Apparatus and Method for Reproducing a Spatially Extended Sound Source or Apparatus and Method for Generating a Bitstream from a Spatially Extended Sound Source

Simple SummaryContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

This patent describes an apparatus and method for reproducing or encoding spatially extended sound sources (such as an orchestra, piano, or environmental sound) in a way that accurately reflects their size, shape, and position within 2D or 3D space. Instead of modeling large sources as a single point (which is unrealistic), the system uses geometric information and the listener’s current position to project the spatial extent of the sound source and generate appropriately placed 'peripheral' sound sources that surround the listener. Different, decorrelated audio signals are rendered at these positions, giving the perception of a single, distributed sound source, and this adapts dynamically as the listener moves. The bitstream created contains both the audio and the necessary geometric metadata for accurate spatial rendering.

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

• Virtual reality (VR) applications needing lifelike sound environments, such as simulated concerts or guided museum tours.
• Augmented reality (AR) where virtual sound sources blend realistically with the real world as a user moves.
• Immersive gaming: creating believable 3D audio experiences where sound sources have realistic size and position.
• Professional audio production, especially for multichannel or spatial audio content (e.g., 6DoF audio for film or music).
• Environmental simulations, architectural or urban sound design that require accurate spatial audio modeling.
• Training and simulation systems (e.g., for vehicles or machinery) where realistic auditory cues are important.

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• More realistic and immersive spatial audio reproduction compared to point-source rendering, reflecting the true size and distribution of large sound sources.
• Improved audio realism in VR/AR, as the perceived width and position of sound sources change naturally with user movement.
• Dynamic adaptation to listener position supports 6-degrees-of-freedom (6DoF) experiences and free navigation.
• Reduced computational and storage resources by modeling only the source's periphery rather than filling the whole volume with many sources.
• Enables efficient encoding and transmission of immersive audio with metadata describing the sound source geometry and position.
• Backwards compatibility with existing stereo or multichannel recordings (can use recordings made from different positions).

Technical Classifications (CPCs)

Inventors & Applicants

Patent Abstract

Apparatus for reproducing a spatially extended sound source having a defined position and geometry in a space, the apparatus comprises an interface (100) for receiving a listener position; a projector (120) for calculating a projection of a two-dimensional or three-dimensional hull associated with the spatially extended sound source onto a projection plane using the listener position, information on the geometry of the spatially extended sound source, and information on the position of the spatially extended sound source; a sound position calculator (140) for calculating positions of at least two sound sources for the spatially extended sound source using the projection plane; and a renderer (160) for rendering the at least two sound sources at the positions to obtain a reproduction of the spatially extended sound source having two or more output signals, wherein the renderer (160) is configured to use different sound signals for the different positions, wherein the different sound signals are associated with the spatially extended sound source.