BRIR Generation via Segmented RIR and HRIR

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing techniques struggle to accurately reproduce a Binaural Room Impulse Response (BRIR) measured in an actual space, as described in PTL 1, due to inefficiencies in measuring BRIRs for multiple studios.

Innovation Solution

An information processing apparatus and method that generate a BRIR for a first measurement position based on an RIR and a Head-Related Impulse Response (HRIR), where the RIR is obtained from a sound source in a measurement environment, and the HRIR corresponds to the positional relation between the sound source and the measurement position.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If BRIRs are measured for multiple studios by visiting each studio, then accurate acoustic reproduction of each studio is achieved, but the measurement process becomes time-consuming and inefficient

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveBRIR measurement accuracyVSAvoidmeasurement time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the BRIR measurement process into two independent components: RIR (room impulse response) measured in the target studio and HRIR (head-related impulse response) measured once in a reference environment. This segmentation allows the HRIR to be reused across multiple studios, eliminating the need to visit each studio for complete BRIR measurement while maintaining accuracy through the studio-specific RIR component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary measurement of the HRIR in a reference environment before actual BRIR measurement is needed. This pre-measured HRIR can then be combined with RIR from any target studio to generate accurate BRIRs, saving time by avoiding repeated HRIR measurements for each studio visit.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If parameters for direct sound, initial reflected sound, and late reverberation are independently controlled to generate BRIR for a space of interest, then BRIR generation becomes more flexible, but accurate reproduction of actual measured BRIR becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveBRIR generation flexibilityVSAvoidBRIR reproduction accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses the pre-measured HRIR from a reference environment as a template or copy that can be applied to generate BRIRs for multiple different studios. This copying approach maintains flexibility in generating BRIRs for various spaces while preserving accuracy by using the actual measured HRIR characteristics rather than independently controlled parameters.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentUS20250159426A1Information processing apparatus and information processing method

Publication Date: 2025.05.15 SONY GROUP CORP

AI summary

The present technique pertains to an information processing apparatus and an information processing method that enable a BRIR to be accurately reproduced. The information processing apparatus according to the present technique includes a generation unit that generates a BRIR for a first measurement position on the basis of an RIR, the RIR being obtained on the basis of a sound outputted from a first sound source disposed in a first measurement environment, and an HRIR that corresponds to a positional relation between the first sound source and a first measurement position for the RIR within the first measurement environment. The present technique can be applied to an acoustic processing system used in the production of audio for a movie, for example.