Spatialized Audio Presentation System Using Head-Related Impulse Responses
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current virtual reality and augmented reality systems fail to provide a realistic and immersive audio experience when multiple users communicate, as the audio is typically presented in a monaural format, detracting from the realism and immersiveness of the virtual experience.
Innovation Solution
A spatialized audio presentation system that uses head-related impulse responses to simulate the location of sound sources within a virtual space, applying different audio signals to each ear to recreate the interaural time and level differences, and additional effects like reverberation and occlusion to enhance the realism of sound propagation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If monaural audio capture and playback is used for interuser communication, then the communication function is simple and reliable, but the realism and immersiveness of the virtual experience deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the monaural audio signal into multiple spatial channels by applying head-related impulse responses (HRIRs) that correspond to different spatial locations. Each audio signal is processed independently with location-specific HRIRs to create spatially separated audio images, transforming a single-channel communication system into a multi-channel spatial audio system that maintains reliability while enhancing realism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces head-related impulse responses (HRIRs) as intermediary elements between the audio source and the user's ears. These HRIRs act as acoustic mediators that simulate the propagation of sound through space and interaction with the human head and ears, creating the perception of sound originating from specific locations without requiring complex physical audio transmission infrastructure.
2Ease of manufacture
If spatialized audio processing is applied to simulate sound locations, then the realism and immersion of the virtual experience is improved, but the computational complexity and processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-computes and stores head-related impulse responses (HRIRs) for various spatial locations before runtime. These pre-calculated HRIRs are stored in memory and retrieved during audio processing, eliminating the need for real-time complex calculations. This preliminary action significantly reduces computational complexity while maintaining the realism benefits of spatialized audio.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses pre-recorded or pre-simulated head-related impulse responses that copy the acoustic characteristics of different spatial positions. Instead of calculating unique acoustic paths for each audio signal, the system copies and applies appropriate HRIRs from a library, reducing processing complexity while preserving the spatial realism effect.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach allows users to perceive sounds as if they originated from specific locations within the virtual space, significantly increasing the realism and immersion of the virtual experience.
Implementation Method 1
A management facility may identify a orientation of a virtual avatar with respect to a virtual sound source located with the virtual avatar within a virtual space. A signal processing facility may generate a spatialized audio presentation of the sound based on the identified orientation by applying a head-related impulse response to the sound.
Implementation Method 2
additional effects like reverberation and occlusion to enhance the realism of sound propagation
Data Source
AI summary
A spatialized audio presentation system selects, based on an orientation of an avatar with respect to a virtual sound source, a head-related impulse response from a library of head-related impulse responses corresponding to different potential orientations of the avatar with respect to the virtual sound source. The spatialized audio presentation system applies the selected head-related impulse response to a sound that is generated by the virtual sound source and is to be presented to a user associated with the avatar. Additionally, the spatialized audio presentation system applies an additional effect to the sound that is to be presented to the user. Corresponding methods and systems are also disclosed.