Spatial Audio Output Using Multiple Sound Sources for Distance Cues
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional techniques for expressing a sense of distance and orientation with sound in audio AR systems often fail to provide accurate and usable experiences, leading to difficulties in effectively conveying spatial information to users.
Innovation Solution
An information processing apparatus that acquires information about candidate locations and generates sound data using multiple sound sources to express a sense of distance from the user's current location to the candidate location, thereby improving the accuracy and usability of spatial information presentation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional techniques are used to express sense of distance and orientation with sound, then the system is simple, but the accuracy and usability of spatial information presentation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the sound expression system into multiple independent sound sources (first sound source and second sound source) that can be individually controlled. Each sound source handles different aspects of spatial information (e.g., one for distance, one for orientation), allowing precise spatial presentation while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
The patent assigns different characteristics to different sound sources based on their specific functions. The first sound source may have different volume, frequency, or spatial positioning characteristics compared to the second sound source, optimizing each sound source's local properties to achieve accurate overall spatial information presentation
2Measurement precision
If multiple sound sources are used to express sense of distance, then the sense of distance accuracy improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the distance expression function across multiple sound sources with distinct roles. By dividing the task of expressing distance among specialized sound sources rather than using a single complex source, the system achieves higher distance accuracy while keeping each individual sound source relatively simple and manageable
Solution Approach 2:
The multiple sound sources are designed to serve multiple functions within the spatial audio system. They not only express distance but also contribute to orientation information and overall spatial awareness, reducing the need for additional dedicated components and thereby limiting the increase in device complexity
Data Source
AI summary
An information processing apparatus includes an acquisition unit configured to acquire information regarding at least one candidate location, a generation unit configured to generate sound data for expressing a sense of distance from a current location of a user to the candidate location acquired by the acquisition unit using a plurality of sound sources, and an output unit configured to output the sound data generated by the generation unit to the plurality of sound sources.