3D Audio Spatial Resolution Control to Prevent Output Delay

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Solution Overview

Problem

Three-dimensional audio processing requires significant computational resources, leading to potential delays in sound output.

Innovation Solution

Adjust the spatial resolution and time response length for three-dimensional audio processing based on the positional relationship between the user and the sound source, reducing computational load by lowering the spatial resolution for larger distances and increasing it for human voices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If three-dimensional audio processing is performed with high spatial resolution, then sound quality is improved, but computation time increases causing output delay

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespatial resolutionVSAvoidoutput delay

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent dynamically adjusts the spatial resolution parameter based on the positional relationship between the user and sound source. When the user is far from the sound source, lower spatial resolution is applied; when close, higher resolution is used. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by matching computational effort to actual spatial requirements, preventing output delay while maintaining necessary sound quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the spatial resolution parameter according to distance and orientation information. By modifying this key parameter based on contextual factors (user position, sound source position), the system optimizes the balance between processing speed and audio quality, eliminating unnecessary high-resolution computations when they are not needed for accurate spatial perception.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If spatial resolution is uniformly high for all sound sources, then sound quality is maintained, but computational load increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespatial resolutionVSAvoidcomputation speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different spatial resolution levels to different sound sources based on their individual positional relationships with the user. Rather than using a uniform high resolution for all sources, the system selectively applies high resolution only where necessary (close sound sources or critical audio elements) and lower resolution elsewhere, thereby reducing overall computational load while preserving sound quality where it matters most.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements partial high-resolution processing by applying detailed spatial resolution only to specific sound sources that require it based on distance and orientation criteria. This selective approach avoids the excessive computation that would result from applying uniform high resolution to all sound sources, improving overall processing productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS12581265B2Information processing method, information processing device, and recording medium

Publication Date: 2026.03.17 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY CORP OF AMERICA

AI summary

An information processing method includes: obtaining a stream including (i) first position and orientation information indicating a position and an orientation of a sound source and (ii) a sound signal indicating a sound that the sound source outputs; obtaining second position and orientation information indicating a position and an orientation of a head of a user; and setting a spatial resolution for three-dimensional audio processing to be performed on the sound signal, according to a positional relationship between the head of the user and the sound source and using the first position and orientation information and the second position and orientation information.