Audio user interface with mutable synthesised sound sources
First Claim
1. An audio user-interfacing method in which items are represented in an audio field by corresponding synthesized sound sources from where sounds related to the items appear to emanate, the method comprising the steps of:
- (a) specifying a division of the audio field into multiple segments; and
(b) in response to a predetermined user input indicative of at least one said segments, selectively changing the audibility of the synthesised sound sources in said at least one segment.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An audio user interface is provided in which items are represented in an audio field by corresponding synthesized sound sources from where sounds related to the items appear to emanate. A division of the audio field into segments is specified. In response to predetermined user input indicating at least one of these segments, the audibility of the synthesised sound sources in the segment concerned is changed, for example, to mute or un-mute the sound sources. The segmentation of the audio field can be set relative to the user'"'"'s facing direction, to a presentation reference determined by the configuration of audio output devices used to produce the synthesised sound sources, or to any other convenient reference. This selective segment muting facilitates exploration of the audio field by the user.
35 Citations
44 Claims
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1. An audio user-interfacing method in which items are represented in an audio field by corresponding synthesized sound sources from where sounds related to the items appear to emanate, the method comprising the steps of:
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(a) specifying a division of the audio field into multiple segments; and
(b) in response to a predetermined user input indicative of at least one said segments, selectively changing the audibility of the synthesised sound sources in said at least one segment. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. Apparatus for providing an audio user interface in which items are represented in an audio field by corresponding synthesized sound sources from where sounds related to the items appear to emanate, the apparatus comprising:
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storage means for storing segmentation data specifying a division of the audio field into multiple segments;
input means for receiving a predetermined user input indicative of at least one said segments for which the audibility of the sound sources encompassed thereby is to be changed;
rendering-position determining means for determining, for each said sound source, an associated rendering position at which the sound source is to be synthesized to sound in the audio field;
audibility-determining means for determining the audibility of each sound source based on its rendering position, the segmentation data, and said user input; and
rendering means, including audio output devices, for generating an audio field in which said sound sources are synthesized at their associated rendering positions and with audibility as determined by said audibility determining means. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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33. Apparatus for providing an audio user interface in which items are represented in an audio field by corresponding synthesized sound sources from where sounds related to the items appear to emanate, the apparatus comprising:
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a data store arranged to store segmentation data specifying a division of the audio field into multiple segments;
an input arrangement operative to receive a predetermined user input indicative of at least one said segments for which the audibility of the sound sources encompassed thereby is to be changed;
a rendering-position determining arrangement operative to determine, for each said sound source, an associated rendering position at which the sound source is to be synthesized to sound in the audio field;
an audibility-determining arrangement operative to determine the audibility of each sound source based on its rendering position, the segmentation data, and said user input; and
a rendering subsystem, including audio output devices, arranged to generate an audio field in which said sound sources are synthesized at their associated rendering positions and with audibility as determined by said audibility determining arrangement. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44)
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Specification