented, then spatial audio precision is improved, but device complexity and processing requirements worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the complex task of spatial audio processing into distinct modules: face detection, azimuth angle calculation, and audio spatialization. By dividing the processing pipeline into separate functional blocks, each can be optimized independently and the overall system becomes more manageable despite increased precision requirements
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, apparatus, systems, and articles of manufacture are disclosed to generate spatial audio based on computer vision. An example apparatus includes at least one memory, instructions in the apparatus, and processor circuitry to execute the instructions to determine a position of an audio source based on an image generated via a camera, and apply an audio spatialization filter to an audio signal generated by a microphone based on the position of the audio source.