Multi-Modal Audio System With Automatic Usage Mode Detection and Configuration Capability

• US 20110222701A1
• Filed: 09/15/2010
• Published: 09/15/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 09/18/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Jawbone Innovations, LLC
• Original Assignee: AliphCom, Inc. (AliphCom Corp.)
• Inventors: Donaldson, Thomas A., Limpkin, William Zissou, Asseily, Alexander M.
• Granted Patent: US 8,842,848 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 381/74
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/1041 Mechanical or electronic switches, or control elements switches in general H01H
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/1083 Reduction of ambient noise active noise reduction per se G10K11/175; protective devices for the ear, e.g. providing acoustic protection A61F11/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/1091 Details not provided for in groups H04R1/1008 - H04R1/1083
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2201/107 Monophonic and stereophonic headphones with microphone for two-way hands free communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2410/07 Mechanical or electrical reduction of wind noise generated by wind passing a microphone
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2420/03 Connection circuits to selectively connect loudspeakers or headphones to amplifiers
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2420/07 Applications of wireless loudspeakers or wireless microphones
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 5/033 Headphones for stereophonic communication details thereof, e.g. relating to batteries, cables or control elements H04R1/10

Abstract

An audio system that may be used in multiple modes or use scenarios, while still providing a user with a desirable level of audio quality and comfort. The inventive system may include multiple components or elements, with the components or elements capable of being used in different configurations depending upon the mode of use. The different configurations provide an optimized user audio experience for multiple modes of use without requiring a user to carry multiple devices or sacrifice the audio quality or features desired for a particular situation. The inventive audio system includes a use mode detection element that enables the system to detect the mode of use, and in response, to be automatically configured for optimal performance for a specific use scenario. This may include, for example, the use of one or more audio processing elements that perform signal processing on the audio signals to implement a variety of desired functions (e.g., noise reduction, echo cancellation, etc.).

Claims

1. An audio system, comprising:

a first earpiece including a speaker;

a first configuration detection element configured to generate an output signal representative of whether the first earpiece is being used by a user;

a second earpiece including a speaker;

a second configuration detection element configured to generate an output signal representative of whether the second earpiece is being used by a user;

a system configuration determination element configured to receive the output signal generated by the first configuration detection element and the output signal generated by the second configuration detection element, and in response to generate an output signal representative of the configuration of the audio system being used by the user; and

an audio signal processing module configured to process the audio signals from an input source and provide an output to one or both of the first earpiece and the second earpiece, wherein the processing of the audio signals is determined by the configuration of the audio system being used by the user.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the first configuration detection element is a microphone.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the first and second configuration detection elements are microphones.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the first configuration detection element is an accelerometer.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the first and second configuration detection elements are accelerometers.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the first configuration detection element is a conductive element arranged on the first earpiece.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the first and second configuration detection elements are conductive elements arranged on the first and second earpieces.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the audio signal processing module is configured to process the audio signals from an input source by performing one or more of the operations of adjusting the gain of a system element, performing an equalization operation on the audio signals, performing an echo cancellation operation on the audio signals, or performing a noise removal operation on the audio signals.

9. The system of claim 1, further comprising the input source, wherein the input source is one or more of a microphone or a music player.

10. A method for operating an audio system, comprising:

determining a configuration of a first element of the audio system;

determining a configuration of a second element of the audio system;

determining a mode of use of the audio system based on the configuration of the first element and the configuration of the second element;

determining a parameter for the processing of an audio signal based on the mode of use of the audio system;

receiving an audio signal from an audio input source;

processing the received audio signal based on the parameter; and

providing the processed audio signal as an output to a user.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein determining the configuration of the first element further comprises receiving a signal indicative of the configuration from a first configuration detection element.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the first configuration detection element is one or more of a microphone, an accelerometer, or a conductive element arranged on the first element of the audio system.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein the audio input source is a microphone or a music player.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein determining a parameter for the processing of an audio signal based on the mode of use of the audio system further comprises determining a parameter for one or more of the gain of a system element, an equalization operation on the audio signal, an echo cancellation operation on the audio signal, or a noise removal operation on the audio signal.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein providing the processed audio signal as an output to the user further comprises providing the processed audio signal to a speaker.

16. The method of claim 10, wherein the first element of the audio system is an earpiece that includes a speaker.

17. The method of claim 10, wherein the first element of the audio system and the second element of the audio system are each an earpiece that includes a speaker.

18. The method of claim 11, wherein the signal indicative of the configuration is indicative of the first element of the audio system being either in use by a user or not in use by the user.

19. An apparatus for operating an audio system, comprising:

an electronic processor programmed to execute a set of instructions;

an electronic data storage element coupled to the processor and including the set of instructions, wherein when executed by the electronic processor, the set of instructions operate the audio system by

receiving a signal generated by a first configuration detection element;

determining a configuration of a first output device of the audio system based on the signal received from the first configuration detection element;

receiving a signal generated by a second configuration detection element;

determining a configuration of a second output device of the audio system based on the signal received from the second configuration detection element;

determining a mode of use of the audio system based on the configuration of the first output device and the configuration of the second output device;

determining a parameter for the processing of an audio signal based on the mode of use of the audio system;

receiving an audio signal from an audio input source;

processing the received audio signal based on the parameter; and

providing the processed audio signal as an output to a user.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the first and second configuration detection elements are each one or more of a microphone, an accelerometer, or a conductive element arranged on the output devices of the audio system.