Audio/sound information system and method

• US 20120121103A1
• Filed: 11/12/2010
• Published: 05/17/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 11/12/2010
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Searete LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: Searete LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Inventors: Cohen, Alexander J., Deane, Geoffrey F., Gerrity, Daniel A., Johanson, 3ric, Jung, Edward K. Y., Levien, Royce A., Lord, Robert W., Malamud, Mark A., Mangione-Smith, William Henry, Pegram, Nathan, Rinaldo, John D. Jr., Rutschman, Phillip, Tegreene, Clarence T., Warden, Debra M., Wood, Lowell L. Jr.
• Application Number:
  US12/927,419
• Publication Number:
  US 20120121103A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 381/77
• 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 2499/13 Acoustic transducers and sound field adaptation in vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2499/15 Transducers incorporated in visual displaying devices, e.g. televisions, computer displays, laptops
• CPC Class Codes: H04S 2400/13 Aspects of volume control, not necessarily automatic, in stereophonic sound systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04S 7/30 Control circuits for electronic adaptation of the sound field

Abstract

Certain aspects relate to providing an at least one audio source to at least one user. Certain aspects relate to selectively modifying an at least one first sound source to be provided to the at least one user, wherein the at least one first sound source is combined with an at least one second sound source, and wherein the selectively modifying is performed relative to the at least one audio source based at least in part on at least some specific information of the at least one first sound source. Other aspects relate to selectively modifying the at least one first sound source to be provided to the at least one user relative to the at least one second sound source based at least in part on at least some specific information of the at least one first sound source.

Claims

1-693. -693. (canceled)

694. A method comprising:

receiving one or more audio signals having been generated by one or more electronic devices;

receiving detection, via at least in part one or more computing devices, of a first event regarding a first sound involving one or more characteristics in a first manner and as being associated with the one or more audio signals; and

generating, via at least in part one or more computing devices, a first generated audio signal to alter hearing of the first sound by a listener based at least in part on receiving the detection of a first event regarding a first sound involving one or more characteristics in a first manner and as being associated with the one or more audio signals.

695-1730. -1730. (canceled)

1731. A system comprising:

circuitry for receiving one or more audio signals having been generated by one or more electronic devices;

circuitry for receiving detection, via at least in part one or more computing devices, of a first event regarding a first sound involving one or more characteristics in a first manner and as being associated with the one or more audio signals; and

circuitry for generating, via at least in part one or more computing devices, a first generated audio signal to alter hearing of the first sound by a listener based at least in part on receiving the detection of a first event regarding a first sound involving one or more characteristics in a first manner and as being associated with the one or more audio signals.

1732. The system of claim 1731 wherein circuitry for receiving one or more audio signals having been generated by one or more electronic devices comprises:

circuitry for receiving the one or more audio signals from one or more Blue Tooth devices coupled to one or more second electronic devices.

1733. The system of claim 1731 wherein circuitry for receiving one or more audio signals having been generated by one or more electronic devices comprises:

circuitry for receiving the one or more audio signals from one or more remote devices coupled to one or more second electronic devices.

1734. The system of claim 1731 wherein circuitry for receiving one or more audio signals having been generated by one or more electronic devices comprises:

circuitry for receiving the one or more audio signals from one or more electronic devices coupled to one or more microphones.

1735. The system of claim 1731 wherein circuitry for receiving one or more audio signals having been generated by one or more electronic devices comprises:

circuitry for receiving the one or more audio signals from one or more electronic devices coupled to one or more headsets.

1736. The system of claim 1731 wherein circuitry for receiving one or more audio signals having been generated by one or more electronic devices comprises:

circuitry for receiving the one or more audio signals from one or more computers.

1737. The system of claim 1731 wherein circuitry for receiving one or more audio signals having been generated by one or more electronic devices comprises:

circuitry for receiving the one or more audio signals from one or more television sets.

1738. The system of claim 1731 wherein circuitry for receiving one or more audio signals having been generated by one or more electronic devices comprises:

circuitry for receiving the one or more audio signals from one or more radio receivers.

1739. The system of claim 1731 wherein circuitry for receiving one or more audio signals having been generated by one or more electronic devices comprises:

circuitry for receiving the one or more audio signals from one or more compact disc players.

1740. The system of claim 1731 wherein circuitry for receiving one or more audio signals having been generated by one or more electronic devices comprises:

circuitry for receiving the one or more audio signals from one or more video players.

1741. The system of claim 1731 wherein circuitry for receiving one or more audio signals having been generated by one or more electronic devices comprises:

circuitry for receiving the one or more audio signals from one or more personal data assistants.

1742. The system of claim 1731 wherein circuitry for receiving one or more audio signals having been generated by one or more electronic devices comprises:

circuitry for receiving the one or more audio signals from one or more iPod-devices.

1743. The system of claim 1731 wherein circuitry for receiving detection, via at least in part one or more computing devices, of a first event regarding a first sound involving one or more characteristics in a first manner and as being associated with the one or more audio signals comprises:

circuitry for receiving the first sound having one or more portions thereof being generated from the one or more audio signals.

1744. The system of claim 1731 wherein circuitry for receiving detection, via at least in part one or more computing devices, of a first event regarding a first sound involving one or more characteristics in a first manner and as being associated with the one or more audio signals comprises:

circuitry for receiving the first sound having been generated by the one or more electronic devices that generated the one or more audio signals.

1745. The system of claim 1731 wherein circuitry for receiving detection, via at least in part one or more computing devices, of a first event regarding a first sound involving one or more characteristics in a first manner and as being associated with the one or more audio signals comprises:

circuitry for receiving the first sound from an ambient environment.

1746. The system of claim 1731 wherein circuitry for receiving detection, via at least in part one or more computing devices, of a first event regarding a first sound involving one or more characteristics in a first manner and as being associated with the one or more audio signals comprises:

circuitry for receiving the first sound as a monitored sound.

1747. The system of claim 1731 wherein circuitry for receiving detection, via at least in part one or more computing devices, of a first event regarding a first sound involving one or more characteristics in a first manner and as being associated with the one or more audio signals comprises:

circuitry for receiving the first sound from a coupled audio device.

1748. The system of claim 1731 wherein circuitry for receiving detection, via at least in part one or more computing devices, of a first event regarding a first sound involving one or more characteristics in a first manner and as being associated with the one or more audio signals comprises:

circuitry for receiving the first sound from one or more speakers.

1749. The system of claim 1731 wherein circuitry for receiving detection, via at least in part one or more computing devices, of a first event regarding a first sound involving one or more characteristics in a first manner and as being associated with the one or more audio signals comprises:

circuitry for receiving the first sound with one or more microphones.

1750. The system of claim 1731 wherein circuitry for receiving detection, via at least in part one or more computing devices, of a first event regarding a first sound involving one or more characteristics in a first manner and as being associated with the one or more audio signals comprises:

circuitry for receiving the first sound with one or more electronic connections.

1751. The system of claim 1731 wherein circuitry for receiving detection, via at least in part one or more computing devices, of a first event regarding a first sound involving one or more characteristics in a first manner and as being associated with the one or more audio signals comprises:

circuitry for receiving the first sound from one or more speakers.

1752. The system of claim 1731 wherein circuitry for receiving detection, via at least in part one or more computing devices, of a first event regarding a first sound involving one or more characteristics in a first manner and as being associated with the one or more audio signals comprises:

circuitry for receiving detection of the first event regarding the first sound as an absence of the one or more characteristics in the first sound.

1753. The system of claim 1731 wherein circuitry for receiving detection, via at least in part one or more computing devices, of a first event regarding a first sound involving one or more characteristics in a first manner and as being associated with the one or more audio signals comprises:

circuitry for receiving detection of the first event regarding the first sound as a change of the one or more characteristics in the first sound.

1754. The system of claim 1731 wherein circuitry for receiving detection, via at least in part one or more computing devices, of a first event regarding a first sound involving one or more characteristics in a first manner and as being associated with the one or more audio signals comprises:

circuitry for receiving detection of the first event regarding the first sound as an appearance of the one or more characteristics in the first sound.

1755. The system of claim 1731 wherein circuitry for receiving detection, via at least in part one or more computing devices, of a first event regarding a first sound involving one or more characteristics in a first manner and as being associated with the one or more audio signals comprises:

circuitry for receiving detection of the first event regarding the first sound involving the one or more characteristics as including one or more repetitive sounds.

1756. The system of claim 1731 wherein circuitry for receiving detection, via at least in part one or more computing devices, of a first event regarding a first sound involving one or more characteristics in a first manner and as being associated with the one or more audio signals comprises:

circuitry for receiving detection of the first event regarding the first sound involving the one or more characteristics as including one or more sounds from one or more machines.

1757. The system of claim 1731 wherein circuitry for receiving detection, via at least in part one or more computing devices, of a first event regarding a first sound involving one or more characteristics in a first manner and as being associated with the one or more audio signals comprises:

circuitry for receiving detection of the first event regarding the first sound involving the one or more characteristics as including speech from a human.

1758. The system of claim 1731 wherein circuitry for receiving detection, via at least in part one or more computing devices, of a first event regarding a first sound involving one or more characteristics in a first manner and as being associated with the one or more audio signals comprises:

circuitry for receiving detection of the first event regarding the first sound involving the one or more characteristics as including sound from a living creature.

1759. The system of claim 1731 wherein circuitry for receiving detection, via at least in part one or more computing devices, of a first event regarding a first sound involving one or more characteristics in a first manner and as being associated with the one or more audio signals comprises:

circuitry for receiving detection of the first event regarding the first sound involving the one or more characteristics as including sound of an engine abnormality.

1760. The system of claim 1731 wherein circuitry for receiving detection, via at least in part one or more computing devices, of a first event regarding a first sound involving one or more characteristics in a first manner and as being associated with the one or more audio signals comprises:

circuitry for receiving detection of the first event regarding the first sound involving the one or more characteristics as including sound of an emergency warning.

1761. The system of claim 1731 wherein circuitry for receiving detection, via at least in part one or more computing devices, of a first event regarding a first sound involving one or more characteristics in a first manner and as being associated with the one or more audio signals comprises:

circuitry for receiving detection of the first event regarding the first sound involving the one or more characteristics as including sound of a weather update.

1762. The system of claim 1731 wherein circuitry for receiving detection, via at least in part one or more computing devices, of a first event regarding a first sound involving one or more characteristics in a first manner and as being associated with the one or more audio signals comprises:

circuitry for receiving, through an electronic signal, detection of the first event regarding the first sound involving one or more characteristics.

1763. The system of claim 1731 wherein circuitry for receiving detection, via at least in part one or more computing devices, of a first event regarding a first sound involving one or more characteristics in a first manner and as being associated with the one or more audio signals comprises:

circuitry for receiving, through one or more microphones, detection of the first event regarding the first sound involving one or more characteristics.

1764. The system of claim 1731 wherein circuitry for receiving detection, via at least in part one or more computing devices, of a first event regarding a first sound involving one or more characteristics in a first manner and as being associated with the one or more audio signals comprises:

circuitry for receiving, through an audio signal from an audio device, detection of the first event regarding the first sound involving one or more characteristics.

1765. The system of claim 1731 wherein circuitry for receiving detection, via at least in part one or more computing devices, of a first event regarding a first sound involving one or more characteristics in a first manner and as being associated with the one or more audio signals comprises:

circuitry for receiving, through a traffic control signal from an emergency vehicle, detection of the first event regarding the first sound involving one or more characteristics.

1766. The system of claim 1731 wherein circuitry for receiving detection, via at least in part one or more computing devices, of a first event regarding a first sound involving one or more characteristics in a first manner and as being associated with the one or more audio signals comprises:

circuitry for receiving, through performance of a table lookup to compare one or more portions of the first sound with one or more characteristics of sound in a database, detection of the first event regarding the first sound involving one or more characteristics.

1767. The system of claim 1731 wherein circuitry for receiving detection, via at least in part one or more computing devices, of a first event regarding a first sound involving one or more characteristics in a first manner and as being associated with the one or more audio signals comprises:

circuitry for receiving, through performance of a spectral analysis of the first sound, detection of the first event regarding the first sound involving one or more characteristics.

1768. The system of claim 1731 wherein circuitry for receiving detection, via at least in part one or more computing devices, of a first event regarding a first sound involving one or more characteristics in a first manner and as being associated with the one or more audio signals comprises:

circuitry for receiving, through an historical log associated with the first sound, detection of the first event regarding the first sound involving one or more characteristics.

1769. The system of claim 1731 wherein circuitry for receiving detection, via at least in part one or more computing devices, of a first event regarding a first sound involving one or more characteristics in a first manner and as being associated with the one or more audio signals comprises:

circuitry for receiving, through information from an accelerometer, a barometer, a motion detector or a combination thereof, detection of the first event regarding the first sound involving one or more characteristics.

1770. The system of claim 1731 wherein circuitry for receiving detection, via at least in part one or more computing devices, of a first event regarding a first sound involving one or more characteristics in a first manner and as being associated with the one or more audio signals comprises:

circuitry for receiving detection via the one or more computing devices including one or more processors, one or more central processing units, one or more digital signal processors, one or more application specific integrated circuits, one or more field programmable gate arrays, one or more controllers, one or more microprocessors, or a combination thereof.

1771. The system of claim 1731 wherein circuitry for generating, via at least in part one or more computing devices, a first generated audio signal to alter hearing of the first sound by a listener based at least in part on receiving the detection of a first event regarding a first sound involving one or more characteristics in a first manner and as being associated with the one or more audio signals comprises:

circuitry for generating the first generated audio signal to alter hearing of the first sound by a listener based at least in part on the one or more audio signals containing identification information for one or more portions of the first sound.

1772. The system of claim 1731 wherein circuitry for generating, via at least in part one or more computing devices, a first generated audio signal to alter hearing of the first sound by a listener based at least in part on receiving the detection of a first event regarding a first sound involving one or more characteristics in a first manner and as being associated with the one or more audio signals comprises:

circuitry for generating the first generated audio signal to alter hearing of the first sound by a listener based at least in part on the one or more audio signals containing waveforms of one or more portions of the first sound.

1773. The system of claim 1731 wherein circuitry for generating, via at least in part one or more computing devices, a first generated audio signal to alter hearing of the first sound by a listener based at least in part on receiving the detection of a first event regarding a first sound involving one or more characteristics in a first manner and as being associated with the one or more audio signals comprises:

circuitry for generating the first generated audio signal to be received to mute the first sound heard by the listener.

1774. The system of claim 1731 wherein circuitry for generating, via at least in part one or more computing devices, a first generated audio signal to alter hearing of the first sound by a listener based at least in part on receiving the detection of a first event regarding a first sound involving one or more characteristics in a first manner and as being associated with the one or more audio signals comprises:

circuitry for generating the first generated audio signal to be received to emit sound opposite in form to the first sound from speakers positioned to cancel amplitude of the first sound heard by the listener.

1775. The system of claim 1731 wherein circuitry for generating, via at least in part one or more computing devices, a first generated audio signal to alter hearing of the first sound by a listener based at least in part on receiving the detection of a first event regarding a first sound involving one or more characteristics in a first manner and as being associated with the one or more audio signals comprises:

circuitry for generating the first generated audio signal to be received to emit sound from speakers positioned to attenuate amplitude of the first sound heard by the listener.

1776. The system of claim 1731 wherein circuitry for generating, via at least in part one or more computing devices, a first generated audio signal to alter hearing of the first sound by a listener based at least in part on receiving the detection of a first event regarding a first sound involving one or more characteristics in a first manner and as being associated with the one or more audio signals comprises:

circuitry for generating the first generated audio signal to be received by a cell phone.

1777. The system of claim 1731 wherein circuitry for generating, via at least in part one or more computing devices, a first generated audio signal to alter hearing of the first sound by a listener based at least in part on receiving the detection of a first event regarding a first sound involving one or more characteristics in a first manner and as being associated with the one or more audio signals comprises:

circuitry for generating the first generated audio signal to be received by an amplifier system.

1778. The system of claim 1731 wherein circuitry for generating, via at least in part one or more computing devices, a first generated audio signal to alter hearing of the first sound by a listener based at least in part on receiving the detection of a first event regarding a first sound involving one or more characteristics in a first manner and as being associated with the one or more audio signals comprises:

circuitry for generating the first generated audio signal to be received by a two-way radio.

1779. The system of claim 1731 wherein circuitry for generating, via at least in part one or more computing devices, a first generated audio signal to alter hearing of the first sound by a listener based at least in part on receiving the detection of a first event regarding a first sound involving one or more characteristics in a first manner and as being associated with the one or more audio signals comprises:

circuitry for generating the first generated audio signal to be received by a computer.

1780. The system of claim 1731 wherein circuitry for generating, via at least in part one or more computing devices, a first generated audio signal to alter hearing of the first sound by a listener based at least in part on receiving the detection of a first event regarding a first sound involving one or more characteristics in a first manner and as being associated with the one or more audio signals comprises:

circuitry for generating the first generated audio signal to control speakers.

1781. The system of claim 1731 wherein circuitry for generating, via at least in part one or more computing devices, a first generated audio signal to alter hearing of the first sound by a listener based at least in part on receiving the detection of a first event regarding a first sound involving one or more characteristics in a first manner and as being associated with the one or more audio signals comprises:

circuitry for generating the first generated audio signal to modify an audio signal generated from reception of the first sound.

1782. The system of claim 1731 wherein circuitry for generating, via at least in part one or more computing devices, a first generated audio signal to alter hearing of the first sound by a listener based at least in part on receiving the detection of a first event regarding a first sound involving one or more characteristics in a first manner and as being associated with the one or more audio signals comprises:

circuitry for generating the first generated audio signal through in part a table lookup of a database.

1783. The system of claim 1731 wherein circuitry for generating, via at least in part one or more computing devices, a first generated audio signal to alter hearing of the first sound by a listener based at least in part on receiving the detection of a first event regarding a first sound involving one or more characteristics in a first manner and as being associated with the one or more audio signals comprises:

circuitry for generating the first generated audio signal through in part a spectral analysis of the first sound.

1784. The system of claim 1731 wherein circuitry for generating, via at least in part one or more computing devices, a first generated audio signal to alter hearing of the first sound by a listener based at least in part on receiving the detection of a first event regarding a first sound involving one or more characteristics in a first manner and as being associated with the one or more audio signals comprises:

circuitry for generating the first generated audio signal through in part a recognition of the first sound.

1785. The system of claim 1731 wherein circuitry for generating, via at least in part one or more computing devices, a first generated audio signal to alter hearing of the first sound by a listener based at least in part on receiving the detection of a first event regarding a first sound involving one or more characteristics in a first manner and as being associated with the one or more audio signals comprises:

circuitry for generating via the one or more computing devices including one or more processors, one or more central processing units, one or more digital signal processors, one or more application specific integrated circuits, one or more field programmable gate arrays, one or more controllers, one or more microprocessors, or a combination thereof.

1786-2767. -2767. (canceled)

2768. A system comprising:

one or more receiving modules configured for receiving one or more audio signals having been generated by one or more electronic devices;

one or more receiving modules configured for one or more receiving modules configured for receiving detection, via at least in part one or more computing devices, of a first event regarding a first sound involving one or more characteristics in a first manner and as being associated with the one or more audio signals; and

one or more generating modules configured for one or more generating modules configured for generating, via at least in part one or more computing devices, a first generated audio signal to alter hearing of the first sound by a listener based at least in part on receiving the detection of a first event regarding a first sound involving one or more characteristics in a first manner and as being associated with the one or more audio signals.

2769-3133. -3133. (canceled)