3D Sound Image Positioning via GUI Hemispherical Dome
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sound image localization apparatuses face difficulties in accurately setting and visualizing a 3D position of a stereoscopic sound image, particularly with GUI-based systems that rely on setting azimuth and elevation angles, which can be cumbersome for users to identify the X, Y, and Z positions effectively.
Innovation Solution
A target position setting apparatus using a GUI screen with a hemispherical dome representation, allowing users to set and visualize the 3D position of a sound image through intuitive click-and-drag operations on a mouse or touch screen, with slide bars for adjusting the radius, azimuth, and elevation, enabling easy identification of the sound image's position relative to the listener in a 3D space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional multi-parameter setting sections (X, Y, Z, θ, φ positions) are used for sound image localization, then the system provides comprehensive position control capability, but the operation complexity increases and users find it difficult to image the 3D position of the sound image
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the traditional 5-parameter setting interface (X, Y, Z, θ, φ) into a 2D graphical user interface where users can visually manipulate a sound image icon on a screen. The controller calculates the corresponding 3D spatial coordinates from the 2D mouse operations, effectively reducing the operational complexity while maintaining full 3D position control capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a graphical representation (sound image icon) as an intermediary between the user and the complex spatial parameters. Instead of directly manipulating multiple numerical parameters, users interact with the visual icon on the GUI, and the controller acts as an intermediary to translate these visual interactions into precise 3D position data.
2Measurement precision
If binaural recording with dummy head microphone is used, then accurate 3D sound image localization is achieved, but the cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the 3D spatial environment through graphical user interface representations. Instead of using expensive physical dummy head microphones for binaural recording, the system uses software-based virtual sound image positioning that replicates the spatial audio effect, achieving accurate 3D localization without the high cost of specialized hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/physical binaural recording system (dummy head microphones) with an electronic/software-based solution. The controller computes sound image positions using algorithms that process audio signals and generate spatial positioning data, substituting the physical acoustic measurement approach with computational methods.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is an apparatus for setting a target position using a GUI screen. The apparatus includes a display that displays a representation of a listener and a representation of a hemispherical dome with the listener at the center as projected on a horizontal plane. A user sets a radius of the hemispherical dome through a click operation of a mouse and sets a target position of a sound image with respect to the listener through a drag operation toward the center. The sound image position is represented by a dot O. The dot O represents a position of the sound image with respect to the listener in the left-to-right direction, in the front-to-rear direction, and in the height direction.