Spatial audio for three-dimensional data sets

A method, comprising:

• at a processor of a computing device:
• receiving map data of a three-dimensional environment;
• receiving a three-dimensional data set;
• detecting a first feature in the three-dimensional data set at a location within the three-dimensional environment, the first feature being associated with a spatial audio emitter anchor at the location;
• detecting an observation of a second feature in the map data at a location proximate to the location of the first feature in the three-dimensional data set;
• adjusting a characteristic of audio played by the audio emitter based upon the detection of the first feature and the second feature;
• determining a current position and orientation of a head of the user in the three-dimensional environment based on a signal from one or more sensors;
• displaying the map data of the three-dimensional environment with a graphical representation of the three-dimensional data set based on the determined current position and orientation of the head of the user via a display;
• and
• playing the spatial audio emitter via a pair of near-ear speakers based on the current position and orientation of the head of the user relative to the location of the spatial audio emitter anchor.

A computing device comprising:

• one or more sensors configured to detect a position and orientation of a head of a user;
• one or more speakers;
• and
• a processor configured to:
• receive map data of a three-dimensional environment;
• receive a three-dimensional data set;
• detect a first feature in the three-dimensional data set at a location within the three-dimensional environment, the first feature being associated with a spatial audio emitter anchor at the location;
• detect an observation of a second feature in the map data at a location proximate to the location of the first feature in the three-dimensional data set;
• adjust a characteristic of audio played by the audio emitter based upon the detection of the first feature and the second feature;
• determine a current position and orientation of the head of the user in three-dimensional environment based on a signal from the one or more sensor;
• and
• play the spatial audio emitter via the one or more speakers based on the current position and orientation of the head of the user relative to the location of the spatial audio emitter anchor.