3D Positional Audio UI for Stream Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current audio user interfaces for small devices, such as portable audio players and cell phones, are inadequate for comparing and selecting among multiple audio streams due to limitations in visual displays, with existing solutions being either slow or requiring visual attention, and lacking the ability to compare current and new selections effectively.
Innovation Solution
Employing 3D positional audio techniques to position audio streams in a carousel-like manner around the user, allowing comparison and selection without a visual interface, using multi-channel audio equipment and input devices to navigate and select audio sources based on their spatial location.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If visual user interfaces are used for audio stream selection, then information can be displayed to the user, but the device requires a large screen which increases device size
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the visual display mechanism with an auditory interface mechanism. Instead of using a visual list on a screen, the system uses spatial audio positioning to present audio streams in a 3D soundscape, allowing users to navigate and select streams through sound alone. This substitution eliminates the need for a large visual display while maintaining full information access capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a 2D visual display to a 3D auditory space. Audio streams are positioned in a three-dimensional soundscape around the user, creating a spatial interface that replaces the flat screen display. This dimensional change allows comprehensive audio stream information to be presented without requiring visual screen space.
2Ease of operation
If channel changing is used for audio stream selection, then the user can preview new streams, but the selection process is slow and individual previewing must be performed sequentially
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple audio stream previews into a single simultaneous auditory experience. Instead of playing streams sequentially, the system positions multiple audio streams concurrently in different locations within the 3D soundscape, allowing the user to hear and compare multiple streams at the same time. This dramatically reduces selection time while maintaining ease of operation.
3Loss of information
If textual display is used to provide audio stream information, then the user can see stream names and details, but the user must visually connect text to audio which requires visual attention
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes the visual text display system with an auditory identification system. Instead of showing text labels that require visual processing, the system uses audio markers, spatial positioning, and acoustic cues to identify and differentiate audio streams. This allows users to obtain full audio stream information without requiring visual attention, making the interface usable during activities like jogging or driving.
Data Source
AI summary
An audio user interface (UI) for comparing and selecting audio streams is presented. In general, the present invention allows a user to preview and navigate among multiple audio streams (audio sources) using three dimensional (3D) positional audio techniques to position the various sources in an audio field programmatically in such a way as to fool the brain into thinking the sound is located at a particular location in the space surrounding the user. When the user selects a preview mode, the various streams are placed in the space in a carousel-like manner. The user can move the sources forward or backward. As this is done, other audio streams can be added and dropped. Selecting a sound source will cause it to fill the audio field and the other sources will then cease to play.