Spatial Audio Rendering for Multi-User Virtual Spaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current spatial audio technologies lack the ability to control the rendering of sound objects for users other than the primary user, limiting the flexibility and immersion in shared three-dimensional sound spaces.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method that receive a data structure specifying positions for rendering a new sound object, allowing selection based on the position and orientation of the user, enabling shared virtual three-dimensional spaces and allowing users to change their position and orientation within the space, with options for displaying visual objects and considering factors like audibility and visibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If spatial audio rendering is controlled only by the primary user, then the system is simple to operate, but the adaptability for multiple users is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The rendering control is segmented by user, with each user having their own virtual position and orientation parameters. The system divides the sound space into user-specific perspectives, allowing independent control of spatial audio rendering for each user without requiring a completely new system architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The spatial audio rendering system is designed to serve multiple users simultaneously by implementing a universal rendering pipeline that processes sound objects for different virtual listeners. The same rendering engine handles multiple users' spatial audio needs by adjusting virtual position and orientation parameters.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple users share a virtual three-dimensional space with dynamic position changes, then the immersion is enhanced, but the computational complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements dynamic spatial audio rendering where virtual listeners can change their positions and orientations within the three-dimensional sound space. Sound objects are dynamically repositioned and reoriented based on each user's virtual perspective, creating an immersive experience that adapts to user movements.
Solution Approach 2:
The rendering system adjusts spatial parameters such as virtual position, virtual orientation, and sound object positions based on user actions. By changing these parameters dynamically, the system achieves multi-user immersion without requiring fundamentally different rendering approaches for each user.
3Ease of operation
If sound objects are rendered at fixed positions, then the rendering process is simple, but the user interaction and immersion are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-establishes a three-dimensional sound space with defined acoustic properties and sound object positions before users interact with it. This preliminary setup allows for efficient rendering while still enabling dynamic user interaction, as the foundation is already in place for spatial audio processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides feedback to users through spatial audio cues that reflect their virtual position and orientation. As users move or change orientation in the virtual space, the rendering system adjusts sound object positions and characteristics, creating an interactive experience where user actions directly influence the audio output.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus comprising:means for receiving a data structure for controlling rendering of a sound scene to a user of the apparatus, wherein the data structure specifies one or more positions for initial rendering a new sound object associated with a different user;means for selecting one of the one or more positions specified by the data structure, wherein the means for selecting one of the one or more positions specified by the data structure is configured to select a specified position in dependence upon at least a position of the user; andmeans for rendering the new sound object at the selected position.