Lip-Reading Audio Processing for Multiplayer Game Voice Chat
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users in multiplayer videogames face challenges in voice communication due to inadequate equipment, noisy environments, speech issues, or cognitive difficulties, leading to reduced immersion and effectiveness of text-based communication alternatives.
Innovation Solution
An audio processing method and system using machine learning models to analyze lip movements and game state data to generate an audio signal representing the intended speech input of a user, enabling intuitive and immersive communication without requiring explicit voice production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If voice chat is used for communication, then communication effectiveness is improved, but users with speech issues or in noisy environments cannot communicate effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary system that captures lip movements via camera, processes them through machine learning models to decode intended speech, and generates synthetic audio output. This intermediary bridges the gap between users who cannot speak clearly and their communication partners, allowing reliable communication without requiring clear voice input from the user.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical voice production system with an optical sensing system (camera capturing lip movements) combined with computational processing (machine learning models). Instead of relying on acoustic waves from the user's voice, the system uses visual information from lip movements and transforms it into audio signals through AI processing.
2Adaptability or versatility
If text chat is used for communication, then accessibility for users with speech issues is improved, but immersion and engagement are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces text-based communication with a synthesized audio output system that generates natural-sounding speech from processed lip movement data. This allows users to communicate through voice-like channels rather than text, maintaining the immersive experience of voice chat while accommodating users with speech difficulties.
3Reliability
If lip movement analysis is processed locally, then user data privacy is improved, but device computational load increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the processing workload between local and remote systems. The camera capture and initial lip movement analysis are performed locally on the user's device, maintaining data privacy. The more computationally intensive machine learning model processing and audio synthesis can be performed remotely on servers, reducing the burden on user devices while preserving privacy-critical processing steps locally.
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided an audio processing method for assisting communication between a plurality of users of a videogame. The method comprises: receiving, from one or more sensors, data relating to one or more lip movements of a first user of the plurality of users; detecting a game state of the videogame; determining, using a machine learning model, an intended speech input by the first user in dependence on: the data relating to lip movements of the first user, and the game state; generating an audio signal corresponding to the intended speech input by the first user; and outputting the audio signal to a device of a second user of the plurality of users.