Apparatus and Method for Rendering an Audio Scene Using Valid Intermediate Diffraction Paths

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This invention provides an apparatus and method for rendering audio scenes by efficiently modeling how sound diffracts, or bends, around objects in virtual or augmented reality environments. The solution precomputes and stores multiple possible diffraction paths through static and moving (dynamic) objects in a virtual scene, together with associated acoustic filters, so that at runtime only the relevant paths for a given audio source and listener position are quickly selected and used. This results in realistic sound rendering with significantly reduced computational effort, even in dynamically changing or highly complex scenes.

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

• Virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) applications for immersive audio experiences.
• Gaming engines demanding real-time spatial audio that reflects environmental changes.
• Architectural acoustic simulations where sound propagation around objects must be accurately modeled.
• Interactive multimedia installations and sound design tools.
• Audio rendering for simulators and training environments involving spatial sound cues.
• Binaural audio playback systems for headphones or multi-speaker setups.

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Enables real-time, high-fidelity simulation of diffracted sound in complex and dynamic environments without requiring extensive computational resources.
• Supports both static and dynamic scene geometries, allowing for interactive updates as virtual objects move or change shape.
• Improves realism of audio spatialization by accounting for higher-order diffraction (multiple bends/reflections), critical for convincing immersion.
• Reduces runtime computation by precomputing and efficiently validating only the necessary sound paths between source and listener, optimizing resource use.
• Flexible for different output formats (e.g., binaural, stereo, surround sound) and compatible with various audio hardware platforms.
• Can be extended to support additional features like directional filters, distance effects, and support for both direct and indirect (diffracted/reflected) sound propagation.

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Patent Abstract

An apparatus for rendering an audio scene (50) comprising an audio source at an audio source position and a plurality of diffracting objects, comprises: a diffraction path provider (100) for providing a plurality of intermediate diffraction paths (300, 400) through the plurality of diffracting objects, an intermediate diffraction path having a starting point and an output edge of the plurality of diffracting objects and an associated filter information for the intermediate diffraction path; a Tenderer (200) for rendering the audio source at a listener position, wherein the Tenderer (200) is configured for determining (216), based on the output edges of the intermediate diffraction paths and the listener position, one or more valid intermediate diffraction paths from the audio source position to the listener position, determining (218), for each valid intermediate diffraction path of the one or more valid intermediate diffraction paths, a filter representation for a full diffraction path, and calculating (220) audio output signals for the audio scene (50) using an audio signal associated to the audio source and the filter representation for each full diffraction path.