Audio response based on user worn microphones to direct or adapt program responses system and method

• US 10,582,328 B2
• Filed: 07/05/2017
• Issued: 03/03/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 07/06/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bragi GmbH
• Original Assignee: Bragi GmbH
• Inventors: Milevski, Veniamin, Boesen, Peter Vincent
• Primary Examiner(s): Elbin, Jesse A
• Application Number:
  US15/641,887
• Publication Number:
  US 20180014140A1
• Time in Patent Office: 972 Days
• Field of Search: 700 94, 381 17, 381310, 345633
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 20/10527 Audio or video recording; Data buffering arrangements G11B20/12 - G11B20/18 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/1016 Earpieces of the intra-aural type
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/1091 Details not provided for in groups H04R1/1008 - H04R1/1083
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2420/07 Applications of wireless loudspeakers or wireless microphones
• CPC Class Codes: H04S 2420/11 Application of ambisonics in stereophonic audio systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04S 7/304 For headphones

Abstract

A system, method, and wireless earpieces for communicating with a virtual reality headset. A position and an orientation of a head of a user are detected utilizing at least wireless earpieces. Audio content is received. The audio content is enhanced utilizing the position and the orientation of the head of the user. The audio content is immediately delivered to the user. The method may further include communicating the position and the orientation of the head of the user to the virtual reality headset. The audio content may be based on the orientation and position of the head of the user.

Claims

1. A method for communicating with a virtual reality system, comprising:

determining a position and an orientation of a head of a user utilizing one or more inertial sensors of a first wireless earpiece and one or more inertial sensors of a second wireless earpiece, each of the first wireless earpiece and the second wireless earpiece are configured to be inserted into an ears of the user, wherein the first wireless earpiece and the second wireless earpiece are configured to wirelessly communicate with one another and at least one of the first wireless earpiece and the second wireless earpiece are configured to process inertial data from the inertial sensors of the first wireless earpiece and the second wireless earpiece to determine the position and or direction of the head of the user;

communicating the position and the orientation of the head of the user to the virtual reality system;

receiving audio content from the virtual reality headset;

receiving voice input from a plurality of microphones of the first wireless earpiece and or the second wireless earpiece, wherein the plurality of microphones includes at least one bone conduction microphone;

communicating the voice input from the first wireless earpiece and or the second wireless earpiece to the virtual reality system;

enhancing the audio content utilizing the position and the orientation of the head of the user;

generating a response to the voice input by the virtual reality system using the voice input and the position and the orientation of the head of the user, the response comprising the audio content; and

delivering the audio content to the user through one or more speakers of the at least one wireless earpiece.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

linking wireless earpieces with the virtual reality headset; and

synchronizing playback of audio content with visual content displayed by the virtual reality headset utilizing the position and orientation of the head of the user.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

communicating the audio content through a virtual reality system including at least the virtual reality headset.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising sensing audio with microphones of the at least one wireless earpiece and communicating the audio and the position and the orientation of the head of the user from the at least one wireless earpiece to the virtual reality headset.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

communicating the position and the orientation of the head of the user to the virtual reality headset.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the audio content is based on the orientation and position of the head of the user.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the response is generated in accordance with an activity of the user if the position and the orientation of the head of the user is indicative of the activity.