Gaming Headset Audio Mixing for Ambient Sound Awareness
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current audio headsets used in computer gaming often overwhelm environmental sounds with multi-channel surround sound, making it difficult for users to hear important sounds from their surroundings, such as conversations or notifications, without having to remove the headset.
Innovation Solution
The integration of far-field microphones and a signal processor in the headset that uses a neural network to classify and selectively mix environmental sounds with the media sound, allowing targeted sounds to be heard while maintaining the multi-channel audio experience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If multi-channel surround sound is used in the headset, then the audio experience is enhanced, but environmental sounds are canceled out and become inaudible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the audio signal into game audio and environmental audio components using separate microphones and processing channels. The first microphones capture game-related audio while second microphones capture environmental sounds, allowing independent processing and selective mixing to preserve both audio types simultaneously
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a signal processor as an intermediary that receives inputs from multiple microphones and dynamically mixes game audio with environmental sounds. This mediator balances the audio signals to prevent complete cancellation of environmental sounds while maintaining immersive game audio experience
2Illumination intensity
If the headset plays massive sound field, then gaming audio is immersive, but users cannot hear important environmental sounds like conversations or notifications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different processing qualities to different audio sources. Environmental sounds captured by second microphones are processed separately with specific gain and mixing parameters tailored to their characteristics, ensuring that important sounds like conversations and notifications are enhanced rather than overwhelmed by game audio
3Reliability
If environmental sounds are completely blocked by the headset, then gaming audio quality is maintained, but users must remove the headset to engage in conversation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables continuous capture and processing of environmental sounds throughout gaming sessions. The second microphones continuously monitor environmental audio, and the signal processor continuously mixes these sounds with game audio, allowing users to maintain headset wear while staying aware of and able to engage in conversations without removal
Data Source
AI summary
In device having at least one microphone and one or more speakers, environmental sound may be recorded using the microphone, classified and mixed with source media sound to produce a mixed sound depending on the classification. The mixed sound may then be played over the one or more speakers.