SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DYNAMIC CONTROL OF AUDIO PLAYBACK BASED ON THE POSITION OF A LISTENER

• US 20160353223A1
• Filed: 05/26/2016
• Published: 12/01/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 12/05/2006
• Status: Active Application

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Freeman, Daniel B.
• Granted Patent: US 10,264,385 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/167 Audio in a user interface, e.g. using voice commands for navigating, audio feedback
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 5/04 Circuit arrangements, e.g. for selective connection of amplifier inputs/outputs to loudspeakers, for loudspeaker detection, or for adaptation of settings to personal preferences or hearing impairments combinations of amplifiers H03F3/68; stereophonic systems H04S
• CPC Class Codes: H04S 2400/01 Multi-channel, i.e. more than two input channels, sound reproduction with two speakers wherein the multi-channel information is substantially preserved
• CPC Class Codes: H04S 7/303 Tracking of listener position or orientation

Abstract

An optimal listening position for the multi-channel audio sound system is determined. A listening area and other audio playback controls may also be defined or modified by a listener. During subsequent audio playback, an imager captures images of at least a portion of the listener. When the listener has moved to a position that is different from a previous position, one or more audio parameters are adjusted for at least one channel in the multi-channel audio system in order to reposition the initial or previous optimal listening position to the current position of the listener. When the listener moves outside the listening area, an out of bounds response is initiated to disable or control the audio playback until the listener moves to a position within the listening area.

Claims

1. A system with a multi-channel audio sound system that dynamically adjusts audio playback based on a changeable position of a listener, the system comprising:

a sensor operable to track movement of a position of listener;

a processing module, operable to

receive tracking data corresponding to the position of the listener,

determine whether the position of the listener is within a listening area, and

generate an adjustment signal based on whether the position of the listener is within the listening area; and

an audio module operable to receive the adjustment signal and to control audio playback of an audio signal by the multi-channel audio sound system, wherein the audio module initiates a first control response based on the adjustment signal when the position of the listener is within the listening area, and wherein the audio module initiates a second control response based on the adjustment signal when the position of the listener is outside of the listening area.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of speakers each operable to receive a respective audio signal.

3. The system of claim 1, further comprising an audio input device operable to input a plurality of audio signals into the processing module.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises a camera connected to the processing module.

5. The system of claim 1, further comprising a display and an input device each connected to the processing module.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the processing module and the audio module comprise a single processor.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the processing module and the audio module comprise two or more processors.

8. A system with a multi-channel audio sound system that dynamically adjusts audio playback based on a changeable position of a listener, the system comprising:

a sensor operable to track movement of a position of a listener;

a sensor processor operable to

receive tracking data corresponding to the position of the listener,

determine whether the position of the listener is within the listening area, and

store the determination in a memory;

a controller operable to

read the determination out of the memory, and

generate an adjustment signal based on whether the position of the listener is within the listening area; and

an audio processor operable to receive the adjustment signal and to control audio playback of an audio signal by the multi-channel audio sound system, wherein the audio processor initiates a first control response based on the adjustment signal when the position of the listener is within the listening area, and wherein the audio processor initiates a second control response based on the adjustment signal when the position of the listener is outside of the listening area.

9. The system of claim 8, further comprising a plurality of speakers, each operable to receive a respective audio signal.

10. The system of claim 8, further comprising an audio input device, operable to input a plurality of audio signals into the audio processor.

11. The system of claim 8, wherein the sensor comprises a camera connected to the sensor processor.

12. The system of claim 8, further comprising a display and an input device each connected to the controller.

13. The system of claim 8, wherein the sensor processor, the audio processor, and the controller comprise a single processor.

14. The system of claim 8, wherein the sensor processor, the audio processor, and the controller comprise two or more processors.

15. A method for dynamic control of audio playback in a system having a multi-channel audio sound system based on a changeable position of a listener, the method comprising:

capturing tracking data corresponding to a position of a listener;

determining whether the position of the listener is within a listening area; and

when the position of the listener is within the listening area, adjusting one or more audio parameters for one or more channels in a multi-channel audio sound system according to a first control response.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising performing an initial set up prior to capturing the tracking data corresponding to the position of the listener.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein performing the initial set up prior to capturing the tracking data corresponding to the position of the listener comprises:

determining an initial optimal listening position;

determining the listening area that defines an area in which the tracking data of the listener will be captured;

setting an out of bounds response that determines a second control response when the position of the listener is outside of the listening area; and

setting one or more playback controls that limit an adjustment for at least one audio parameter.

18. The method of claim 15, further comprising determining whether dynamic control of audio playback is enabled.

19. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

determining whether the position of the listener has moved out of the listening area; and

when the position of the listener has moved out of the listening area, adjusting one or more audio parameters for one or more channels in the multi-channel audio sound system according to the second control response.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising determining whether the position of the listener has moved to a position within the listening area subsequent to the position of the listener being outside out of the listening area.