VIRTUAL ROOM FORM MAKER

• US 20150149943A1
• Filed: 01/30/2015
• Published: 05/28/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 11/09/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: NGUYEN, DJUNG, NGUYEN, ANDY, SUGIYAMA, NOBUKAZU, DUNN, TED, WINGO, LOBRENZO
• Granted Patent: US 10,241,667 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/769
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2218/22 Source localisation; Inverse modelling
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0486 Drag-and-drop
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 7/55 from multiple images
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 10/245 by locating a pattern; Special marks for positioning
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2225/55 Communication between hearing aids and external devices via a network for data exchange
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 5/02 Spatial or constructional arrangements of loudspeakers
• CPC Class Codes: H04S 7/301 Automatic calibration of stereophonic sound system, e.g. with test microphone
• CPC Class Codes: H04S 7/302 Electronic adaptation of stereophonic sound system to listener position or orientation H04S7/301 takes precedence

Abstract

A method consistent with certain implementation involves presenting a graphical user interface (GUI) to a user on a display, where the GUI presents a visual representation of a room that is adapted to be adjusted in size and shape by user manipulation of a controller; the GUI has a drop and drag menu adapted to selection of an object from a plurality of objects for placement at any selected position within the room; at least one of the objects comprising a loudspeaker; and where the GUI provides for input of data characterizing the loudspeaker. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

presenting a graphical user interface (GUI) on a display device, wherein the GUI presents a drag and drop menu and a visual representation of a room, wherein the drag and drop menu is adapted for selection of a plurality of selectable objects for placement at a plurality of selected positions within the visual representation of the room, and wherein the plurality of selectable objects comprises a plurality of loudspeakers;

receiving a plurality of characteristics for the plurality of loudspeakers placed at the plurality of selected positions within the visual representation of the room through the GUI; and

generating an acoustic model of the room based on the plurality of characteristics for the plurality of loudspeakers.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of selectable objects comprises a room furnishing.

3. The method according to claim 2, further comprising providing, by the GUI, a selection of a characteristic of the room furnishing.

4. The method according to claim 1, further comprising receiving, by a controller in the display device, a user input.

5. The method according to claim 1, further comprising constructing a speaker map representing a geometric placement of the plurality of loudspeakers placed within the room.

6. The method according to claim 1, further comprising adjusting size and shape of the visual representation of the room by a controller, wherein the controller comprises a television remote controller.

7. The method according to claim 1, further comprising generating psycho-acoustic transfer functions for each audio channel to compensate for characteristics of the visual representation of the room and sub-optimal placement of the plurality of loudspeakers.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of characteristics is determined from one or more visual indicators included in captured photographic images of the plurality of loudspeakers.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the captured photographic images of the plurality of loudspeakers are captured using a camera.

10. The method according to claim 9, further comprising determining, from the captured photographic images of the plurality of loudspeakers, a geometric configuration representing a positioning in a three-dimensional space of the plurality of loudspeakers, and at least one characteristic of the plurality of characteristics.

11. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium having stored thereon, instructions being executable by one or more programmed processors to perform steps comprising:

presenting a graphical user interface (GUI) on a display device, wherein the GUI presents a drag and drop menu and a visual representation of a room, wherein the drag and drop menu is adapted for selection of a plurality of selectable objects for placement at a plurality of selected positions within the visual representation of the room, and wherein the plurality of selectable objects comprises a plurality of loudspeakers;

receiving a plurality of characteristics for the plurality of loudspeakers placed at the plurality of selected positions within the visual representation of the room; and

generating an acoustic model of the room based on the plurality of characteristics for the plurality of loudspeakers.

12. An apparatus, comprising:

one or more processors operable to;

present a graphical user interface (GUI) on a display device, wherein the GUI presents a visual representation of a room that is adapted to be adjusted in size and shape by a controller, wherein the GUI comprises a drag and drop menu adapted for selection of a plurality of selectable objects, wherein the plurality of selectable objects are selected for placement at a plurality of selected positions within the visual representation of the room, wherein the plurality of selectable objects comprises a plurality of loudspeakers;

receive a plurality of characteristics for the plurality of loudspeakers placed at the plurality of selected positions within the visual representation of the room; and

generate an acoustic model of the room based on the plurality of characteristics for the plurality of loudspeakers.

13. The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein at least one of the plurality of selectable objects comprises a room furnishing.

14. The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the GUI provides for selection of a characteristic of the room furnishing.

15. The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the display device comprises a controller for receiving a user input.

16. The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the one or more processors are operable to construct a speaker map representing a geometric placement of the plurality of loudspeakers placed within the room, wherein the speaker map is stored in a memory.

17. The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the one or more processors are embedded within a multi-channel audio amplifier.