Distinguishing real-world sounds from audio user interface sounds
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 user being able also to hear real-world sounds from the environment;
- the method including the step of selectively applying, under user control, a distinctive presentation effect to the item-related sounds emanating from a group of at least one synthesised sound source whereby to assist the user in distinguishing these sounds from said real-world sounds.
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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. The nature of the audio output devices used to render the synthesized sounds is such that the user is also able to hear real-world sounds from the environment. Under user control, a distinctive presentation effect is selectively applied to the item-related sounds emanating from a group of at least one synthesized sound source whereby to assist the user in distinguishing these sounds from the real-world sounds.
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Citations
29 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 user being able also to hear real-world sounds from the environment;
- the method including the step of selectively applying, under user control, a distinctive presentation effect to the item-related sounds emanating from a group of at least one synthesised sound source whereby to assist the user in distinguishing these sounds from said real-world sounds.
- View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. 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 user being able also to hear real-world sounds from the environment;
- the method involving applying a distinctive presentation effect to the item-related sounds emanating from a group of at least one synthesised sound source whereby to assist the user in distinguishing these sounds from said real-world sounds;
the said distinctive presentation being an underlying stabilisation to which the group of sound sources is only periodically updated. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
- the method involving applying a distinctive presentation effect to the item-related sounds emanating from a group of at least one synthesised sound source whereby to assist the user in distinguishing these sounds from said real-world sounds;
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12. 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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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;
rendering means, including audio output devices, for generating an audio field in which said sound sources are synthesized at their associated rendering positions, the audio output devices being such as to permit the user also to hear real-world sounds from the environment; and
distinctive-presentation means for selectively applying, under user control, a distinctive presentation effect to the item-related sounds emanating from a group of at least one synthesised sound source whereby to assist the user in distinguishing these sounds from said real-world sounds.
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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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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;
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, the audio output devices being such as to permit the user also to hear real-world sounds from the environment; and
a distinctive-presentation arrangement operative to selectively apply, under user control, a distinctive presentation effect to the item-related sounds emanating from a group of at least one synthesised sound source whereby to assist the user in distinguishing these sounds from said real-world sounds. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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Specification