RU2284584C1 - Method for transferring acoustic signal to user and device for realization of said method - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: acoustics, possible use for affecting psycho-physiological state of person during training, in art-therapy, when performing music in concert halls, in theatric and circus performances, during production of movies, during animation of images, etc.

SUBSTANCE: method for transferring acoustic signal to user includes filtration of electric signal, containing information about acoustic signal, and following transformation of electric signal to acoustic signal. Electric signal is preliminarily nonlinearly transformed with non-linearity order not less than 4, during realization of filtration, combination oscillations are selected in range of infrasound frequencies and with amplifier not less than in 2 times these are transformed to acoustic signal, emitted in additional to main signal. Electric signal, carrying information about acoustic signal, may be additionally nonlinearly transformed together with same signal, delayed for not more than 5 seconds. Device for emitting acoustic signal to listener contains electric signal source, containing information about acoustic signal, filtration block, transformer of electric signal to acoustic signal, connected to its output, and also nonlinear transformer and amplifier. Transformation characteristic of nonlinear transformer is described by polynomial of order not less than 4. filtration block is made in infrasound range. Output of signal source is connected to input of nonlinear transformer, output of which is connected to input of filtration block, while output of filtration block is connected to input of transformer of electric signal through amplifier of infrasound oscillations with amplification coefficient not less than 2.

EFFECT: selection of parameters of acoustic images and generation of infrasound accompaniment, taking bio-physical rules of sound perception by listener into consideration.

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Description

The invention relates to the field of acoustics and can be used to influence the psychophysiological state of a person during the training process, in art therapy, when performing music in concert halls, in theater and circus performances, during the production of films, during image animation, etc.

In the sounds of nature, such as the noise of the sea or forest, there are acoustic images transmitted by acoustic signals. A typical example is the acoustic image of space. Acoustic images are also present in musical works, as they are laid down by composers and performers. An acoustic signal reflecting the image of the space in which a piece of music is performed can also be transmitted while listening.

A known method [1] transmitting an acoustic signal.

This method consists in the fact that in addition to the musical piece to be played, vibrations of the infrasound range at a frequency of 17 Hz are reproduced and transmitted to the listener. As a result, listeners create a feeling of anxiety, a feeling of sudden cold, and a condition called goosebumps.

In some cases, when the acoustic image laid down by the composer and performer should cause a feeling of anxiety, method [1] allows you to enhance the listener's emotional reaction to a musical work. However, this method does not take into account the change in the acoustic image during the performance of a musical work and the originality of these images for various works. Therefore, for most musical works, the use of the method [1] interferes with the perception of the acoustic image embedded in the performed musical work by the composer and performer.

A known method [2] transmitting an acoustic signal.

This method includes filtering an electrical signal carrying information about an acoustic signal displaying a piece of music, then converting the electrical signal into an acoustic signal using speakers and reflecting the acoustic signal from a surface associated with the speakers. The speakers are placed in parallel with the specified deviation from parallelism, and so that a standing wave is established at the selected frequency in each pair of speakers - a reflective surface. In this case, the required amplitude-frequency characteristic of the device is formed in the region of the maximum frequency spectrum of the optimal auditory perception.

Method [2] effectively transmits an acoustic signal characterizing the image of the space in which music is performed. Moreover, this method, as experiments have shown, provides a significant increase in the expressiveness of music, which leads to increased stress - stability of the brain and to an increase in the rate of neuropsychic reactions.

However, the method [2] does not enhance the emotional response of listeners to acoustic images embedded in a musical work by a composer and performer.

A known method [3] transmitting an acoustic signal.

This method in terms of features is closest to the claimed and adopted as a prototype.

The method consists in the fact that when transmitting an acoustic signal, for example, corresponding to an executable piece of music, they additionally transmit a signal that carries an acoustic image of space and specified by filter parameters simulating the sound of music in a virtual concert hall. Next, the signal is filtered, forming a cumulative signal that implements for the listener a piece of music performed in a virtual concert hall.

Thus, the method [3] transfers to the listener an image of virtual space.

A device for implementing the known method [3] contains (Fig. 1) a source 1 of an electric signal carrying information about an acoustic signal, for example, a corresponding musical piece of work, a generator 7 of parameters describing the acoustic image of space, an adder 8, a filtering unit 3, and a transducer 5 electrical signal into acoustic.

The parameters of the generator 7, describing the acoustic image of the space (for example, a virtual concert hall), are set in arbitrary form, for example in the form of a code.

Block 3 filter contains parameterized filters having an effect on the signal, which depends on the parameters related to each filter, for modeling surfaces that virtually exist in a virtual acoustic space.

The output of the source 1 is connected to the 1st input of the adder 8.

The output of the parameter generator 7 is connected to the 2nd input of the adder, the output of which is connected to the input of the filtering unit 3.

The output of the filtering unit 3 is connected to the input of the converter 5 of the electrical signal into an acoustic one.

The device operates as follows.

The signal from the source 1 passes to the first input of the adder 8. In the adder 8 to the signal of the source 1 is added the signal of the acoustic image of the space generated by the generator 7 of the parameters. This signal is set in the form of filter parameters that are not directly perceived by listeners. The signal from the adder 8 enters the filtering unit 3. In it, the signal is decoded, the parameterized filters are automatically adjusted in accordance with the signal of the acoustic image of the space, and the electric signal, which carries information about the acoustic signal that displays the music being played, passes through these filters. Then it enters the input of the transducer 5 of the electric signal into an acoustic signal, from which it goes directly to the listener.

When using the method adopted for the prototype, the listener is effectively transmitted the acoustic image of the space in which the musical work is performed. For example, the method [3] allows during the execution process to change the position of the performers in the virtual hall.

However, the method [3] does not allow enhancing the emotional response of listeners to acoustic images embedded in music by the composer and performer.

The task to which the invention is directed is to enhance the emotional impact on the listener.

The technical result obtained by the implementation of the claimed invention consists in highlighting the parameters of the acoustic images laid down by the composer and performer in a musical work or in the sounds of nature, and the formation of infrasound accompaniment, taking into account the biophysical laws of sound perception by the listener, i.e. using an objective basis - revealing the mood corresponding to a piece of music or sounds of nature.

The specified technical result in the implementation of the invention is achieved by a solution representing a group of diverse inventions - a method and device for its implementation, combined by a single inventive concept.

The specified technical result is achieved by the fact that in the method of transmitting to the listener an acoustic signal, including filtering an electric signal carrying information about the acoustic signal, and then converting the electric signal into an acoustic, electric signal is preliminarily nonlinearly converted with a degree of nonlinearity of at least 4; fluctuations in the range of infrasonic frequencies and with amplification of at least 2 times convert into additional to the main akus matic signal.

The technical result in the implementation of the invention is also achieved by the fact that an electrical signal that carries information about the acoustic signal is non-linearly converted together with the same signal, delayed no more than 5 seconds.

The technical result in the implementation of the invention is also achieved by the fact that the inventive device for transmitting an acoustic signal to a listener, comprising a source of an electric signal carrying information about the acoustic signal, a filtering unit and an electric to acoustic signal converter connected to its output, is equipped with a non-linear converter, the conversion characteristic of which is described a polynomial of degree at least 4, while the filtering unit is made in the infrasonic range, the output of the signal source ala is connected to the input of a nonlinear transducer, the output of which is connected to the input of the filtering unit, and the output of the filtering unit is connected to the input of the electric signal to acoustic converter through an infrasonic oscillation amplifier with a gain of at least 2.

The technical result in the implementation of the invention is also achieved by the fact that the inventive device is equipped with a delay unit for an electrical signal, the input of which is connected to the output of the signal source, and the output to the input of a nonlinear converter.

In figure 1. schematically depicts a device that implements the known method.

Figure 2 schematically shows a device that implements the inventive method according to claim 1.

Figure 3 schematically shows a device that implements the inventive method according to claim 2.

The inventive device (figure 2) includes a source 1 of an electric signal carrying information about the acoustic signal, a non-linear converter 2, a filter unit 3, an amplifier 4, an electric signal to acoustic converter 5.

Source 1 has an electrical signal output and may additionally have an acoustic signal output. An acoustic signal may be supplied to its input. An acoustic signal adequate to the signal of source 1 should be accessible to the listener under any conditions.

Nonlinear transducer 2 has a conversion characteristic, which is described by a polynomial of degree at least 4.

Block 3 filtering performs the function of highlighting vibrations in the range of infrasonic frequencies.

The amplifier 4 has a gain of at least 2. FIG. 2 shows an embodiment in which the amplifier 4 is structurally allocated. However, the amplifier 4 can be combined in hardware with a filtering unit or an electric to acoustic converter.

The transducer 5 can, in addition to converting the electrical signal into an acoustic signal, also perform an amplification function.

Non-linear converter 2 can also perform a gain function.

It is more rational to amplify the oscillations of infrasonic frequencies, i.e. in the amplifier 4, at the output of the filtering unit 3 or in the converter 2, increasing the level of infrasonic vibrations relative to the main signal.

The output of the source 1 is connected to the input of the nonlinear converter 2, the output of the nonlinear converter 2 is connected to the input of the filtering unit 3, and the output of the filtering unit 3 is connected to the input of the converter 5 of the electric signal into an acoustic signal through amplifier 4.

Source 1 can be made, for example, in the form of a microphone (in this case, the acoustic signal can be accessed by the listener directly from the performer). Source 1 may further comprise its own transducer of electrical signal into acoustic, i.e. as source 1, a CD, DVD player or tape recorder can be used.

Nonlinear converter 2, filtering unit 3, amplifier 4 can be made in the form of analog devices. For example, the nonlinear converter 2 can be made in the form of an amplifier, in which the dependence of the output signal on the input is described by a polynomial of at least degree 4. It is possible to perform a non-linear converter, a filtering unit and an amplifier in the form of digital devices, for example, based on a controller using, if necessary, an analog-to-digital or digital-to-analog converter. The named blocks can be implemented directly in the computer [4].

The electric to acoustic signal transducer can be made using special speakers or pipes [5] when transmitting a signal through air, magnetostrictive or piezoelectric transducers - for transmitting signals through denser media (like, for example, “sensory channels” described in O. Huxley’s novel "Oh, this brave new world.")

The inventive method in the simplest embodiment is implemented as follows.

An acoustic signal representing a musical work being performed or sounds of nature is transmitted directly to the listener.

An electrical signal from source 1, which carries information about the acoustic signal, passes to the input of the nonlinear converter 2, and then to the input of the filtering unit 3.

Block 3 filtering performs the selection of vibrations in the range of infrasonic frequencies from the signal obtained after non-linear conversion. For some versions, filtering is carried out with the division of vibrations into sub-bands, for the simplest version, without such separation.

After filtering, the signal is fed to the input of the Converter 5 of the electrical signal into an acoustic signal through an amplifier 4.

The nonlinear conversion of the electrical signal of the source 1 when using the proposed method is carried out in the same way as in the ear-brain system.

As shown in [6, 7], the human ear-brain system is a non-linear acoustic signal transducer. The sounds of nature, musical works and other acoustic signals are accompanied by the formation of Raman vibrations in the human brain in the infrasound frequency region. In the middle part of the scale, when at least three notes of the tonic triad interact, the maximum level of infrasonic combination vibrations corresponds to an oscillation order equal to 4. When two notes belonging to the tonic third interact, 9th-order infrasound combination vibrations are formed. It follows that the degree of nonlinearity of the ear-brain system is at least 4.

Let the sound be a chord of three notes of the same intensity. In this case, an electric signal carrying information about the acoustic signal, if we do not take into account overtones, can be simplistically described as follows:

where U is the voltage of the total electrical signal carrying information about the acoustic signal,

a is the amplitude of the signal carrying information about one note,

ω ₁ , ω ₂ , ω ₃ - the circular frequency of each of the three signals that carry information about three notes, respectively,

t is time.

The result of a nonlinear transformation with a degree of nonlinearity 4 is the following expression:

,

,

и т.д.After the nonlinear transformation, a set of oscillations of the combination frequencies is formed, including 4ω ₁ , 4ω ₂ , 4ω ₃ ,

,

,

etc.

According to [6, 7], the biophysical prerequisite for the peculiarities of the emotional influence of an acoustic signal is the brain's perception of those of the listed combination vibrations for which the frequencies lie in the range of infrasound, i.e. lower than about 14 Hz.

The parameters of the infrasound vibrations perceived by the brain, in particular the frequency, level and nature of the change, determine the emerging emotional state of the person.

The level of combinational vibrations is determined by their order, which is equal to the sum of the numbers of harmonics involved in their formation. In general, the greater the order, the lower the level.

These vibrations occur during the perception of various acoustic signals, including sounds of nature and musical works, including functional ("tonal") and atonal music.

For example, in [6, 7] it was shown that the difference in the spectrum of combination vibrations of major and minor thirds and triads corresponds to the difference in the emotional perception of the major and minor frets: for major (invigorating) music a much higher level is characteristic, that is, a lower order (p≥9 for thirds, p≥4 for triads) of infrasound Raman oscillations than for minor, relatively sadder (p≥11 for thirds and p≥5 for triads).

Therefore, by using the simplest embodiment of the filtering unit 3, isolating vibrations in the infrasonic frequency range after nonlinear conversion of the electrical signal and transmitting to the listener with amplification this signal that carries an acoustic image embedded in the musical composition by the composer and performer, we can make the difference between major and minor. This method of transmitting an acoustic signal is based on objective laws of music perception by a person and helps to increase the emotional impact of music.

When separating vibrations in the infrasonic frequency range by subbands, the device makes it possible to take into account the nuances of the mood that the music carries (both functional and atonal), and allows you to enhance the emotional effect of the acoustic image laid down by the composer and performer.

The fact is that, as shown in [7], the parameters of the infrasonic vibrations that occur when an acoustic signal is transmitted in the form of chords built in different keys through a nonlinear system are significantly different from each other.

For example, the major keys “re b (do #)” major and “salt b (fa #)” are used, as a rule, in musical works of a calm (contemplative) nature, in contrast to other, more invigorating keys. Tonic thirds and triads of these tonalities are characterized by a lower frequency of Raman oscillations of the infrasonic range in comparison with other tonalities of major.

Among minor keys, the keys "G # minor" and "D # (E b) minor" differ. They are known as creating a less sad mood than other minor keys. For their tonic triads, the order of infrasound components (p = 5) is lower (level higher) than for the rest of the minor keys.

The second group - the keys of "F minor" and "B-minor" - is characterized by the fact that the order of the infrasound components (p = 9) of their triads is much higher than for other keys. Accordingly, the level of these components is much lower. Works in the keys of F minor and B minor, whose tonic triads cause infrasonic vibrations of only a very low level, are usually perceived as particularly sad.

In the third group, which includes all the other keys of the minor, the order of infrasonic vibrations is 6. Although their parameters differ significantly from the parameters of the major keys, they differ less in selected parameters from each other. However, they can also be distinguished differences in Raman oscillations in frequency, as well as more subtle differences in levels.

When modeling atonal music, combination vibrations in the range of infrasonic frequencies can also be distinguished.

The path gain should be at least 2, it should be sufficient to provide the required emotional impact of music or nature sounds. The gain is implemented using amplifier 4; a nonlinear converter 2, a filtering unit 3, an electric to acoustic converter 5 can also carry out a gain function. The maximum value of the gain is due, on the one hand, to the required emotional impact, and on the other hand, to physiological limitations regarding the effects of infrasound on humans.

Thus, acoustic signals are the sounds of nature, music, etc. - characterized by certain objective parameters that determine the type and degree of emotional impact. These include the static parameters of infrasonic vibrations (amplitude, frequency, phase) arising in the non-linear ear-brain transducer, as well as the corresponding dynamic parameters.

The inventive device implements the inventive method of transmitting an acoustic signal to a listener, including filtering an electric signal carrying information about the acoustic signal, and then converting the electric signal into an acoustic signal, in which the electric signal is preliminarily nonlinearly converted with a degree of nonlinearity of at least 4, when filtering, Raman oscillations the range of infrasound frequencies and with amplification not less than 2 times converted into additional to the main akus matic signal.

In this case, the parameters of infrasonic vibrations are objectively related to the emotions that the acoustic effect carries.

As you know, a person perceives the emotional influence of acoustic signals both at the same time and at a consistent sound. Major triad is easily recognized when playing in the form of arpeggios.

For the case when the sounds are not reproduced simultaneously (in the form of a chord), but sequentially, the inventive device is shown in figure 3.

To enhance the emotional impact of acoustic images associated with transmitted sounds of nature or music, the claimed device is additionally equipped with a unit 6 for delaying the electrical signal. The input of the delay unit is connected to the output of the electrical signal of the source 1, and the output to the input of the nonlinear converter 2.

The electrical signal from the output of the source 1 passes to the input of the delay unit 6, as well as to the input of the nonlinear converter 2.

The signal from the output of the delay unit 6 is also fed to the input of the nonlinear converter 2.

The delay unit implements a temporary delay of the output signal relative to the input for a period of not more than 5 s.

The fact is that, as shown in [7], inertia is characteristic of the ear-brain system. The delay time should be no more than 5 s. This boundary approximately corresponds to the maximum time during which the human brain can jointly analyze sounds heard sequentially. Otherwise, the sound heard first is forgotten.

After the passage of an electrical signal that carries information about an acoustic signal associated with sounds of nature or a musical piece performed, a signal containing oscillations of several frequencies is received through a delay unit 6 to a non-linear converter 2. Further operation of the device is similar to that described above.

The inventive device in this case implements the inventive method for transmitting to the listener an acoustic signal, which consists in the fact that an electrical signal carrying information about the acoustic signal is non-linearly converted together with the same signal, delayed no more than 5 seconds.

The inventive device can be performed on the following elements.

The filtering unit can be performed on band-pass filters or low-pass filters. A nonlinear converter, a filtering unit, and a delay unit are most often implemented as analog devices. It is possible to perform a non-linear converter, a filtering unit and a delay unit in the form of digital devices, for example, based on a controller using, if necessary, an analog-to-digital or digital-to-analog converter. The named blocks can be implemented directly in the computer [4].

The electric to acoustic signal converter can be performed using special speakers or pipes [5] when transmitting a signal through air, magnetostrictive or piezoelectric transducers for transmitting signals through denser media.

The inventive method of transmitting an acoustic signal to a listener and a device for its implementation model the patterns revealed by the authors of the formation of a person’s emotional response when acoustic signals act on the ear-brain system and, as a result, provide a qualitatively more powerful emotional effect.

Thus, the above information confirms the possibility of implementing the claimed invention, as well as achieving the specified technical result and solving the problem.

Literature

1. http://emigration.russie.ni/news/3/2160_1.html

2. Kim Soo In, Bashkin V.M., Negodaylov A.N. and other Method of sounding the premises / RU 2127495 C1, cl. H 04 R 5/01, 03/10/1999.

3. Huopaniemi Yuri. Method and system for transmitting the characteristics of a virtual acoustic environment / RU 2234819 C2, cl. G 10 K 15/08, 08/20/2004.

4. V. Gadzikovsky. Digital models of the main nonlinear transformations of strip signals in radio receivers / Problems of Instrument Engineering, 2003, No. 1, pp. 68-80.

5. Bergit Arends, Davina Thackara. Experiment: Conversations in Art and Science. http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/1841290432/instituteofid-21/202-8170461-2495811.

6. K.B. Sapozhnikova, R.E. Taimanov. Biophysical prerequisites for creating a measuring model for the perception of the structural elements of music // Proceedings of the International Scientific and Practical Conference "Theory, Methods and Means of Measurement, Control and Diagnostics" (Novocherkassk), 2001, pp. 59-65.

7. Sapozhnikova K., Taymanov R. About a measuring model of emotional perception of music // Proc. of the XVII IMEKO World Congress, 2003, Dubrovnik, Croatia, p.p.2049-2053.

Claims (4)

1. A method of transmitting an acoustic signal to a listener, including filtering an electric signal carrying information about the acoustic signal, and then converting the electric signal into an acoustic signal, characterized in that the electric signal is preliminarily nonlinearly converted with a degree of nonlinearity of at least 4; the range of infrasonic frequencies and with amplification of at least 2 times convert them into an additional acoustic signal to the main one. 2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the electrical signal carrying information about the acoustic signal is non-linearly converted together with the same signal, delayed no more than 5 s. 3. A device for transmitting an acoustic signal to a listener, comprising a source of an electric signal carrying information about the acoustic signal, a filtering unit and an electric to acoustic transducer connected to its output, characterized in that it is equipped with a non-linear transducer, the conversion characteristic of which is described by a polynomial of degree not lower than 4, while the filtering unit is made in the infrasonic range, the output of the signal source is connected to the input of a nonlinear converter, the output of which connected to the input of the filter unit, the filtration unit output is connected to an input electric signal into an acoustic transducer via an amplifier infrasonic vibrations with a gain of at least 2. 4. The device according to claim 3, characterized in that it is equipped with a delay unit for an electrical signal, the input of which is connected to the output of the signal source, and the output to the input of a nonlinear converter.

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