Sound enhancement for audio devices based on user-specific audio processing parameters

• US 20080025538A1
• Filed: 07/31/2006
• Published: 01/31/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 07/31/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Avago Technologies International Sales Pte Limited (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Broadcom Corporation (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Inventors: Zad-Issa, Mohammad Reza
• Granted Patent: US 7,680,465 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 381/315
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2225/41 Detection or adaptation of hearing aid parameters or programs to listening situation, e.g. pub, forest
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/43 Electronic input selection or mixing based on input signal analysis, e.g. mixing or selection between microphone and telecoil or between microphones with different directivity characteristics H04R25/407 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 25/70 Adaptation of deaf aid to hearing loss, e.g. initial electronic fitting

Abstract

Various embodiments are disclosed relating to sound enhancement for wireless audio devices. A technique may include determining one or more user-specific audio processing parameters, receiving an RF signal from a first wireless device, demodulating the received RF signal to obtain an audio signal, processing the audio signal based on the one or more user-specific audio processing parameters to generate a user-specific audio signal. The user-specific audio processing parameters may be based on user preferences, or may, for example be based on a user auditory profile or other information to allow a received audio signal to be processed to at least partially compensate for a user'"'"'s specific hearing impairment.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

determining one or more user-specific audio processing parameters;

receiving an RF signal from a first wireless device;

demodulating the received RF signal to obtain an audio signal;

processing the audio signal based on the determined user-specific audio processing parameters to generate a user-specific audio signal; and

providing the user-specific audio signal to the user.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the determining comprises determining an auditory profile for a user, and/or identifying signal processing to be performed on audio signals relating to a hearing preference of the user and/or to at least partially compensate for a hearing impairment of the user.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the determining comprises determining one or more user-specific coefficients for use by a digital signal processor to process audio signals.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the determining comprises:

determining an auditory profile for a user, the auditory profile including values relating to hearing or a hearing impairment for a user;

determining one or more user-specific audio processing parameters based on the auditory profile for the user, the user-specific audio processing parameters relating to signal processing to be performed on audio signals relating to a hearing preference of the user and/or to at least partially compensate for a hearing impairment of the user.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the determining comprises receiving a selection via an input device of the one or more audio processing parameters.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the receiving an RF signal comprises at least one of:

receiving an RF signal via wireless link from a cellular base station;

receiving a RF signal at a cellular phone or WLAN phone from a base station or access point;

receiving an RF signal via a wireless link from a WLAN device;

receiving an RF signal via a wireless link from an access point; and

receiving an RF signal via a Bluetooth wireless link;

receiving an RF signal at a wireless audio headset via a Bluetooth wireless link from the first device.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the processing the audio signal comprises at least one of:

adjusting a gain in one or more frequency bands;

background noise reduction;

loudness recruitment compensation;

transition enhancements;

frequency shifting;

or

duration modifications or time warping.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the providing comprises outputting the user-specific audio signal to the user via an output device or speaker.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the providing comprises:

modulating the user-specific audio signal; and

transmitting the modulated user-specific audio signal as an RF signal to a second wireless device for output to the user.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein the providing comprises:

modulating the user-specific audio signal;

transmitting the modulated user-specific audio signal as an RF signal to a second wireless device for output to the user;

the second wireless device;

demodulating the modulated user-specific audio signal; and

outputting the user-specific audio signal to the user via an output device or speaker.

11. An apparatus comprising:

a wireless interface adapted to receive and demodulate a received RF signal to obtain an audio signal;

a memory adapted to store one or more user-specific audio processing parameters;

an audio processing circuit adapted to process the audio signal based on the one or more user-specific audio processing parameters to generate a user-specific audio signal, the apparatus adapted to provide the user-specific audio signal to the user.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the one or more user-specific audio processing parameters comprises an auditory profile of a user or information relating to an auditory profile of a user.

13. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the one or more user-specific audio processing parameters comprises coefficients or other parameters relating to signal processing to be performed by the audio processing circuit on audio signals relating to a hearing preference of the user and/or to at least partially compensate for a hearing impairment of the user.

14. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the apparatus comprises at least one of:

a cell phone or PDA;

a WLAN device;

a computer;

an audio player;

an MP3 player;

an audio headset;

a Bluetooth audio headset or Bluetooth audio output device;

or

a multimedia output device.

15. The apparatus of claim 11 and further comprising an audio output device or speaker adapted to output the user-specific audio signal.

16. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the wireless interface is adapted to receive, via first wireless link, and demodulate a RF signal to obtain an audio signal, the wireless interface further adapted to modulate and transmit the user-specific audio signal via a second wireless link to a second wireless device.

17. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the audio processing circuit comprises at least one of:

hardware and/or software;

or

a digital signal processor adapted to modify one or more coefficients based on the user auditory profile.

18. A wireless audio headset or output device comprising:

a wireless interface adapted to receive and demodulate a received RF signal to obtain an audio signal;

a memory adapted to store one or more user-specific audio processing parameters;

an audio processing circuit adapted to process the audio signal based on the one or more user-specific audio processing parameters to generate a user-specific audio signal; and

one or more speakers or other output devices adapted to output the user-specific audio signal.

19. The wireless audio device of claim 18 and further comprising an input device adapted to allow a user to input or select the one or more user-specific audio processing parameter.

20. The wireless audio device of claim 18 wherein the apparatus comprises a wireless Bluetooth compatible audio headset.