Audio Object Positioning via Graphical User Interface
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Solution Overview
Problem
Home audio playback systems face challenges in efficiently configuring and rendering object-based audio programs with multiple audio objects across various speaker configurations, as existing technologies lack intuitive user interfaces for precise spatial audio placement and volume control.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that utilize a graphical user interface to allow users to interactively select and position audio objects within a virtual listening environment, enabling customizable playback positions and volume levels through a movable control object, which generates configuration signals for the home audio playback system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a home audio playback system plays back audio from an object-based audio program comprising up to 128 audio objects via 6, 8 or more speaker channels, then the system can achieve flexible spatial audio presentation, but the complexity of configuring which audio objects are played back via which speaker channels becomes unmanageable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a graphical user interface as an intermediary between the user and the complex audio object configuration system. The GUI visualizes the listening environment with speaker positions and allows users to drag-and-drop audio objects to desired locations, translating user actions into configuration signals without requiring users to understand the underlying complexity of 128 audio objects and multiple speaker channels.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a visual representation (copy) of the physical listening environment in the graphical user interface. This virtual model includes speaker positions, audio object locations, and spatial relationships, allowing users to configure audio playback by manipulating the visual copy rather than directly configuring the actual audio system, thereby simplifying the interaction.
2Productivity
If existing technologies provide automated audio rendering, then the system can process multiple audio objects efficiently, but users lack intuitive control over precise spatial audio placement and volume control
Solution Approach 1:
The graphical user interface provides visual feedback by displaying the current position of audio objects, speaker locations, and the effect of user actions in real-time. This feedback loop allows users to see the immediate result of their drag-and-drop operations and volume adjustments, making the system both efficient to operate and intuitive to control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical or manual configuration systems with a graphical interface that uses visual elements and mouse interactions. Instead of requiring users to manually configure audio parameters through technical interfaces, the system substitutes a visual, drag-and-drop mechanism that is easier to operate while maintaining precise control over spatial audio placement.
Data Source
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AI summary
Method and apparatus is described relating to configuring playback of audio via a home audio playback system. The method relates to a graphical user interface, where the graphical user interface comprises a positioning area. Control objects representing audio objects are movable by the user to different locations in the position area, where the current location of the control object represents a user-desired playback position in a listening environment. A method also relates to configuring playback of audio with a graphical user interface comprising a balance adjustment area. In the balance adjustment area of the user interface the user can select a volume level for foreground and background objects.