Dynamic Acoustic Parameter Determination for Headset Audio Rendering

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current techniques for simulating sound propagation in artificial reality environments rely on manual assignment of acoustic material properties, which is time-consuming and often inaccurate, leading to discrepancies between simulated and actual acoustic characteristics.

Innovation Solution

A method is introduced where an audio server dynamically determines material acoustic parameters by simulating reverberation time until it matches a target value, using a 3D model of the local area and updating the model to render accurate audio content on a headset.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual assignment of acoustic material properties is used, then ease of operation is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to time-consuming process

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of assigning acoustic material propertiesVSAvoidspeed of determining acoustic material parameters

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically determines acoustic material parameters by analyzing audio signals captured in the environment. The audio server performs simulations and iteratively adjusts parameters without requiring manual administrator input, allowing the system to self-determine the acoustic characteristics of the space.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The manual mechanical process of administrators assigning material properties from tables is replaced with an automated acoustic simulation system. The system uses audio signal analysis and iterative simulation to automatically determine acoustic parameters, substituting human operation with computational processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Device complexity

If manual assignment of acoustic material properties is used, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates due to inaccuracies in simulated acoustic characteristics

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomplexity of acoustic parameter determination systemVSAvoidaccuracy of acoustic material parameters

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs iterative feedback loops where the audio server performs acoustic simulations, compares simulated reverberation times with target values, and automatically adjusts acoustic material parameters. This closed-loop feedback process continues until the simulated acoustic characteristics match the actual environment, ensuring high measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary acoustic simulations using initial material parameter estimates before final determination. By pre-processing audio signals and performing initial simulations, the system prepares accurate starting points for iterative refinement, improving the overall precision of the final acoustic parameter determination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If automated simulation is used to determine acoustic parameters, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases due to simulation model requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespeed of determining acoustic material parametersVSAvoidcomplexity of simulation model and processing system

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The audio server performs multiple functions within a single system: capturing audio signals, performing acoustic simulations, analyzing reverberation characteristics, and determining material parameters. This multi-functional approach consolidates what could be separate complex systems into one integrated solution, managing complexity while maintaining high productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach enables accurate and efficient determination of acoustic parameters, improving the realism of audio content presentation in artificial reality environments by aligning simulated and actual acoustic characteristics.

Implementation Method 1

The simulation dynamically modifies the value of the material acoustic parameter until a simulated reverberation time calculated using the value of the material acoustic parameter is within a threshold value of a target reverberation time

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectReverberation: Reverberation

Data Source

PatentUS11671784B2Determination of material acoustic parameters to facilitate presentation of audio content

Publication Date: 2023.06.06 META PLATFORMS TECHNOLOGIES LLC

AI summary

Determination of material acoustic parameters for a headset is presented herein. A value of a material acoustic parameter is initialized. A simulation is performed using the value of the material acoustic parameter and a model. The model includes a three-dimensional representation of a local area occupied by the headset. During the simulation, the value of the material acoustic parameter is dynamically modified until a reverberation time calculated based on the modified value of the material acoustic parameter falls within a threshold value of a target reverberation time. The model is updated with the modified value of the material acoustic parameter. The model is used to determine one or more acoustic parameters. Audio content is rendered based on the one or more acoustic parameters so that the audio content appears originating from an object in the local area.