An Audio Processor and a Method Considering Acoustic Obstacles and Providing Loudspeaker Signals

Simple SummaryContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

The invention relates to an advanced audio processor and method that dynamically controls which loudspeakers in a room or across multiple rooms are used to play audio, based on real-time tracking of the listener’s position and orientation, as well as considering the positions and acoustic effects of obstacles such as walls or furniture. The system ensures that the perceived audio experience follows the listener wherever they move, adjusting which speakers are active and how sound is distributed, even adapting to obstacles that might block or attenuate sound paths, and can seamlessly shift audio between different setups (like stereo, surround, or multi-room).

Use CasesContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Home audio systems that deliver optimal surround sound experience as users move from room to room.
• Smart multi-room speaker systems that can follow individual users throughout a house or building, providing a seamless audio experience.
• Conference facilities or event spaces where the sound image follows speakers or participants as they move.
• Assisted living spaces where audio follows the resident to ensure alarms, calls, or alerts can always be heard clearly.
• Gaming environments where the game audio dynamically adapts to a player's real location for a more immersive experience.
• Museums or exhibitions with dynamic audio guides that follow visitors’ movement without manual intervention.

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Greatly enhances the user’s audio experience by keeping the 'sweet spot' or optimal audio image with the listener, wherever they are.
• Automatically adapts to complex environments with obstacles, ensuring clear, undistorted sound even when walls or objects are present.
• Enables seamless, uninterrupted audio transitions across different rooms, zones, or loudspeaker setups, unlike conventional abruptly switched systems.
• Reduces the need for manual speaker switching or configuration by intelligently allocating speakers and audio channels in real-time.
• Can dynamically compensate for non-ideal loudspeaker layouts common in consumer environments, improving perceived audio quality.
• Supports multiple users, allowing personalized audio experiences that follow each user individually.
• Enables flexible rendering modes (e.g., stationary or virtual headphone mode), adaptable for different content and usage preferences.

Technical Classifications (CPCs)

Inventors & Applicants

Patent Abstract

An audio processor for providing a plurality of loudspeaker signals, or loudspeaker feeds, on the basis of a plurality of input signals, like channel signals and/or object signals. The audio processor is configured to obtain an information about the position of a listener. The audio processor is further configured to obtain an information about the position of a plurality of loudspeakers, or sound transducers, which may, for example, be placed within the same containment, e.g. a soundbar. The audio processor is further configured to select one or more loudspeakers for a rendering of the objects and/or of the channel objects and/or of the adapted signals, derived from the input signals, like channel signals or channel objects, or like upmixed or downmixed signals. The selection of the one or more loudspeakers depends on the information about the position of the listener, on the information about the positions of the loudspeakers and takes into consideration the information about one or more acoustic obstacles. In other words, the audio processor decides which loudspeakers should be used in the rendering of the different channel objects or adapted signals, taking into consideration, for example, the attenuation of the sound between the loudspeaker and the listener or an elongation of an acoustic path between a loudspeaker and the listener due to the properties of the obstacle. The audio signal processor is further configured to render the objects and/or the channel objects and/or the adapted signals derived from the input signals, in dependence on the information about the position of the listener and in dependence on the information about positions of the loudspeakers, in order to obtain the loudspeaker signals, such that a rendered sound follows a listener.