Virtual Microphone Volume Reference Position Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
In third-person-view games, players experience unnaturalness due to sudden, large sound volumes from virtual sound sources not within their field of view, caused by interlocked movements of virtual cameras and microphones.
Innovation Solution
A sound processing program that determines sound volumes based on a volume reference position set between the virtual microphone and the look-at point, adjusting the volume calculation to prevent loud sounds from being heard from unseen sources by shifting the reference position as the sound source approaches from the opposite direction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the virtual microphone position is interlocked with the virtual camera position, then the audio perspective follows the visual perspective, but loud sounds may be heard from sound sources outside the field of view
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating the volume reference position setting based on the sound source's angular position. When a sound source is within the field of view, the virtual microphone position is used as the volume reference. When a sound source is outside the field of view, the look-at point position is used instead. This localized adjustment of the reference position based on spatial location resolves the contradiction by maintaining audio-visual coordination for visible sources while preventing unnatural loud sounds from invisible sources.
2Measurement precision
If the volume is determined based on the distance between the virtual microphone and the sound source, then accurate spatial audio is achieved, but sudden large volumes occur when the microphone passes near unseen sound sources
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamics by making the volume reference position change dynamically based on the sound source's position relative to the field of view. The system continuously evaluates the angular position of each sound source and switches between two reference positions (virtual microphone position and look-at point position) accordingly. This dynamic adjustment ensures that volume calculation remains accurate for visible sources while naturally attenuating sounds from invisible sources, preventing sudden loud volumes.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the virtual microphone moves independently, then audio capture flexibility is improved, but synchronization with the visual field of view is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces the look-at point position as an intermediary reference for volume calculation. Instead of directly coupling the virtual microphone position with the field of view, the system uses the look-at point as a mediator that represents the camera's viewing direction. This intermediary allows the virtual microphone to move independently for audio flexibility while still maintaining reliable audio-visual synchronization through the mediating reference position.
Data Source
AI summary
A look-at-point position and a viewing direction are determined on the basis of an operation input, and the position of a virtual camera is determined on the basis of the look-at-point position and the viewing direction. In addition, the position of a virtual microphone is interlocked with the virtual camera. For each sound source in a virtual space, the volume of a sound set for the sound source is determined on the basis of the distance between the sound source and a volume reference position set at the position of the virtual microphone or a volume reference position set at a position shifted toward the look-at point side from the position of the virtual microphone in a case where the sound source is placed on the side opposite to the look-at point with respect to the virtual microphone.