System and method for dynamic control of audio playback based on the position of a listener

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9357308-B2
Application number	US-201313846716-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 18, 2013
Priority date	Dec 5, 2006
Publication date	May 31, 2016
Grant date	May 31, 2016

Abstract

An optimal listening position for the multi-channel audio sound system is determined. A listening area and other audio playback controls may also be defined or modified by a listener. During subsequent audio playback, an imager captures images of at least a portion of the listener. When the listener has moved to a position that is different from a previous position, one or more audio parameters are adjusted for at least one channel in the multi-channel audio system in order to reposition the initial or previous optimal listening position to the current position of the listener. When the listener moves outside the listening area, an out of bounds response is initiated to disable or control the audio playback until the listener moves to a position within the listening area.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A computer system with a multi-channel audio system that dynamically adjusts audio playback based on a changeable position of a listener, the system comprising:
an input device operable to receive initial set up data that comprises a definition of a listening area within a room;
a sensor operable to sense the position of the listener as the listener moves about the room;
a processing module operable to determine, automatically, an original optimal listening position for the multi-channel audio system, based on the definition of the listening area, determine using the sensor whether the listener has a current position that is different from the original optimal listening position, generate an adjustment signal when it is determined that the current position of the listener in the listening area is different from the original optimal listening position, and determine using the sensor whether the listener is within the listening area and trigger an out of bounds response when it is determined that the listener is not within the listening area; and
an audio processing module, coupled to the processing module, operable to receive the adjustment signal and responsively adjust one or more audio parameters for one or more channels and produce an audio signal for each channel in the multi-channel audio system such that the original optimal listening position is repositioned in accordance with the current position of the listener.

2. The computer system of claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of speakers, wherein each speaker is coupled to the audio processing module and operable to receive a respective audio signal.

3. The computer system of claim 1 , further comprising an audio input device coupled to the audio processing module and operable to input a plurality of input audio signals into the audio processing module.

4. The computer system of claim 1 , wherein the sensor is a camera.

5. The computer system of claim 2 , further comprising a display coupled to the processing module.

6. The computer system of claim 5 , wherein the input device receives the initial set up data via manipulation of a graphical representation of the room and the plurality of speakers presented on the display.

7. A computer system with a multi-channel audio sound system that dynamically adjusts audio playback based on a changeable position of a listener, the system comprising:
an input device operable to receive initial set up data that comprises dimensions of a listening area in a room;
a sensor operable to sense the position of a portion of a listener as the listener moves about the room;
a controller, coupled to the input device and the sensor, operable to determine automatically an original optimal listening position for the multi-channel audio system, based on the dimensions of the listening area, and generate an adjustment signal when it is determined that a current position of the listener in the listening area is different from a previous position of the listener, and determine whether the current position of the listener is or is not within the listening area and trigger an out of bounds response if it is determined that the listener is not within the listening area; and
an audio processor, coupled to the controller, operable to receive the adjustment signal from the controller and in response access the original optimal listening position stored in memory and adjust one or more audio parameters for one or more channels of the multi-channel audio system so as to produce an audio signal for each channel in the multi-channel audio system such that the original optimal listening position is repositioned to the current position of the listener.

8. The computer system of claim 7 , further comprising a plurality of speakers, wherein each speaker is coupled to the audio processor and each speaker is operable to receive a respective audio signal.

9. The computer system of claim 7 , further comprising an audio input device, coupled to the audio processor and operable to input a plurality of audio signals into the audio processor.

10. The computer system of claim 7 , wherein the sensor is a camera.

11. The computer system of claim 7 , further comprising a display coupled to the controller.

12. The computer system of claim 7 , wherein the audio processor and the controller comprise a single processor.

13. The computer system of claim 7 , wherein the audio processor and the controller comprise two or more processors.

14. A method for dynamic control of audio playback in a computer system having a multi-channel audio system based on a changeable position of a listener, the method comprising:
receiving initial set up data that comprises a definition of a listening area within a room;
determining, automatically, an original optimal listening position in the listening area for the multi-channel audio system, based on the definition of the listening area;
sensing data related to the changeable position of the listener as the listener moves about the room;
determining, using a sensor, that a current position of the listener is different from the original optimal listening position using the sensed data;
when the determined current position of the listener is in the listening room but different from the original optimal listening position, adjusting one or more audio parameters for one or more channels in the multi-channel audio sound system to reposition the optimal listening position to the current position of the listener in the listening room; and
determining, using the sensor, that the listener has moved out of the listening area and in response initiating an out of bound response.

15. The method of claim 14 , wherein receiving initial set up data comprises:
displaying, on a display coupled to the computer system, a graphical representation of the room, and
providing, by manipulation of the graphical representation of the room, the definition of the listening area.

16. The method of claim 15 , further comprising:
setting one or more playback controls that limit an adjustment for at least one audio parameter.

17. The method of claim 14 , further comprising determining whether dynamic control of audio playback is enabled.

18. The method of claim 14 , further comprising determining whether the listener has moved to a position within the listening area subsequent to the listener moving out of the listening area.

19. The computer system of claim 1 , wherein the out of bounds response comprises at least one of:
disabling the multi-channel audio system;
disabling the computer system; and
reducing a master volume level to a low level.

20. The computer system of claim 7 , wherein the input device comprises a switch that the listener can activate to enable or disable the dynamic audio playback.

21. The computer system of claim 7 , wherein the dimensions of the listening area are stored in memory.

22. The computer system of claim 21 , wherein the controller is further operable to:
access the dimensions of the listening area stored in the memory.

23. The computer system of claim 7 , wherein the out of bounds response comprises at least one of:
disabling the multi-channel audio system;
disabling the computer system; and
reducing a master volume level to a low level.

Assignees

• Apple Inc

Inventors

• Freeman Daniel B

Classifications

• H04S2400/01

  Multi-channel, i.e. more than two input channels, sound reproduction with two speakers wherein the multi-channel information is substantially preserved · CPC title

• H04S7/303 Primary

  Tracking of listener position or orientation · 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

• G06F3/167

  Audio in a user interface, e.g. using voice commands for navigating, audio feedback · CPC title