Zone-Based HRTF Filtering for Multi-Object Spatial Audio
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional HRTF modeling techniques are computationally expensive and require extensive calculations, limiting the ability to process multiple sound objects simultaneously.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of HRTF models that break down the surrounding space into 36 zones with predetermined filters, reducing computational complexity by approximately two orders of magnitude, allowing for more simultaneous object calculations and transformations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional HRTF modeling techniques are used, then accurate head-related transfer function calculations are achieved, but computational complexity increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the three-dimensional space surrounding the head into multiple discrete zones (e.g., 36 zones arranged in a spherical coordinate system). Each zone has pre-calculated HRTF parameters stored in lookup tables. This segmentation transforms the continuous complex calculation problem into discrete zone-based queries, dramatically reducing computational complexity while maintaining accuracy by selecting the appropriate zone based on sound object position.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent pre-calculates and stores HRTF parameters for each zone in advance during system initialization. These pre-computed values are stored in lookup tables accessible during runtime. When a sound object is positioned in a zone, the system simply retrieves the pre-stored parameters rather than performing complex real-time calculations, thereby reducing computational load during operation while preserving HRTF accuracy.
2Measurement precision
If conventional HRTF modeling techniques are used, then accurate sound positioning is achieved, but processing speed for multiple objects decreases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting space into discrete zones with pre-associated HRTF parameters, the system enables rapid lookup-based processing for each sound object. Multiple objects can be processed in parallel by determining their respective zones and retrieving corresponding parameters without performing repeated complex calculations, thereby increasing processing speed while maintaining positioning accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The pre-computation and storage of HRTF parameters in lookup tables during system initialization enables fast retrieval during runtime. This preliminary action eliminates the need for repeated complex calculations when processing multiple sound objects, significantly improving processing speed while preserving the accuracy of sound positioning through the use of pre-calculated precise parameters.
3Reliability
If conventional HRTF modeling techniques are used, then comprehensive acoustic transformation is achieved, but computational load increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the acoustic space into discrete zones, each with pre-calculated HRTF parameters that capture the comprehensive acoustic transformation characteristics for that zone. During runtime, the system only needs to determine which zone contains the sound object and retrieve the corresponding parameters, dramatically reducing computational load while maintaining reliable acoustic transformation through the use of pre-computed zone-specific data.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs comprehensive acoustic transformation calculations in advance during initialization and stores the results in lookup tables. This preliminary computation of HRTF parameters for all zones eliminates the need for repeated complex calculations during operation, reducing computational load and energy consumption while preserving the reliability of acoustic transformation through the use of pre-calculated accurate parameters.
Data Source
AI summary
Example systems, devices, media, and methods are described for efficiently processing an audio track of a virtual object with a head-related transfer function (HRTF). Audio tracks are processed by determining a current position (direction and optionally distance) of the virtual object with respect to the head of a user, identifying a current audio zone from predefined audio zones responsive to the determined current position where each of the audio zones has a corresponding left predefined filter and a corresponding right predefined filter, applying the left and the right predefined filters corresponding to the current audio zone to the audio track to produce a left audio signal and a right audio signal, and presenting the left audio signal with a first speaker and the right audio signal with a second speaker.