Methods and systems for creating a spatial auditory environment in an audio conference system

A method and a system for audio communication between a plurality of users at a plurality of sites utilizes a set of audio input sensors at each site. Each set of audio input sensors binaurally senses an auditory space in proximity thereto. A metaphorical representation of each of the sites is provided. Each metaphorical representation has a position which is variable within a metaphorical space. The metaphorical representations can be based upon, for example, a physical metaphor, a visual metaphor, an auditory metaphor, or a textual metaphor. The auditory space sensed at each site is combined to form at least one synthetic auditory space. The at least one synthetic auditory space is formed in dependence upon the position of each metaphorical representation within the metaphorical space. A binaurally perceivable auditory environment is produced at one or more sites based upon the at least one synthetic auditory space.