Virtual Space Audio Processing With Simplified Reflection Structures

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Solution Overview

Problem

The reproduction of stereoacoustic sound in virtual environments, such as VR or AR, requires significant processing load, especially when changes occur in the position of sound sources or listeners, necessitating complex computations.

Innovation Solution

The method involves generating simplified structures with predetermined shapes to replace complex structures in virtual spaces, using reflection index values to select structures that maintain sound affecting properties while reducing computational complexity, and performing stereoacoustic processing with reduced data.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If complex structures are used to accurately represent virtual spaces for stereoacoustic sound reproduction, then sound reproduction quality is improved, but processing load increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesound reproduction qualityVSAvoidprocessing load

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a simplified representation (copy) of the complex virtual space structure that retains the essential acoustic characteristics while reducing computational complexity. The simplified structure maintains the reflection index values necessary for accurate sound reproduction but uses fewer computational resources for processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the complexity parameter of the virtual space structure from detailed to simplified while maintaining the critical acoustic parameters (reflection index values, sound propagation characteristics). This allows the system to reduce processing load while preserving sound reproduction quality through parameter optimization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If real-time computation is performed for position changes in sound sources or listeners, then adaptability is improved, but processing load increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to position changesVSAvoidprocessing load

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent pre-calculates and stores reflection index values and acoustic characteristics for the simplified virtual space structure before position changes occur. When position changes happen, the system can quickly retrieve and apply pre-computed values rather than performing complex real-time computations, thus maintaining adaptability while reducing processing load.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a dynamic system that can efficiently adapt to position changes by updating only the necessary acoustic parameters (reflection index values) for the simplified structure rather than re-computing the entire acoustic model. This allows real-time adaptability with reduced computational requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Measurement precision

If detailed spatial data is used for accurate sound propagation calculation, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesound propagation calculation accuracyVSAvoiddata amount

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the essential acoustic information (reflection index values, sound propagation paths) from the complex virtual space structure and uses these extracted parameters for sound propagation calculations. This eliminates the need to process detailed spatial data while maintaining calculation accuracy for sound propagation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a simplified copy of the virtual space that contains only the necessary acoustic characteristics (reflection indices) needed for sound propagation calculations. This simplified copy maintains measurement precision for acoustic calculations while significantly reducing the amount of data and system complexity required.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentUS20260025631A1Information processing method, information processing device, and recording medium

Publication Date: 2026.01.22 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY CORP OF AMERICA

AI summary

An information processing method includes: obtaining sound information that includes (i) a first audio signal and (ii) space information that is information for reproducing a virtual space and includes first data relating to a first structure disposed in the virtual space, the virtual space including the first structure and a sound source; generating second data based on the first data, each of the first data and the second data being associated with a position in the virtual space, the second data being data having a smaller amount of data than the first data; calculating a propagation distance of sound from the sound source, the sound being reflected at the position associated with the second data and arriving at a position of a listener; and generating a second audio signal subjected to stereoacoustic processing, using the first audio signal and the propagation distance.