Patent ID: 7783594
Filing Date: 2010-08-24
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. A method for enabling an end-user listener to select a desired audio, the method comprising: retrieving, by a processor, a collection of a plurality of audio items, wherein each audio item contains audio data and represents one listening unit as a whole for the end-user listener; concurrently generating, by the processor, audio from each audio item in the collection for the end-user listener to listen to the plurality of audio items at the same time, wherein the collection is divided into a plurality of subsets, and wherein concurrently generating audio from each audio item in the collection includes phase-shifting audio generated from each subset in the collection through two or more audio outlets to make audio generated from each of the plurality of subsets in the collection spatially distinguishable to the end-user listener from audio generated from remaining subsets in the collection, wherein making the audio spatially distinguishable comprises providing each audio item in the collection with a perceivable arrival direction or a source position that comprises a spectrum of spatial characteristics; detecting, by the processor, a spatial user-input corresponding to a subset in the collection; and selecting, by the processor, the subset in response to the detected user-input.