GB2590347A

GB2590347A - Point to point 5G audio and audio control signals for location of performers with graphical output of performer location

Info

Publication number: GB2590347A
Application number: GB1914721.4A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Gibby Adrian
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2019-10-11
Filing date: 2019-10-11
Publication date: 2021-06-30
Also published as: GB201914721D0

Abstract

A method for calculating delay and intensity of audio at a venue using 5G radio waves, comprising a 5G (fifth generation) transceiver connected to a performer, or a device or wearable attached to the performer, and further 5G transceivers attached to each a mixing desk, multiple amplifiers and loudspeakers. Directional antennas can be utilised throughout for location tracking. Each 5G antenna tracks the location of the performer relative to the transceivers of each loudspeaker and the signal is mixed and a delay is calculated into the loudspeakers. This makes it possible to use digital radio transmission of audio during a live performance whilst accounting for the delay (ideally less than 10-20ms) and/or latency to introduce a delay that corresponds to the natural delay due to the speed of sound in air. The location information can also be used to provide a visual indication of the location of each performer, relate that location to each audio channel, used to direct spotlights and to ensure the safety of the performers.

Description

Point to point 50 audio and audio control signals for location of performers with graphical output of performer location

SUMMARY

A method for locating the position of microphones and delivering the relevant audio to the loudspeakers in a venue. By synchronising the latency due to the air path with the latency due to the 5G radio path of the transmission of audio signals to loudspeakers in live events, we can ensure that each of the loudspeakers delivers the sound at the correct time and intensity. The location of each of the microphones and amplifiers used by each performer can be displayed on a graphical interface for use by the sound engineer.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to using 5G radio in audio systems used for performances, such as public address (PA) systems. More particularly, but not by way of limitation, the present disclosure relates to techniques for aligning the time delay and intensity due to the signal path through the air with the time delay due to the signal through the electronic devices. And indicating the location of each performer through a graphical interface. The location information can also be used when processing effects that are applied to the sound. This can also be used to automatically direct spotlights and camera equipment to track the performers..

BACKGROUND

The time it takes for sound to get from each of the performers to each member of the audience depends on the method used for transmitting the audio. Sound travels at 343 meters per second at 20 °C, and 349 meters per second at 30 'V The speed increases strongly with temperature, but has a weak dependence on frequency, humidity and pressure in ordinary air. So there will be a delay or latency of at least 3 milliseconds for every meter that the sound has to travel. Performers standing a few meters away will have a delay of several milliseconds between them. Audio connected using analog cables will have a delay close to zero. A typical WiFi network with a small number of connected devices will have 50% of the packages will have a delay of less than 2.5 ms, 90% less than 12.0 ms and 1% more than 45 ms. Some packages could have a delay of over 500 milliseconds. A 5G network can achieve delays of only a few milliseconds.

Humans can locate the source of a sound with extreme precision, within 2 degrees of space using the process of sound localisation. This is achieved by comparing the timing and intensity of the sound as it reaches both cars. Continuously locating the position of each performer on the stage can enable the delivery of the correct intensity and delay to each loudspeaker within the venue when the location of each of the loudspeakers within the venue is also known. Where there are multiple paths due to reflections, the sound wave that arrives first is used to determine the location of the sound source, even if the sound waves that arrive later are louder than the first. This is called the Haas effect.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure I depicts the configuration of one microphone and one loudspeaker. Figure 2 depicts the configuration of three microphones and three loudspeakers.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A device attached to each loudspeaker measures the vector distance to a device attached to the audio connection for each performer. So, for example, this would be connected to a microphone, a guitar socket or a keyboard audio output socket. The device could also be placed or connected to the amplifier for the performer, which is gives the ability to align the audio with the sound produced by the amplifier. This distance information is sent to a master unit that varies the delay and intensity of the audio signal that is being sent to that loudspeaker. Each audio loudspeaker combination will have a different dela and intensity that corresponds to each distance between that combination.

This enables individual placement and movement of each performer. It accurately depicts stage scenarios so that each performer corresponds both visually and acoustically. This enables the audience to be able to hear what it sees.

The locations of each performer can be used to automatically direct spotlights and cameras to follow the performers. The location information can also be used for safety by keeping track of all of the performers.

This measurement can be a scalar or vector measurement by using directional antennas on either or both devices. A directional antenna will help to reduce interference due to multiple signal paths. A direction& antenna on the audio input transducer unit would &so help to reduce power consumption, which would increase the battery life of the unit attached to the audio input transducer.

Claims

Claims: What is claimed s: 1. A method for calculating the amount of delay and intensity needed to match the delay created by the radio path of the signal to the corresponding delay and intensity of the audio traveling through air to each loudspeaker in the venue using 56 radio waves. Comprising of A 56 transceiver connected to either the performer or a device used by the performer; a 56 transceiver connected to a mixing desk; a 56 transceiver connected to each loudspeaker in the venue; continuously calculating the location of each performer's device; calculating the location of each transceiver using the information provided by each 5G directional antenna; continuously calculating the distance between each loudspeaker and each performer or performer's amplifiers.
2. A method of calculating the positions of performers on stage and displaying this through a graphical interface using 5G radio waves. Comprising of: A 5G transceiver connected to either the performer or a device used by the performer; a 5G transceiver connected to a mixing desk; a 56 transceiver connected to each loudspeaker in the venue; continuously calculating the location of each performer's device; calculating the location of each transceiver using the information provided by each 5G directional antenna.
3. The method of claim 1. A method for enabling the correct latency transmission of audio and control signals between performers, performer's amplifiers, mixing desks, and loudspeaker boxes for use in Five events and performances.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the 56 transceiver attached to: the performers; performer's amplifiers and loudspeakers are used as receivers and transmitters of radio signals for: audio; data; and metadata.
5. The method of claim 2. A method for assigning the location of the performer and perfonner's amplifiers to the relevant audio channel within the mixing desk.
6. The method of claim 2, further comprising: locating 56 transceivers in corners of the room in order to determine the location of all other 50 transceivers in the system in relation to the walls of the venue.
7. The method of claim 6: Temporarily locating a 56 transceiver in the corners of the room during a test phase in order to determine the location of all other 56 transceivers in the system in relation to the walls of the venue.
8. The method of claims 6: locating 56 transceivers at key points in the venue that represent an area that is not safe.
9. The method of claims 7: locating 56 transceivers at key points in the venue that represent an area that is not safe.
10. The method of claim 8. A method for creating an alert when a performer enters a space that presents a hazard.
11. The method of claim 9. A method for creating an alert when a performer enters a space that presents a hazard.
12. The method of claim 2, further comprising: allocating logical addresses for a multichannel audio signal processing item to each performer in the venue in accordance with the identified positions of the performers in the venue.
13. The method of claim 12. A method for communicating the perfonner location to audio effects units.
14. The method of claim 12. A method for communicating the perfonner location to lighting equipment.
15. The method of claim 12. A method for communicating the performer location to camera equipment.