Apparatus and Method for Rendering a Sound Scene Comprising Discretized Curved Surfaces

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

This invention provides an improved method and apparatus for rendering sound scenes—particularly in virtual or augmented reality (VR/AR)—where curved objects (like pillars or corners) are approximated with polygons for geometric acoustics. Traditionally, such scenes introduce audible artifacts (the 'disco ball effect') due to 'invisible zones' where sound reflections abruptly disappear. The invention solves this by dynamically inserting additional virtual sound source positions in these invisible zones, yielding continuous, realistic sound reflections and a more immersive audio experience.

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

• Virtual reality (VR) environments to provide realistic spatial audio as users move through scenes with curved geometry.
• Augmented reality (AR) applications that layer virtual sounds onto real-world environments for gaming, simulations, or training.
• Architectural acoustics simulation tools used to predict sound fields in rooms, stadiums, or concert halls with curved features.
• Sound design and post-production for films or games requiring highly realistic environmental sound reflections.
• Audio rendering in 6-degree-of-freedom (6DoF) audio systems or multi-channel immersive audio formats.

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Eliminates audible artifacts caused by discretization of curved surfaces, such as sudden on/off reflections (the 'disco ball effect').
• Improves audio realism and listener immersion in VR/AR and other simulated environments.
• Enables more accurate and natural rendering of sound reflections from curved or rounded objects.
• Works in both real-time and offline audio rendering applications.
• Minimizes computational overhead by focusing on relevant problematic reflection zones, and is compatible with existing geometric acoustics frameworks.
• Enhances flexibility by supporting automatic detection of problematic geometries during runtime or initialization.

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Patent Abstract

An apparatus for rendering a sound scene having reflection objects and a sound source at a sound source position, comprises: a geometry data provider (10) for providing an analysis of the reflection objects of the sound scene to determine a reflection object represented by a first polygon (2) and a second adjacent polygon (3) having associated a first image source position (62) for the first polygon and a second image source position (63) for the second polygon, wherein the first and second image source positions result in a sequence comprising a first visible zone (72) related to the first image source position (62), an invisible zone (80) and a second visible zone (73) related to the second image source position (63); an image source position generator (20) for generating an additional image source position (90) such that the additional image source position (90) is placed between the first image source position and the second image source position; and a sound renderer (30) for rendering the sound source at the sound source position and, additionally for rendering the sound source at the first image source position, when a listener position (130) is located within the first visible zone, for rendering the sound source at the additional image source position (90), when the listener position is located within the invisible zone (80), or for rendering the sound source at the second image source position, when the listener position is located within the second visible zone.