Attention-Adaptive Audio Mixing for Immersive Video Playback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing techniques for providing a sense of presence in immersive experiences, such as large-scale renovations or underwater sceneries, fail to dynamically adjust sound based on viewer interaction, resulting in a lack of immersion due to constant sound playback or volume adjustments based solely on spatial position.
Innovation Solution
An information processing apparatus that acquires video and synchronized sound from multiple pickup devices, combines sounds based on viewer attention state, adjusting sound ratios and volumes dynamically to enhance immersion, with increased volume for sounds closer to the viewer's focus and reduced volume for distant sounds during overall views.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sound playback is always the same (pre-recorded sound), then the system is simple to operate, but the sense of presence is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The sound playback system transitions from static pre-recorded audio to dynamic audio generation by combining multiple sound signals in real-time based on viewer attention state. The system dynamically adjusts sound combinations according to whether the viewer is taking an overall view or paying attention to a specific object, creating adaptive audio experiences that enhance presence without requiring complex manual configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms by detecting viewer attention state (overall view or specific object attention) and using this information to adjust sound playback accordingly. This closed-loop approach ensures the audio output responds to viewer behavior, improving sense of presence through context-aware sound delivery.
2Reliability
If sound volume is adjusted based on spatial position only, then the control is simple, but the immersion is insufficient when viewer attention changes
Solution Approach 1:
The sound control system evolves from static spatial-based volume adjustment to dynamic control that responds to viewer attention state. When the viewer is paying attention to a specific object, the system dynamically increases volumes of sounds from sound pickup apparatuses closer to that object, creating immersive audio experiences that adapt to changing viewer focus rather than relying solely on fixed spatial relationships.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies different sound processing strategies to different spatial regions based on viewer attention. When a specific object is the focus, sounds from apparatuses near that object are enhanced with increased volume increments, while sounds from distant apparatuses maintain lower volumes. This localized sound enhancement creates immersive experiences by emphasizing audio sources relevant to the viewer's current focus.
3Reliability
If multiple sounds are combined with equal ratios, then the mixing is simple, but the spatial realism is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The sound mixing system transitions from uniform equal-ratio combination to spatially-aware mixing where each sound pickup apparatus contributes to the final audio based on its distance from the object of viewer attention. Sounds from apparatuses closer to the focused object receive higher volume increments, while those farther away contribute less, preserving spatial realism by reflecting the actual acoustic environment rather than treating all sources equally.
Solution Approach 2:
The sound mixing ratio changes dynamically based on viewer attention state and spatial relationships. Rather than maintaining fixed equal ratios, the system continuously adjusts mixing proportions to reflect which sound sources are most relevant to the viewer's current focus, enhancing spatial realism through adaptive, context-dependent mixing strategies.
Data Source
AI summary
An information processing apparatus acquires a video captured by an imaging apparatus, acquires a plurality of sounds picked up by a plurality of sound pickup apparatuses in sync with capturing of the video, acquires state information regarding an attention state of a viewer to the video, and generates audio to be reproduced with the video by combining the plurality of sounds, wherein, in a case where the state information indicates that the viewer is having an overall view of the video, a plurality of sounds picked up by a plurality of sound pickup apparatuses set inside an area being watched by the viewer in the video are combined with an equal ratio, and sounds picked up by sound pickup apparatuses set outside the area are combined with a ratio that is reduced as the distance from the area to the sound pickup apparatuses increases.