Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status
1. The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA .
DETAILED ACTION
Introduction
2. This action responds to the applicant 18/863,935 filed on 11-07-2024. Claims 1-20 are pending.
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 102
3. In the event the determination of the status of the application as subject to AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103 (or as subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103) is incorrect, any correction of the statutory basis for the rejection will not be considered a new ground of rejection if the prior art relied upon, and the rationale supporting the rejection, would be the same under either status.
4. The following is a quotation of the appropriate paragraphs of 35 U.S.C. 102 that form the basis for the rejections under this section made in this Office action:
A person shall be entitled to a patent unless –
(a)(1) the claimed invention was patented, described in a printed publication, or in public use, on sale or otherwise available to the public before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
(a)(2) the claimed invention was described in a patent issued under section 151, or in an application for patent published or deemed published under section 122(b), in which the patent or application, as the case may be, names another inventor and was effectively filed before the effective filing date of the claimed invention.
5. Claims 1-20 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102a (1) as being anticipated by Torunori et al. (CN1901760).
Consider Claim 1, Torunori teaches (claims 1-2, description, pages 5-21): a sound field measuring device comprises: microphone group, with first and second microphones arranged at specified intervals, to collect audio signals output from the first and second loudspeakers; a measuring unit that measures the distance between the first and second loudspeakers and the first and second microphones based on the audio signals collected by the first and second microphones; the position calculation unit calculates the positions of the first and second microphones and the positions of the second loudspeaker based on the corresponding measurement distance when the first loudspeaker is taken as the standard position. the measuring unit comprises: a computing unit that calculates the pulse response between the loudspeaker and the microphone according to the collected audio signal; a detection unit that calculates a delay time according to the head to the rising part of the pulse response; a calculation unit calculates the distance between the loudspeaker and the microphone according to the delay time obtained. The audio combination 1 includes: a media playback unit 2, which reads the data of music content recorded in the recording medium; The sound field correction unit 3 has the sound field correction function of changing the characteristics of the reproduced original multi-channel audio signal and the function of measuring the measurement signal collected by the microphones 6a and 6b; And a power amplifier unit 4 that multiplies the corresponding corrected multi-channel audio signals and supplies them to speakers 51 to "5n" of the corresponding type. It also includes two microphones 6a and 6b, which measure the sound field generated by the audio signal output from each speaker. In addition, the audio combination 1 includes a memory unit 8 for storing a plurality of programs for executing: a process for correcting the sound field in the sound field correction unit 3, a process for measuring signals output by loudspeakers and collected by microphones 6a, 6b, or information required for storing these processes. As the memory unit 8, nonvolatile and rewritable memory elements, such as flash memory, may be applied. The above units are completely controlled by the control unit 7. The control unit 7 includes a microcomputer with CPU (central processing unit), ROM, RAM, etc. [3].
Claims 1, 11, 19 differ from Torunori in that: two or more microphones included in the other audio output device. causing each of the plurality of audio output devices to generate an audio output associated with an audio object, wherein an output of each of the audio output devices is based on a location of the audio object and the location of each audio output device relative to the other audio output devices. [4] Said differences are common knowledge. Therefore, claims 1, 11, 19 are rejected .
The additional features of claims 2-10, 12-18, 20 are disclosed by Torunori (description, pages 5-21) or common knowledge.
6. Claims 1-3, 10-13 and 19 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 102a (1) as being anticipated by Sasaki et al. (US 2005/0152557).
Consider Claim 1, Sasaki teaches a computer-implemented method of generating audio(see fig. 43), the method comprising:
Causing(see fig. 44) each audio output device of a plurality of audio output devices to output an audio sample(see fig. 44(205, 208));
determining,(see fig. 43(100)) for each other audio output device of the plurality of audio output devices,
a detection(see fig. 44(220)) time of the audio sample from each audio output device by each of two or more microphones included in the other audio output device;
based on the detection times of each of the audio samples by each of the audio output devices(see figs. 43-77 and paragraphs[0490]-[0503]).
determining(see figs. 44-57) a location of each audio output device relative to the other audio output devices; and
causing each of the plurality of audio output devices to generate an audio output associated with an audio object, wherein an output of each of the audio output devices is based on a location of the audio object and the location of each audio output device relative to the other audio output devices(see figs. 44-57 and paragraphs[0529]-[0554]).
Consider Claims 2 and 3, Sasaki teaches the computer-implemented method wherein determining the location of a first audio output device of the plurality of audio output devices relative to the audio output device outputting the audio sample comprises: determining a difference between a first detection time of the audio sample by a first microphone of the first audio output device and a second detection time of the audio sample by a second microphone of the first audio output device, and determining, based on the difference, an angle between the first audio output device and the audio output device outputting the audio sample(see figs. 44-57 and paragraphs[0529]-[0554]); and the computer-implemented method wherein determining the location of a first audio output device of the plurality of audio output devices relative to the audio output device outputting the audio sample comprises: determining a difference between an emission time of the audio sample and a detection time of the audio sample by at least one of the two or more microphones of the first audio output device, and determining, based on the difference, a distance between the first audio output device and the audio output device outputting the audio sample(see figs. 44-57 and paragraphs[0529]-[0554]).
Consider Claim 10, Sasaki teaches the computer-implemented method further comprising: combining the audio output for a first audio output device of the plurality of audio output devices with a second audio output for a second audio object, wherein the second audio output is based on a location of the second audio object and the location of each audio output device relative to the other audio output devices; and causing the first audio output device to output the combined audio output(see figs. 44-57 and paragraphs[0529]-[0554]).
Consider Claim 11, Sasaki teaches a non-transitory computer readable medium storing instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor(see figs. 43-44 and paragraphs[0490]-[0495]) to perform the steps of:
Causing(see fig. 44) each audio output device of a plurality of audio output devices to output an audio sample(see fig. 44(205, 208));
determining,(see fig. 43(100)) for each other audio output device of the plurality of audio output devices,
a detection(see fig. 44(220)) time of the audio sample from each audio output device by each of two or more microphones included in the other audio output device;
based on the detection times of each of the audio samples by each of the audio output devices(see figs. 43-77 and paragraphs[0490]-[0503]).
determining(see figs. 44-57) a location of each audio output device relative to the other audio output devices; and
causing each of the plurality of audio output devices to generate an audio output associated with an audio object, wherein an output of each of the audio output devices is based on a location of the audio object and the location of each audio output device relative to the other audio output devices(see figs. 44-57 and paragraphs[0529]-[0554]).
Consider Claims 12 and 13, Sasaki teaches the non-transitory computer readable medium wherein determining the location of a first audio output device of the plurality of audio output devices relative to the audio output device outputting the audio sample comprises: determining a difference between a first detection time of the audio sample by a first microphone of the first audio output device and a second detection time of the audio sample by a second microphone of the first audio output device, and determining, based on the difference, an angle between the first audio output device and the audio output device outputting the audio sample(see figs. 44-57 and paragraphs[0529]-[0554]); and the non-transitory computer readable medium wherein determining the location of a first audio output device of the plurality of audio output devices relative to the audio output device outputting the audio sample comprises: determining a difference between an emission time of the audio sample and a detection time of the audio sample by at least one of the two or more microphones of the first audio output device, and determining, based on the difference, a distance between the first audio output device and the audio output device outputting the audio sample(see figs. 44-57 and paragraphs[0529]-[0554]).
Consider Claim 19, Sasaki teaches a system comprising:
a memory storing instructions, and one or more processors that execute the instructions(see figs. 43-44 and paragraphs[0490]-[0495]) to perform steps comprising:
causing(see fig. 44) each audio output device of a plurality of audio output devices to output an audio sample(see fig. 44(205, 208));
determining,(see fig. 43(100)) for each other audio output device of the plurality of audio output devices,
a detection(see fig. 44(220)) time of the audio sample from each audio output device by each of two or more microphones included in the other audio output device;
based on the detection times of each of the audio samples by each of the audio output devices(see figs. 43-77 and paragraphs[0490]-[0503]).
determining(see figs. 44-57) a location of each audio output device relative to the other audio output devices; and
causing each of the plurality of audio output devices to generate an audio output associated with an audio object, wherein an output of each of the audio output devices is based on a location of the audio object and the location of each audio output device relative to the other audio output devices(see figs. 44-57 and paragraphs[0529]-[0554]).
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
7. In the event the determination of the status of the application as subject to AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103 (or as subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103) is incorrect, any correction of the statutory basis for the rejection will not be considered a new ground of rejection if the prior art relied upon, and the rationale supporting the rejection, would be the same under either status.
8. The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 103 which forms the basis for all obviousness rejections set forth in this Office action:
A patent for a claimed invention may not be obtained, notwithstanding that the claimed invention is not identically disclosed as set forth in section 102, if the differences between the claimed invention and the prior art are such that the claimed invention as a whole would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the claimed invention pertains. Patentability shall not be negated by the manner in which the invention was made.
9. The text of those sections of Title 35, U.S. Code not included in this action can be found in a prior Office action.
10. Claims 4-8 and 14-17 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103(a) as being unpatentable over Sasaki et al. (US 2005/0152557) in view of Mansour et al. (US PAT. 11,830,471).
Consider Claim 4, Sasaki teaches the computer-implemented method wherein determining the location of each audio output device relative to the other audio output devices comprises: determining a centroid of the plurality of audio output devices in a first coordinate system, and determining the location of each audio output device relative to the centroid(see figs. 44-57 and paragraphs[0529]-[0554]); but Sasaki does not explicitly teach a first coordinate system.
However, Mansour teaches the computer-implemented method wherein determining the location of each audio output device relative to the other audio output devices comprises: determining a centroid of the plurality of audio output devices in a first coordinate system, and determining the location of each audio output device relative to the centroid(see figs. 3-11 and col. 8, line 15 and col. 9, line 67).
Therefore, it would have obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filling date the invention was made to combine the teaching of Mansour in to the teaching of Sasaki to provide a performing ray-based acoustic modeling that models scattering of acoustic waves by a surface of a device. The acoustic modeling uses two parameters, a room response representing acoustics and geometry of a room and a device response representing acoustics and geometry of the device. The room response is determined using ray-based acoustic modeling, such as ray tracing. The device response can be measured in an actual environment or simulated and represents an acoustic response of the device to individual acoustic plane waves. The device applies a superposition of the room response and the plane wave scattering from the device response to determine acoustic pressure values and generate microphone audio data. The device can estimate room impulse response (RIR) data using data from the microphones, and can use the RIR data to perform audio processing such as sound equalization, acoustic echo cancellation, audio beamforming, and/or the like.
Consider Claim 5, Sasaki does not explicitly teach the computer-implemented method wherein determining the location of each audio output device relative to the other audio output devices comprises: for one or more pairs of the plurality of audio output devices, determining a triangle including an origin of a first coordinate system and a first location of each audio output device of the pair in the first coordinate system, and determining a centroid of the plurality of audio output devices based on a weighted sum of centers of each triangle, wherein the weighted sum is based on areas of the triangles.
However, Mansour teaches the computer-implemented method wherein determining the location of each audio output device relative to the other audio output devices comprises: for one or more pairs of the plurality of audio output devices, determining a triangle including an origin of a first coordinate system and a first location of each audio output device of the pair in the first coordinate system, and determining a centroid of the plurality of audio output devices based on a weighted sum of centers of each triangle, wherein the weighted sum is based on areas of the triangles(see figs. 3-11 and col. 8, line 15 and col. 9, line 67).
Therefore, it would have obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filling date the invention was made to combine the teaching of Mansour in to the teaching of Sasaki to provide a performing ray-based acoustic modeling that models scattering of acoustic waves by a surface of a device. The acoustic modeling uses two parameters, a room response representing acoustics and geometry of a room and a device response representing acoustics and geometry of the device. The room response is determined using ray-based acoustic modeling, such as ray tracing. The device response can be measured in an actual environment or simulated and represents an acoustic response of the device to individual acoustic plane waves. The device applies a superposition of the room response and the plane wave scattering from the device response to determine acoustic pressure values and generate microphone audio data. The device can estimate room impulse response (RIR) data using data from the microphones, and can use the RIR data to perform audio processing such as sound equalization, acoustic echo cancellation, audio beamforming, and/or the like.
Consider Claim 6, Sasaki does not explicitly teach the computer-implemented method further comprising: determining a second location of each audio output device within a second coordinate system centered on a centroid of locations of the plurality of audio output devices, and determining one or more locations of a source description of an audio object within the second coordinate system.
However, Mansour teaches the computer-implemented method further comprising: determining a second location of each audio output device within a second coordinate system centered on a centroid of locations of the plurality of audio output devices, and determining one or more locations of a source description of an audio object within the second coordinate system(see figs. 3-11 and col. 8, line 15 and col. 9, line 67).
Therefore, it would have obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filling date the invention was made to combine the teaching of Mansour in to the teaching of Sasaki to provide a performing ray-based acoustic modeling that models scattering of acoustic waves by a surface of a device. The acoustic modeling uses two parameters, a room response representing acoustics and geometry of a room and a device response representing acoustics and geometry of the device. The room response is determined using ray-based acoustic modeling, such as ray tracing. The device response can be measured in an actual environment or simulated and represents an acoustic response of the device to individual acoustic plane waves. The device applies a superposition of the room response and the plane wave scattering from the device response to determine acoustic pressure values and generate microphone audio data. The device can estimate room impulse response (RIR) data using data from the microphones, and can use the RIR data to perform audio processing such as sound equalization, acoustic echo cancellation, audio beamforming, and/or the like.
Consider Claim 7, Sasaki does not explicitly teach the computer-implemented method further comprising determining an acoustics impulse response of each audio output device based on an acoustics model including at least one of a point-source acoustics model or a plane-wave acoustics model.
However, Mansour teaches the computer-implemented method further comprising determining an acoustics impulse response of each audio output device based on an acoustics model including at least one of a point-source acoustics model or a plane-wave acoustics model(see figs. 3-11 and col. 8, line 15 and col. 9, line 67).
Therefore, it would have obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filling date the invention was made to combine the teaching of Mansour in to the teaching of Sasaki to provide a performing ray-based acoustic modeling that models scattering of acoustic waves by a surface of a device. The acoustic modeling uses two parameters, a room response representing acoustics and geometry of a room and a device response representing acoustics and geometry of the device. The room response is determined using ray-based acoustic modeling, such as ray tracing. The device response can be measured in an actual environment or simulated and represents an acoustic response of the device to individual acoustic plane waves. The device applies a superposition of the room response and the plane wave scattering from the device response to determine acoustic pressure values and generate microphone audio data. The device can estimate room impulse response (RIR) data using data from the microphones, and can use the RIR data to perform audio processing such as sound equalization, acoustic echo cancellation, audio beamforming, and/or the like.
Consider Claim 8, Sasaki does not explicitly teach the computer-implemented method further comprising: determining an acoustics impulse response of each audio output device based on the location of each audio output device within a second coordinate system.
However, Mansour teaches the computer-implemented method further comprising: determining an acoustics impulse response of each audio output device based on the location of each audio output device within a second coordinate system (see figs. 3-11 and col. 8, line 15 and col. 9, line 67).
Therefore, it would have obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filling date the invention was made to combine the teaching of Mansour in to the teaching of Sasaki to provide a performing ray-based acoustic modeling that models scattering of acoustic waves by a surface of a device. The acoustic modeling uses two parameters, a room response representing acoustics and geometry of a room and a device response representing acoustics and geometry of the device. The room response is determined using ray-based acoustic modeling, such as ray tracing. The device response can be measured in an actual environment or simulated and represents an acoustic response of the device to individual acoustic plane waves. The device applies a superposition of the room response and the plane wave scattering from the device response to determine acoustic pressure values and generate microphone audio data. The device can estimate room impulse response (RIR) data using data from the microphones, and can use the RIR data to perform audio processing such as sound equalization, acoustic echo cancellation, audio beamforming, and/or the like.
Consider Claim 14, Sasaki does not explicitly teach the non-transitory computer readable medium wherein determining the location of each audio output device relative to the other audio output devices comprises: for one or more pairs of the plurality of audio output devices, determining a triangle including an origin of a first coordinate system and a first location of each audio output device of the pair in the first coordinate system, determining a centroid of the plurality of audio output devices based on a weighted sum of centers of each triangle, wherein the weighted sum is based on areas of the triangles, and determining the location of each audio output device relative to the centroid.
However, Mansour teaches the non-transitory computer readable medium wherein determining the location of each audio output device relative to the other audio output devices comprises: for one or more pairs of the plurality of audio output devices, determining a triangle including an origin of a first coordinate system and a first location of each audio output device of the pair in the first coordinate system, determining a centroid of the plurality of audio output devices based on a weighted sum of centers of each triangle, wherein the weighted sum is based on areas of the triangles, and determining the location of each audio output device relative to the centroid. (see figs. 3-11 and col. 8, line 15 and col. 9, line 67).
Therefore, it would have obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filling date the invention was made to combine the teaching of Mansour in to the teaching of Sasaki to provide a performing ray-based acoustic modeling that models scattering of acoustic waves by a surface of a device. The acoustic modeling uses two parameters, a room response representing acoustics and geometry of a room and a device response representing acoustics and geometry of the device. The room response is determined using ray-based acoustic modeling, such as ray tracing. The device response can be measured in an actual environment or simulated and represents an acoustic response of the device to individual acoustic plane waves. The device applies a superposition of the room response and the plane wave scattering from the device response to determine acoustic pressure values and generate microphone audio data. The device can estimate room impulse response (RIR) data using data from the microphones, and can use the RIR data to perform audio processing such as sound equalization, acoustic echo cancellation, audio beamforming, and/or the like.
Consider Claim 15, Sasaki does not explicitly teach the non-transitory computer readable medium wherein the steps further comprise: determining a second location of each audio output device within a second coordinate system centered on a centroid of locations of the plurality of audio output devices and determining one or more locations of a source description of an audio object within the second coordinate system.
However, Mansour teaches the non-transitory computer readable medium wherein the steps further comprise: determining a second location of each audio output device within a second coordinate system centered on a centroid of locations of the plurality of audio output devices and determining one or more locations of a source description of an audio object within the second coordinate system(see figs. 3-11 and col. 8, line 15 and col. 9, line 67).
Therefore, it would have obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filling date the invention was made to combine the teaching of Mansour in to the teaching of Sasaki to provide a performing ray-based acoustic modeling that models scattering of acoustic waves by a surface of a device. The acoustic modeling uses two parameters, a room response representing acoustics and geometry of a room and a device response representing acoustics and geometry of the device. The room response is determined using ray-based acoustic modeling, such as ray tracing. The device response can be measured in an actual environment or simulated and represents an acoustic response of the device to individual acoustic plane waves. The device applies a superposition of the room response and the plane wave scattering from the device response to determine acoustic pressure values and generate microphone audio data. The device can estimate room impulse response (RIR) data using data from the microphones, and can use the RIR data to perform audio processing such as sound equalization, acoustic echo cancellation, audio beamforming, and/or the like.
Consider Claim 16, Sasaki does not explicitly teach the non-transitory computer readable medium wherein the steps further comprise determining an acoustics impulse response of each audio output device, based on an acoustics model including at least one of a point-source acoustics model or a plane-wave acoustics model.
However, Mansour teaches the non-transitory computer readable medium wherein the steps further comprise determining an acoustics impulse response of each audio output device, based on an acoustics model including at least one of a point-source acoustics model or a plane-wave acoustics model(see figs. 3-11 and col. 8, line 15 and col. 9, line 67).
Therefore, it would have obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filling date the invention was made to combine the teaching of Mansour in to the teaching of Sasaki to provide a performing ray-based acoustic modeling that models scattering of acoustic waves by a surface of a device. The acoustic modeling uses two parameters, a room response representing acoustics and geometry of a room and a device response representing acoustics and geometry of the device. The room response is determined using ray-based acoustic modeling, such as ray tracing. The device response can be measured in an actual environment or simulated and represents an acoustic response of the device to individual acoustic plane waves. The device applies a superposition of the room response and the plane wave scattering from the device response to determine acoustic pressure values and generate microphone audio data. The device can estimate room impulse response (RIR) data using data from the microphones, and can use the RIR data to perform audio processing such as sound equalization, acoustic echo cancellation, audio beamforming, and/or the like.
Consider Claim 17, Sasaki does not explicitly teach the non-transitory computer readable medium wherein the steps further comprise determining an acoustics impulse response of each audio output device based on the location of each audio output device within a second coordinate system.
However, Mansour teaches the non-transitory computer readable medium wherein the steps further comprise determining an acoustics impulse response of each audio output device based on the location of each audio output device within a second coordinate system(see figs. 3-11 and col. 8, line 15 and col. 9, line 67).
Therefore, it would have obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filling date the invention was made to combine the teaching of Mansour in to the teaching of Sasaki to provide a performing ray-based acoustic modeling that models scattering of acoustic waves by a surface of a device. The acoustic modeling uses two parameters, a room response representing acoustics and geometry of a room and a device response representing acoustics and geometry of the device. The room response is determined using ray-based acoustic modeling, such as ray tracing. The device response can be measured in an actual environment or simulated and represents an acoustic response of the device to individual acoustic plane waves. The device applies a superposition of the room response and the plane wave scattering from the device response to determine acoustic pressure values and generate microphone audio data. The device can estimate room impulse response (RIR) data using data from the microphones, and can use the RIR data to perform audio processing such as sound equalization, acoustic echo cancellation, audio beamforming, and/or the like.
11, Claim 20 is rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103(a) as being unpatentable over Sasaki et al. (US 2005/0152557) in view of Sekine (US 2003/0202667).
Consider Claim 20, Sasaki does not explicitly teach the system wherein causing each of the plurality of audio output devices to generate the audio output further comprises:
determining an acoustics impulse response of each audio output device, and
applying a convolution operation to an audio representation of the audio object and the acoustics impulse response to generate an audio output device signal including the audio object by the audio output device.
However, Sekine teaches the system wherein causing each of the plurality of audio output devices to generate the audio output further comprises:
determining an acoustics impulse response of each audio output device, and
applying a convolution operation to an audio representation of the audio object and the acoustics impulse response to generate an audio output device signal including the audio object by the audio output device(see figs. 6-11 and paragraphs[0046]- [0074]).
Therefore, it would have obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filling date the invention was made to combine the teaching of Sekine in to the teaching of Mansour and Sasaki to provide an apparatus estimates an impulse response for use in reproduction of a sound in a desired acoustic space. In the apparatus, a first acquisition section acquires space information indicating a spatial shape of the acoustic space and an acoustic reflectivity of a boundary surface enclosing the acoustic space. A second acquisition section acquires point information indicating positions of a sound generation point and a sound reception point set in the acoustic space. An estimation section estimates a set of acoustic ray paths of the sound traveling from the sound generation point to the sound reception point based on the acquired space information and the point information. A third acquisition section acquires directivity information indicating an acoustic directivity of the sound generation point and the sound reception point. A weighting section estimates an acoustic intensity of each acoustic ray path, and weights each acoustic intensity by the acquired directivity information. A determination section determines the impulse response based on directions of the respective acoustic ray paths toward the sound reception point and the weighed acoustic intensities of the respective acoustic ray paths.
12. Claims 9 and 18 are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103(a) as being unpatentable over Sasaki et al. (US 2005/0152557) as modified by Mansour et al. (US PAT. 11,830,471) as applied to claims 1, 8, 11,18 above, and further in view of Sekine (US 2003/0202667).
Consider Claim 9, Sasaki does not explicitly teach the computer-implemented method wherein generating the audio output of each audio output device further comprises applying a convolution operation to an audio representation of the audio object and the acoustics impulse response of the audio output device to generate an audio output device signal for output by the audio output device.
However, Sekine teaches the computer-implemented method wherein generating the audio output of each audio output device further comprises applying a convolution operation to an audio representation of the audio object and the acoustics impulse response of the audio output device to generate an audio output device signal for output by the audio output device(see figs. 6-11 and paragraphs[0046]- [0074]).
Therefore, it would have obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filling date the invention was made to combine the teaching of Sekine in to the teaching of Mansour and Sasaki to provide an apparatus estimates an impulse response for use in reproduction of a sound in a desired acoustic space. In the apparatus, a first acquisition section acquires space information indicating a spatial shape of the acoustic space and an acoustic reflectivity of a boundary surface enclosing the acoustic space. A second acquisition section acquires point information indicating positions of a sound generation point and a sound reception point set in the acoustic space. An estimation section estimates a set of acoustic ray paths of the sound traveling from the sound generation point to the sound reception point based on the acquired space information and the point information. A third acquisition section acquires directivity information indicating an acoustic directivity of the sound generation point and the sound reception point. A weighting section estimates an acoustic intensity of each acoustic ray path, and weights each acoustic intensity by the acquired directivity information. A determination section determines the impulse response based on directions of the respective acoustic ray paths toward the sound reception point and the weighed acoustic intensities of the respective acoustic ray paths.
Consider Claim 18, Sasaki does not explicitly teach the non-transitory computer readable medium wherein generating the audio output of each audio output device further comprises applying a convolution operation to an audio representation of the audio object and the acoustics impulse response of the audio output device to generate an audio output device signal for output by the audio output device.
However, Sekine teaches the non-transitory computer readable medium wherein generating the audio output of each audio output device further comprises applying a convolution operation to an audio representation of the audio object and the acoustics impulse response of the audio output device to generate an audio output device signal for output by the audio output device(see figs. 6-11 and paragraphs[0046]- [0074]).
Therefore, it would have obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filling date the invention was made to combine the teaching of Sekine in to the teaching of Mansour and Sasaki to provide an apparatus estimates an impulse response for use in reproduction of a sound in a desired acoustic space. In the apparatus, a first acquisition section acquires space information indicating a spatial shape of the acoustic space and an acoustic reflectivity of a boundary surface enclosing the acoustic space. A second acquisition section acquires point information indicating positions of a sound generation point and a sound reception point set in the acoustic space. An estimation section estimates a set of acoustic ray paths of the sound traveling from the sound generation point to the sound reception point based on the acquired space information and the point information. A third acquisition section acquires directivity information indicating an acoustic directivity of the sound generation point and the sound reception point. A weighting section estimates an acoustic intensity of each acoustic ray path, and weights each acoustic intensity by the acquired directivity information. A determination section determines the impulse response based on directions of the respective acoustic ray paths toward the sound reception point and the weighed acoustic intensities of the respective acoustic ray paths.
Conclusion
13. The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant’s disclosure. Olsson et al. (US 2019/0188487) is cited to show other related the TECHNIQUES FOR RENDERING AUDIO THROUGH A PLURALITY OF AUDIO OUTPUT DEVICES.
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/LUN-SEE LAO/Primary Examiner, Art Unit 2691 US Patent and Trademark Office
Knox
571-272-7501
Date 05-26-2026
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