An Audio-Haptic Interface Concept Based on Depth Information

We present an interaction tool based on rendering distance cues for ordering sound sources in depth. The user interface consists of a linear position tactile sensor made by conductive material. The touch position is mapped onto the listening position on a rectangular virtual membrane, modeled by a bidimensional Digital Waveguide Mesh and providing distance cues. Spatialization of sound sources in depth allows a hierarchical display of multiple audio streams, as in auditory menus. Besides, the similar geometries of the haptic interface and the virtual auditory environment allow a direct mapping between the touch position and the listening position, providing an intuitive and continuous interaction tool for auditory navigation.