Apparatus and method for audio rendering employing a geometric distance definition

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

This invention relates to an apparatus and method for audio rendering that employs a geometric distance definition to determine which loudspeaker should play back a given audio object in a 3D audio system. The system analyzes the intended spatial position (azimuth, elevation, distance) specified in the metadata of each audio object and calculates the geometric distance to each speaker in the available setup. It then selects the physical speaker closest to the intended position for playback, avoiding traditional rendering and panning across multiple speakers. This 'closest speaker playout' approach ensures sounds are emitted from the nearest possible direction relative to the listener, even in irregular or unknown speaker layouts.

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

• Home cinema systems with non-standard speaker configurations, where content must adapt to the actual available speakers.
• Immersive audio experiences in virtual reality (VR) or augmented reality (AR), requiring precise positional accuracy for object-based audio.
• Professional sound installations (e.g., theaters, theme parks) where speaker positions may not match standardized formats but require consistent spatial localization of audio events.
• Automotive multi-speaker audio systems, adapting object-based media content to the unique speaker arrangement in vehicles.
• Personalized headphone-based 3D audio or binaural rendering—choosing the closest available binaural impulse response for accurate spatial perception.

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Enables highly accurate and robust 3D audio reproduction regardless of user-specific loudspeaker arrangements.
• Reduces reliance on signal 'panning' and complex rendering, resulting in clearer spatial localization and more natural sound imaging.
• Flexible for any loudspeaker configuration—producers do not need to know or define the listener's setup in advance.
• Lowers computational complexity in some cases by directly routing audio to the nearest speaker instead of interpolating across multiple channels.
• Improves compatibility with future, dynamic, or unknown loudspeaker deployments, supporting content longevity and device interoperability.

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Patent Abstract

An apparatus (100) for playing back an audio object associated with a position is provided. The apparatus (100) comprises a distance calculator (110) for calculating distances of the position to speakers or for reading the distances of the position to the speakers. The distance calculator (110) is configured to take a solution with a smallest distance. The apparatus (100) is configured to play back the audio object using the speaker corresponding to the solution.