Virtual prototyping of a spatial audio interface for obstacle avoidance using image processing

In this paper, we describe a process used to prototype a spatial audio user interface using virtual simulation. The interface is designed to assist mobile users who are in motion avoid physical dangers while their eyes are engaged. Our prototype system uses a simple form of a non-speech, spatial audio composed with optical flow through a head mounted camera. This paper describes our prototyping process involving various candidate image processing and audio mappings via 3D virtual simulation.