Geofixed Acoustic Simulation via Dynamic HRTF Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current technologies fail to provide a multiuser, shared audio experience where sound events are effectively associated with real-world geographic locations, limiting the ability to create immersive audio experiences that adapt to users' geographic coordinates and head orientation.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a central server and user devices that process and transmit sound events, using head orientation and geographic location data to apply HRTFs and adjust waveforms, ensuring that sound events appear fixed to specific geographic locations, even as users move, through the use of head orientation modules, sound event processors, and wireless communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If sound events are shared across multiple users in real-time, then the immersive audio experience is improved, but the ability to associate sounds with fixed geographic locations deteriorates due to user movement and varying head orientations
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts audio parameters including HRTF selection, level adjustment, and time adjustment based on real-time user head orientation and geographic location data. The sound event processor continuously updates audio feeds as users move or change head orientation, maintaining the illusion that sound events are fixed to geographic locations while adapting to individual user perspectives
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies different audio processing parameters to different users based on their individual head orientations and locations. Each user receives a customized audio feed with HRTFs and level adjustments tailored to their specific perspective, while all users perceive the same sound events at the same geographic locations
2Measurement precision
If individualized audio feeds are generated for each user based on head orientation and location, then the realism of sound positioning is improved, but the processing complexity and computational requirements worsen
Solution Approach 1:
HRTF data is pre-computed and stored for various head orientations and geographic locations. The sound event processor retrieves and applies appropriate pre-computed HRTFs based on current user state, avoiding the need to compute HRTFs in real-time and reducing processing complexity while maintaining positioning accuracy
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables a realistic and immersive multiuser audio experience where sound events are perceived as originating from specific geographic locations, enhancing the sense of presence and immersion in simulations, such as virtual reality and gaming environments.
Implementation Method 1
a head orientation module configured to provide information about the orientation of a user's head
Implementation Method 2
apply a left-ear head-related transfer function (HRTF) to the waveform using the head orientation information to generate a left audio feed; and apply a right-ear HRTF to the waveform using the head orientation information to generate a right audio feed
Data Source
AI summary
A system for multiuser, geofixed acoustic simulations using a shared soundscape built and stored on a central server, via interfaces that also allow for live and competitive modification. A central server disseminates sound events from the soundscape to individual devices carried by users, which integrate geolocation information, head orientation information, and head-related transfer functions (HRTFs) to generate user-specific audio feeds. The audio feeds may be played through headsets so that users perceive the shared, geofixed sound events.