Induction Mechanism of Auditory-Assisted Vision for Target Search Localization in Mixed Reality (MR) Environments

Abstract

In MR (mixed reality) environments, visual searches are often used for search and localization missions. There are some problems with search and localization technologies, such as a limited field of view and information overload. They are unable to satisfy the need for the rapid and precise location of specific flying objects in a group of air and space targets under modern air and space situational requirements. They lead to inefficient interactions throughout the mission process. A human being’s decision and judgment will be affected by inefficient interactions. Based on this problem, we carried out a multimodal optimization study on the use of an auditory-assisted visual search for localization in an MR environment. In the spatial–spherical coordinate system, the target flight object position is uniquely determined by the height h, distance r, and azimuth θ. Therefore, there is an urgent need to study the cross-modal connections between the auditory elements and these three coordinates based on a visual search. In this paper, an experiment was designed to study the correlation between auditory intuitive perception and vision and the cognitive induction mechanism. The experiment included the three cross-modal mappings of pitch–height, volume–distance, and vocal tract alternation–spatial direction. The research conclusions are as follows: (1) Visual cognition is induced by high, medium, and low pitches to be biased towards the high, medium, and low spatial regions of the visual space. (2) Visual cognition is induced by loud, medium, and low volumes to be biased towards the near, middle, and far spatial regions of the visual space. (3) Based on the HRTF application, the vocal track alternation scheme is expected to significantly improve the efficiency of visual interactions. Visual cognition is induced by left short sounds, right short sounds, left short and long sounds, and right short and long sounds to be biased towards the left, right, left-rear, and right-rear directions of visual space. (4) The cognitive load of search and localization technologies is significantly reduced by incorporating auditory factors. In addition, the efficiency and effect of the accurate search and positioning of space-flying objects have been greatly improved. The above findings can be applied to the research on various types of target search and localization technologies in an MR environment and can provide a theoretical basis for the subsequent study of spatial information perception and cognitive induction mechanisms in an MR environment with visual–auditory coupling.