3D Sound Rendering Rules for Selective Audio Cue Amplification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current software applications with 3D sound capabilities do not allow users to effectively customize their audio experience, particularly in competitive environments like first-person shooter games, where critical audio cues such as enemy movements are often masked by volume limitations or arbitrary sound generation rules.

Innovation Solution

Modifying the Sound Generation Layer (SGL) at the sound driver or hardware level to allow users to adjust internal rules for sound rendering, amplify soft sounds, and selectively enhance specific frequencies or sounds, accompanied by a graphical user interface for easy customization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If users adjust volume controls to hear softer sounds more clearly, then the audibility of distant sounds is improved, but the volume of loud sounds is also increased which may cause distortion or discomfort

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaudibility of distant soundsVSAvoidvolume distortion of loud sounds
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by enabling selective amplification of specific sound categories (e.g., footsteps, gunfire, ambient noises) rather than uniformly amplifying all sounds. Users can locally adjust the volume of distant sounds while keeping loud sounds at appropriate levels, avoiding distortion and discomfort.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The sound processing system segments audio cues into distinct categories based on sound characteristics, type, and environment-based parameters. This segmentation allows independent volume adjustment for each category, enabling users to enhance distant sounds without affecting the volume of already-loud sounds.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Measurement precision

If users use equalizer controls to amplify specific frequencies, then the clarity of certain sound types is improved, but the overall audio experience lacks customization and precision

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefrequency-specific sound clarityVSAvoidaudio customization capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides dynamic customization where users can adjust volume parameters for different sound categories in real-time based on their preferences and gaming situation. The interface adapts to user needs by allowing flexible modification of sound rendering rules without requiring technical knowledge of audio processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary interface layer between the sound generation layer and the user. This interface provides user-friendly controls that translate user preferences into specific sound processing adjustments, enabling precise customization without requiring users to understand underlying audio algorithms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If the Sound Generation Layer uses fixed internal rules for sound rendering, then system performance is maintained, but user customization and adaptability are limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem performanceVSAvoidsound rendering customization
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The sound rendering system is segmented into base processing rules and user-defined modifier rules. The base rules maintain optimal system performance by handling standard sound rendering efficiently, while user modifiers provide customization without impacting the core performance pathways.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system allows users to modify specific parameters of sound rendering (such as volume thresholds, amplification factors, and frequency ranges) without changing the fundamental processing architecture. This enables customization while preserving system performance by operating within the existing hardware and software framework.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS20100241959A1Enhanced 3D Sound
Publication Date: 2010.09.23 RAZER ASIA PACIFIC

AI summary

A system and method are disclosed for providing improved 3D sound experience to a user. The sound generation layer is customizable to allow the user and/or application provider to modify the internal rules the sound generation layer uses to render sounds, to amplify sounds that fall below a pre-set or user-set volume level, and to specifically amplify/soften certain sounds (such as game specific sounds like gunfire or footsteps), or specific frequencies of sounds. A graphical user interface can communicates with the sound generation layer to handle any or all the above, so that a lay user can easily adjust these settings without having to understand the underlying algorithms.