Patent Publication Number: US-11641945-B2

Title: Chair system with an untethered chair with speakers

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention generally relates to a chair system, and more particularly relates to a chair system with an untethered chair with speakers. 
     BACKGROUND 
     A typical chair with speakers comprises two full-range speakers mounted below the headrest, next to or slightly behind the user&#39;s ears, with an optional sub-woofer mounted underneath the seat cushion at the base of the chair. The chair is typically connected to a power source and/or an external audio source through a wired interface. However, due to the desired flexibility in movement of the chair, having the wired connection is not ideal as the castor wheels of the chair may roll over and damage the wires, or a person may trip over the wire connected to the chair. 
     Thus, it can be seen that what is needed is a chair system with an untethered chair with speakers which is able to move freely, and be used safely. Furthermore, other desirable features and characteristics will become apparent from the subsequent detailed description and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and this background of the disclosure. 
     SUMMARY 
     In one aspect of the invention, a chair system including a main unit and an untethered chair is provided. The main unit includes a wireless transmitter, a subwoofer, an audio stream receiver and a processor. The untethered chair includes a plurality of speakers, a power source and a wireless receiver for receiving a processed audio stream from the main unit. 
     In another aspect of the invention, a method of processing audio for a chair system having a main unit and an untethered chair is provided. The method includes receiving an audio stream at the main unit, processing the audio stream with a processor at the main unit to obtain a low frequency portion and a high frequency portion, sending the high frequency portion to a wireless receiver located at the untethered chair, playing the high frequency portion with a plurality of speakers located at the untethered chair, and playing the low frequency portion with a subwoofer. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is a system diagram of a chair system in accordance with various embodiments. 
         FIG.  2    is a system diagram of an untethered chair in accordance with various embodiments. 
         FIG.  3    is a system diagram of a chair system in accordance with various embodiments. 
         FIG.  4    is a system diagram of an untethered chair in accordance with various embodiments. 
         FIG.  5    is a flow diagram depicting a method of processing audio for a chair system in accordance with various embodiments. 
         FIG.  6    is a flow diagram depicting a method of processing audio for a chair system in accordance with various embodiments. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the invention or the application and uses of the invention. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any theory presented in the preceding background of the invention or the following detailed description. It is an intent of the various embodiments to present a chair system with an untethered chair with speakers that can be moved freely, and used safely. 
     Referring to  FIG.  1   , a system diagram of a chair system  100  in accordance with various embodiments is shown. The chair system  100  includes a main unit  110  and an untethered chair  120 . A wireless transmitter  112 , a subwoofer  114 , an audio stream receiver  116  and a processor  118  can be integrated in the main unit. The untethered chair  120  can include a power source  121 , a wireless receiver  122  for receiving a processed audio stream from the wireless transmitter  112  on the main unit  110  via a wireless connection  125 , and a plurality of speakers ( 130 ,  140 ). The audio stream receiver  116  can receive an audio stream from an external audio source  150  via a wired or wireless connection  155 . In one embodiment, the received audio stream is processed by the processor  118  to obtain a low frequency portion and a high frequency portion. The high frequency portion may be processed to include 3D surround audio, using spatial audio technology such as but not limited to binaural processing using generic head-related transfer functions (HRTFs) and/or binaural room impulse response (BRIR). The high frequency portion is sent via the wireless connection  125  to the wireless receiver  122  on the untethered chair  120  as a processed audio stream. Alternatively, the received audio stream can be sent via the wireless connection  125  with the necessary processing done by another processor on the untethered chair  120 . The high frequency portion is played on the plurality of speakers ( 130 ,  140 ) on the untethered chair, while the low frequency portion of the audio stream is played on the subwoofer  114 . In one embodiment, the subwoofer can be integrally coupled to the main unit  110  (as shown). An appropriate delay can be added to the low frequency portion to ensure audio synchronization between the high frequency portion played at the plurality of speakers ( 130 ,  140 ) at the untethered chair  120 , and the low frequency portion played at the main unit  110 . In another embodiment, the subwoofer  114  can be coupled to the main unit  110  via a wired or wireless connection (not shown). In one embodiment, the high frequency portion can be the portion of the audio stream that has audio frequencies above a threshold frequency (e.g. preferably around 200 to 500 Hz and more preferably around 300 Hz), and the low frequency portion can be the portion of the audio stream that has audio frequencies at or below the threshold frequency. Advantageously, the power requirements for the untethered chair is reduced because the low frequency components (at or below the threshold frequency) of the audio stream do not need to be reproduced by the plurality of speakers ( 130 ,  140 ) on the untethered chair  120 . The audio frequencies of the full human vocal range for intelligibility can also be considered while selecting a suitable threshold frequency, especially in the embodiments without frontal speakers. For example, the frequency range between 250 Hz and 4 kHz is of high importance for intelligibility. With the reduced power consumption, the untethered chair does not have to be constantly plugged into a wall socket, but can use a power source  121  such as a user-removable battery, a power bank, or the like. Advantageously, the untethered chair can be moved or rolled around without the risk of rolling over and damaging any connected wires, or having the risk of a person tripping over any wires connected to the chair. The main unit  110  can be placed near to a power socket, and plugged directly through a wired connection to the power socket for power. The main unit  110  can be placed near to an external audio source  150 . In a preferred embodiment, most of the audio processing is carried out by the processor  118  on the main unit  110 , further reducing the power consumption of the untethered chair  120 . The audio stream receiver  116  can receive audio from the external audio source  150  via a wired, or wireless connection  155 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  2   , a system diagram  200  of an untethered chair  120  in accordance with various embodiments is shown. The plurality of speakers ( 130 ,  140 ) is mounted in a position besides or close to the position of the user&#39;s ears, at least one on each side of the user. Even though the figure shows that the plurality of speakers ( 130 ,  140 ), power source ( 121 ) and wireless receiver ( 122 ) are separate, they can also be designed as a single module, with the power source  121  and wireless receiver  122  integrated into the single module along with the plurality of speakers ( 130 ,  140 ). In this case, the whole module can be removably coupled to the untethered chair while in use, and removed for charging. Interconnection of the plurality of speakers ( 130 ,  140 ), power source ( 121 ) and wireless receiver ( 122 ) is preferably wired, so that latency is reduced. 
     Referring to  FIG.  3   , a system diagram of a chair system  300  in accordance with various embodiments is shown. The chair system  300  includes a main unit  110 , an untethered chair  120 , and a plurality of frontal speaker  320 . A wireless transmitter  112 , a subwoofer  114 , an audio stream receiver  116 , and a processor  118  can be integrated in the main unit. The untethered chair  120  can include a power source  121 , a wireless receiver  122  for receiving a processed audio stream from the wireless transmitter  112  on the main unit  110  via a wireless connection  125 , a plurality of speakers ( 130 ,  140 ), and a posture sensor module  310 . The posture sensor module  310  includes at least one posture sensor, and a posture transmitter. The audio stream receiver  116  in the main unit  110  can receive an audio stream from an external audio source  150  via a wired or wireless connection  155 . The posture sensor module  310  on the untethered chair  120  detects and sends a position of a user on the untethered chair  120  to the processor  118  at the main unit  110  with the posture transmitter via a wireless connection  315 . In one embodiment, the received audio stream  155  is processed by the processor  118  to obtain a low frequency portion, a high frequency portion and a frontal portion. The high frequency portion and/or the frontal portion may be processed to include 3D surround audio, using spatial audio technology such as but not limited to binaural processing using generic head-related transfer functions (HRTFs) and/or binaural room impulse response (BRIR). The frontal portion is sent via a wired or wireless connection  325  to the plurality of frontal speaker  320  to be played. The high frequency portion is processed according to the position of the user, and is sent to the wireless receiver  122  on the untethered chair  120  as a processed audio stream via wireless connection  125 . For example, when the position of the user is detected as leaning fully against the backrest of the chair with user&#39;s head leaning on the headrest, the plurality of speakers ( 130 ,  140 ) on the chair can be considered as left speaker and right speaker respectively, and the high frequency portion is processed accordingly. However, if the position of the user is detected as leaning forward from the backrest of the chair, the plurality of speakers ( 130 ,  140 ) on the chair can be considered as rear-left speaker and rear-right speaker respectively, and the high frequency portion processed accordingly. Another possible position of the user is leaning on the backrest of the chair, but user&#39;s head is not leaning on the headrest. In this case, the plurality of speakers ( 130 ,  140 ) can, for example, be considered as in a position between the left and rear-left, and between the right and the rear-right respectively, and the high frequency portion processed accordingly. The position of the user may be detected in real-time, and the high frequency portion processed accordingly in real-time as well. The high frequency portion is played on the plurality of speakers ( 130 ,  140 ) on the untethered chair, while the low frequency portion of the audio stream is played on the subwoofer  114 . Alternatively, the received audio stream can be sent via the wireless connection  125  with the necessary processing done by another processor on the untethered chair  120 . In one embodiment, the subwoofer can be integrally coupled to the main unit  110  (as shown). An appropriate delay can be added to the low frequency portion, the frontal portion and/or the high frequency portion to ensure audio synchronization between the high frequency portion played at the plurality of speakers ( 130 ,  140 ) at the untethered chair  120 , the frontal portion played at the plurality of frontal speaker  320 , and the low frequency portion played at the main unit  110 . In another embodiment, the subwoofer  114  can be coupled to the main unit  110  via a wired or wireless connection (not shown). In one embodiment, the high frequency portion can be the portion of the audio stream that has audio frequencies above a threshold frequency (e.g. preferably around 200 to 500 Hz and more preferably around 300 Hz), and the low frequency portion can be the portion of the audio stream that has audio frequencies at or below the threshold frequency. The frontal portion can have a broad frequency range (e.g. from 50 Hz to 20 kHz) which overlaps with the high frequency portion, and/or the low frequency portion. Advantageously, the power requirements for the untethered chair is reduced because the low frequency components (at or below the threshold frequency) of the audio stream do not need to be reproduced by the plurality of speakers ( 130 ,  140 ) on the untethered chair  120 . The audio frequencies of the full human vocal range can also be considered while selecting a suitable threshold frequency, especially in the embodiments without frontal speakers. With the reduced power consumption, the untethered chair does not have to be constantly plugged into a wall socket, but can use a power source  121  such as a user-removable battery, a power bank, or the like. Advantageously, the untethered chair can be moved or rolled around without the risk of rolling over and damaging any connected wires, or having the risk of a person tripping over any wires connected to the chair. The main unit  110  can be placed near to a power socket, and plugged directly through a wired connection to the power socket for power. The main unit  110  can be placed near to an external audio source  150 , and/or the plurality of frontal speakers  320 . In a preferred embodiment, most of the audio processing is carried out by the processor  118  on the main unit  110 , further reducing the power consumption of the untethered chair  120 . The audio stream receiver  116  can receive audio from the external audio source  150  via a wired, or wireless connection  155 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  4   , a system diagram  400  of an untethered chair  120  in accordance with various embodiments is shown. The plurality of speakers ( 130 ,  140 ) is mounted in a position besides or close to the position of the user&#39;s ears, one on each side. Even though the figure shows that the plurality of speakers ( 130 ,  140 ), power source ( 121 ) and wireless receiver ( 122 ) are separate, they can also be designed as a single module, with the power source  121  and wireless receiver  122  integrated into the single module. In this case, the whole module can be removably coupled to the untethered chair while in use, and removed for charging when needed. In one embodiment, a posture sensor module  310  can also be integrated in the untethered chair  120 . The posture sensor module may have at least one posture sensor and a posture transmitter. Although the posture transmitter and the wireless receiver  122  are shown to be separate, the posture transmitter and the wireless receiver  122  may be combined in a single transceiver, instead of being two separate components. Sensor module  310  can be powered by power source  121 . The at least one posture sensor can be located at or near the headrest and/or at or near the backrest of the untethered chair, the at least one posture sensor positioned to detect a position of the user, in particular the position of the head, shoulder and/or back of the user on the chair. 
     In one embodiment, the main unit  110  may have a receiving means such as but not limited to a card reader, a data entry interface, a transceiver, an Internet connection or USB port for receiving a set of personalization data of the user. The set of personalization data may include the user&#39;s HRTF, for example, a personalized HRTF or a generalized representation of the user&#39;s HRTF determined through best-match basis to a general grouping of HRTFs, and/or the user&#39;s anthropometric measurements or approximation of his ear(s) and upper torso. The received audio stream is processed by processor  118  in the main unit  110  to generate the high frequency portion and/or frontal portion with 3D surround audio based on the personalization data of the user. Alternatively, the receiving means can be located on the untethered chair, and the received audio stream processed by a processor that is located on the untethered chair. Advantageously, by processing the audio stream based on the personalization data of the user, the spatial effect of the high frequency portion and/or frontal portion is made even more realistic, further enhancing the user&#39;s experience when using the chair system. The chair system can process audio and generate personalized HRTF using any suitable technique. For example, the techniques as disclosed in U.S. application Ser. No. 16/853,676, U.S. patent Ser. No. 10/225,682, and U.S. patent Ser. No. 10/390,171, which are hereby incorporated by reference, can be used. The personalization data may also include audio characteristics of the plurality of speakers ( 130 ,  140 ) on the untethered chair and/or the plurality of frontal speaker  320 , and the processing of high frequency portion and/or frontal portion with 3D surround audio further improved, for example, by processing based on applying a suitable equalizer setting based on the audio characteristics of the plurality of speakers ( 130 ,  140 ) and/or the plurality of frontal speaker  320 . Advantageously, by processing the audio stream based on the audio characteristics of the plurality of speakers ( 130 ,  140 ) and/or the plurality of frontal speaker  320 , the audio effect of the high frequency portion and/or frontal portion is further improved, further enhancing the user&#39;s experience when using the chair. 
     Referring to  FIG.  5   , a flow diagram  500  depicting a method of processing audio for a chair system in accordance with various embodiments is shown. A chair system including a main unit and an untethered chair is provided. An audio stream is received in step  510 , and the audio stream is processed to obtain a low frequency portion and a high frequency portion in step  520 . The processor can be located in the main unit, or in the untethered chair. The processor is preferably located in the main unit to reduce the power consumption of the untethered chair, especially if complex audio processing is to be carried out. In one embodiment, the low frequency portion can, for example, be the portion of the audio stream that has audio frequencies at and below a threshold frequency (e.g. preferably around 200 to 500 Hz and more preferably around 300 Hz) while the high frequency portion can, for example, be the portion of the audio stream that has audio frequencies above the threshold frequency. In one embodiment, a processor checks if personalization data has been received via a receiving means such as but not limited to a card reader, a data entry interface, a transceiver, an Internet connection or USB port for receiving a set of personalization data of the user. When the check indicates that no personalization data has been received, the processor will load a set of generic data. On the other hand, when personalization data has been received, the processor will load the personalized data. The personalization data may include the user&#39;s HRTF, for example, a personalized HRTF or a generalized representation of the user&#39;s HRTF determined through best-match basis to a general grouping of HRTFs, and/or the user&#39;s anthropometric measurements or approximation of his ear(s) and upper torso. The personalization data may alternatively or in combination also include characteristics of the plurality of speakers on the untethered chair, and the processing of high frequency portion with 3D surround audio further improved, for example, by processing based on applying a suitable equalizer setting based on the characteristics of the plurality of speakers. Advantageously, by processing the audio stream based on the characteristics of the plurality of speakers, the audio effect of the high frequency portion is further improved, further enhancing the user&#39;s experience when using the chair. The received audio stream is processed by the processor to obtain the high frequency portion. Advantageously, by processing the audio using spatial audio technology, the user&#39;s experience when playing the game is enhanced by heightening his listening experience through realistic 3D surround audio. More advantageously, by processing the audio based on the personalization data of the user, the spatial effect of the high frequency portion is made even more realistic, further enhancing the user&#39;s experience when playing the game. The chair system can process audio and generate personalized HRTF using any suitable technique. For example, the techniques as disclosed in U.S. application Ser. No. 16/853,676, U.S. patent Ser. No. 10/225,682, and U.S. patent Ser. No. 10/390,171, which are hereby incorporated by reference, can be used. 
     In optional step  530 , the high frequency portion is sent to a wireless receiver located at the untethered chair if the processor is located on the main unit. The untethered chair plays the high frequency portion with a plurality of speakers coupled with the untethered chair in step  540 . In one embodiment, the plurality of speakers can be removably coupled. In step  550 , the low frequency portion is played with a subwoofer. In one embodiment, the subwoofer can be integrally coupled to the main unit. An appropriate delay can be added to the low frequency portion to ensure audio synchronization between the high frequency portion played at the plurality of speakers at the untethered chair, and the low frequency portion played at the subwoofer. In another embodiment, the subwoofer can be coupled to the main unit via a wired or wireless connection. 
     Referring to  FIG.  6   , a flow diagram  600  depicting a method of processing audio for a chair system in accordance with various embodiments is shown. A chair system including a main unit, an untethered chair, and a plurality of frontal speaker is provided. An audio stream is received in step  610 , and a position of a user on the untethered chair is detected by a posture sensor module on the untethered chair in step  620 . A processor can be located in the main unit, or in the untethered chair. The processor is preferably located in the main unit to reduce the power consumption of the untethered chair, especially if complex audio processing is to be carried out. In step  630 , the position of the user on the untethered chair is sent by a posture transmitter to the processor. In step  640 , the audio stream is processed to obtain a low frequency portion, a high frequency portion, and a frontal portion. The high frequency portion is processed according to the position of the user. For example, when the position of the user is detected as leaning fully against the chair with user&#39;s head leaning on the headrest, the plurality of speakers on the chair can be considered as left speaker and right speaker respectively, and the high frequency portion processed accordingly. However, if the position of the user is detected as leaning forward from the backrest of the chair, the plurality of speakers on the chair can be considered as rear-left speaker and rear-right speaker respectively, and the high frequency portion processed accordingly. Another possible position of the user is the user leaning on the backrest of the chair, but the user&#39;s head is not leaning on the headrest. In this case, the plurality of speakers can, for example, be considered as in a position between the left and rear-left, and between the right and the rear-right respectively, and the high frequency portion processed accordingly. The position of the user may be detected in real-time, and the high frequency portion processed accordingly in real-time as well. In one embodiment, the low frequency portion can, for example, be the portion of the audio stream that has audio frequencies at or below a threshold frequency (e.g. preferably around 200 to 500 Hz and more preferably around 300 Hz) while the high frequency portion can, for example, be the portion of the audio stream that has audio frequencies above the threshold frequency. 
     In one embodiment, a processor checks if personalization data has been received via a receiving means such as but not limited to a card reader, a data entry interface, a transceiver, an Internet connection or USB port for receiving a set of personalization data of the user. When the check indicates that no personalization data has been received, the processor will load a set of generic data. On the other hand, when personalization data has been received, the processor will load the personalized data. The personalization data may include the user&#39;s HRTF, for example, a personalized HRTF or a generalized representation of the user&#39;s HRTF determined through best-match basis to a general grouping of HRTFs, and/or the user&#39;s anthropometric measurements or approximation of his ear(s) and upper torso. The personalization data may alternatively or in combination also include characteristics of the plurality of speakers on the untethered chair and/or the plurality of frontal speaker, and the processing of high frequency portion and/or frontal portion with 3D surround audio further improved, for example, by processing based on applying a suitable equalizer setting based on the characteristics of the plurality of speakers and/or the plurality of frontal speaker. Advantageously, by processing the audio stream based on the characteristics of the plurality of speakers and/or the plurality of frontal speaker, the audio effect of the high frequency portion is further improved, further enhancing the user&#39;s experience when using the chair. The received audio stream is processed by the processor to obtain the high frequency portion. Advantageously, by processing the audio using spatial audio technology, the user&#39;s experience when playing the game is enhanced by heightening his listening experience through realistic 3D surround audio. More advantageously, by processing the audio based on the personalization data of the user, the spatial effect of the high frequency portion and/or frontal portion is made even more realistic, further enhancing the user&#39;s experience when playing the game. The chair system can process audio and generate personalized HRTF using any suitable technique. For example, the techniques as disclosed in U.S. application Ser. No. 16/853,676, U.S. patent Ser. No. 10/225,682, and U.S. patent Ser. No. 10/390,171, which are hereby incorporated by reference, can be used. 
     In step  650 , the frontal portion is sent to the plurality of frontal speaker. The high frequency portion is sent to a wireless receiver located at the untethered chair in optional step  660 , when the processor is located on the main unit. The frontal portion is played with the plurality of frontal speaker in step  670 , the high frequency portion is played with the plurality of speakers on the untethered chair in step  680 , and the low frequency portion is played with a subwoofer in step  690 . The subwoofer is integrally coupled to the main unit, or coupled to the main unit via a wired or wireless connection. An appropriate delay can be added to the high frequency portion, the frontal portion and/or the low frequency portion to ensure audio synchronization between the high frequency portion played at the plurality of speakers at the untethered chair, the frontal portion played at the plurality of frontal speaker, and the low frequency portion. In another embodiment, the subwoofer can be coupled to the main unit via a wired or wireless connection. 
     Although the steps in the flow diagrams are given sequentially, it should be appreciated that some of the steps can be performed concurrently, or in a different sequence. The steps described may be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof. 
     Thus, it can be seen that a chair system with an untethered chair with speakers has been provided. An advantage of the present invention is that it provides a way for the untethered chair to be moved freely, and used safely. 
     While exemplary embodiments have been presented in the foregoing detailed description of the present embodiments, it should be appreciated that a vast number of variations exists. It should further be appreciated that the exemplary embodiments are only examples, and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, operation, or configuration of the invention in any way. Rather, the foregoing detailed description will provide those skilled in the art with a convenient road map for implementing exemplary embodiments of the invention, it being understood that various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of steps and method of operation described in the exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. For example, headphones can be provided to work in conjunction with the system described, and could either replace or supplement the plurality of frontal speakers, and/or replace or supplement the plurality of speakers on the untethered chair.