Abstract: A method for compensating for a crash event during display of a virtual environment on a virtual reality, VR, headset, the method comprising: receiving virtual display content representing a virtual environment, tracking the orientation of the VR headset, rendering and displaying virtual display content according to the orientation of the VR headset during normal operation, prior to a crash event; rendering future virtual display content associated with a plurality of possible orientations of the VR headset; detecting a crash event, preventing further rendering of virtual display content; and displaying a virtual display sequence based on the rendered future virtual display content after the crash event to prevent a sudden stop in the display of the virtual environment.

Abstract: The invention provides techniques for intelligently positioning speech in a virtual environment. Factors such as user preferences, the location of virtual environment audio and/or visual events, avatar location, and others can be taken into account when selecting a suitable location for the speech. The virtual environment can be a game environment, a meeting environment, an augmented reality environment, a virtual reality environment, and the like. The invention can be implemented by an audio processing unit which may be part of a game console.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of generating a sound effect for a video game. The method comprises: receiving a first sound effect file comprising one or more sound effect features; receiving a first animation representing an action in the video game; determining, based on the received animation, one or more constraints to be applied to the or each sound effect features; adjusting the or each sound effect feature so as to produce corresponding adjusted sound effect features satisfying the determined constraints; and generating a second sound effect file comprising the adjusted sound effect features.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for decorrelating a set of simulated audio signals in a virtual environment is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of: obtaining a first set of decorrelation filters; evaluating the first set of decorrelation filters to determine a similarity metric representing the similarity between the first set of decorrelation filters; if the similarity metric is above a predetermined threshold, regenerating the set of decorrelation filters so as to reduce the similarity metric; and applying the regenerated set of decorrelation filters to the simulated audio signals.

Abstract: A method for compensating for a crash event during display of a virtual environment on a virtual reality, VR, headset, the method comprising: receiving virtual display content representing a virtual environment, tracking the orientation of the VR headset, rendering and displaying virtual display content according to the orientation of the VR headset during normal operation, prior to a crash event; rendering future virtual display content associated with a plurality of possible orientations of the VR headset; detecting a crash event, preventing further rendering of virtual display content; and displaying a virtual display sequence based on the rendered future virtual display content after the crash event to prevent a sudden stop in the display of the virtual environment.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for generating an acoustic environment model for a video game level is provided. The method comprises: obtaining graphical data for visually rendering a gameplay environment of the video game level, the graphical data comprising a three-dimensional geometrical model for the gameplay environment, and generating, based on the graphical data, an acoustic environment model corresponding to the gameplay environment and adapted for the simulating of gameplay sounds therein.

Abstract: A method of adjusting an in-game audio output of a video gaming system, where the video gaming system comprises loudspeakers for outputting the in-game audio output and a user device comprising a microphone, the user device configured to be worn on an ear of the user, the method comprising: outputting a calibration signal, the calibration signal comprising an audio signal; receiving the calibration signal with the microphone of the user device; determining the location of the user device relative to the loudspeakers based on the received calibration signal; adjusting the in-game audio output based on the determined location of the user device.

Abstract: A method of adjusting an in-game audio output of a video gaming system, where the video gaming system comprises loudspeakers for outputting the in-game audio output and a user device comprising a microphone, the method comprising: outputting a calibration signal with the loudspeakers on a continual basis during use of the video gaming system, the calibration signal comprising an audio signal; receiving the calibration signal with the microphone of the user device and repeatedly determining the location of the user device relative to the loudspeakers based on the received calibration signal to monitor a varying location of the user during use of the video gaming system; repeatedly adjusting the in-game audio output based on the determined location of the user device during use of the video gaming system.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of generating a sound effect, comprising: obtaining a plurality of sounds; determining a common effect characteristic of the plurality of obtained sounds; obtaining a base sound; and generating the sound effect by applying the common effect characteristic to the base sound.

Abstract: A system for designing and generating a haptic output, the system comprising: a user device for editing and generating a haptic control signal, the user device comprising a hand-operated input device for receiving user inputs to set one or more parameters of a haptic control signal and a processor configured to generate the haptic control signal based on the set parameters; and a haptic actuator device configured to provide a haptic output to the user via a contact surface according to the haptic control signal, wherein the haptic actuator device is arranged such that the contact surface is maintained in contact with the user's hand during use, while permitting movement of the user's hand to operate the input device.

Abstract: An audio personalisation method for generating a personalised Head-Related Transfer Function, HRTF, the method comprising the steps of: obtaining a base HRTF model comprising a first set of parameters; outputting a sound from a virtual sound source according to the base HRTF model, the virtual sound source having an intended virtual position; receiving at least one user indication corresponding to a user virtual position of the virtual sound source, wherein the intended virtual position is different to the user virtual position; updating the first set of parameters to a second set of parameters based on the at least one indication from the user so as to update the user virtual location; and generating a personalised HRTF model comprising the second set of parameters, wherein the difference between the intended virtual position and the user virtual position according to the personalised HRTF model is less than the difference between the intended virtual position and the user virtual position according to the b

Abstract: The invention provides techniques for intelligently positioning speech in a virtual environment. Factors such as user preferences, the location of virtual environment audio and/or visual events, avatar location, and others can be taken into account when selecting a suitable location for the speech. The virtual environment can be a game environment, a meeting environment, an augmented reality environment, a virtual reality environment, and the like. The invention can be implemented by an audio processing unit which may be part of a game console.

Abstract: Systems and methods for managing computer-assisted communications channels based on relationships between users who wish to communicate with one another are described. The relationship-managed communications system allows users to retain control over whom they permit to communicate with them and under what conditions such communications may take place, for example when they take place and/or using which communications channels, by allowing pairs of users to establish relationships which specify communications permissions. Users of the system provide their contact information to the relationship-managed communications system, and the system uses the securely stored information to mediate the establishment of communications channels between users. Embodiments of the system may intelligently route communications to substitute channels based on relationship-related and other information.