Location-based personal audio

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10869154-B2
Application number	US-201916267643-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Feb 5, 2019
Priority date	Feb 6, 2018
Publication date	Dec 15, 2020
Grant date	Dec 15, 2020

Abstract

Various implementations include wearable audio devices and related methods for controlling such devices. In some particular implementations, a computer-implemented method of controlling a wearable audio device configured to provide an audio output includes: receiving data indicating the wearable audio device is proximate a geographic location associated with a localized audio message; providing a prompt to initiate playback of the localized audio message to a user of the wearable audio device; and initiating playback of the localized audio message at the wearable audio device in response to actuation of the prompt by the user.

First claim

We claim:

1. A computer-implemented method of controlling a wearable audio device configured to provide an audio output, the wearable audio device comprising: a sensor system comprising a microphone; and a position tracking system configured to detect a position of the wearable audio device, the method comprising: (receiving data indicating the wearable audio device is proximate a geographic location associated with a localized audio message;
receiving position data from the position tracking system indicating the wearable audio device is proximate a geographic location associated with a localized audio message;
providing a prompt to initiate playback of the localized audio message to a user of the wearable audio device; and
initiating playback of the localized audio message at the wearable audio device in response to actuation of the prompt by the user,
wherein the localized audio message is only accessible proximate the geographic location, wherein accessible proximity to the geographic location is adjustable based upon a density of a geographic region, the density of the geographic region comprising: a localized audio message density of the geographic region as defined by a number of localized audio messages associated with the geographic region, and
wherein accessible proximity to the geographic location is further adjustable based upon user profile settings for at least one of the user or a provider of the localized audio message, wherein the accessible proximity is lesser for a geographic region with a higher density than for a geographic region with a lower density, wherein the localized audio message is stored in a local network at the geographic location or in a cloud storage system connected with the geographic location.

2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein:
a) the sensor system further comprises a position tracking system, wherein the method further comprises:
selecting the prompt to initiate playback of the localized audio message based upon a position and direction of movement of the wearable audio device; and
providing at least one additional prompt to initiate playback of a distinct localized audio message based upon a change in the position or the direction of movement of the wearable audio device,
wherein the position tracking system comprises at least one of a global positioning system or an orientation tracking system, and wherein the prompt or the at least one additional prompt is selected based upon at least one of positioning data from the global positioning system or orientation data from the orientation tracking system, and

b) the sensor system further comprises at least one of an accelerometer or a gyroscope, wherein the method further comprises:
selecting the prompt to initiate playback of the localized audio message or providing an audio beacon indicating a direction of a distinct localized audio message based upon an acceleration of the wearable audio device or a deceleration of the wearable audio device.

3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , further comprising initiating playback of an audio beacon associated with the localized audio message based upon at least one of a position or an orientation of the wearable audio device, wherein the audio beacon is spatialized to indicate at least one of a direction or a proximity of the geographic location associated with the localized audio message,
wherein playback of the audio beacon is performed prior to providing the prompt to initiate playback of the localized audio message.

4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , further comprising initiating playback of an audio beacon associated with the localized audio message based upon at least one of a position or an orientation of the wearable audio device, wherein the audio beacon is spatialized to indicate at least one of a direction or a proximity of the geographic location associated with the localized audio message,
wherein the spatialized audio beacon adjusts at least one audio characteristic thereof based upon a change in the at least one of the position or the orientation of the wearable audio device, the method further comprising:
initiating playback of an additional audio beacon associated with an additional localized audio message based upon the change in the at least one of the position or orientation of the wearable audio device,
wherein the additional audio beacon is initiated in a series following initiation of the audio beacon and the localized audio message.

5. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the prompt comprises at least one of an audio prompt provided at the wearable audio device, or a visual prompt or a tactile prompt provided at the wearable audio device or at a distinct device on the user, and
wherein actuation of the prompt is detectable by the wearable audio device and comprises at least one of a gesture of the user, a tactile actuation by the user or a voice actuation by the user.

6. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , further comprising:
prompting the user or another user to record the localized audio message;
saving the localized audio message to a storage device accessible at the wearable audio device after recording the localized audio message; and
initiating, by the user or another user at the wearable audio device or another audio recording device, a recording of the localized audio message while the user or another user is at a location remote from the geographic location.

7. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , further comprising:
prompting the user or another user to record the localized audio message;
saving the localized audio message to a storage device accessible at the wearable audio device after recording the localized audio message;
initiating, by the user or another user at the wearable audio device or another audio recording device, a recording of the localized audio message while the user or another user is proximate the geographic location; and
providing a user-selectable setting to either include or exclude ambient audio captured proximate the geographic location during the recording,
wherein the wearable audio device comprises a plurality of microphones configured to perform binaural recording of the localized audio message proximate the geographic location.

8. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , further comprising receiving user profile data or biometric information about the user, and wherein providing the prompt to initiate playback of the localized audio message is based upon at least one of the user profile data or the biometric information about the user,
wherein the user profile data comprises settings for audio notifications at the wearable audio device, and wherein at least one of providing the prompt or initiating the playback at the wearable audio device is performed according to the settings.

9. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , further comprising providing a feedback prompt during the playback of the localized audio message or after the playback of the localized audio message, the feedback prompt comprising at least one option to: refuse the localized audio message, select between distinct localized audio messages, or rate the localized audio message.

10. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the user is permitted to share the localized audio message with a distinct user located at the geographic location or located at a remote geographic location.

11. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the localized audio message is only accessible for a specified period, wherein the specified period is one of a single period or a recurring period.

12. The computer-i

Assignees

• Bose Corp

Inventors

• Bruser Ilissa Brooke
• Cass Maura Elston
• Dolecki Eric Eugene
• Dominijanni Andrew D
• Fisher Shaun
• Hlynsky Andrew Porter
• Mukhopadhaya Maya Antara
• Olson Carrie Ann
• Patil Naganagouda
• Robinson Jason
• Tellier Daniel Winchell
• Turner Lindsey
• Wiernasz Erich Andrew

Classifications

• H04L67/535

  Tracking the activity of the user (network monitoring arrangements H04L43/00; recording of computer activity G06F11/34) · CPC title

• G06Q30/0261

  based on user location · CPC title

• G06Q30/0259

  based on store location · CPC title

• G06Q30/0251

  Targeted advertisements · CPC title

• G06Q30/0205

  based on location or geographical consideration · CPC title