阅读说明：本技术 用于记录多维声效果的麦克风 (Microphone for recording multi-dimensional sound effects ) 是由 P·格里尼 L·桑特里尼 于 2017-08-18 设计创作，主要内容包括：本申请公开了用于记录多维声效果的麦克风。一种改进的双耳记录系统(12)包括安装在模型头部(1)的两个相对的右和左侧上的两个中空人造耳廓(6a、6b)。两个麦克风炭精盒安装在所述耳廓(6a、6b)内部,麦克风炭精盒具有面向耳廓(6a、6b)外侧并布置在每个人造耳廓的凹槽(17a、17b)内的声音收集面(15a、15b)。该系统允许,在立体声收听中,根据记录时的声源从上到下、从前到后、从右到左的相同移动方向,忠实地感知和区别在假设收听者前面的声源的发射方向,或反之亦然。此外,可以提供安装在模型头部(1)上的另外的麦克风炭精盒。(The application discloses a microphone for recording multi-dimensional acoustic effects. An improved binaural recording system (12) comprises two hollow artificial auricles (6a, 6b) mounted on two opposite right and left sides of a model head (1). Two microphone capsules are mounted inside the auricles (6a, 6b), the microphone capsules having a sound collection surface (15a, 15b) facing the outside of the auricles (6a, 6b) and arranged in a recess (17a, 17b) of each artificial auricle. The system allows, in stereo listening, faithfully perceiving and distinguishing the emission direction of sound sources in front of an assumed listener, or vice versa, according to the same direction of movement of the sound sources from top to bottom, from front to back, from right to left, at the time of recording. Furthermore, a further microphone capsule may be provided which is mounted on the dummy head (1).)

1. A binaural recording system of a sound source, comprising:

a dummy head (101) arranged to provide a physical and acoustic barrier between two opposite right and left sides thereof,

two pinnas (106a, 106b) mounted to the two opposite right and left sides of the model head (1), wherein the pinnas (106a, 106b) have a central passage defining a groove (1017a,1017b) having an outwardly facing entrance (1018a, 1018b), and a cavity between the spiral (107a, 107b) and the lobe (108a, 108b),

two side microphone capsules (105a, 105b) associated with the two auricles (106a, 106b), the side microphone capsules (105a, 105b) being configured for recording sound from a sound source present in a recording environment, the side microphone capsules (105a, 105b) having a sound collecting surface (1015a, 1015b),

each of said side microphone capsules (105a, 105b) being positioned in said groove (1017a,1017b) of said central channel of said respective auricle (106a, 106b) having said sound collection surface (1015a, 1015b) arranged substantially at said inlet (1018a, 1018b) and in said groove (1017a,1017b),

the binaural recording system is characterized in that two further lateral microphone capsules (109c, 109d) are provided which are mounted on the two opposite right and left sides thereof to the model head (101) and which have transversely oriented sound collection faces, the two further lateral microphone capsules (109c, 109d) being mounted from outside the pinna (106a, 106b), in particular in vertically different positions relative to the mounting of the lateral microphone capsules (105a, 105b) to the pinna (106a, 106b), in particular above the pinna.

2. A binaural recording system according to claim 1, wherein two front microphone capsules (105c, 105d) are provided, mounted to the model head (101) with a sound collecting face directed towards the front of the model head (101).

3. A binaural recording system according to claim 2, wherein the two sound collecting surfaces of the two side microphone capsules (105a, 105b) are arranged at a predetermined first distance from each other and the front microphone capsule is arranged at a second distance from each other which is smaller than the first distance.

4. A binaural recording system according to claim 3, wherein the first distance is set between 15cm and 13cm and the second distance is set between 13cm and 10cm from the pinna (106a, 106 b).

5. A binaural recording system according to claim 1, wherein in particular said spirals (107a, 107b) of said two pinnas (106a, 106b) are set at a distance from each other of between 15cm and 20 cm.

6. A binaural recording system according to claim 2, wherein the two front microphone capsules (105c, 105d) are arranged in vertically different positions (h1) with respect to the side microphone capsules (105a, 105 b).

7. The binaural recording system according to claim 6, wherein the two front microphone capsules (105c, 105d) are arranged 1cm to 3cm higher or lower in a vertical direction with respect to the side microphone capsules (105a, 105 b).

8. A binaural recording system according to claim 2, wherein between the two front microphone capsules (105c, 150d) a separation wall (1020) is arranged of an acoustically insulating material arranged to acoustically insulate the front microphone capsules (105c, 150d) from each other.

Technical Field

The invention also relates to a microphone which enables a more reliable feeling to be reproduced to a listener with respect to the actual position of the sound source at the moment of recording, thanks to a head support in combination with a loudspeaker or other sound reproduction means.

In particular, the invention relates to a recording system that provides sound perception in at least six directions (such as front-back, left-right, up-down, still or approaching and moving-away directions) of a sound source in two-channel audio reproduction.

Background

Very high fidelity recording is known (e.g. using binaural microphones such as the systems described in US5031216A or WO9807299a 1).

These audio recordings require complex reproduction equipment (such as surround systems or high fidelity headphones) in order to reproduce spatial effects such as the direction of the sound source or the direction of movement of the audio source.

Different kinds of loudspeaker combination devices are known which are arranged for propagating an audio recording so as to be heard by a single user, also providing a comfortable support for the head. This type of device, also known as a "music pillow", combines the comfort of the headrest with the music entertainment provided by the integrated loudspeaker. These devices can be used at home as well as in professional environments, i.e. health centres, massage centres, waiting rooms, music therapy centres, etc.

US8566986B1 describes an example of a music pillow. In particular, the device comprises a central body cooperating with a circular opening arranged to receive the face of the user in the prone position and an electronic board for controlling the vibration unit and the rotation unit. The system also comprises two lateral bodies, each of which is equipped with a speaker connected to the electronic board and to the rotation unit. Thus, the two lateral bodies can rotate from a first position coplanar with the central body to a second position orthogonal to the central body. The system further comprises a control unit for activating the vibration unit and the rotation unit by means of the electronic board. There are also input channels for receiving audio data and playing loudspeakers positioned in the two side bodies.

This device has the advantage of providing comfortable support for the user's head for any sleeping position while listening. Further, the side bodies may be oriented from a minimum obstruction position, wherein the two side bodies are coplanar with the central body. The portal frame allows the user to listen in a sleeping position by placing the central body of the device on a horizontal surface. However, this device is not designed for listening to multi-dimensional audio recordings.

FR2877554a1 describes another multifunctional device comprising a rectangular base and two side walls of elastic material. Each side wall is disposed on the right and left sides of the base and contains a loudspeaker. Furthermore, the cover fabric serves as a tensioning element for orthogonally positioning the two side walls with respect to the base. Thus, good stereo listening is obtained from loudspeakers orthogonal to the base. The system further comprises a shape memory rectangular element arranged to receive the back of the user's head in a comfortable manner. In particular, such devices adapt their shape according to the weight of the user's head.

Generally, the system described above has the disadvantage of not providing for listening to the played sound which allows a true perception of the direction of transmission of the original sound if the sound source is from a high fidelity recording system as described in US5031216A and WO9807299a1 cited above.

There are also binaural recording systems, as described for example in WO96/10884a1, DE2545446a1, US5073936, which give the recorded sound a multi-dimensional perception when played. However, these systems do not allow to perceive the sensation of moving in up-and-down direction and to recognize sounds coming from the front area, especially if the front area is lower than the listener.

Disclosure of Invention

It is a feature of the present invention to provide a binaural recording system that allows for a realistic perception of the approach/movement of a sound source away from the direction of movement at the moment of recording in a stereo listening environment through a loudspeaker-integrated head support according to the present disclosure or through other equipment or reproduction systems.

Another particular feature of the invention is to provide such a binaural recording system which allows, in such a stereo listening environment, to improve the perception of the sound source if it comes from above and below (and vice versa) at the time of recording, and, in particular, the perception of the sound moving between the assumed listener and the ground at the time of recording.

Another particular feature of the present invention is to provide such binaural recording systems that allow for improved perception of a sound source in such stereo listening environments if the sound source is coming from the front, e.g. a sound that moves in front of an assumed listener of the actual sound when recording.

According to the present invention, there is provided a binaural recording system of a sound source, comprising:

a dummy head arranged to provide a physical and acoustic barrier between two opposite right and left sides thereof,

two auricles mounted to two opposite right and left sides of the model head, wherein the auricles have a central channel defining a groove with an outward facing entrance and a cavity between the spiral and the lobe,

-two side microphone capsules are associated with the two auricles, the side microphone capsules being configured for recording sound from sound sources present in the recording environment, the side microphone capsules having a sound collecting face,

each of said side microphone capsules being positioned in said recess of said central channel of a respective auricle having said sound collecting surface arranged substantially at said inlet and in said recess,

the binaural recording system has two further lateral microphone capsules which are mounted with their two opposite right and left sides to the model head and have a sound-collecting face oriented transversely to the model head, the two further lateral microphone capsules being mounted at a distance from the pinna, in particular in vertically different positions with respect to the lateral microphone capsules mounted to the pinna, in particular above the pinna.

Thus, sound is collected at the entrance of the channel in the center of the pinna, rather than after the artificial auditory channel has been traversed by a binaural microphone as in the prior art. This solution avoids distortion and rumbling of the original sound that would otherwise occur when the sound propagates through the artificial auditory channel.

The fact that the sound-collecting face is positioned in a recess of the pinna allows the pinna, and in particular the helix of the pinna, to shield sound, such as sound from behind or above the head. This allows better discrimination of those sounds compared to sounds from the lateral sides.

Furthermore, the presence of two side microphone capsules increases the sound collected by positioning in the pinna and the above defined side microphone capsules, the lateral sound being perceived completely and directly. This approach makes it possible to perceive the recorded sound moving in the up-down direction.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, two front microphone capsules are mounted to the model head with sound collection faces directed towards the front of the model head, in particular the two sound collection faces of the two side microphone capsules mounted to the pinna are arranged at a predetermined first distance from each other, and the front microphone capsules are arranged at a second distance from each other which is smaller than the first distance. In particular, the first distance is set between 15 and 13cm and the second distance is set between 13 and 10cm from the auricle, and in particular the spirals of the two auricles are at a distance from each other set between 15 and 20 cm. In particular, the two front microphone capsules are arranged at different positions h1 in the vertical direction from the side microphone capsules, and in particular are arranged 1 to 3cm above or below them.

Thus, with respect to the sound collection obtained by the above defined side microphone capsules, a sound collection from the front direction is obtained, simulating the perception of sound waves by the front portion of the human face, and thus improving the fidelity of the sound from the front direction.

Furthermore, while the side microphone capsule simulates sound collection through the pinna of the human ear, the internal location of the front microphone capsule causes sound collection to occur at the internal location. This effect is similar to sound collection provided by the cochlea of a human ear, which is internal with respect to the pinna.

The pinna, and in particular the spirals of the two pinnas, which are the more lateral parts in the human ear, are set at a distance from each other of between 15 and 20cm in order to shield the sound coming from the top or from the rear from the right and left sides.

In a possible exemplary embodiment, the two front microphone capsules are in a lower position in the vertical direction than the side microphone capsules.

The fact that the front microphone capsule is at a lower position than the side microphone capsules (the height difference is set between 1 and 3 cm) allows the listener to perceive the sound as moving in the vertical direction in a more reliable way. In fact, the side microphone capsule senses the intensity of sound moving in the up-down direction differently than the front microphone capsule, or vice versa. This type of effect resembles the human ear reproducing the position of the cochlea below the auditory pathway.

In another exemplary embodiment of the invention, a partition wall is arranged between the two front microphone capsules. The partition wall is made of an acoustically insulating material and is arranged to acoustically insulate the two front capsules.

Thus, the presence of the partition wall provides an acoustic shielding, making it possible for each front capsule to distinguish between sounds coming from the respective right and left sides.

According to another aspect of the invention, an audio product or audiovisual product is provided containing at least a part of an audio recording obtained by a binaural recording system as defined above.

Drawings

Further characteristics and/or advantages of the present invention will become clearer from the following description of an exemplifying embodiment thereof, given by way of illustration and not of limitation, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

fig. 1A shows in a schematic rear view a loudspeaker-incorporating head support according to the present disclosure, wherein both loudspeakers are oriented at a predetermined first elevation angle relative to a listening axis, and wherein the respective tweeters have axes of symmetry aligned with each other and parallel to the listening axis;

fig. 1B shows in a schematic rear view a loudspeaker-incorporating head support according to the present disclosure, wherein both loudspeakers are oriented at a predetermined second elevation angle, and wherein the respective tweeters have axes of symmetry converging towards a point located relative to an upper part of the listening axis;

figure 2A illustrates the support of figure 1A in a schematic side view;

figure 2B illustrates the support of figure 1B in a schematic side view;

figure 3A illustrates the support of figure 1A in a schematic top view;

figure 3B shows the support of figure 1B in a schematic top view;

fig. 4 illustrates in a schematic front view an exemplary embodiment of the loudspeaker-incorporating head support of fig. 1A with a receiving recess for a portion of a user's face;

figures 5, 6, 7 and 8 show a side cross-section, a back view, a top view and a side view, respectively, of an exemplary embodiment of the support of figure 1A;

figures 9, 10 and 11 show a perspective view, a cross-sectional view and another perspective view, respectively, of an exemplary embodiment of the head support of figure 1A;

figures 12, 13 and 14 show a perspective view, a side view and a top view, respectively, of another exemplary embodiment of the support of figure 1A with a non-slip sticker for placing the support on a chair and armchair;

figures 15, 16 and 17 show a perspective view, a top view and a side cross-section, respectively, of another exemplary embodiment of the support of figure 1A, comprising a connecting element between two left and right lateral support elements;

figures 18, 19 and 20 show a perspective view, a right cross section and a side cross section, respectively, of another exemplary embodiment of the support of figure 1A;

fig. 21 illustrates in a schematic top view an exemplary embodiment of the loudspeaker-incorporating head support of fig. 1A, comprising an audio/video external unit;

fig. 22 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the loudspeaker-incorporating head support of fig. 1A in a schematic top view, wherein the sensor system is provided on the abutment element;

fig. 23 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the loudspeaker-incorporating head support of fig. 1A in a schematic top view, wherein three further loudspeakers are provided;

fig. 24 illustrates in a schematic top view an exemplary embodiment of the head support in combination with a loudspeaker of fig. 1A, wherein the hinge structure is arranged to support a mobile device;

figure 25 shows a perspective view of a possible exemplary embodiment of the head support of figure 1A;

fig. 26 shows a cross-sectional view of the head support in combination with a loudspeaker of fig. 1A, wherein the abutment element has a housing angled to the horizontal plane;

fig. 27 shows a perspective view of a first exemplary embodiment of the head support in combination with a loudspeaker of fig. 1A, comprising a receiving recess for a head portion of a user;

fig. 28 shows a perspective view of a second exemplary embodiment of the head support in combination with a loudspeaker of fig. 1A, comprising a receiving recess for a head portion of a user;

fig. 29 shows in a schematic view the head centering effect obtained by the exemplary embodiment described in fig. 27, 28.

Fig. 30 illustrates in perspective an exemplary embodiment of the loudspeaker-incorporating head support of fig. 1A, comprising an amplifier housing;

fig. 31 shows a schematic view of a prior art binaural recording device, with two side microphone capsules placed into the left and right auditory channels;

fig. 32 shows a front view of a binaural recording system according to the invention, with two microphone capsules arranged flush with the artificial pinna;

figure 33 shows a top view of the system of figure 32;

figures 34 and 35 show a right side view and a left side view of the system of figure 32;

fig. 36 shows a front view of the illustrative embodiment of the binaural recording system of fig. 32, with two further front microphone capsules mounted to the model head;

fig. 37 shows a top view of the binaural recording system of fig. 36;

fig. 38 schematically shows a front view of another illustrative embodiment of the binaural recording system of fig. 32, wherein a front microphone capsule is arranged in a centered position with respect to the two side microphone capsules in the model head and oriented towards the front of the model head;

fig. 39 illustrates the binaural recording system of fig. 38 in a schematic top view;

fig. 40 illustrates in a schematic front view another exemplary embodiment of the binaural recording system of fig. 32, wherein two side microphone capsules and three front microphone capsules are mounted to the model head;

fig. 41 illustrates the binaural recording system of fig. 40 in a schematic top view;

fig. 42 shows in a schematic top view another illustrative embodiment of the binaural recording system of fig. 32, comprising two further side microphone capsules mounted to the model head, in particular mounted in a vertically higher position with respect to the pinna and oriented laterally;

fig. 43 illustrates in a schematic front view another exemplary embodiment of the binaural recording system of fig. 32 with four side microphone capsules and three front microphone capsules;

fig. 44 illustrates in a schematic front view another exemplary embodiment of the binaural recording system of fig. 32 with four side microphone capsules and two front microphone capsules;

fig. 45 illustrates in a schematic front view an exemplary embodiment of the binaural recording system of fig. 44, wherein a separation wall is arranged between the two front microphone capsules;

fig. 46 shows a block diagram of the audio recording of fig. 32-35 comprising a binaural microphone unit configured to record sound from a sound source, having a pre-amplification unit and having a storage unit on a PC;

fig. 47 shows an audio recording block diagram of the binaural microphone unit of fig. 36-37 modified by adding two front microphone capsules with respect to fig. 42;

fig. 48 shows an audio recording block diagram of the binaural microphone unit of fig. 38-39 modified by the addition of the front microphone capsule with respect to fig. 32;

fig. 49 shows a block diagram of an audio recording by a binaural microphone unit with three further front microphone capsules, arranged to pick up sound sources, with a pre-amplification unit and with a storage unit on a PC;

fig. 50 shows a front view of an improved binaural recording system, wherein the microphone capsules are placed within a housing configured for acoustic isolation;

fig. 51 shows a cross-section of an improved binaural recording system, wherein the microphone capsules are placed within a housing configured for acoustic isolation;

fig. 52 shows another cross section of an improved binaural recording system, wherein the microphone capsules are placed within a housing configured for acoustic isolation;

fig. 53 shows a schematic view of an illustrative embodiment of a system according to the present disclosure for recording a plurality of audio tracks each with respect to a sound originating from a predetermined position with respect to the binaural recording system using the binaural recording system of fig. 32-52;

fig. 54 shows another illustrative embodiment of fig. 53;

fig. 55 shows a block diagram of software for reproducing recorded audio tracks as described in fig. 53-54;

fig. 56 shows a flow chart for reproducing an acquired audio track as described in the examples of fig. 53-54;

Detailed Description

Description of some preferred exemplary embodiments

With reference to fig. 1A, 1B, 2A, 3A, according to the present disclosure, a head support 100 incorporating a loudspeaker comprises an abutting element 10 for a user's head 50, two right 20 and left 30 lateral support elements, positioned respectively on the right 11 and left 12 sides of the abutting element 10.

A right loudspeaker 21 and a left loudspeaker 31 are mounted to the right 20 and left 30 side support members, respectively. The side support elements have respective sound emitting faces 22, 32 facing the listening space 80. The abutment element 10 provides an abutment region 13 for the head portion 51.

The listening space 80 is defined between two right 20 and left 30 support elements (as shown only in fig. 1B, but similarly present in the illustrative embodiment of fig. 1A) and a longitudinal direction 15 parallel to the support elements 20, 30. Each of the two right 21 and left 31 loudspeakers has a woofer 23, 33 and tweeter 24, 34. The tweeter has an axis of symmetry 60.

A housing 13 for a head portion 51 is provided which is configured to position the head of a user with right and left ears 52, 53 oriented towards the right and left loudspeakers 21, 31. The listening axis 54 is created by the right and left ears of the user such that the axis of symmetry 60 of the tweeters 24, 34 is oriented at a predetermined elevation angle alpha with respect to the listening axis 54 between a first elevation angle value substantially equal to zero and a second elevation angle value substantially equal to 45 deg.. In the first case, the tweeters 24, 34 have respective axes of symmetry 60 aligned with each other and parallel to the listening axis, and in the second case, the tweeters 24, 34 have axes of symmetry converging toward a point located higher than the listening axis 54.

Referring to fig. 2B, in a possible exemplary embodiment of a head support 100 incorporating a loudspeaker, tweeters 24 and 34 have centers that are a predetermined height z (set between 0 and 5cm) above the listening axis.

The tweeters 24 and 34 and the woofers 23, 33 are arranged oriented in a predetermined direction at an angle β (set between 0 ° and 45 °) to the horizontal plane, preferably at an angle set between 0 ° and 35 °.

Furthermore, tweeters 24, 34 have respective centers that are proximally translated in a longitudinal direction relative to the user by a predetermined distance x (set between 0 and 10 cm).

In another exemplary embodiment (fig. 3B), tweeters 24, 34 and woofers 23, 33 are arranged in a predetermined direction 26, said predetermined direction 26 being oriented at a predetermined orientation angle γ (set between 0 ° and 10 °) to the vertical.

Referring to fig. 4, an exemplary embodiment of a head support 300, having the same reference numerals as fig. 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B, includes a receiving recess 14 arranged to receive a portion 71 of a user's face 70. In this case, maintaining one of the above-described structures, the tweeters 24, 34 are exchanged with each other and the woofers 23, 33 are exchanged with each other. Thus, despite its face being oriented in the opposite side, the multi-dimensional effect on the user is maintained.

Referring to fig. 5, in an exemplary embodiment 400 of the head support, the abutment element may have a cylindrical shape, keeping the structure and effect as indicated with reference to fig. 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B unchanged. In this case, the exemplary embodiment of the head support comprises an audio connection element 81 (which, even at the previously described structure, can be fixed without stress by the skilled person).

With reference to fig. 6 to 8, keeping the structure and effects as indicated with reference to fig. 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B unchanged, there is shown another exemplary embodiment 400 of a head support comprising a plastically deformable cover 90 for the abutment elements. The lid is made of a microperforated material having a plurality of holes of a size between 1 and 5 mm.

With reference to fig. 9 to 11, keeping unchanged the structure and effects as indicated with reference to fig. 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B, an illustrative embodiment 500 of the head support comprises an abutment element 10 facing the parietal bone surface of the user on the front part of the head. By way of illustration, fig. 11 shows a head support for use on an infant cradle.

With reference to fig. 12-14, keeping the structure and effects as indicated with reference to fig. 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B unchanged, an exemplary embodiment 600 of the head support comprises a non-slip sticker 130 disposed on a portion of the surface abutting the element. The presence of the anti-slip sticker 130 allows the head support to be mounted to, for example, a sofa or armchair 610.

With reference to fig. 15 to 17, keeping the structure and effects as indicated with reference to fig. 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B unchanged, the illustrative embodiment 700 of the head support comprises a connecting element 37 for the 30 and right 20 lateral support elements. For example, the connecting element 37 may be made of an acoustically transparent material, which assists the user in wearing the support while maintaining the multi-dimensional effect of sound.

With reference to fig. 18-20, keeping the structure and effects as indicated with reference to fig. 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B unchanged, an illustrative embodiment 800 of the head support includes a connecting element 38 that engages both left and right support elements and is wearable, covering the face of the subject to provide an improved listening experience.

With reference to fig. 21, keeping the structure and effects as indicated with reference to fig. 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B unchanged, the illustrative embodiment 900 of the head support comprises a multimedia device 920 arranged to be connected to the support and actuated by a control device 910, e.g. a remote control operable by a user.

With reference to fig. 22, keeping the structure and effects as indicated with reference to fig. 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B unchanged, the illustrative embodiment 950 of the head support comprises a plurality of sensors 930 positioned on the abutment element 10 and arranged to interact with a user.

With reference to fig. 23, keeping the structure and effects as indicated with reference to fig. 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B unchanged, an exemplary embodiment 960 of the head support comprises four further loudspeakers 940 mounted to the abutment element 10.

Referring to fig. 24, keeping the structure and effects unchanged as indicated with reference to fig. 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B, an exemplary embodiment of a support 970 includes a hinged structure 990 arranged to support a mobile device 980, such as a tablet computer.

FIG. 25 shows a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a head support made of a deformable material with a leather protective coating.

Fig. 26 shows a cross-section of another exemplary embodiment of the audio playing head support of fig. 1A, wherein the abutting element 10 has a housing 13 for a user's head 50 at an angle epsilon to the horizontal.

Fig. 27 shows an exemplary embodiment of the audio playing head support of fig. 1A, wherein the receiving recess 14 for the head portion of the user has a circular cross-section, symmetrical with respect to the longitudinal direction 15, arranged to receive the insert 2 having a circular cross-section. The insert 2 may be made of a material having a different hardness with respect to the material used for the abutment element, in order to achieve a more comfortable support of the head 50. Another advantage of the presence of the edge 14' on the receiving housing 14 when the insert 2 is received in the receiving housing 14 is that it provides a reference point to center the head 50 in the ideal listening position.

Fig. 28 shows another illustrative embodiment of the support of fig. 27, wherein the receiving housing 14 is a semicircular slot symmetrical to the longitudinal direction 15, configured to receive an insert 2 having the same shape. Even in this case, as in the case of the previous figures, the edge 14 'of the slot provides a reference point to center the user's head.

In fig. 29, a schematic view of the support is given, with respect to the effect of centering the head by means of the groove 14 and the edge 14', similarly to the support of fig. 1A. In particular, if the user is positioned with an eccentricity error δ with respect to the longitudinal direction 15, listening will be perceived as varying on both sides according to the eccentricity δ.

Fig. 30 shows a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the support of fig. 1A, including the amplifier housing 4.

Fig. 31 schematically shows a prior art binaural recording system, having a so-called "model head" 101, and shaped like a human head. The "dummy head" may simply be a body configured as an insulation barrier made of, for example, polyurethane foam. The model head 101 has two ears 102a, 102b, each of which has a listening channel 103a, 103b to mimic a human listening channel, and a channel or groove 104 to mimic an auditory channel. Two side microphone capsules 105a, 105b are arranged at one end of the listening channels 103a, 103b, opposite the ears 102a, 102b, and are arranged to correspond to the anatomical position of the human eardrum.

Referring to fig. 32 to 35, the improved binaural recording system according to the invention comprises, similarly to the prior art, a model head 101 arranged to provide a physical and acoustic barrier between two opposite right and left auricles 106a, 106 b.

According to the invention, the auricles 106a, 106b are configured to receive two side microphone capsules 105a, 105b, respectively, such that they have laterally directed sound collection surfaces 1015a, 1015 b. The pinna 106a, 106b have a listening channel, not mimicking the human ear, represented by grooves 1017a,1017b defined between the spirals 107a, 107b and the lobes 108a, 108 b.

Each side microphone capsule 105a, 105b is positioned on a groove 1017a,1017b having a sound collection surface 1015a, 1015b, which 1015a, 1015b is inside the groove at the entry 1018a, 1018b of the groove 1017a,1017 b.

Thus, sound is collected directly at the entry ports 1018a, 1018b of the grooves 1017a,1017b representing the listening channel and positioned at the center of the pinna, and not after having passed through the artificial listening channel of the prior art binaural microphone as in fig. 31. This avoids distortion and rumbling of the sound source that occurs during passage through prior art artificial listening channels.

The fact that the sound collecting surfaces 1015a, 1015b are positioned in the grooves 1017a,1017b allows the pinna 106a, 106b, and in particular the spirals 107a, 107b of the pinna, to perform sound shielding and simultaneously collect sound coming, for example, from behind or above the head. It is thus possible to better distinguish, like the human ear, between sound coming from a laterally positioned sound source (i.e. through the respective right or left side) and sound coming from behind or above.

The pinna, and in particular the spirals 107a, 107b of the two pinnas 106a, 106b, which are more protruding parts in the human ear, are preferably set at a distance from each other of between 15 and 20cm so as to protrude more than the collecting surfaces 1015a and 1015b, and partly shield sounds coming from above or behind with respect to sounds coming from the right and left sides.

Referring to fig. 36 and 37, an illustrative embodiment of the improved binaural recording system includes, in addition to the two side microphone capsules 105a, 105b positioned as described in fig. 32-35, two front microphone capsules 105c, 105d, which are positioned in front of the model head 101.

Thus, sound collection from the front direction is also added to the sound collection obtained by the side microphone capsules 105a, 105b as defined above, simulating the perception of audio from the front part of the human face and thus improving fidelity with respect to sound from the front direction.

The linear distance d1 between the two front microphone capsule fronts 105c, 105d may be smaller than the linear distance d2 between the two side microphone capsules (d1< d 2). Specifically, the distance d2 between the collecting surfaces 1015a and 1015b of the front microphone capsules 105a, 105b is set between 15 and 13cm, and the distance d1 between the front microphone capsules 105c, 105d is set between 13 and 10 cm.

Thus, while the side microphone capsules 105a, 105b simulate listening collection through the pinna of the human ear, the internal position of the front microphone capsules 105c, 105d causes sound collection that mimics the cochlea of the human ear (which is internal with respect to the pinna).

In a possible exemplary embodiment, the two front microphone capsules 105c, 105d are positioned at different heights 0< h < h1 from the two side microphone capsules, in a vertically lower position with respect to the side microphone capsules, as shown in fig. 36, or also in an upper position, not shown.

The difference in the height position of the front microphone capsule front portions 105c, 105d relative to the side microphone capsules 105a, 105b assists in reproducing the effect in a more realistic manner to a listener of sound moving in a vertical direction. In practice, the side microphone capsules 105a, 105b will collect the sound intensity of the up and down movement from the front capsules 105c, 105d in a different way, or vice versa. In particular, the front microphone capsule is set at a height difference between 1 and 3cm below or above the side microphone capsules. This mimics the different height positions of the cochlea relative to the auditory pathway in the human ear.

The side microphone capsules 105a, 105b may be configured to record at a predetermined first intensity and the front microphone capsules 105c, 105d may be configured to record at a predetermined second intensity that is less than the first intensity, the gain difference being set between 1 and 20dB in dB. Thus, a reduction in vestibular sensation is simulated in the human ear for sounds moving from the anterior direction through the skeletal parts of the face, relative to sounds heard directly through the eardrum.

Furthermore, the two front microphone capsules 105c, 105d may be configured for recording in opposite phase to the side microphone capsules 105a, 105 b. Alternatively, the two front microphone capsules 105c, 105d may be configured for recording relative to the side microphone capsules 105a, 105b with a phase shift of 20/40 samples.

Referring to fig. 38 and 39, an illustrative embodiment of an improved binaural recording system includes two side microphone capsules 105a, 105b positioned as described in fig. 32-35, and a third side microphone capsule 105e positioned in front of the model head in a lower position relative to the two side microphone capsules 105a, 105b by a height difference h2 (e.g., 4-5 cm). Even in this case, collection of vestibular sensation of sound is obtained, which comes from the front direction of the model head 101. This simulates the same perception from the front part of a human face during listening to recorded sound and improves fidelity with respect to sound from the front direction.

With reference to fig. 40 and 41, an illustrative embodiment of an improved binaural recording system comprises two side microphone capsules 105a, 105b positioned as described in fig. 32-35, and three front microphone capsules 105c, 105d, 105e positioned in front of a model head as described in fig. 36, 37, 38, 39. Thus, due to the plurality of sound collection points, a higher fidelity of the collected sound from the front direction is still obtained.

The front microphone capsule 105e may be in a lower position in the vertical direction (d3< h) relative to the other two front microphone capsules 105c, 105d for improving the fidelity of the recorded sound relative to the sound moving in the vertical direction. Thus, it is possible to better distinguish the directivity of sound sources moving up and down, or vice versa.

The two front microphone capsules 105c, 105d may be set for recording at a predetermined second intensity set between 5-8dB in decibel units with a gain difference smaller than the first intensity of the side microphone capsules 105a, 105b, and the front microphone capsule 105e is configured for recording at a predetermined third intensity set between 3-5dB in decibel units with a gain difference smaller than the first intensity. Therefore, a reduction in vestibular sensation is reproduced like the human ear for a sound moving from a front direction through the upper skeleton portion of the user's face relative to a sound moving from a front direction through the lower skeleton portion of the user's face.

Front microphone capsule 105e may be a heart-shaped capsule. In particular, a filter may be provided that cuts the predetermined frequency over the full range of 1Hz-20 kHz. The filter can cut frequencies below 4-5kHz and enhance frequencies between 12/20kHz with a gain of 12 dB. Thus, the behavior of the human ear for sound moving from a front direction through the facial bone parts is reproduced. In particular, these sounds are reduced at lower frequencies and enhanced at higher frequencies.

Advantageously, the at least one front microphone capsule 105c, 105d, 105e is configured for oscillating the collected signals by auto-positioning (auto-pan) settings. Thus, the listener's ear will be stimulated by sound coming from a front direction. The range of automatic positioning may be set between the left/center point and the right/center point between 20%/30% and the time of movement between the left/center point and the right/center point is included within 20/80 ms.

Referring to fig. 42, in an improved binaural recording system illustrative embodiment, two side microphone capsules 105a, 105b are provided positioned as described in fig. 32-35, and two additional side microphone capsules 109c, 109d are provided that are higher than the two side microphone capsules 105a, 105b relative to the model head 101 and are positioned laterally on two respective right and left sides above the pinna (h4> h 3).

Two further side microphone capsules 109c, 109d without pinna add sound collection to the sound collection obtained by the side microphone capsules 105a, 105b positioned in the pinna 106a, 106b and described above, obtaining a better distinction between the sound coming from the front and the sound coming from the cross direction.

Referring to fig. 43, an illustrative embodiment of an improved binaural recording system includes four side microphone capsules 105a, 105b, 109c, 109d positioned as described in fig. 32-35 and 42, and three front microphone capsules 105c, 105d, 105e to increase the relative effect as described in fig. 38-39.

Referring to fig. 44, another exemplary embodiment is shown having four side microphone capsules 105a, 105b, 109c, 109d positioned as described in fig. 32-35 and 42 and two additional front microphone capsules 105c, 105d to increase the relative effect as described in fig. 36 and 37.

Referring to fig. 45, a front view of a binaural recording system is shown, similar to the binaural recording system of fig. 44, wherein a separation wall 1020 is provided positioned between the two front microphone capsules 105c, 105 d. Thus, the presence of the partition wall 1020 determines the acoustic shielding, making it possible for each front capsule 105c, 105d to delimit sound coming from the respective right and left sides.

Referring to fig. 46, an exemplary block diagram of the processing stages for a binaural microphone unit is shown, wherein two side microphone capsules 105a, 105b collect the analog signal from the sound source and send it to a pre-amplification unit. After processing by the pre-amplification unit, the signal is passed to an audio interface for analog-to-digital conversion. The digital signal is then acquired by a recording unit.

Similarly, fig. 47 shows a schematic view of the processing stages in the case of four microphone capsules (two sides 105a, 105b and two fronts 105c, 105 d).

Fig. 48 shows a schematic view of the processing stages in the case of three microphone capsules (two sides 105a, 105b and a front 105 e).

Fig. 49 shows a schematic view of the processing stages in the case of five microphone capsules (two sides 105a, 105b and three fronts 105c, 105d, 105 e). The processing of sound may be obtained in the case of four capsules (as shown in fig. 42), four side capsules and three front capsules (as shown in fig. 43), or four side capsules and two front capsules (as shown in fig. 44).

Fig. 50 to 51 show a front view (fig. 50) and two cross-sectional views LI-LI (fig. 51) and LII-LII (fig. 52) of a possible embodiment of a binaural system according to the invention. As an example, the exemplary embodiments of fig. 40 and 41 with two lateral microphone capsules 105a, 105b and three front microphone capsule front portions 105c, 105d, 105e are used. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that this exemplary embodiment can be extended to other cases shown above.

In fig. 50-52, the elements 109, 1010, 1011 are abutment elements belonging to the two front microphone capsules 105c, 105d and the other front microphone capsule 105e as well as the two side microphone capsules 105a, 105 b. The model head 101 may be made of an acoustically insulating material (e.g., foam with open or closed cells, such as polyurethane) including a rigid frame 1011 for supporting the pinnas 106a, 106 b. The rigid frame is arranged to reduce vibrations at low frequencies. Furthermore, the elements 109, 1010, 1011 are comprised in a rigid frame.

As shown in fig. 51 and 52, element 1011 is a tubular element made of a plastic material selected from the group consisting of: nylon, polyethylene, etc., which may be filled with a lightweight soundproof material 13, such as polyurethane foam, wool, etc.

Element 109 has a tubular shape and is placed into the body of acoustic insulation material and preferably it does not contact tubular element 11 for supporting the lateral microphone capsules 105a-105e of the pinna. This way the noise affecting the sound recording can be reduced.

Referring to fig. 53, an illustrative embodiment of a reproduction system according to the present disclosure is shown in which the binaural recording system of fig. 32-52 is used according to which a plurality of audio tracks are recorded, each audio track being relative to sound originating from a predetermined position relative to the binaural recording system 101. Specifically, each position of the space is referred to as a body part identified using a body object 101' arranged to simulate a human body.

In the example depicted in fig. 53, a body object 101' is associated with the binaural recording system and defines a position whose head is a human body part of the binaural recording system 101. The ideal partitioning is performed by an mxn matrix whose inner volume is comprised in two dimensions in order to identify the region of overlap with the body object 101'. Specifically, each region is the result of a combination of m rows and n columns. In the example depicted in the figure, for each region of the matrix mxn, the sound source is activated in a predetermined position mn, which is acquired by the binaural recording system 101. The sound source is then activated in all other positions mn and each time the recording is completed, the relative track audio is obtained. Thus, a plurality of audio tracks is made, each with respect to the sound originating from a position mn selected between a combination of m rows 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 47, 48, 49 and n columns 40, 40', 40 "of the matrix.

As a binaural recording system 101 capable of maintaining information relative to the direction of sound sources, the high fidelity audio tracks produced thereby may be played back with the same fidelity level reproduction system as described above with reference to fig. 1-30.

Referring to fig. 54, an illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure similar to fig. 53 is shown, where it shows a partition of a three-dimensional space including an object 101' and a binaural recording system 101. Thus, one additional spatial dimension of the audio track is obtained. In particular, the sound source may be activated at any position mn of fig. 53 above or below the object 101 'simulating the patient's body.

The use of such audio tracks in combination with the mobile device 980 and the head support for audio reproduction allows the patient to listen to sound deemed to be from a location mn where the sound source has been activated during recording. Combining more audio tracks makes it possible to reproduce the sound moving relative to the patient in a predetermined manner depending on the unit mn selected for reproduction. For example, it may generate an audio track that causes the patient to perceive sounds that move up and down, or vice versa.

It is also possible to record audio tracks with respect to moving sound sources that pass through more zones mn. In this case, such audio tracks covering more zones may be played with relative positions selected for reproduction, as described below.

Referring to fig. 55, a block diagram shows a possible illustrative embodiment of a system installed in an interface 1000 for reproducing a plurality of audio tracks, each captured as described in fig. 53, 54. By interacting with the interface, e.g. through the pointing device 1001, a user positioned on the support experiences a listening sensation as an audio track from an audio source positioned through the respective body part.

If the interface 1000 is a tablet computer or smartphone, it may be equipped with a touch screen 1000' in which an image 1002 is presented depicting the body and multiple areas overlapping with the body part. In particular, a user, for example a patient positioned on a support for audio reproduction, or a physiotherapist wishing the patient to perceive some selected sounds, interacts with the image 1002 controlling the reproduction of the audio tracks recorded with the above described criteria. Such control may be performed by selecting the area (proximate to the body part) present in the image 1002 and by selecting a stimulation path that runs through a predetermined continuous area of the image 1002. The database 1003 may contain recorded audio tracks relative to a predetermined body part 1004 and audio tracks relative to a path 1005 through multiple body parts. A control unit 1006 present in software is adapted to control the head support in order to reproduce the audio tracks obtained by the binaural recording system. The activated audio tracks are transferred to the head support for audio reproduction by a wireless connection or by a cable connection by means of the player 1007. For example, it may play sounds perceived at the height of the patient's right foot, or sounds moving from the right edge of the foot to the head, etc.

Fig. 56 shows a flow chart for reproduction of an audio track as a result of interaction with interface 1000. At the beginning of session 850, the user interacts with touch screen 1000' of interface 1000 to provide stimulus control. If the user has provided control over multiple regions 851 of the touch screen, then an audio track for the selected region 853, or track audio for a path including multiple regions 852, may be made, with cross fading between the various regions. If the user has provided control over a single region 855, then the track audio for the selected region is executed.

The foregoing description of some exemplary specific embodiments will so fully disclose the disclosure in a conceptual sense so that others, by applying current knowledge, will be able to modify and/or adapt for various applications the specific exemplary embodiments without further research and without departing from the disclosure, and it is therefore intended that such adaptations and modifications will have to be considered as equivalent to the specific embodiments. Thus, devices and materials that perform the different functions described herein may have different properties without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.