Headset Audio Spatialization and Gaze-Based Reinforcement
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Solution Overview
Problem
In environments with multiple sound sources, such as busy rooms, it is difficult for listeners to discern specific audio sources and switch attention between them, due to the 'cocktail party problem', where background noise interferes with clear communication.
Innovation Solution
A headset with a microphone array and processing circuitry that analyzes audio signals to reinforce sounds from specific regions, spatializes audio output based on positional information, and adjusts audio amplitude based on the user's gaze direction, allowing for clearer focus on intended speakers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If audio signals from multiple sound sources are transmitted to a listener, then communication between multiple users is enabled, but the listener encounters difficulty discerning specific sound sources due to background noise interference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by reinforcing audio signals based on their spatial origin and the user's gaze direction. The system identifies specific sound sources in particular regions (e.g., near the user's mouth or in the direction of gaze) and applies selective amplification to those localized areas while maintaining other regions at normal levels, thereby enhancing the ability to discern specific speakers in noisy environments
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary processing system that acts as a mediator between multiple sound sources and the listener. The system analyzes audio signals from multiple users, determines their spatial positions using microphone arrays and positional information, and selectively reinforces signals from relevant sources based on gaze direction and region analysis, effectively filtering background noise interference
2Device complexity
If audio signals are transmitted without spatialization, then device complexity is reduced, but the listener cannot switch attention between different sound sources effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-processing audio signals to embed spatialization information before transmission. The system analyzes the spatial position of each sound source and prepares reinforced audio signals with embedded positional data, allowing the listener to later switch attention between speakers by simply changing gaze direction without requiring complex real-time processing
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by making the audio reinforcement adaptive and changeable based on user behavior. The system continuously monitors gaze direction and spatial position, dynamically adjusting which audio signals are reinforced in real-time, enabling the listener to naturally switch attention between different sound sources as they move their eyes and head
3Measurement precision
If audio signals are reinforced without spatialization, then audio clarity of specific sources is improved, but the spatial context and ability to locate sound sources is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges spatialization and reinforcement functions into a unified processing system. Rather than treating them as separate operations, the system combines spatial position analysis with audio reinforcement, ensuring that when audio signals are amplified for clarity, their spatial context and positional information are preserved and maintained together
Data Source
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AI summary
A shared communication channel allows for the transmitting and receiving audio content between multiple users. Each user is associated with a headset configured to transmit and receive audio data to and from headsets of other users. After the headset of a first user receives audio data corresponding to a second user, the headset spatializes the audio data based upon the relative positions of the first and second users such that when the audio data is presented to the first user, the sounds of the audio data appear to originate at a location corresponding to the second user. The headset reinforces the audio data based upon a deviation between the location of the second user and a gaze direction of the first user, allowing for the first user to more clearly hear audio data from other users that they are paying attention to.