Method for generating and outputting an acoustic multichannel signal

Abstract

Method for generating and outputting an acoustic multichannel signal, comprising the steps of: supplying a stereo signal (S), splitting the supplied stereo signal (S) into a plurality of perception-direction-dependent acoustic signal components (S.1-S.5), generating an acoustic multichannel signal by mixing each perception-direction-dependent acoustic signal component (S.1-S.5) onto an output channel (4.1-4.12) of an acoustic output apparatus (4) that comprises a plurality of, in particular more than two, acoustic output channels (4.1-4.12), outputting the generated multichannel signal over respective acoustic output channels (4.1-4.12) of the acoustic output apparatus (4).

Claims

1. Method for generating an acoustic multichannel audio signal and outputting same in a vehicle via an output apparatus comprising a plurality of output channels, the method comprising the steps of: supplying an audio signal, splitting the supplied audio signal into a plurality of perception-direction-dependent acoustic signal components each comprising individual directionally-dependent perceived audio signal information of the audio signal by means of a source separation apparatus, wherein the supplied audio signal is split into at least one center signal component comprising directionally-dependent perceived audio signal information of the audio signal which would be perceived as center audio information, at least one left signal component comprising directionally-dependent perceived audio signal information of the audio signal perceived to the left of the at least one center signal component, and at least one right signal component comprising directionally-dependent perceived audio signal information of the audio signal perceived to the right of the at least one center signal component; wherein before splitting, the audio signal is analyzed for individual signal components comprising individual directionally-dependent perceived audio signal information of the audio signal by one or more analyzing devices based on an output direction or position that would be perceived by a listener positioned in a defined position relative to an acoustic output apparatus that only comprises a left and a right output channel; generating an acoustic audio signal by mixing each perception-direction-dependent acoustic signal component onto at least one output channel of the output apparatus, and outputting the generated acoustic multichannel audio signal over the at least one output channel of the output apparatus.

2. Method according to claim 1, wherein the number of perception-direction-dependent signal components is selected with regard to the number of output channels of the output apparatus over which the generated acoustic multichannel audio signal is output.

3. Method according to claim 1, wherein the perception-direction-dependent signal components are mixed onto respective output channels of the output apparatus with specific amplification or attenuation factors.

4. Method according to claim 1, wherein at least one perception-direction-dependent signal component is mixed with a specific reverb effect.

5. Method according to claim 1, wherein the supplied audio signal is split into at least one center signal component, an inner left signal component perceived to the left of the center signal component, an outer left signal component perceived to the left of the inner left signal component, an inner right signal component perceived to the right of the center signal component and an outer right signal component perceived to the right of the inner right signal component.

6. Device for generating an acoustic multichannel audio signal and outputting the same in a vehicle via an output apparatus comprising at least one left output channel, at least one right output channel, and at least one center output channel, comprising: a source separation apparatus configured to split a supplied audio signal into a plurality of perception-direction-dependent acoustic signal components each comprising individual directionally-dependent perceived audio signal information of the audio signal, wherein the perception-direction-dependent acoustic signal components comprise at least one center signal component comprising audio signal information of the audio signal which would be perceived as center audio information, at least one left signal component comprising audio signal information of the audio signal perceived to the left of the center signal component, and at least one right signal component comprising audio signal information of the audio signal perceived to the right of the center signal component, wherein the source separation apparatus is configured to analyze the supplied audio signal for individual signal components comprising individual directionally-dependent perceived audio signal information of the audio signal by one or more analyzing devices before the splitting of the audio signal based on an output direction or position that would be perceived by a listener positioned in a defined position relative to an acoustic output apparatus that comprises only a left and a right output channel; and a mixing apparatus configured to generate a multichannel audio signal by mixing each of the plurality of perception-direction-dependent acoustic signal components onto at least one output channel of an output apparatus, wherein the output apparatus is configured to output the multichannel audio signal over the at least one output channel.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The invention is explained in greater detail on the basis of embodiments in the figures of the drawings, in which:

(2) FIGS. 1 and 2 each show a schematic diagram of a device according to an embodiment.

(3) FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a device 1 according to an embodiment. The device 1, which is installed in a motor vehicle (not shown), for example, is configured to generate and output an acoustic multichannel signal.

(4) As functional components, the device 1 comprises a hardware-implemented and/or software-implemented splitting apparatus 2, a hardware-implemented and/or software-implemented mixing apparatus 3 and an acoustic output apparatus 4 that comprises a plurality of, in particular more than two, acoustic output channels 4.1-4.12 (speakers).

(5) The splitting apparatus 2 is configured to split a supplied acoustic stereo signal S, i.e. a piece of music, for example, into a plurality of perception-direction-dependent acoustic signal components S.1-S.5. The splitting apparatus 3 is configured to mix a perception-direction-dependent acoustic signal component S.1-S.5 onto an output channel 4.1-4.12 of the output apparatus 4 and to generate an acoustic multichannel signal by mixing each perception-direction-dependent signal component S.1-S.5 onto an output channel 4.1-4.12 of the output apparatus 4. The functional interaction between the above-mentioned functional components of the device 1 is described in greater detail in conjunction with the following explanation of the method that can be implemented by the device 1 for carrying out a method for generating and outputting an acoustic multichannel signal.

(6) The device 1 is therefore configured to carry out a method for generating and outputting an acoustic multichannel signal; in this case, this is typically a surround-sound signal. The aim of the method is in particular to generate a multichannel signal that is to be output by an acoustic output apparatus 4 that comprises a plurality of, i.e. more than two, output channels 4.1-4.12, which multichannel signal makes it possible to give a listener a three-dimensional listening sensation (“3D effect” or “3D surround sound”). The output apparatus 4 may be installed in a motor vehicle (not shown).

(7) In a first step of the method, a stereo signal S is supplied. The stereo signal S can be supplied in various ways. For example, the stereo signal S can be supplied via a sound storage medium, i.e. a CD, for example, a data storage medium, i.e. hard-disk storage, for example, or a data network, i.e. the Internet, for example.

(8) In a second step of the method, the supplied stereo signal S is split into a plurality of perception-direction-dependent signal components S.1-S.5 by means of the splitting apparatus 2. To do this, the stereo signal is analyzed for individual signal components S.1-S.5 using suitable analysis algorithms that are or can be assigned by means of the splitting apparatus 2, which components, when the stereo signal S is actually output by an output apparatus that comprises two output channels, i.e. a left and a right output channel, correspond or would correspond to an output direction or position perceived by a listener.

(9) The stereo signal S can be split into a plurality of direction-dependent signal components by means of a hardware-implemented and/or software-implemented source-separation apparatus (not shown) associated with the splitting apparatus 2. A corresponding source-separation apparatus can be implemented by a source-separation algorithm, for example.

(10) In the embodiments shown in the drawings, the stereo signal S is, for example, split into five signal components S.1-S.5, namely a center signal component S.3, an internal left signal component S.2 perceived to the left of the center signal component S.3, an external left signal component S.1 perceived to the left of the internal left signal component S.2, an internal right signal component S.4 perceived to the right of the center signal component S.3 and an external signal component S.5 perceived to the right of the internal right signal component S.4. This applies in particular, as set out in the following, to the output of the perceived multichannel signal by an output apparatus 4 that comprises five output channels 4.1-4.5, i.e. a center output channel 4.3, a rear left output channel 4.2, a front left output channel 4.1, a rear right output channel 4.4 and a front right output channel 4.5, for example. A corresponding output apparatus is shown in FIG. 1. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the essentially predeterminable or predetermined number of perception-direction-dependent signal components S.1-S.5 that are actually obtained is selected with regard to the number of output channels 4.1-4.5 of the output apparatus 4.

(11) In a third step of the method, an acoustic multichannel signal is generated by mixing the perception-direction-dependent signal components S.1-S.5 onto a specific output channel 4.1-4.5 of the output apparatus 4. Each perception-direction-dependent signal component S.1-S.5 obtained from the stereo signal S being split into corresponding perception-direction-dependent signal components S.1-S.5 is therefore mixed onto a specific output channel S.1-S.5 of the output apparatus 4, i.e. a 5.1 surround-sound output apparatus, for example.

(12) As part of mixing the perception-direction-dependent signal components S.1-S.5, the perception-direction-dependent signal components S.1-S.5 can be assigned to specific output channels 4.1-4.5 of the output apparatus 4 in line with a specific assignment specification. When assigning the perception-direction-dependent signal components S.1-S.5 to specific output channels 4.1-4.5 of the output apparatus 4, the assignment specification can take into account the output direction or position of the relevant perception-direction-dependent signal component S.1-S.5 that is perceived by a listener of the stereo signal S and corresponds to a relevant perception-direction-dependent signal component S.1-S.5. For example, a center signal component S.3 can be assigned to a center output channel 4.3 of the output apparatus 4 and can be output over said channel.

(13) The perception-direction-dependent signal components S.1-S.5 are mixed onto respective output channels 4.1-4.5 of the acoustic output apparatus 4 with specific amplification factors or coefficients or attenuation factors or coefficients. By selecting appropriate amplification or attenuation factors, it can be ascertained which perception-direction-dependent signal component S.1-S.5 is mixed onto a relevant output channel 4.1-4.5 in what ratio, for example.

(14) By way of the Hall-effect apparatuses 5, which are shown by dashed lines as they are optional (here, these may be FIR filter apparatuses, for example), FIG. 1 shows that individual, multiple or all perception-direction-dependent signal components S.1-S.5 can be mixed with a specific Hall effect or convolution reverb.

(15) In a fourth step of the method, the multichannel signal or the perception-direction-dependent signal components S.1-S.5 are lastly output over respective output channels 4.1-4.5 of the output apparatus 4. This makes it possible to give the listener a three-dimensional listening sensation (“3D surround sound”) without it being absolutely necessary to add Hall effects.

(16) FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram of a device 1 according to another embodiment. It is clear from the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 that the number of perception-direction-dependent signal components S.1-S.5 does not necessarily have to correspond to the number of output channels 4.1-4.12 of the output apparatus 4.

(17) The output apparatus 4 shown in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 namely comprises, in addition to the typical output channels 4.1-4.6 of a 5.1 surround-sound output apparatus, a center output channel 4.3, a rear left output channel 4.2, a front left output channel 4.1, a rear right output channel 4.4, a front right output channel 4.5 and a subwoofer output channel 4.6, additional output channels 4.7-4.12 (3D speakers), which are in particular arranged on the ceiling and enhance the three-dimensional listening sensation, namely an additional front left output channel 4.7, an additional front right output channel 4.8, an additional left center output channel 4.9, an additional right center output channel 4.10, an additional rear left output channel 4.11 and an additional rear right output channel 4.12.