Multi-modal audio system with automatic usage mode detection and configuration capability

• US 8,842,848 B2
• Filed: 09/15/2010
• Issued: 09/23/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 09/18/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Jawbone Innovations, LLC
• Original Assignee: AliphCom, Inc. (AliphCom Corp.)
• Inventors: Donaldson, Thomas A., Asseily, Alexander M., Limpkin, William Zissou
• Primary Examiner(s): Chin, Vivian
• Assistant Examiner(s): HAMID, AMMAR T
• Application Number:
  US12/882,482
• Publication Number:
  US 20110222701A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,469 Days
• Field of Search: 381/74, 381/11, 381/71.6, 381/380, 381/375
• 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 a configuration of the audio system being used by the user, the configuration consisting of speakerphone when neither earpiece is being used, left mono headset when only the first earpiece is being used, right mono headset when only the second earpiece is being used, and stereo headset when both earpieces are being used; and

an audio signal processing module configured to process audio signals from an input source and provide an output to one or both of the first earpiece and the second earpiece, the audio signal processing module configured to access a database of thirteen audio processing parameters using the output signal and to select, based on the configuration, a single mode of use for the first earpiece, the second earpiece or both, and

wherein the single mode of use and the thirteen audio processing parameters are selected from the group consisting of one of four modes for microphones in use, one of four modes for speakers in use, one of four modes for microphone gain, one of two modes for microphone ambient, only one mode for noise removal, one of three modes for wind noise removal, one of two modes for echo cancellation, one of two modes for microphone, only one mode for equalization, one of two modes for adaptive gain control, one of three modes for speaker equalization, one of two modes for speaker ambient noise removal, and one of four modes for speaker gain.

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, further comprising the input source, wherein the input source is one or more of a microphone or a music player.

9. 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, the mode of use consisting of speakerphone when neither element is being used, left mono headset when only the first element is being used, right mono headset when only the second element is being used, and stereo headset when both elements are being used;

determining a parameter for the processing of an audio signal based on the mode of use of the audio system, wherein the mode of use and the parameter are selected from the group consisting of one of four modes for microphones in use, one of four modes for speakers in use, one of four modes for microphone gain, one of two modes for microphone ambient, only one mode for noise removal, one of three modes for wind noise removal, one of two modes for echo cancellation, one of two modes for microphone, only one mode for equalization, one of two modes for adaptive gain control, one of three modes for speaker equalization, one of two modes for speaker ambient noise removal, and one of four modes for speaker gain;

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.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein determining the configuration of the first element further comprises receiving a signal indicative of the configuration from a first configuration detection element.

11. The method of claim 10, 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.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein the audio input source is a microphone or a music player.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein providing the processed audio signal as an output to the user further comprises providing the processed audio signal to a speaker.

14. The method of claim 9, wherein the first element of the audio system is an earpiece that includes a speaker.

15. The method of claim 9, wherein the first element of the audio system and the second element of the audio system are each an earpiece that includes a speaker.

16. The method of claim 10, 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.

17. 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, the mode of use consisting of speakerphone when neither configuration detection element is being used, left mono headset when only the first configuration detection element is being used, right mono headset when only the second configuration detection element is being used, and stereo headset when both configuration detection elements are being used;

determining a parameter for the processing of an audio signal based on the mode of use of the audio system, wherein the mode of use and the parameter are selected from the group consisting of one of four modes for microphones in use, one of four modes for speakers in use, one of four modes for microphone gain, one of two modes for microphone ambient, only one mode for noise removal, one of three modes for wind noise removal, one of two modes for echo cancellation, one of two modes for microphone, only one mode for equalization, one of two modes for adaptive gain control, one of three modes for speaker equalization, one of two modes for speaker ambient noise removal, and one of four modes for speaker gain;

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.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, 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.