Concept for Generating an Enhanced Sound-Field Description or a Modified Sound Field Description Using a Multi-Layer Description

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This invention introduces a new way to describe, store, and render 3D audio environments, especially for immersive experiences like virtual reality (VR). It builds on conventional spatial audio formats (such as Ambisonics and DirAC), by layering sound field descriptions based on distance (or 'layers' around a reference location), and attaching metadata that describes the spatial properties of each layer (such as average distances). This multi-layered approach, together with associated spatial metadata, allows not only for more accurate sound placement and movement in space, but also enables listeners to move their position freely within the sound field (so-called 'six degrees of freedom', or 6DoF), rather than just rotating their head. The system can generate enhanced or modified sound fields at any listener position by recalculating both direction and distance, supporting dynamic and personalized audio experiences.

Use CasesContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) environments requiring realistic, spatialized audio responsive to listener movement, including head and body translation.
• 3D audio rendering for 360° video, gaming, and cinematic experiences where users can freely navigate or move their perspective within the audio scene.
• Teleconferencing or telepresence applications seeking more immersive or natural audio cues based on user position within a virtual space.
• Audio post-production, mixing, and mastering in studios for object-based or spatial sound, supporting complex sound scenes and dynamic listener perspectives.
• Implementations in hardware or software products such as next-generation headphones, gaming consoles, VR/AR headsets, and professional audio tools.

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Enables truly immersive and realistic spatial audio with 6 degrees of freedom (6DoF)—supporting both listener rotation and translation within a sound scene.
• Provides a highly efficient and compact way to describe complex 3D audio scenes with minimal metadata overhead, thanks to the multi-layer approach.
• Improves the accuracy of sound source placement and movement, allowing for correct perception of direction and distance as the listener moves.
• Backward-compatible with existing Ambisonics and DirAC systems, allowing easy integration and re-use of current tools and workflows.
• Supports both real-time audio rendering and offline production, adaptable to various end-user devices (headphones, loudspeakers, etc.) and content types.
• Scalable—layers and metadata can be statically or dynamically defined, supporting simple to very complex scenes without excessive processing costs.
• Enables advanced effects like 'acoustic zoom' or virtual microphone positioning by recalculating sound scene perspectives.

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Patent Abstract

An apparatus for generating an enhanced sound field description comprises: a sound field generator (100) for generating at least two sound field layer descriptions indicating sound fields with respect to at least one reference location; and a meta data generator (110) for generating meta data relating to spatial information of the sound fields, wherein the sound field descriptions and the meta data constitute the enhanced sound field description. The meta data can be a geometrical information for each layer such as a representative distance to the reference location.