Spatial Audio Head-Locking for Mandatory Content in XR
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing spatial audio technologies struggle to seamlessly integrate mandatory content, such as legal notices or advertisements, into immersive 3DoF, 3DoF+, and 6DoF augmented and virtual reality experiences without disrupting the user's experience.
Innovation Solution
Implementing apparatus and mechanisms for 'head-locking' content, which keeps mandatory content within the user's field-of-view or audio field-of-interest, allowing users to choose when to view or hear it, while maintaining freedom of experience, using metadata to signal lock types, triggers, and duration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If mandatory content (legal notices, advertisements) is integrated into immersive spatial audio experiences, then content delivery capability is improved, but user experience disruption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a mediator system that processes spatial audio signals and automatically identifies, extracts, and manages mandatory content segments. This intermediary layer separates the mandatory content delivery function from the immersive audio experience, allowing both to coexist without direct interference. The mediator analyzes audio streams, detects mandatory content markers, and handles their delivery while preserving the continuity of the surrounding immersive content.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the spatial audio stream into distinct components: mandatory content segments and immersive experience segments. By dividing the audio flow into separable units with identifiable boundaries, the system can deliver mandatory content without requiring complete interruption or degradation of the immersive experience. Users can access mandatory content at specific segments while the rest of the audio continues uninterrupted.
2Ease of operation
If users are given freedom to choose when to view or hear mandatory content, then user control is improved, but content delivery reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by providing advance notification to users about upcoming mandatory content segments before they are delivered. The system analyzes the audio stream in advance, identifies mandatory content segments, and presents users with advance information including content type, duration, and timing. This allows users to make informed decisions about when to engage with mandatory content while ensuring the content will be delivered reliably at the announced time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms that monitor user interactions with mandatory content and adjust delivery strategies accordingly. The system tracks whether users have viewed or heard mandatory content segments and uses this information to ensure complete delivery of all required content. The feedback loop maintains reliability by verifying content consumption while still allowing user autonomy in timing decisions.
Data Source
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AI summary
An apparatus comprising at least one processor and at least one memory including computer code for one or more programs, the at least one memory and the computer code configured, with the at least one processor, to cause the apparatus at least to: generate content lock information for a content lock, wherein the content lock information enables control of audio signal processing associated with audio signals related to one or more audio sources based on a position and/or orientation input.