Extended-Reality Spatial Audio Metering With Light-Beam Coverage Mapping

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional spatial audio metering methods for large venues are time-consuming and logistics-demanding due to a lack of clear visual aids for configuring directional sound output, especially in tuning for studio-venue translation and calibrating large venue playback systems, leading to challenges in measuring audio performance during planning or construction phases.

Innovation Solution

A spatial audio metering system using extended reality devices that projects light beams to visualize audio coverage, allowing real-world users to interactively configure and measure audio systems through augmented, virtual, or mixed reality environments, providing visual representations of sound coverage and enabling in-situ adjustments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional spatial audio metering methods are used for large venues, then audio performance can be measured, but the process becomes time-consuming and logistics-demanding

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaudio performance measurementVSAvoidtime budget

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates virtual copies of the physical venue and audio system components in an extended reality environment. These digital twins allow for virtual metering and measurement without requiring physical presence at the venue, thereby reducing time consumption and logistical demands while maintaining measurement accuracy through simulated acoustic environments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The extended reality system acts as an intermediary between the physical audio system and the measurement process. By rendering visual representations of audio coverage and properties inXR, it mediates the measurement process, allowing users to perform comprehensive audio metering remotely without traveling to the venue or setting up complex physical measurement equipment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If conventional spatial audio metering methods are used for large venues, then audio performance can be measured, but logistic demand increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaudio performance measurementVSAvoidlogistic demand

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates virtual copies of the physical venue and audio system components in an extended reality environment. These digital twins allow for virtual metering and measurement without requiring physical presence at the venue, thereby reducing time consumption and logistical demands while maintaining measurement accuracy through simulated acoustic environments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The extended reality measurement system provides universal access to audio metering capabilities through a single platform that can be accessed from any location. This multi-functional system combines visualization, measurement, analysis, and adjustment capabilities in one interface, eliminating the need for multiple specialized tools and reducing operational complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If visual aids are added to help configure directional sound output, then spatial audio configuration becomes easier, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespatial audio configurationVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex physical measurement and configuration processes with visual rendering in extended reality. Instead of using physical measurement equipment and manual adjustment procedures, the system uses computational acoustic modeling and visual display to represent sound coverage, making the configuration process more intuitive while the underlying complexity is handled by software algorithms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The extended reality system acts as an intermediary between the physical audio system and the measurement process. By rendering visual representations of audio coverage and properties inXR, it mediates the measurement process, allowing users to perform comprehensive audio metering remotely without traveling to the venue or setting up complex physical measurement equipment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS20250240597A1Method and system for spatial audio metering using extended reality devices

Publication Date: 2025.07.24 SPHERE ENTERTAINMENT GROUP LLC

AI summary

Provided herein are system, method, and computer program product embodiments for providing an interactive visual representation of loudspeaker sound coverage in a venue. An embodiment enables temporal, spectral, and spatial audio metering from digital audio to venue acoustics. This technology can visualize audio capabilities of one or more loudspeaker arrays using light to provide visualization grouping of large audio channel outputs. This can allow spatial information to be visually represented by mapping directional sound to light beams.