Directional Sound Rendering via Perceptual Parameter Encoding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for modeling and rendering real-time directional acoustic effects in video games and virtual reality are computationally intensive, struggling to render authentic, convincing sound with true-to-life directionality, especially with occluders, and require enormous sampling, exceeding reasonable computational budgets.
Innovation Solution
The implementation provides computationally efficient mechanisms for modeling and rendering directional acoustic effects by encoding perceptual parameters that represent how sound is perceived at different source and listener locations, allowing for realistic rendering of initial sounds and reflections, including source and listener directivity, using departure and arrival direction fields and aggregate reflection energy representations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional path tracing methods are used to render directional acoustic effects, then sound directionality and authenticity are improved, but computational cost increases enormously exceeding reasonable budgets
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the sound propagation problem into distinct components: direct sound paths, reflected sound paths, and occluded sound paths. Each component is handled separately with appropriate computational methods, allowing accurate directional rendering without requiring exhaustive sampling of all possible sound paths simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by computing only the necessary sound propagation paths based on scene geometry and occlusion relationships. Instead of performing complete path tracing for all possible directions, the system calculates directional characteristics for specific paths that are actually audible in the virtual environment, significantly reducing computational requirements while maintaining accuracy.
2Reliability
If conventional methods render sound with true-to-life directionality, then acoustic realism is improved, but device complexity and computational requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameters used to represent sound propagation by using directional loudness values and propagation loss factors instead of full wavefield simulations. These simplified parameters capture the essential acoustic characteristics while requiring much less computational complexity to process and render.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a simplified computational model that copies the essential characteristics of real sound propagation without replicating all physical complexities. By modeling directional loudness and propagation loss as simplified parameters rather than full acoustic wave equations, the system achieves acoustic realism with reduced computational complexity.
3Measurement precision
If sound propagation is modeled with occluders and reflections, then acoustic accuracy is improved, but rendering time and computational budget requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary computation of directional loudness values and propagation loss factors based on scene geometry and occlusion relationships. These precomputed parameters can then be quickly applied during the rendering process without requiring time-consuming real-time acoustic simulations, significantly reducing overall rendering time while maintaining accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical acoustic wave propagation calculations with simplified parameter-based models. Instead of solving the full wave equation for sound propagation, the system uses directional loudness values and loss factors that can be computed more efficiently and applied in real-time rendering.
Data Source
AI summary
The description relates to rendering directional sound. One implementation includes receiving directional impulse responses corresponding to a scene. The directional impulse responses can correspond to multiple sound source locations and a listener location in the scene. The implementation can also include encoding the directional impulse responses to obtain encoded departure direction parameters for individual sound source locations. The implementation can also include outputting the encoded departure direction parameters, the encoded departure direction parameters providing sound departure directions from the individual sound source locations for rendering of sound.