Apparatuses for Converting an Object Position of an Audio Object, Audio Stream Provider, Audio Content Production System, Audio Playback Apparatus, Methods and Computer Programs

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

The patent describes a system and methods for converting the position of audio objects or loudspeakers between Cartesian (x, y, z) and spherical (azimuth, elevation, radius) coordinate systems. This conversion is achieved by dividing the spatial domain into triangles and using mathematical transforms, ensuring accurate and efficient mapping while preserving audio spatial relationships and ensuring high audio quality. The invention can be implemented in hardware or software and is useful in audio content creation, streaming, and playback environments where different systems or standards use different coordinate representations for positioning audio objects.

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

• Audio content production tools that need to export audio object positions to formats using spherical coordinates (e.g., MPEG-H 3D Audio).
• Audio streaming and broadcast systems that require conversion between different spatial metadata representations for compatibility.
• Audio playback devices (e.g., home theaters, soundbars, VR headsets) that render audio objects positioned in one coordinate system but receive data in another.
• Post-production and audio editing software where spatial positioning metadata must be adapted across formats or target devices.
• Spatial audio rendering for virtual or augmented reality applications where accurate object localization is essential.

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Provides efficient and accurate conversion between Cartesian and spherical coordinates for audio object positions, supporting both directions (Cartesian to spherical and vice versa).
• Enables seamless interoperability between different audio production, transmission, and rendering systems or standards.
• Minimizes audio quality degradation by preserving the spatial relationships and topology of audio elements or loudspeakers during conversion.
• Reduces computational complexity, making it suitable for real-time use in hardware or software systems.
• Adaptable to various loudspeaker configurations and flexible enough for future audio formats and spatial setups.

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Patent Abstract

An apparatus (100) for converting an object position of an audio object from a cartesian representation (110) to a spherical representation (112) is described. A basis area of the cartesian representation is subdivided into a plurality of basis area triangles (630,532,634,636), and wherein a plurality of spherical-domain triangles (660,662,664,666) are inscribed into a circle of a spherical representation. The apparatus is configured to determine, in which of the basis area triangles a projection (P) of the object position of the audio object into the base area is arranged; and the apparatus is configured to determine a mapped position (I) of the projection (P) of the object position using a linear transform (II), which maps the base area triangle onto its associated spherical domain triangle. The apparatus is configured to derive an azimuth angle (φ) and an intermediate radius value (IV) from the mapped position (I). The apparatus is configured to obtain a spherical domain radius value (V) and an elevation angle (III) in dependence on the intermediate radius value (VI) and in dependence on a distance (z) of the object position from the base area. An apparatus for converting an object position of an audio object from a spherical representation to a spherical representation, applications of these apparatuses, methods and computer programs are also described.