Virtual Sound Source Placement for Terrain-Based Surround Audio
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current sound processing systems require pre-setting sound sources in virtual environments, which hampers work efficiency and fails to produce realistic sound effects due to the lack of dynamic sound source arrangement based on terrain and listener position.
Innovation Solution
A sound processing system comprising a listening position control section, terrain object arranging section, virtual sound source arranging section, volume calculation section, and sound output section, which dynamically arranges virtual sound sources based on terrain conditions and calculates sound volumes based on positional relationships with the listener, allowing for efficient and realistic sound output.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If sound sources are pre-set in the virtual environment, then the configuration process is simplified, but work efficiency deteriorates and realistic sound effects cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically arranges virtual sound sources based on terrain conditions and listener position rather than using fixed pre-set configurations. The virtual sound source arranging section automatically determines sound source positions by evaluating terrain objects and calculating optimal locations that satisfy predetermined conditions, enabling the system to adapt to different virtual environments in real-time.
2Ease of manufacture
If sound sources are pre-set in the virtual environment, then the configuration process is simplified, but realistic sound effects deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system evaluates terrain objects at specific locations and arranges sound sources based on local terrain characteristics. The volume calculation section calculates sound volumes based on the positional relationship between virtual sound sources and the virtual listening point, taking into account distance and terrain features, thereby producing realistic sound effects that vary according to the local virtual environment.
3Productivity
If virtual sound sources are arranged dynamically based on terrain and listener position, then work efficiency is improved and realistic sound effects are achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The virtual sound source arranging section serves multiple functions: it evaluates terrain objects, determines optimal sound source positions, calculates volumes based on positional relationships, and arranges sound sources automatically. This multi-functional approach consolidates what would otherwise require multiple separate systems into a single integrated component, managing complexity while achieving dynamic sound source arrangement.
4Reliability
If volumes are calculated based on positional relationship between virtual sound sources and virtual listening point, then realistic sound effects are achieved, but calculation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary evaluation of terrain objects and predetermined condition checks before final sound source arrangement. The volume calculation section pre-calculates volumes based on positional relationships, and the system selects arrangement points that satisfy predetermined conditions in advance, reducing the complexity of real-time calculations during sound output.
Data Source
AI summary
A non-limiting example sound processing system is functioned by a game system that includes a game apparatus, a display device and a plurality of speakers. For example, the plurality of speakers are arranged so as to constitute a surround system. When the game apparatus performs control processing of a game, a game screen is displayed on the display device and a game sound is output from respective speakers. When generating a game sound, a terrain in a virtual space is checked in a grid-like shape within a predetermined range centered on a listener who is located in the virtual space, and a plurality of arrangement position candidates for sound source are set, and a part of arrangement position candidates to be the forefront with respect to the listener are selected from the plurality of arrangement position candidates for sound source. When the sound sources are arranged at the selected some arrangement position candidates, volumes of the plurality of speakers are decided for each of the plurality of sound sources. The volumes of the plurality of speakers decided for each of the sound sources are composed, whereby sound data of the game sound to be reproduced with the plurality of speakers is generated.