Apple patents method to refine 3D audio spatial data
Apple describes a technique for processing 3D audio by first checking a small set of points in a sound field to estimate spatial characteristics. The system then generates a larger set of points in specific regions based on those initial estimates to refine the spatial data. It stores these refined parameters if they meet certain threshold levels.
In the filing’s own words
A method performed by at least one programmed processor of an electronic device, the method includes receiving audio content and, for a first group of points associated with a three-dimensional (3D) sound field of the audio content, estimating a first group of spatial parameters associated with the audio content. The method generates a second group of points associated with a region of the 3D sound field of the audio content based on a comparison of the estimated spatial parameters of the first group of points, where the first group of points includes less points than the second group of points. The method, for the second group of points, estimating a second group of spatial parameters associated with the audio content and storing the second group of spatial parameters associated with the audio content.
What exactly they claim (claim 1)
1. A method performed by at least one programmed processor of an electronic device, the method comprising: receiving audio content; for a first plurality of points associated with a three-dimensional (3D) sound field of the audio content, estimating a first plurality of spatial parameters associated with the audio content; generating a second plurality of points associated with a region of the 3D sound field of the audio content based on a comparison of the first plurality of spatial parameters of the first plurality of points, wherein the first plurality of points comprises less points than the second plurality of points; for the second plurality of points, estimating a second plurality of spatial parameters associated with the audio content; determining whether at least one spatial parameter of the second plurality of spatial parameters is greater than or equal to a threshold; and responsive to determining that the at least one spatial parameter is greater than or equal to the threshold, storing the at least one spatial parameter associated with the audio content.
Facts
- Company
- Apple (Apple Inc.)
- Official title
- Method and system for estimating parameters
- Patent number
- US12756987B2
- Application number
- 18477491
- Filed
- Sep 28, 2023
- Granted
- Oct 6, 2026
- Inventors
- 2
- Claims
- 18
Classified under
H04S 7/40 Electricity & electronicsH04S 7/305 Electricity & electronicsMore from Apple in Audio & voice
- Apple patents audiobooks that create custom stories and images from your voice Oct 13, 2026
- Apple patents head-worn device that adds spatial audio to external speakers Sep 8, 2026
- Apple patents audio system that places virtual speakers around visual objects Sep 24, 2026
- Apple patents speaker layout to hide device noise Sep 1, 2026
- Apple patents on-device audio transcription for video calls Sep 15, 2026
Summaries are simplified from the filing’s own abstract and first claim. A patent filing is not a product announcement.
Patent data and drawings: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Nebula is not affiliated with or endorsed by the USPTO.