Motion-Sensing Controller for Intuitive 3D Audio Navigation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional 3D audio design tools, such as keyboards and mice, are limited in their ability to navigate and control 3D audio environments due to their two-dimensional interfaces, making sound design cumbersome and difficult.

Innovation Solution

A motion-sensing controller with a handheld body that allows users to intuitively control 3D audio parameters by visually ascertaining its orientation relative to a predetermined reference, using orientation-sensing components like cameras or magnetic fields to generate output signals for controlling sound sources or listener positions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If conventional computer peripherals (keyboard and mouse) are used to control 3D audio design, then the device complexity is low, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to limited ability to represent and navigate 3D spaces

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of 3D audio designVSAvoidcontroller complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from two-dimensional keyboard/mouse interfaces to a three-dimensional handheld controller with spatial orientation capabilities. The controller body's orientation in 3D space directly corresponds to sound source positions and listener orientations in the virtual 3D audio environment, enabling intuitive spatial control that matches the dimensional nature of the audio design task.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces conventional mechanical input devices (keyboard and mouse) with a motion-sensing controller that uses orientation sensing components (such as accelerometers, gyroscopes, or magnetometers) to detect spatial orientation. This substitution enables direct mapping between physical controller orientation and virtual audio parameters, significantly improving ease of operation in 3D audio design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If motion sensing based on relative changes in orientation is used, then the device complexity is low, but the reliability deteriorates due to positional drift from integrating acceleration measurements over time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveorientation sensing accuracyVSAvoidsensing system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs orientation sensing components that provide continuous feedback on the controller body's orientation relative to a predetermined reference orientation. This feedback mechanism allows the system to maintain accurate orientation information without integrating acceleration measurements over time, thereby preventing positional drift while ensuring reliable orientation data for controlling audio parameters.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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 quick and intuitive control of 3D audio environments by preventing positional drift, allowing users to easily manipulate sound sources and listener orientations without the need for complex navigation.

Implementation Method 1

an orientation-sensing component configured to sense the orientation of the controller body relative to a predetermined reference orientation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic field sensing: Magnetic Field

Data Source

PatentEP4621524A1Motion-sensing controller
Publication Date: 2025.09.24 SONY INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT LLC
  • EP4621524A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4621524A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4621524A1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A motion-sensing controller comprising a handheld controller body. The controller body comprises indicia visible to a user in use and by inspection of which the user can ascertain the orientation of the controller body; an orientation-sensing component configured to sense the orientation of the controller body relative to a predetermined reference orientation; and an output component configured to generate an output signal based on the sensed orientation of the controller body.