VR Spatial Audio Video Streaming Multi-Device Adaptation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems fail to enable multiple users to simultaneously experience an augmented or virtual reality session, as they are unable to share and receive spatial audio and video effectively across different output devices.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising a processor and computer-readable storage medium that receives a request to share a virtual reality session, determines the characteristics of second audio and video output devices, and provides spatial audio and transcoded virtual reality video accordingly, allowing for simultaneous experience across various devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If spatial audio and video streams are transmitted to multiple output devices simultaneously, then multiple users can experience the virtual reality session, but the system complexity increases due to device characteristic detection and stream adaptation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemulti-device compatibilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary detection of output device characteristics (speaker configuration, video resolution, aspect ratio) before audio/video rendering. This advance detection allows the system to pre-adapt spatial audio and video streams to match each device's capabilities, enabling seamless multi-device output without real-time processing delays or excessive complexity during active streaming

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically changes audio and video parameters based on detected device characteristics. For spatial audio, it adjusts speaker configuration parameters (e.g., 5.1, 7.1, stereo). For video, it modifies resolution and aspect ratio parameters. These parameter adaptations enable the same virtual reality content to be optimally rendered across diverse output devices

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If spatial audio is provided based on detected device characteristics, then audio quality is optimized for each device, but processing time and computational resources increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaudio qualityVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system detects and stores output device characteristics (speaker configuration, audio capabilities) in advance, before actual audio rendering is needed. This preliminary detection allows the system to have device profiles ready, eliminating the need for real-time analysis during audio streaming and reducing processing delays while maintaining optimized audio quality for each device type

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If virtual reality video is transcoded based on device characteristics, then video compatibility is improved, but computational load and energy consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevideo compatibilityVSAvoidcomputational energy
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes video parameters (resolution, aspect ratio, format) based on detected device characteristics. By dynamically adjusting these parameters to match the target device's capabilities, the system achieves optimal video compatibility and display quality across diverse devices while avoiding unnecessary transcoding operations that would waste computational energy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system detects video output device characteristics (resolution, aspect ratio, supported formats) in advance and prepares appropriate transcoding configurations before actual video rendering. This preliminary preparation allows the system to efficiently transcode only when necessary and use pre-configured parameters, reducing overall computational load and energy consumption during active video streaming

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3615153B1Streaming of augmented/virtual reality spatial audio/video
Publication Date: 2023.03.08 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC
  • EP3615153B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3615153B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3615153B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A system for streaming spatial audio and video is provided. In response to a request to share a virtual reality session, a characteristic of a second audio output device and a characteristic of a second video output device can be determined. Further in response to the request, based on the determined characteristic of the second audio output device, spatial audio can be provided to the second audio output device and received virtual reality video can be transcoded based on the determined characteristic of the second video output device. The transcoded virtual reality video can be provided to the second video output device so that other(s) can experience the virtual reality session.