Enhanced spatialization system with satellite device
AssigneeQNX Software Systems Limited
InventorsPhillip A. Hetherington, Mark Fallat
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system enhances spatialization in which spatial information about sound sources at an originating location is represented in an audio signal. The system applies a phase difference analysis to the signals received from an array of spaced apart input devices or microphones to derive spatial or directional information about the relative directions of one or more satellite input devices or microphones. The signals from the satellite input devices or microphones are mixed by a function of their respective directions to generate a multichannel output signal. When processed by a remote or local system, the output signal provides a representation of the relative directions of the sound sources at the originating location at a receiving location.
Claims24
A system that enhances spatialization with a satellite microphone comprising:
- an array device that processes first incoming audio signals and converts the audio signals into electrical signals;
- a satellite input device that processes second incoming audio signals received at one or more locations distant from the array device;
- a processor;
- and
- a non-transitory computer readable medium comprising computer program code that, when executed, causes the processor to:
- analyze the first incoming audio signals and the second incoming audio signals to derive a direction of the second incoming audio signals received by the satellite input device relative to the first incoming audio signals received by the array device;
- smooth the derived direction over time;
- determine whether the satellite input device has changed location relative to the array device;
- in response to a determination that the satellite device has changed location, update the derived direction in a memory;
- and
- proportionally mix an output of a satellite input device signal into one or more audio channels of a multichannel output signal.
A system that enhances spatialization with a satellite microphone comprising:
- a plurality of microphones arranged in an array that convert sound waves into electrical signals;
- a satellite device that processes sound waves at a location remote from the plurality of microphones, wherein the satellite device is movable relative to the plurality of microphones;
- and
- a spatial analyzer configured to
- derive a first directionality of sound waves received by the satellite device relative to a second directionality of sound waves received by the plurality of microphones through a comparison of signal-to-noise weighted slopes of a phase difference as a function of frequency derived from an output of the plurality of microphones and an output the satellite device;
- determine whether the satellite device has changed position relative to the plurality of microphones;
- and
- in response to a determination that the satellite device has changed position, update the first directionality of the sound waves received by the satellite device relative to the second directionality of the sound waves received by the plurality of microphones.
A method enhances spatialization with a satellite device comprising:
- converting sound waves into electrical signals received through a plurality of microphones;
- processing sound waves through a satellite device at a location remote from the plurality of microphones;
- deriving a directionality of sound waves received by the satellite device relative to directionality of sound waves received by the plurality of microphones through a comparison of signal-to-noise weighted slopes of a phase difference as a function of frequency derived from an output of the plurality of microphones and an output the satellite device, respectively;
- determine whether the satellite device has changed position relative to the plurality of microphones;
- and
- in response to a determination that the satellite device has changed position, updating the first directionality of the sound waves received by the satellite device relative to the second directionality of the sound waves received by the plurality of microphones.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.