Method to dynamically change the directional speakers audio beam and level based on the end user activity

• US 10,271,132 B2
• Filed: 11/28/2016
• Issued: 04/23/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 11/28/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Motorola Solutions, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Motorola Solutions, Inc.
• Inventors: Barmoav, Felix, Cohen, Uzi, Kahlon, Haim, Sasson, Dori, Shmoukler, Alexander
• Primary Examiner(s): Kim, Paul
• Application Number:
  US15/361,576
• Publication Number:
  US 20180152783A1
• Time in Patent Office: 876 Days
• Field of Search: 381 57
• CPC Class Codes: H03G 3/3005 in amplifiers suitable for low-frequencies, e.g. audio amplifiers H03G3/32, H03G3/34 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H03G 3/32 the control being dependent upon ambient noise level or sound level
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/1041 Mechanical or electronic switches, or control elements switches in general H01H
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/323 for loudspeakers H04R1/34 and H04R1/40 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2430/01 Aspects of volume control, not necessarily automatic, in sound systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 5/02 Spatial or constructional arrangements of loudspeakers
• CPC Class Codes: H04S 7/303 Tracking of listener position or orientation

Abstract

A method and personal stereo speaker system is provided for providing audio to a user. Speakers provide audio to the ears of a user. The speakers are preferably mounted on the shoulders of the user. The audio emanating from the speakers has a beam angle and an audio level. When the system detects that the head of the user has moved, either side-to-side, up and down, or rotationally, or that the user has commended moving, a controller changes at least one of the beam angle and the audio level in response to the movement. This improves the quality of the sound heard by the user and also keeps the privacy of the audio optimized.

Claims

1. A method for providing audio to a user comprising:

providing audio from a speaker worn by a user and directed toward an ear of the user, the audio comprising a beam angle and an audio level;

determining by microphone sensors coupled to the speaker an ambient noise level near the user; and

changing by a controller coupled to the micro hone sensors at least one of the beam angle and the audio level in response to determining the ambient noise level near the user.

2. The method of claim 1, the method further comprising the step of detecting that the head of the user has moved.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the step of detecting that the head of the user has moved comprises detecting that the user has transitioned from a static position to a moving position.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the step of detecting that the head of the user has moved comprises detecting that the user has transitioned from a moving position to a static position.