Method and system for headset with automatic source detection and volume control

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016192074-A1
Application number	US-201514855737-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Sep 16, 2015
Priority date	Oct 9, 2013
Publication date	Jun 30, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

An audio headset receives one or more audio signals carrying one or more audio channels and processes the audio channels to generate stereo signals for output to a left and a right speaker of the audio headset. The processing determines a number of the audio channels carried in the received audio signal(s), adjusts level(s) of the audio channels based on the determined number of audio channels and/or adjusts gain and/or phase of the audio channels to control a perceived location of a listener wearing the headset relative to a source of sounds carried in the stereo signals.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A method, comprising:
in an audio headset: receiving one or more audio signals carrying one or more audio channels; and processing said one or more audio channels to generate stereo signals for output to a left and a right speaker of said audio headset, wherein said processing comprises:
determining a numerical value corresponding to how many audio channels are carried in said received audio signal(s);
adjusting level(s) of one or more of said audio channels based on said numerical value corresponding to how many audio channels are carried in said received audio signal(s); and
combining said one or more audio channels to generate said stereo signals.

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said processing comprises adjusting gain and/or phase of one or more audio channels carried in said received audio signal such that a perceived location of a listener wearing said headset relative to a source of sounds carried in said audio signals is changed.

3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said determining said numerical value comprises:
determining a level of audio on a left channel of said received audio signal(s) during a determined time period; and determining a level of audio on a right channel of said received audio signal(s) during a determined time period.

4 . The method of claim 3 , wherein said determining said numerical value comprises:
determining said numerical value to be one when only one of said level of said audio on said left channel and said level of said audio on said right channel is above a threshold during said determined time period.

5 . The method of claim 4 , wherein said determining said numerical value comprises:
determining said numerical value to be at least two when said level of said audio on said left channel is above said threshold during said determined time period and said level of said audio on said right channel is above said threshold during said determined time period.

6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said determining said numerical value comprises:
determining said numerical value to be at least six when a level of audio on a subwoofer channel and/or on a center channel of said received audio signal(s) is above said threshold during a determined time period.

7 . The method of claim 6 , wherein said determining said numerical value comprises:
determining said numerical value to be eight when a level of audio on one or more side channels of said received audio signal(s) is above said threshold during said determined time period.

8 . The method of claim 7 , wherein said determining comprises determining said number to be six if said level of audio on said one or more side channels is below said threshold during said third determined time period.

9 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said determining said numerical value comprises:
determining a type of audio source from which said one or more audio signals originated.

10 . A system, comprising:
an audio headset, said audio headset comprising a signal characterization circuit operable to: receive one or more audio signals carrying one or more audio channels; and process said one or more audio channels to generate stereo signals for output to a left and a right speaker of said audio headset, wherein said processing of said one or more audio channel comprises:
determination of a numerical value corresponding to how many audio channels are carried in said received audio signal(s);
adjustment of level(s) of one or more of said audio channels based on said numerical value corresponding to how many audio channels are carried in said received audio signal(s); and
combining said one or more audio channels to generate said stereo signals.

11 . The system of claim 10 , wherein said processing of said one or more channels comprises adjustment of gain and/or phase of one or more audio channels carried in said received audio signal such that a perceived location of a listener wearing said headset relative to a source of sounds carried in said audio signals is changed.

12 . The system of claim 10 , wherein said determination of said numerical value comprises:
determination of a level of audio on a left channel of said received audio signal(s) during a determined time period; and determination of a level of audio on a right channel of said received audio signal(s) during a determined time period.

13 . The system of claim 12 , wherein said determination of said numerical value comprises:
determination of said numerical value to be one when only one of said level of said audio on said left channel and said level of said audio on said right channel is above a threshold during said determined time period.

14 . The system of claim 13 , wherein said determination of said numerical value comprises:
determination of said numerical value to be at least two when said level of said audio on said left channel is above said threshold during said determined time period and said level of said audio on said right channel is above said threshold during said determined time period.

15 . The system of claim 10 , wherein said determination of said numerical value comprises:
determination of said numerical value to be at least six when a level of audio on a subwoofer channel and/or on a center channel of said received audio signal(s) is above said threshold during a determined time period.

16 . The system of claim 15 , wherein said determination of said numerical value comprises:
determination of said numerical value to be eight when a level of audio on one or more side channels of said received audio signal(s) is above said threshold during said determined time period.

17 . The system of claim 16 , wherein said determination of said numerical value comprises:
determination of said number to be six if said level of audio on said one or more side channels is below said threshold during said third determined time period.

18 . The system of claim 1 , wherein said determination of said numerical value comprises:
determination of a type of audio source from which said one or more audio signals originated.

19 . A non-transitory computer readable medium having stored thereon, a computer program having at least one code section that is executable by an audio headset for causing the audio headset to perform:
receiving one or more audio signals carrying one or more audio channels; and processing said one or more audio channels to generate stereo signals for output to a left and a right speaker of said audio headset, wherein said processing comprises:
determining a number of said audio channels carried in said received audio signal(s);
adjusting level(s) of one or more of said audio channels based on said determined number of audio channels; and
combining said audio channels to generate said stereo signals.

Assignees

• Voyetra Turtle Beach Inc

Inventors

• Kulavik Richard
• Kuruba Buchannagari Shobha Devi

Classifications

• H04R5/033

  Headphones for stereophonic communication {(details thereof, e.g. relating to batteries, cables or control elements H04R1/10)} · CPC title

• H04R5/04 Primary

  Circuit arrangements, {e.g. for selective connection of amplifier inputs/outputs to loudspeakers, for loudspeaker detection, or for adaptation of settings to personal preferences or hearing impairments (combinations of amplifiers H03F3/68; stereophonic systems H04S)} · CPC title

• H04R2430/01

  Aspects of volume control, not necessarily automatic, in sound systems · CPC title

• H04R2205/021

  Aspects relating to docking-station type assemblies to obtain an acoustical effect, e.g. the type of connection to external loudspeakers or housings, frequency improvement · CPC title

• H04S3/004 Primary

  For headphones · CPC title