Apparatus and Method for Rendering a Sound Scene Using Pipeline Stages

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This patent describes a modular audio rendering system and method that uses a sequence of configurable processing stages (pipeline stages) to render complex, dynamic audio scenes in real-time, especially for applications like virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR). Each stage in the pipeline can independently process and update audio signal parameters, while a central controller ensures that configuration changes across the stages happen in a synchronized, artifact-free way. This allows for flexible and efficient handling of changes in both audio sources and scene geometry without interrupting audio output.

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

• Virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) systems requiring immersive, dynamic 3D audio rendering.
• Gaming environments with moving audio sources and users, enabling realistic and interactive soundscapes.
• Professional simulation and training tools where accurate 3D audio cues are necessary.
• Multi-user collaborative virtual spaces where audio rendering must adapt to real-time changes and interactions.
• Advanced audio post-production and editing platforms for movies or spatial audio recordings.
• Concerts, events, or installations that use interactive sound scenes with dynamic elements.

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Enables real-time, high-quality rendering of complex and dynamic audio scenes with many sources.
• Allows for rapid, synchronized updates to the audio environment without creating audio artifacts (seamless transitions).
• Extremely flexible: stages can be added, removed, or reordered as needed to customize processing for different applications or hardware.
• Efficient use of computational resources—dynamically adapts processing detail to available resources.
• Supports atomic, coherent updates across all processing stages, essential for perceptually convincing experiences as users move or interact with virtual environments.
• Facilitates modular development: individual processing stages can be updated or modified independently without affecting the rest of the system.
• Reduces computational load by supporting clustering and complexity management, allowing for scalability in large or crowded audio scenes.

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Inventors & Applicants

Patent Abstract

Apparatus for rendering a sound scene (50), comprising: a first pipeline stage (200) comprising a first control layer (201) and a reconfigurable first audio data processor (202), wherein the reconfigurable first audio data processor (202) is configured to operate in accordance with a first configuration of the reconfigurable first audio data processor (202); a second pipeline stage (300) located, with respect to a pipeline flow, subsequent to the first pipeline stage (200), the second pipeline stage (300) comprising a second control layer (301) and a reconfigurable second audio data processor (302), wherein the reconfigurable second audio data processor (302) is configured to operate in accordance with a first configuration of the reconfigurable second audio data processor (302); and a central controller (100) for controlling the first control layer (201) and the second control layer (301) in response to the sound scene (50), so that the first control layer (201) prepares a second configuration of the reconfigurable first audio data processor (202) during or subsequent to an operation of the reconfigurable first audio data processor (202) in the first configuration of the reconfigurable first audio data processor (202), or so that the second control layer (301) prepares a second configuration of the reconfigurable second audio data processor (302) during or subsequent to an operation of the reconfigurable second audio data processor (302) in the first configuration of the reconfigurable second audio data processor (302), and wherein the central controller (100) is configured to control the first control layer (201) or the second control layer (301) using a switch control (110) to reconfigure the reconfigurable first audio data processor (202) to the second configuration for the reconfigurable first audio data processor (202) or to reconfigure the reconfigurable second audio data processor (302) to the second configuration for the reconfigurable second audio data processor (302) at a certain time instant.