3D Audio Rendering with Adaptive HRTF and Panning Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing conversion processing techniques, such as panning processing, may not effectively reduce the amount of processing required for generating three-dimensional sound in virtual environments, especially when there are few sound source objects, leading to increased processing loads.
Innovation Solution
An information processing device that includes two generators: one using a head-related transfer function based on the direction of arrival and another using a representative direction, allowing for conditional branching to apply conversion processing effectively, reducing processing load by dynamically adjusting time shift and gain based on the number of sound source objects and representative points.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conversion processing such as panning processing is applied to reduce processing load, then processing load decreases, but the effectiveness is limited when there are few sound source objects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically switches between two processing methods based on the number of sound source objects: when the number of sound source objects is large, it uses conversion processing (panning processing) to reduce processing load; when the number of sound source objects is small, it uses direct head-related transfer function convolution to maintain high quality. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by making the processing method flexible rather than fixed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the processing parameter (method selection) based on the number of sound source objects. By monitoring this parameter and switching between conversion processing and direct convolution accordingly, the system optimizes processing load while maintaining effectiveness across different scenarios.
2Reliability
If head-related transfer function convolution is performed for each sound source object, then sound realism is maintained, but processing load increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the sound source objects into two groups based on their quantity: when numerous, they are processed through conversion processing with representative points; when few, they are processed through direct convolution. This segmentation allows the system to maintain high realism for critical cases while reducing overall processing load for general cases.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies full head-related transfer function convolution only when necessary (when sound source objects are few), and uses partial conversion processing when sound source objects are numerous. This partial application strategy reduces processing load while maintaining realism where most important.
3Speed
If pre-calculated processing results are stored in memory, then processing speed improves, but memory area and communication bandwidth requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary calculations of head-related transfer functions only when needed (when sound source objects are few), rather than pre-calculating all possible scenarios in advance. This on-demand preliminary action avoids the need for large pre-stored datasets while still enabling fast processing when required.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of storing complete pre-calculated processing results for all scenarios, the patent uses representative point copying and conversion processing to generate output sounds on-demand. This copying approach reduces memory requirements while maintaining processing speed through efficient data reuse.
Data Source
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AI summary
An information processing device (101) includes an obtainer (111) that obtains sound information including an audio signal and information on a position of a sound source object in a three-dimensional sound field; a first generator (133) that generates an output sound signal using (i) a head-related transfer function corresponding to a direction of arrival based on the position of the sound source object and a position of a user in the three-dimensional sound field and (ii) the audio signal; and a second generator (134) that generates an output sound signal using (i) a head-related transfer function corresponding to a representative direction based on a position of a representative point set in the three-dimensional sound field and the position of the user and (ii) the audio signal.