Audio Signal Decorrelator Structure for Rendering Source Extent

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This patent describes an apparatus and method for processing a mono audio signal to generate multiple, decorrelated audio signals that can represent the spatial extent of a sound source in 3D audio environments. The approach uses a decorrelation module that applies frequency domain transformations, delays, allpass filtering, and envelope shaping to create several mutually decorrelated versions of the input. These outputs are then intelligently mixed (with position-dependent weighting factors) to feed virtual 'helper sources,' enabling accurate rendering of spatially extended audio sources (like a crowd or rain) over loudspeakers or headphones in immersive audio systems.

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

• 3D audio rendering for virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) environments.
• Spatial audio for immersive gaming and multimedia experiences.
• Advanced sound localization in home theater or cinema systems.
• Rendering of spatial effects in professional audio production and mixing.
• Broadcast or streaming services offering immersive audio formats (e.g., MPEG-I Audio, Dolby Atmos, etc.).
• Audio post-processing plugins for creating spatial source width and ambience.
• Enhanced teleconferencing with realistic sound positioning and breadth.

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Enables realistic reproduction of spatially extended sound sources (not just point sources), which improves immersion.
• Stabilizes the audio soundstage even as listeners move within a room or VR/AR space, increasing the usable 'sweet area'.
• Maintains high perceptual audio quality with robust handling of signal transients.
• Flexible and scalable to different speaker configurations and virtual environments.
• Efficient implementation by sharing processing steps among multiple decorrelators.
• Allows the width and directionality of a sound source to be dynamically adjusted.
• Improves audio experience for both binaural (headphone) and loudspeaker playback setups.

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Patent Abstract

An apparatus for processing a first audio signal to generate two or more second audio signals according to an embodiment is provided. The apparatus comprises a decorrelation module (110) configured for generating two or more processed signals from the first audio signal. The decorrelation module (110) is configured to generate each processed signal of the two or more processed signals by transforming the first audio signal to a frequency domain to obtain a transformed audio signal, by applying a delay, by applying allpass filters on the transformed audio signal, by conducting envelope shaping and by conducting an inverse transform to obtain the processed signal. Moreover, the apparatus comprises a mixer (120) configured for generating each second audio signal of the two or more second audio signals by conducting a mixing of at least two processed signals of the two or more processed signals. The decorrelation module (110) is configured to apply the allpass filter using different filter coefficients for generating each of the two or more processed signals. The mixer (120) is configured to conduct the mixing in a different way for generating each of the two or more second audio signals.