Abstract:
A setup application in a TV, sound bar, surround sound speaker system, or AVR creates a hearing profile for a user, calibrating various frequencies according to an interactive calibration step. Then, object-based audio, which may include metadata describing the key aspects of the audio, is used to identify the key aspects so that they can be emphasized, using the calibration information, to allow for increased intelligibility and the most natural listening experience possible for the hearing-impaired. EQ calibration for each speaker also may be effected for each user.

Description:
FIELD 
     The present application relates to technically inventive, non-routine solutions that are necessarily rooted in computer technology and that produce concrete technical improvements. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Hearing impaired people can experience difficulty hearing audio from display systems such as TVs. Accessibility solutions for the hearing impaired include TV subtitles and hearing aids, both of which are less than optimum. Subtitles not only obscure the video, but require active reading, which distracts from the “lean-back” experience people typically expect from watching TV. Hearing aids can malfunction and in some cases hearing-impaired people might resist using hearing aids. 
     SUMMARY 
     Present principles recognize the above problems experienced by hearing-impaired people. Accordingly, in one aspect a device includes at least one computer memory that is not a transitory signal and that in turn includes instructions executable by at least one processor to receive from a user interface (UI) input pertaining to at least first and second speaker frequencies. The instructions are executable to, based at least in part on the input, establish a calibration for the first and second frequencies. The instructions are further executable to identify at least a first audio element in audio comprising at least first and second audio elements, and to modify the first audio element according to the calibration of the first and second frequencies to render a calibrated audio element, but not modify the second audio element according to the calibration of the first and second frequencies. The instructions are executable to play the calibrated audio element and the second audio element on at least one audio speaker. 
     In some examples the instructions may be executable to modify the first audio element according to the calibration of the first and second frequencies at least in part based on metadata in the audio indicating that the first audio element is an instance of a first type of audio object, whereas the second audio element is not modified according to the calibration of the first and second frequencies at least in part based on metadata in the audio indicating that the second audio element is an instance of a second type of audio object. 
     In non-limiting implementations the instructions can be executable to modify the first audio element according to the calibration of the first and second frequencies at least in part based on object based audio information indicating that the first audio element is an instance of a first type of audio object. The instructions may be executed to not modify the second audio element according to the calibration of the first and second frequencies at least in part based on object based audio information indicating that the second audio element is an instance of a second type of audio object. 
     As an example, the first audio element can include speech, qualifying it as a key sound to be modified, whereas the second audio element does not include speech. 
     In some embodiments the instructions may be executable to establish the calibration at least in part by allowing a user to adjust respective amplitudes of first and second tones played on the speaker at the respective first and second frequencies to achieve what the user perceives as equality in at least one respect between the first and second tones. In such embodiments, the instructions may be executable to modify the first audio element to render the calibrated audio element at least in part by adjusting first and second components having the respective first and second frequencies in the first audio element according to user adjustments of the respective first and second tones. 
     In examples, the instructions are executable to modify the first audio element according to the calibration of the first and second frequencies at least in part based on metadata in the audio indicating that the first audio element is a key sound as determined by the content provider. The instructions may be executable to not modify the second audio element according to the calibration of the first and second frequencies at least in part based on metadata in the audio indicating that the second audio element is not a key sound. 
     In some embodiments, first circuitry is configured to modify the first audio element according to the calibration of the first and second frequencies to render the calibrated audio element (CAE). Second circuitry is configured to receive the CAE and modify at least one EQ parameter in the CAE for at least first and second audio channels according to at least one user profile. 
     In another aspect, a method includes receiving a person&#39;s frequency response profile indicating respective first and second perceptions of the person to at least respective first and second frequencies. The method also includes receiving audio comprising first audio objects and second audio objects, and modifying an amplitude of at least one frequency in the first audio objects according to the person&#39;s frequency response profile to render modified first audio objects. The method may include not modifying an amplitude at least one frequency in the second audio objects according to the person&#39;s frequency response profile. The method then includes playing the modified first audio objects and the second audio objects on at least one audio speaker. 
     At least one frequency in the first audio objects may be modified based at least in part on identification information in metadata accompanying the audio. The metadata may indicate that the first audio objects are key sounds as determined by the content provider, or it may indicate that the first audio objects are of a type of object matching a key sound type as determined by the audio player. 
     In another aspect, an audio video assembly (AVA) includes at least one display for presenting video under control of at least one processor, and at least one speaker for presenting audio under control of at least one processor, which may be the same processor controlling the display or a different processor. The assembly also includes at least one storage comprising instructions executable by at least one processor (such as the display processor or speaker processor if different from the display processor) to receive audio having at least first and second components with respective first and second frequencies. The instructions can be executed to change at least a first component in a first object in the audio according to first frequency information in a person&#39;s frequency response profile, and also to change at least a second component in the first object in the audio according to second frequency information in the person&#39;s frequency response profile. The instructions are executable to play at least the first audio object on the at least one speaker after changing the first and second components. 
     The details of the present disclosure, both as to its structure and operation, can be best understood in reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals refer to like parts, and in which: 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram of an example system including an example in accordance with present principles; 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic diagram of the audio video display device (AVDD) shown in  FIG. 1 , illustrating speakers; 
         FIG. 3  is a flow chart of example logic according to present principles; 
         FIG. 4  is a screen shot of an example user interface (UI) related to the logic of  FIG. 3 ; and 
         FIG. 5  is a block diagram of an example system that applies a two-step calibration process. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     This disclosure relates generally to computer ecosystems including aspects of consumer electronics (CE) device based user information in computer ecosystems. A system herein may include server and client components, connected over a network such that data may be exchanged between the client and server components. The client components may include one or more computing devices including portable televisions (e.g. smart TVs, Internet-enabled TVs), portable computers such as laptops and tablet computers, and other mobile devices including smart phones and additional examples discussed below. These client devices may operate with a variety of operating environments. For example, some of the client computers may employ, as examples, operating systems from Microsoft, or a Unix operating system, or operating systems produced by Apple Computer or Google. These operating environments may be used to execute one or more browsing programs, such as a browser made by Microsoft or Google or Mozilla or other browser program that can access web applications hosted by the Internet servers discussed below. 
     Servers may include one or more processors executing instructions that configure the servers to receive and transmit data over a network such as the Internet. Or, a client and server can be connected over a local intranet or a virtual private network. A server or controller may be instantiated by a game console such as a Sony Playstation®, a personal computer, etc. 
     Information may be exchanged over a network between the clients and servers. To this end and for security, servers and/or clients can include firewalls, load balancers, temporary storages, and proxies, and other network infrastructure for reliability and security. One or more servers may form an apparatus that implement methods of providing a secure community such as an online social website to network members. 
     As used herein, instructions refer to computer-implemented steps for processing information in the system. Instructions can be implemented in software, firmware or hardware and include any type of programmed step undertaken by components of the system. 
     A processor may be any conventional general purpose single—or multi-chip processor that can execute logic by means of various lines such as address lines, data lines, and control lines and registers and shift registers. 
     Software modules described by way of the flow charts and user interfaces herein can include various sub-routines, procedures, etc. Without limiting the disclosure, logic stated to be executed by a particular module can be redistributed to other software modules and/or combined together in a single module and/ or made available in a shareable library. 
     Present principles described herein can be implemented as hardware, software, firmware, or combinations thereof; hence, illustrative components, blocks, modules, circuits, and steps are set forth in terms of their functionality. 
     Further to what has been alluded to above, logical blocks, modules, and circuits described below can be implemented or performed with a general purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device such as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. A processor can be implemented by a controller or state machine or a combination of computing devices. 
     The functions and methods described below, when implemented in software, can be written in an appropriate language such as but not limited to C# or C++, and can be stored on or transmitted through a computer-readable storage medium such as a random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), compact disk read-only memory (CD-ROM) or other optical disk storage such as digital versatile disc (DVD), magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices including removable thumb drives, etc. A connection may establish a computer-readable medium. Such connections can include, as examples, hard-wired cables including fiber optics and coaxial wires and digital subscriber line (DSL) and twisted pair wires. 
     Components included in one embodiment can be used in other embodiments in any appropriate combination. For example, any of the various components described herein and/or depicted in the Figures may be combined, interchanged or excluded from other embodiments. 
     “A system having at least one of A, B, and C” (likewise “a system having at least one of A, B, or C” and “a system having at least one of A, B, C”) includes systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc. 
     Now specifically referring to  FIG. 1 , an example ecosystem  10  is shown, which may include one or more of the example devices mentioned above and described further below in accordance with present principles. The first of the example devices included in the system  10  is an example primary display device, and in the embodiment shown is an audio video display device (AVDD)  12  such as but not limited to an Internet-enabled TV. Thus, the AVDD  12  alternatively may be an appliance or household item, e.g. computerized Internet enabled refrigerator, washer, or dryer. The AVDD  12  alternatively may also be a computerized Internet enabled (“smart”) telephone, a tablet computer, a notebook computer, a wearable computerized device such as e.g. computerized Internet-enabled watch, a computerized Internet-enabled bracelet, other computerized Internet-enabled devices, a computerized Internet-enabled music player, computerized Internet-enabled head phones, a computerized Internet-enabled implantable device such as an implantable skin device, etc. Regardless, it is to be understood that the AVDD  12  is configured to undertake present principles (e.g. communicate with other CE devices to undertake present principles, execute the logic described herein, and perform any other functions and/or operations described herein). 
     Accordingly, to undertake such principles the AVDD  12  can be established by some or all of the components shown in  FIG. 1 . For example, the AVDD  12  can include one or more displays  14  that may be implemented by a high definition or ultra-high definition “4K” or “8K” (or higher resolution) flat screen and that may be touch-enabled for receiving consumer input signals via touches on the display. The AVDD  12  may include one or more speakers  16  for outputting audio in accordance with present principles, and at least one additional input device  18  such as e.g. an audio receiver/microphone for e.g. entering audible commands to the AVDD  12  to control the AVDD  12 . The example AVDD  12  may also include one or more network interfaces  20  for communication over at least one network  22  such as the Internet, an WAN, an LAN, etc. under control of one or more processors  24 . Thus, the interface  20  may be, without limitation, a Wi-Fi transceiver, which is an example of a wireless computer network interface. It is to be understood that the processor  24  controls the AVDD  12  to undertake present principles, including the other elements of the AVDD  12  described herein such as e.g. controlling the display  14  to present images thereon and receiving input therefrom. Furthermore, note the network interface  20  may be, e.g., a wired or wireless modem or router, or other appropriate interface such as, e.g., a wireless telephony transceiver, or Wi-Fi transceiver as mentioned above, etc. 
     In addition to the foregoing, the AVDD  12  may also include one or more input ports  26  such as, e.g., a USB port to physically connect (e.g. using a wired connection) to another CE device and/or a headphone port to connect headphones to the AVDD  12  for presentation of audio from the AVDD  12  to a consumer through the headphones. The AVDD  12  may further include one or more computer memories  28  that are not transitory signals, such as disk-based or solid state storage (including but not limited to flash memory). Also in some embodiments, the AVDD  12  can include a position or location receiver such as but not limited to a cellphone receiver, GPS receiver and/or altimeter  30  that is configured to e.g. receive geographic position information from at least one satellite or cellphone tower and provide the information to the processor  24  and/or determine an altitude at which the AVDD  12  is disposed in conjunction with the processor  24 . However, it is to be understood that that another suitable position receiver other than a cellphone receiver, GPS receiver and/or altimeter may be used in accordance with present principles to e.g. determine the location of the AVDD  12  in e.g. all three dimensions. 
     Continuing the description of the AVDD  12 , in some embodiments the AVDD  12  may include one or more cameras  32  that may be, e.g., a thermal imaging camera, a digital camera such as a webcam, and/or a camera integrated into the AVDD  12  and controllable by the processor  24  to gather pictures/images and/or video in accordance with present principles. Also included on the AVDD  12  may be a Bluetooth transceiver  34  and other Near Field Communication (NFC) element  36  for communication with other devices using Bluetooth and/or NFC technology, respectively. An example NFC element can be a radio frequency identification (RFID) element. 
     Further still, the AVDD  12  may include one or more auxiliary sensors  37  (e.g., a motion sensor such as an accelerometer, gyroscope, cyclometer, or a magnetic sensor, an infrared (IR) sensor, an optical sensor, a speed and/or cadence sensor, a gesture sensor (e.g. for sensing gesture command, etc.) providing input to the processor  24 . The AVDD  12  may include still other sensors such as e.g. one or more climate sensors  38  (e.g. barometers, humidity sensors, wind sensors, light sensors, temperature sensors, etc.) and/or one or more biometric sensors  40  providing input to the processor  24 . In addition to the foregoing, it is noted that the AVDD  12  may also include an infrared (IR) transmitter and/or IR receiver and/or IR transceiver  42  such as an IR data association (IRDA) device. A battery (not shown) may be provided for powering the AVDD  12 . 
     Still referring to  FIG. 1 , in addition to the AVDD  12 , the system  10  may include one or more other CE device types. In one example, a first CE device  44  may be used to control the display via commands sent through the below-described server while a second CE device  46  may include similar components as the first CE device  44  and hence will not be discussed in detail. In the example shown, only two CE devices  44 ,  46  are shown, it being understood that fewer or greater devices may be used. 
     In the example shown, to illustrate present principles all three devices  12 ,  44 ,  46  are assumed to be members of an entertainment network in, e.g., in a home, or at least to be present in proximity to each other in a location such as a house. However, for illustrating present principles the first CE device  44  is assumed to be in the same room as the AVDD  12 , bounded by walls illustrated by dashed lines  48 . 
     The example non-limiting first CE device  44  may be established by any one of the above-mentioned devices, for example, a portable wireless laptop computer or notebook computer, and accordingly may have one or more of the components described below. The second CE device  46  without limitation may be established by a wireless telephone. The second CE device  46  may implement a portable hand-held remote control (RC). 
     The first CE device  44  may include one or more displays  50  that may be touch-enabled for receiving consumer input signals via touches on the display. The first CE device  44  may include one or more speakers  52  for outputting audio in accordance with present principles, and at least one additional input device  54  such as e.g. an audio receiver/microphone for e.g. entering audible commands to the first CE device  44  to control the device  44 . The example first CE device  44  may also include one or more network interfaces  56  for communication over the network  22  under control of one or more CE device processors  58 . Thus, the interface  56  may be, without limitation, a Wi-Fi transceiver, which is an example of a wireless computer network interface. It is to be understood that the processor  58  may control the first CE device  44  to undertake present principles, including the other elements of the first CE device  44  described herein such as e.g. controlling the display  50  to present images thereon and receiving input therefrom. Furthermore, note the network interface  56  may be, e.g., a wired or wireless modem or router, or other appropriate interface such as, e.g., a wireless telephony transceiver, or Wi-Fi transceiver as mentioned above, etc. 
     In addition to the foregoing, the first CE device  44  may also include one or more input ports  60  such as, e.g., a USB port to physically connect (e.g. using a wired connection) to another CE device and/or a headphone port to connect headphones to the first CE device  44  for presentation of audio from the first CE device  44  to a consumer through the headphones. The first CE device  44  may further include one or more computer memories  62  such as disk-based or solid state storage. Also in some embodiments, the first CE device  44  can include a position or location receiver such as but not limited to a cellphone and/or GPS receiver and/or altimeter  64  that is configured to e.g. receive geographic position information from at least one satellite and/or cell tower, using triangulation, and provide the information to the CE device processor  58  and/or determine an altitude at which the first CE device  44  is disposed in conjunction with the CE device processor  58 . However, it is to be understood that that another suitable position receiver other than a cellphone and/or GPS receiver and/or altimeter may be used in accordance with present principles to e.g. determine the location of the first CE device  44  in e.g. all three dimensions. 
     Continuing the description of the first CE device  44 , in some embodiments the first CE device  44  may include one or more cameras  66  that may be, e.g., a thermal imaging camera, a digital camera such as a webcam, and/or a camera integrated into the first CE device  44  and controllable by the CE device processor  58  to gather pictures/images and/or video in accordance with present principles. Also included on the first CE device  44  may be a Bluetooth transceiver  68  and other Near Field Communication (NFC) element  70  for communication with other devices using Bluetooth and/or NFC technology, respectively. An example NFC element can be a radio frequency identification (RFID) element. 
     Further still, the first CE device  44  may include one or more auxiliary sensors  72  (e.g., a motion sensor such as an accelerometer, gyroscope, cyclometer, or a magnetic sensor, an infrared (IR) sensor, an optical sensor, a speed and/or cadence sensor, a gesture sensor (e.g. for sensing gesture command, etc.) providing input to the CE device processor  58 . The first CE device  44  may include still other sensors such as e.g. one or more climate sensors  74  (e.g. barometers, humidity sensors, wind sensors, light sensors, temperature sensors, etc.) and/or one or more biometric sensors  76  providing input to the CE device processor  58 . In addition to the foregoing, it is noted that in some embodiments the first CE device  44  may also include an infrared (IR) transmitter and/or IR receiver and/or IR transceiver  78  such as an IR data association (IRDA) device. A battery (not shown) may be provided for powering the first CE device  44 . 
     The second CE device  46  may include some or all of the components shown for the CE device  44 . 
     Now in reference to the afore-mentioned at least one server  80 , it includes at least one server processor  82 , at least one computer memory  84  such as disk-based or solid state storage, and at least one network interface  86  that, under control of the server processor  82 , allows for communication with the other devices of  FIG. 1  over the network  22 , and indeed may facilitate communication between servers and client devices in accordance with present principles. Note that the network interface  86  may be, e.g., a wired or wireless modem or router, Wi-Fi transceiver, or other appropriate interface such as, e.g., a wireless telephony transceiver. 
     Accordingly, in some embodiments the server  80  may be an Internet server, and may include and perform “cloud” functions such that the devices of the system  10  may access a “cloud” environment via the server  80  in example embodiments. Or, the server  80  may be implemented by a game console or other computer in the same room as the other devices shown in  FIG. 1  or nearby. 
       FIG. 2  shows that the AVDD  12  may include one or more speakers  200 , in some example non-limiting embodiments configured as a Sony sound bar. Other speaker systems are envisioned, such as built-in TV speakers, audio video receivers (AVR), a surround sound system (e.g., a sound bar plus additional surround-sound speakers or an AVR with multiple speakers), etc. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates example logic for customizing the output of the speaker(s)  200  for individual users. Commencing at block  300 , a particular user&#39;s frequency response is calibrated using, e.g., the example calibration user interface (UI) discussed below in relation to  FIG. 4 . In other words, block  300  seeks to determine which frequencies a particular person hears well and which frequencies he or she may suffer a deficit in perceiving. Block  300  assumes for simplicity of disclosure that only a single person is the subject of the frequency tailoring discussed below, it being understood that the logic may be executed for multiple users, whose frequency responses can be maintained in user profiles stored by the AVDD  12  or cloud server  80  or other device and then used to automatically configure the settings of the AVDD  12  or other device employed by the user(s) to play audio. A group profile may be generated if desired to accommodate multiple users by averaging their frequency responses, for example, so that a group profile may be invoked to establish audio settings of the player device according to the group profile when multiple people are present. 
     After calibration for the user&#39;s own personal frequency response, the logic moves to block  302  to identify key or primary aspects of the audio content-typically voices—using object-based audio information. This may be done dynamically as an audio stream is received and buffered just prior to playing the stream. Object-based audio recognition can include using metadata in audio such as is provided by Dolby Atmos® or DTS:X™ to identify the key sounds. Note that metadata may be tailored to the hearing-impaired by identifying, in the metadata, which sounds are “key sounds” as determined by the content provider. 
     Once the key sound(s) in audio are identified at block  302 , the logic moves to block  304  to adjust the frequencies of the key sounds, but not other sounds in the audio, to match the user&#39;s frequency response profile. However, in some implementations, if desired both key sounds and non-key sounds may be adjusted according to the user&#39;s frequency response profile. 
     For example, if the user&#39;s frequency response profile indicates that the user has more difficulty perceiving lower frequencies than higher frequencies, lower frequencies in the key sounds are increased in amplitude, while higher frequencies are not. The specific frequencies being adjusted match as closely as possible corresponding frequencies in the user&#39;s response profile and then played on speakers. In this way, key sounds in audio are dynamically adjusted to make those key sounds as clear as possible for the user based on his individual hearing profile as calibrated at block  300 . 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a setup UI  400  that may be presented on, e.g., the display  14  of the AVDD  12 . It is to be understood that additionally or equivalently, the UI  400  may be presented on the speaker(s)  16 / 200  of the AVDD  12  (or other speakers). The UI  400  may additionally or alternatively be presented on an audio video recorder (AVR) associated with the AVDD or other device in a home network, such as a smart phone or tablet computer. 
     The UI  400  may include a prompt  402  for the user to adjust tones, depicted in the non-limiting example shown as bars  404  that can be lengthened or shortened as shown by the arrows  406 , until the user perceives all tones to have the same volume. For example, the low tone in  FIG. 4  can be played on speakers, and the user, by means of using a touch screen  14  or arrow keys on a remote control communicating with the AVDD or other appropriate input device, can drag and drop the top edge of the bar  404  corresponding to the low frequency up or down to increase or decrease, respectively, the height of the bar  40  and the corresponding volume of the low tone. 
     The user can then be prompted to move a screen cursor to another bar  404  of another frequency and repeat the process, until all frequencies (only three shown in  FIG. 4  for clarity) have been adjusted by the user to thereby establish the user&#39;s individual frequency response profile, for use as described above in relation to  FIG. 3  to dynamically adjust individual frequencies in key sounds in audio prior to playing the adjusted audio. The user can be allowed to go back and forth between adjustments, re-adjusting some frequencies after having adjusted others, to fine tune the frequency response profile. In this way, the closest match between amplitudes of multiple frequencies, as perceived by the user, can be achieved. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a system having plural speakers  500  such as a surround-sound system in which the above-described calibration process is executed not just for audio objects as described, but also for speaker compensation. In other words, the user&#39;s frequency response profile can also include EQ (i.e., amplitude, frequency, et al.) compensation for each speaker tailored for the particular user. In such an embodiment, the above-described audio object calibration is executed for each speaker  500 , given the location of the speaker, with EQ variables being adjusted for each speaker to best suit the particular user. Note that the second (EQ) portion of the calibration process may be dynamic, such that if speakers are added or removed, the system can be aware of this and adapt for the addition or subtraction of acoustical power and frequency. Principles set forth in the present assignee&#39;s U.S. Pat. Nos. 9,560,449, 9,426,551, 9,402,145, 9,369,801, and 9,288,597, incorporated herein by reference, may be used for this purpose. 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , first circuitry  502 , which may be implemented in some examples by a digital signal processor (DSP), receives audio objects and decodes and renders the objects. The above-described object calibration parameters from the user&#39;s profile  504  are input to the first circuitry  502  and used by the first circuitry  502  to output the objects in accordance with disclosure above. Note that the user&#39;s profile  504  may be stored locally to the first circuitry  502  and/or stored in the cloud for provisioning to the first circuitry  502  via a network. A factory default profile may be provided to be used in the absence of a user-configured profile. 
     The first circuitry  502  outputs the audio in “N” channels  506 , wherein “N” is an integer greater than one, to second circuitry  508 , which also may be implemented by a DSP. The second circuitry  508  receives the EQ calibration information for the particular user for each of the “N” speakers  500  from the user&#39;s profile  504 , applying the EQ calibration information to the input received from the first circuitry  502  to each of the “N” channels and outputting the “N” channels, now modified by the EQ calibration information from the user&#39;s profile  504 , to the “N” speakers  500  for rendering thereof (by playing the audio on the speakers). 
     While particular techniques are herein shown and described in detail, it is to be understood that the subject matter which is encompassed by the present application is limited only by the claims.