Design
FUNCTIONAL UNITS
Self-positioning system. It processes the data received from the visual capture circuit by using them to estimate the position and orientation from which the images were captured. This process achieves an accuracy within a few centimetres by doing away with invasive reference elements or beacons, thus achieving savings in installation and maintenance.
System for managing maps and content. At each moment in time it selects the sound content corresponding to the position and orientation provided by the self-positioning system, and sends the position data of the content and of the user to the audio rendering system.
Audio Rendering System. This undertakes to establish the geometrical relationship between the user’s position and orientation, and the active sound content position at that moment; by applying sound modelling physics it carries out a sound rendering of this content and converts it into contextualised, hyper realistic sounds for the listener.
HARDWARE
User-friendly interface. uVox is simple to use, so simple that you can forget about it until you have to hand it in when you leave; it is so straightforward that you can concentrate totally on what you have come for, i.e. the visit.
A true artificial eye. The visual capture circuit represents a real jewel in the technique. By means of a micro camera, auxiliary accelerometry, and an initial individual calibration done at the factory, it collects and sends data 30 times per second so that it can be processed.
Cutting-edge technology. The biggest secret behind the uVox’s simplicity of use is its amazing technology. Perfect synchrony among the various dedicated chips allows each movement to be translated into a system response of just 40 milliseconds.
Removable battery. The dock station of uVox enables 5 batteries to be charged simultaneously as well as the rack coupling of several units thanks to its tongued and grooved ends. Because the batteries can be easily removed, they allow the equipment to be used continuously.
Removable memory. Updating content has never been so straightforward through the incorporation of a microSD card that enables modifications to be ready in a matter of seconds.
Electro-mechanical Ergonomics. All the technology and autonomy needed to enjoy a full uVox experience is built into a beautifully-designed, hard-wearing console which weighs less than a pound and can be carried with a strap.
SOFTWARE
Designing of plans. We will be able to draw the ground plan of our location easily with the design functions included in u-Vox or likewise, if we wish, we can import a plan developed with standard CAD applications.
Creating rooms and works. Through simple editing functions we can create rooms within the plan and assign works to different points in them. We will also need to assign the images or photos that will identify these unique points and which the system will use to position itself.
Attraction and action zones. Each work may have associated with it an attraction zone (geared towards awakening the visitor’s interest) and an action zone (significant experience of the work). The attraction zones of various works can be made to overlap with each other, whereas the action zones cannot. The two zones will move automatically with the work if it is transferred elsewhere.
Properties of each sound. For each sound source that we incorporate into the experience, we can select its position and radius of influence from the point where it will begin to be heard to the point of maximum level.
Reverberation. The application allows us to incorporate the acoustic influence of a specific kind of premises at the moment when it is reproduced, thus making it possible to simulate that we are inside a cathedral, a theatre or in a street.
Designing the timeline. By means of the timeline we will be able to create all kinds of time effects in the experiences, by having some sounds reproduced before others, by incorporating deferrals, etc.
Grouping by layers. Throughout the timeline we can generate gradual experiences by grouping the different sub-experiences into layers; this way we can start with a simple voice and then in consecutive layers end up with a dense experience of sounds, the fast forward or rewinding of which in the reproduction can be controlled from the console.
Virtual recreation. Once the experience is ready, and before transferring it to the equipment we can simulate the listening by creating virtual user routes throughout the space to be visited and by navigating through them.
Training. This is the process that will provide uVox with intelligence and will enable it to recognise the features of the real surroundings when it operates in them. The training is done remotely and digitally and will not cause any inconvenience in the space where the system is going to be installed.
Smart statistics. In a totally anonymous way uVox gathers data from the routes followed and provides information about the users’ position and orientation throughout their visit. Among other things, this information will enable visitor flows to be optimized, works to be re-ordered, accessibility to zones to be improved.