Spatialized Audio for Closed-Loop Respiration Entrainment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for respiration entrainment, such as open-loop respiration entrainment using modulated sounds, are limited in effectively regulating a subject's respiration rate and do not provide intuitive cues for inhaling and exhaling.
Innovation Solution
A method that determines a subject's respiration rate using biosensors and alters the spatialization of a virtual sound source to simulate distance or directionality, processing sounds to generate perceptions of location that guide the subject to inhale and exhale at a regulated rate.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If open-loop respiration entrainment using modulated sounds is used, then the subject is encouraged to breathe with the modulations, but the respiration rate regulation is limited and intuitive cues for inhaling and exhaling are not provided
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements closed-loop respiration entrainment by continuously monitoring the subject's respiration rate via biosensors and using this feedback to dynamically adjust the spatialization parameters of audio cues. This feedback mechanism enables the system to adapt to individual breathing patterns and improve regulation effectiveness while maintaining intuitive cues through real-time spatial audio adjustments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces spatial dimensionality to respiration entrainment by using binaural audio processing to create virtual sound sources at different positions in 3D space. This spatial dimension adds intuitive directional cues (left/right, front/back, inside/outside body) that guide inhalation and exhalation, transforming flat temporal modulations into spatially-enriched breathing guidance.
2Ease of operation
If spatialization of audio cues is added to respiration entrainment, then intuitive cues for inhaling and exhaling are provided, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system manages complexity by dynamically adjusting a limited set of spatialization parameters (azimuth, elevation, distance) based on respiration rate feedback. Rather than implementing complex spatial audio systems, the patent modifies these parameters in response to breathing patterns, creating intuitive cues through parameter modulation rather than system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The audio processing system performs multiple functions: it provides temporal modulation for breathing guidance, spatialization for directional cues, and adapts to individual respiration rates through feedback. This multi-functionality is achieved through a unified audio processing pipeline that handles both simple and complex audio manipulation, reducing overall system complexity.
3Reliability
If closed-loop respiration entrainment with spatialized audio is used, then respiration rate regulation is improved, but the system complexity and processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses biosensors to continuously monitor respiration rate and feeds this information back to the audio processing system. This feedback loop enables automatic adaptation of spatial audio parameters to match the subject's breathing rhythm, improving regulation effectiveness while keeping the control logic simple and intuitive.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic spatial audio processing where virtual sound source positions are continuously adjusted based on real-time respiration rate measurements. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to respond to changing breathing patterns without requiring complex predetermined protocols, simplifying the overall control strategy.
Data Source
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AI summary
Aspects of the present disclosure provide methods, apparatuses, and systems for closed-loop respiration entrainment based on spatialized audio signals. According to an aspect, based on a determined rate of a subject's respiration, spatialization of a virtual sound source is altered to simulate a distance or directionality to the subject. Simulating the distance, directionality, and/or source characteristics comprises processing sounds of the virtual sound source to generate a perception of the sounds being heard from one or more distances or directions with reference to the subject. The altered virtual sound source attempts to regulate the rate of respiration of the subject. An audio device outputs the sounds of the altered virtual sound source.