Audio Response Based on User Worn Microphones to Direct or Adapt Program Responses System and Method

• US 20180014140A1
• Filed: 07/05/2017
• Published: 01/11/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 07/06/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bragi GmbH
• Original Assignee: Bragi GmbH
• Inventors: Milevski, Veniamin, Boesen, Peter Vincent
• Granted Patent: US 10,582,328 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 20/10527 Audio or video recording; Data buffering arrangements G11B20/12 - G11B20/18 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/1016 Earpieces of the intra-aural type
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/1091 Details not provided for in groups H04R1/1008 - H04R1/1083
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2420/07 Applications of wireless loudspeakers or wireless microphones
• CPC Class Codes: H04S 2420/11 Application of ambisonics in stereophonic audio systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04S 7/304 For headphones

Abstract

A system, method, and wireless earpieces for communicating with a virtual reality headset. A position and an orientation of a head of a user are detected utilizing at least wireless earpieces. Audio content is received. The audio content is enhanced utilizing the position and the orientation of the head of the user. The audio content is immediately delivered to the user. The method may further include communicating the position and the orientation of the head of the user to the virtual reality headset. The audio content may be based on the orientation and position of the head of the user.

Claims

1. A method for communicating with a virtual reality headset, comprising:

detecting a position and an orientation of a head of a user utilizing one or more inertial sensors of at least one wireless earpiece;

receiving audio content from the virtual reality headset;

enhancing the audio content utilizing the position and the orientation of the head of the user; and

immediately delivering the audio content to the user through one or more speakers of the at least one wireless earpiece.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

linking wireless earpieces with the virtual reality headset; and

synchronizing playback of audio content with visual content displayed by the virtual reality headset utilizing the position and orientation of the head of the user.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

communicating the audio content through a virtual reality system including at least the virtual reality headset.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising sensing audio with microphones of the at least one wireless earpiece and communicating the audio and the position and the orientation of the head of the user from the at least one wireless earpiece to the virtual reality headset.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

communicating the position and the orientation of the head of the user to the virtual reality headset.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the audio content is based on the orientation and position of the head of the user.

7. Wireless earpieces comprising:

a processor for executing a set of instructions; and

a memory for storing the set of instructions, wherein the set of instructions are executed to;

detect a position and an orientation of a head of a user utilizing at least the wireless earpieces;

receive audio content from a virtual reality system;

enhance the audio content utilizing the position and the orientation of the head of the user; and

immediately deliver the audio content to the user through the wireless earpieces.

8. The wireless earpieces of claim 7, wherein the set of instructions are further executed to:

link the wireless earpieces with the virtual reality system; and

synchronize the delivery of the audio content with visual content displayed by the virtual reality system utilizing the position and orientation of the head of the user.

9. The wireless earpieces of claim 7, wherein the set of instructions are further executed to:

perform sensor measurements from sensors of the wireless earpieces; and

communicate the sensor measurements from the wireless earpieces to the virtual reality headset.

10. The wireless earpieces of claim 9, wherein the sensors include inertial sensors for determining an orientation, position, motion, and acceleration of the head of the user.

11. A virtual reality system, comprising:

a virtual reality headset for displaying a virtual reality environment to a user;

wireless earpieces including sensors that detect a position and an orientation of a head of a user and two or more microphones that receive first audio content from the user, wherein the wireless earpieces receive second audio content from the virtual reality headset, the wireless earpieces configured to enhance the second audio content utilizing the position and the orientation of the head of the user and play the second audio content to the user.

12. The virtual reality system of claim 11, wherein the first audio content is communicated to a processing system of the virtual reality system directly or through the wireless earpieces.

13. The virtual reality system of claim 12, wherein speakers of the wireless earpieces deliver the audio content in response to the orientation and position of the user determined by sensors of the wireless earpieces.