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VARI-SOUND: a varifocal lens for sound
conference contribution
posted on 2023-06-09, 18:20 authored by Gianluca MemoliGianluca Memoli, Letizia Chisari, Jonathan P Eccles, Mihai Caleap, Bruce W Drinkwater, Sriram SubramanianCenturies of development in optics have given us passive devices (i.e. lenses, mirrors and filters) to enrich audience immersivity with light effects, but there is nothing similar for sound. Beam-forming in concert halls and outdoor gigs still requires a large number of speakers, while headphones are still the state-of-the-art for personalized audio immersivity in VR. In this work, we show how 3D printed acoustic meta-surfaces, assembled into the equivalent of optical systems, may offer a different solution. We demonstrate how to build them and how to use simple design tools, like the thin-lens equation, also for sound. We present some key acoustic devices, like a "collimator", to transform a standard computer speaker into an acoustic "spotlight"; and a "magnifying glass", to create sound sources coming from distinct locations than the speaker itself. Finally, we demonstrate an acoustic varifocal lens, discussing applications equivalent to auto-focus cameras and VR headsets and the limitations of the technology.
Funding
AURORA: Controlling sound like we do with light; G2448; EPSRC-ENGINEERING & PHYSICAL SCIENCES RESEARCH COUNCIL; EP/S001832/1
History
Publication status
- Published
File Version
- Published version
Journal
Proceedings of the 2019 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing SystemsPublisher
Association for Computing MachineryExternal DOI
Issue
483Page range
1-14Event name
CHI '19 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing SystemsEvent location
Glasgow, ScotlandEvent type
conferenceEvent date
May 04-09 2019ISBN
9781450359702Department affiliated with
- Informatics Publications
Research groups affiliated with
- Creative Technology Publications
Full text available
- No
Peer reviewed?
- Yes
Legacy Posted Date
2019-07-09First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date
2019-07-06Usage metrics
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