Object-Based Audio Rendering With Atmospheric Absorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing object-based audio rendering technologies struggle to accurately account for atmospheric absorption effects, such as humidity and temperature, leading to inconsistent sound attenuation based on distance from the listener.
Innovation Solution
A method and electronic device that identify metadata parameters for atmospheric absorption effects, applying attenuation rates and gains based on distance to render object-based audio, using cutoff frequencies and attenuation constants to model sound propagation accurately.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If object-based audio is rendered without considering atmospheric absorption effects, then the rendering process is simple and fast, but the sound attenuation does not accurately reflect real-world physics leading to poor immersion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by introducing atmospheric absorption parameters (temperature, humidity, pressure) and distance-based attenuation coefficients to modify the audio rendering process. These parameters dynamically adjust the attenuation characteristics to match real-world physics, transforming a simple rendering process into one that accurately simulates atmospheric effects on sound propagation.
2Measurement precision
If atmospheric absorption parameters (temperature, humidity) are obtained and applied, then sound attenuation accuracy is improved, but the system requires additional sensors and data input increasing complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs self-service by utilizing ambient sensor data (temperature, humidity, pressure) that are commonly available in mobile devices for other purposes (weather apps, health tracking). This approach allows the audio rendering system to leverage existing sensor infrastructure without requiring dedicated atmospheric measurement hardware, thereby improving precision while minimizing additional complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies universality by using multi-functional sensor data that serves both atmospheric absorption calculations and other device functions. The same temperature and humidity sensors used for weather reporting or health monitoring are repurposed for audio rendering, eliminating the need for separate measurement systems and reducing overall device complexity.
3Reliability
If distance-based attenuation is applied for all frequencies, then the audio rendering is computationally intensive, but frequency-dependent attenuation provides more realistic sound propagation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by implementing frequency-dependent attenuation where different frequency bands are treated differently based on their propagation characteristics. High frequencies experience greater atmospheric absorption than low frequencies, and this localized differentiation is applied selectively across the audio spectrum rather than uniformly, achieving realistic sound propagation while optimizing computational resources.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies partial action by implementing attenuation primarily for distance-relevant frequency ranges rather than processing all frequencies equally. The rendering engine applies atmospheric absorption effects selectively to frequency bands that are most affected by distance, avoiding unnecessary computational overhead on frequencies that remain relatively stable over distance.
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
Effectively expresses and reproduces sound attenuation for each frequency based on distance, providing a more accurate and immersive audio experience in virtual reality and augmented reality environments.
Implementation Method 1
determining whether the metadata includes a parameter set for an atmospheric absorption effect for each distance, and rendering the object-based audio, using a distance between the object-based audio and a listener obtained using the metadata and the atmospheric absorption effect according to an effect of a medium attenuation
Data Source
AI summary
A method of rendering object-based audio and an electronic device for performing the method are disclosed. The method includes identifying metadata of the object-based audio, determining whether the metadata includes a parameter set for an atmospheric absorption effect for each distance, and rendering the object-based audio, using a distance between the object-based audio and a listener obtained using the metadata and the atmospheric absorption effect according to an effect of a medium attenuation based on the parameter, when the metadata includes the parameter.