Game Audio Localization and Volume Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
In game systems, simultaneous sound reproduction from multiple sound sources can lead to excessively increased volume, and existing technologies limit the number of sound sources to prevent this, resulting in some sounds not being reproduced, especially when sounds from multiple sources overlap, neglecting their positional relationships within a virtual space.
Innovation Solution
A game system configuration that includes a sound output section, a received sound volume calculator, a localization calculator, a weight assignment target determiner, and a sound output controller to calculate and combine sound volumes and localizations of multiple sound sources, ensuring balanced output and reflecting positional relationships, thereby preventing excessive volume and allowing for nuanced sound reproduction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sounds from multiple sound sources are simultaneously reproduced, then sound reproduction completeness is improved, but sound volume becomes excessively increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines sounds from multiple sound sources into a single sound output. The sound output controller integrates audio signals from multiple sound source objects, calculating combined sound volume and localization parameters to produce a unified sound output that prevents excessive volume while maintaining reproduction completeness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of sound volume by calculating a combined sound volume that represents the aggregate of multiple sound sources. The system adjusts the output sound volume based on the calculated combined volume and localization parameters, ensuring the output volume remains appropriate even when multiple sounds are reproduced simultaneously
2Object-generated harmful factors
If the number of sound sources to be reproduced is limited, then excessive sound volume is prevented, but some sounds are not reproduced, especially when sounds from multiple sources overlap
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of limiting the number of sound sources, the patent merges multiple sound sources into a single combined sound output. This approach allows all sound sources to be represented in the output while preventing excessive volume through calculated combination parameters, eliminating the need to discard overlapping sounds
Solution Approach 2:
The sound output controller serves multiple functions: it processes sounds from multiple sound source objects, calculates combined volume and localization parameters, and produces a unified output. This multi-functional approach allows the system to handle multiple overlapping sounds without needing to limit the number of active sound sources
3Object-generated harmful factors
If sounds from multiple sound sources are combined into a single sound, then sound volume is controlled, but positional relationships of sound sources are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by calculating localization parameters that preserve the spatial position information of individual sound sources. The sound output controller determines the position of each sound source object and uses this information to calculate a combined localization parameter, ensuring that the directional characteristics of sounds are maintained even when multiple sources are merged
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of localization to preserve positional information. The system calculates localization parameters based on the positions of sound source objects and uses these parameters to generate audio signals that maintain the spatial relationships. This allows the output sound to reflect the relative positions of multiple sound sources while still being combined into a single output
Data Source
AI summary
Sounds are reproduced from a plurality of sound source objects at the same timing. A sound volume and a localization of each sound when the sounds are received by a virtual microphone are calculated. Any one sound source object is determined as a weight assignment target on the basis of the sound volumes. Then, when the sounds reproduced simultaneously from the sound source objects are outputted as a single sound, weight assignment is performed such that the localization of the sound of the sound source object determined as the weight assignment target is more greatly reflected, and a localization of an outputted sound on the basis of the localization of each sound source object. On the basis of this localization, an audio signal is generated and outputted.