Patent Publication Number: US-6990211-B2

Title: Audio system and method

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE RELATED ART 
     This section is intended to introduce the reader to various aspects of art, which may be related to various aspects in accordance with embodiments of the present invention, which are described and/or claimed below. This discussion is believed to be helpful in providing the reader with background information to facilitate a better understanding of the various aspects in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. Accordingly, it should be understood that these statements are to be read in this light, and not as admissions of prior art. 
     Microprocessor-controlled circuits are used in a wide variety of applications throughout the world. Such applications may include personal computers, control systems, stereo systems, theater systems, gaming systems, telephone networks, and a host of other consumer products. Many of these microprocessor-based systems may include the capability of delivering audio signals to users, including surround sound signals. 
     Surround sound systems mimic reality by giving the user the impression that sounds are coming from different locations around the listening environment. A surround sound system manipulates an audio signal, which is sent to various speakers, to give the appearance that objects are around the listener. This effect is achieved by receiving an audio signal and modifying the signal before it is transmitted to a speaker or group of speakers. The adjusted sound signals give the listener the sensation that the listener is located in the middle of the activity that is generating the sound. In combining the surround sound system with the images generated on a screen, the user is able to enjoy a more realistic experience. 
     In a surround sound system, the speakers may be located around a room or other space. Although the listener may hear the sound inside or outside the defined space, maximum enjoyment may be obtained if the listener is located at a specific location in the defined space. If the space is a room, then the listener may be positioned in the center of the room for maximum surround sound effect. 
     Surround sound systems do have problems, which reduce the potential enjoyment of the listening experience of the user. One such problem with surround sound systems is that the systems are designed to operate optimally with the listener positioned at a specific location. When the listener moves from the optimal location, the listener is no longer subject to the optimum surround sound effect. Indeed, even turning a listener&#39;s head may affect optimal sound quality. Furthermore, the speakers for a surround sound system place certain dimensional limitations on the defined space. The dimension limitations relate to the positioning of the surround sound speakers in the defined space. For example, certain locations that may optimize the sound field may not be practical or feasible locations for the user or speakers to be located. 
     Moreover, the sounds generated from the surround sound system may prevent any possibility of privacy with the sound generated from the speaker. In some instances, the sounds coming from the system may offend others. In these instances, it may be desirable to reduce the distribution of the sound without reducing the volume or effect for the user. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Advantages of the invention may become apparent upon reading the following detailed description and upon reference to the drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a block diagram of components in a system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a speaker subsystem in accordance with embodiments of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a flow diagram in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS 
     One or more specific embodiments of the present invention will be described below. In an effort to provide a concise description of these embodiments, not all features of an actual implementation are described in the specification. It should be appreciated that in the development of any such actual implementation, as in any engineering or design project, numerous implementation-specific decisions are made to achieve the developers&#39; specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, which may vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it should be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking of design, fabrication, and manufacture for those of ordinary skill having the benefit of this disclosure. 
     The embodiments discussed herein reflect an improved approach that may resolve the issues discussed above, while providing additional functionality to a user. The following disclosed embodiments may provide greater control over a sound field generated from a surround sound system and may enable the user to receive an optimal distribution of sound in a variety of locations. The sound field may be related with the images being viewed by the user, while being oriented with the direction of the user&#39;s line of sight. In addition, the disclosed embodiments may reduce the distribution of sound generated from the system, which enables the user to maintain a certain level of privacy in relation to the sound generated from the speakers. 
     As one possible embodiment, the speaker system may reduce the distortion between a set of displayed images that are related to the generated sound field. As alluded to above, problems may be encountered when the user shifts away from images that are displayed in relation to a fixed sound field. For instance, if the user turns his/her head, the sound field generated may not be oriented relative to the images being generated. In the disclosed embodiments, the sound field generated from the system through the speakers may respond to the user&#39;s movements by maintaining the sound field in the proper orientation that is correlative to the position of the displayed images. 
     For instance, while not limited in any way to such applications, the disclosed embodiments may be used in conjunction with a computer game that utilizes multiple screens and relates to a sound field generated from speakers within headphones. A surround sound system may be designed to produce the optimal audio effect when the user&#39;s vision is directed to a central screen. Yet, with the disclosed embodiments, the user may turn from one of another screen to another and have the associated sound field adjust with respect to the user&#39;s line of sight. Thus, the disclosed embodiments are able to correlate a sound field with a generated set of images. 
     To clearly understand the disclosed embodiments, a discussion of the subsystems utilized to correlate the users orientation with the sound being generated is detailed below. As illustrated in the example set forth in  FIG. 1 , the system may include a sound subsystem  12 , a location subsystem  14 , and a speaker subsystem  16 . The sound subsystem  12  may generate an audio signal that is related to images being displayed, while the location subsystem  14  may determine the user&#39;s orientation relative to the images that are displayed. The speaker subsystem  16  may utilize the audio signal to generate a sound field relative to the images that are displayed. By combining these subsystems, a user may experience a sound field that adjusts to the user&#39;s movements, while maintaining the proper orientation relative to a displayed image. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , an audio system  10  may provide a surround sound field to a user that is correlated with a set of images (not shown). As mentioned above, the audio system  10  may include a sound subsystem  12 , a location subsystem  14 , and a speaker subsystem  16 , which may be interconnected to adjust the sound delivered to the user. 
     The audio system  10  may interconnect these subsystems in a variety of different configurations to produce the oriented sound field for a user. For example, the sound subsystem  12  may be connected to the location subsystem  14  and the speaker subsystem  16 . The sound subsystem  12  may generate or receive an audio signal that is related to a set of images. To adjust the audio signal, the location subsystem  14  may exchange information with the speaker subsystem  16  regarding the location or orientation of the user. The location of the user may be a position within a room relative to the images being displayed, while the orientation of the user may be determined by a position of the user&#39;s head with respect to the images being displayed. With this location and/or orientation information, the sound subsystem  12  may adjust the audio signals to orient the audio signals to the user&#39;s location and/or orientation in a position signal. These modified audio signals may be transmitted to the speaker subsystem  16  to generate the sound field for the user. To clearly understand the various subsystems, each subsystem will be discussed in greater detail below. 
     The sound subsystem  12  may be utilized to generate audio signals that may relate to images being displayed on a display or screen. For the system  10  to generate a sound field, the sound subsystem  12  may provide audio signals or inputs to the speaker subsystem  16 . An audio source  18  may produce the audio signals that may include various signals, such as audio signals, audio streams, or other acoustical signals. The audio source  18  may be a component of a larger system including imaging and graphical displays, such as a VCR, a DVD player, a computer, television, or other similar device. 
     To generate a sound field, the audio source  18  may communicate signals to a surround sound circuit  22  through a connection  20 . The surround sound processor or circuit  22  may decode the signals received from the audio source  18 . The surround sound processor or circuit  22  may include a processor, circuitry, and/or logic components to modify or integrate the audio signals with other information received. For example, the surround sound circuit  22  may receive signals from the audio source  18  and may modify the audio signals with other information, such as settings or audio parameters. 
     The various settings and parameters may be utilized with the audio signal received from the audio source  18  to adjust the sound field produced by the speaker subsystem  16  based on user preference information. For instance, the surround sound circuit  22  may modify the decoded audio signals with audio parameters or initial parameters, such as the volume or audio drive signal strength data parameters, and include initial or sound field parameters relating to the physical orientation of the audio system  10 , compensation factors for hearing impairments, optimal positioning information, acoustical effects, or the like. Likewise, the user may adjust sound field parameters or user set-up parameters via a manual input, a remote control, a network connection, or through the console connection. The user set-up parameters may adjust the bass, treble, location of the optimal position, or other audio characteristics, which influence the sound field. These parameters and settings allow the user to modify the sound field or different audio features within the sound field based upon user preference information. 
     In addition to the parameters and settings, the surround sound circuit  22  may manipulate or adjust the sound pattern based on a position signal generated by the location subsystem  14 , as discussed above. The sound subsystem  12  may receive the position signal from the location subsystem  14  via a connection  28 . The surround sound circuit  22  may use the position signal to adjust the orientation of the sound field to provide optimize the sound field based on the orientation of a user. The position signal may enable the sound subsystem  12  to modify the audio signal received from the audio source  18  based on the location or orientation of the user. 
     Once the audio signal is adjusted with the position information, the surround sound circuit  22  may provide a modified signal to an amplifier  26  through a connection  24 . The amplifier  26  may receive the modified audio signal and amplify the signal before the signal is transmitted to the speaker subsystem  16  via a connection  56 . The amplifier  26  may include user definable parameters, which are similar to the sound field parameters or audio parameters discussed above in relation to the surround sound circuit  22 . 
     To communicate the modified audio signals with the speaker subsystem  16 , the connection  56  may be utilized as a path for the exchange of signals. The connection  56  may be a cable, a bundled cable, a fiber optic cable, an infrared link, a wireless communication link, or a link of any other suitable technology. By communicating with the speaker subsystem  16 , the modified audio signals transmitted from the amplifier  26  may produce a sound field that is directed according to the user&#39;s orientation. Accordingly, the sound field produced by the sound subsystem  12  may account for changes in the location and/or orientation of the user. As fully described below, the location subsystem  14  and the speaker subsystem  16  may include various components that will be interconnected with the sound subsystem  12  in a variety of different configurations. 
     A second of the subsystems may be the location subsystem  14 . As discussed above, the location subsystem  14  may provide the position signal that includes information about the orientation or location of a user to enable the adjustment of the sound field relative to the user. The location subsystem  14  may include location components, such as a processor, transmitters, receivers, sensors, and/or detectors. For example, the location subsystem  14  may be adapted to receive position information from receivers connected to the speaker subsystem  16  and generate a position signal based on that position information, which may include location information (i.e. position of the use in the room) and orientation information (i.e. direction that the use is looking). 
     To determine the position information, the location subsystem  14  may receive data from various other components that may be utilized to determine the actual orientation and/or location of the user. Components that may be utilized by the location subsystem  14  may be a location sensing circuit  30 , a location-sensing sensor  34 , and a group of orientation sensors  38 ,  40 , and  42 . The location sensing circuit  30  may be a processor or circuitry that manages or analyzes the position information, which relates to the user&#39;s orientation and/or location. To gather information related to the user&#39;s orientation and/or location, the location sensing circuit  30  may communicate with the location-sensing sensor  34  via a connection  32  and with the group of orientation sensors  38 ,  40  and  42  via a connection  36 . 
     The location-sensing sensor  34  and group of orientation sensors  38 ,  40  and  42  may interact to collect the information used by the location sensing circuit  30 . The location-sensing sensor  34  and a group of orientation sensors  38 ,  40  and  42  may be transmitters or receivers depending on a specific design. These components may interact through pulsed infrared signals, RF signals, or similar signals of other suitable technologies. For instance, the location-sensing sensor  34  may be an IR transmitter connected to the location sensing circuit by a connection  32 . The orientation sensors  38 ,  40 , and  42  may be IR receivers located adjacent to the user&#39;s head or chest region. To exchange information, a signal may be transmitted from the location-sensing sensor  34  to the orientation sensors  38 ,  40  and  42 , which transmit a signal to the location sensing circuit  30 . In this configuration, the orientation sensors  38 ,  40  and  42  may be mounted in a manner to provide the most possible separation, which allows the position information to be more accurately determined. 
     Once position information, such as the orientation and/or location data, is received by the location sensing circuit  30 , the location sensing circuit  30  may process this information to create a position signal that has characteristics based on the orientation or location of the user. This enables the user to move around, while having the sound field adjusted accordingly. To process the orientation and location information, the location sensing circuit  30  may interpret or process the position information with a processor or group of circuits. The processing of the signals may utilize triangulation algorithms or other similar techniques to determine the orientation and/or location of the user. The determination of the position data may depend upon various design factors, such as the number of receivers, the number of transmitters, the number of users being monitored, the location of the transmitters and receivers, and technologies being used to determine the orientation. 
     Once the user&#39;s location and orientation are determined, the location sensing circuit  30  may transmit the position information in a position signal to the sound subsystem  12 . More specifically, the surround sound circuit  22  may receive location and orientation information from a location sensing circuit  30  via a connection  28 , which may be a physical communication link, a wireless communication link, or communication link of other suitable technology. The communication of this information enables the sound subsystem  12  to modify the audio signal, as discussed above. 
     As a possible embodiment, the location sensing circuit  30  may be a controller ASIC that generates a pulsed output signal. Additionally, the location-sensing sensor  34  may be an infrared transmitter (IR diode) and the orientation sensors  38 ,  40  and  42  may be infrared receivers. The infrared signal may be transmitted in the direction of the user or within a defined space, such as from the top of a monitor in the same direction that the monitor displays its image. In this configuration, the orientation sensors  38 ,  40  and  42  may receive the signals and transmit signals back to a location sensing ASIC. The signals may be transmitted via a cable or wireless link. The location sensing ASIC may interpret the received signals to determine the orientation of the user via triangulation calculations. Based on the phase shifts in the returned pulses from each of the three receivers and the time delays of the received signals versus the original signal transmitted, the location sensing ASIC determines the user&#39;s orientation. By comparing the three different phase shifts, the user&#39;s orientation may be determined. 
     In an alternative embodiment, the location-sensing sensor  34  may be an infrared receiver (IR diode) and the orientation sensors  38 ,  40 , and  42  may be infrared transmitters. The infrared signal may be transmitted from the user in the direction of the images being displayed to the user. In this configuration, each of the orientation sensors  38 ,  40 , and  42  may transmit signals to the location-sensing sensor  34 , which communicates the signals to a location sensing ASIC. The location sensing ASIC may interpret the received signals to determine the orientation of the user as previously discussed. 
     The third subsystems may be the speaker subsystem  16 . As discussed above, the speaker subsystem  16  may receive the modified audio signals and generate the sound field relative to the orientation or location of the user. The speaker subsystem may include speakers  46 ,  48 ,  50 ,  52  and  54  that are located in a housing  44 . Through the speakers  46 ,  48 ,  50 ,  52  and  54 , the sound field may be generated based upon signals received from the sound subsystem  12 . 
     To generate a sound field, the speaker subsystem  16  may receive audio signals from the other subsystems, such as the sound subsystem  12  or location subsystem  14 , via connection  56 . For instance, the audio source, such as a CD, computer, or television, may generate audio signals. The sound subsystem  14  may receive the audio signals and modify the audio signals with the position information in the surround sound circuit  22 . Then, the modified signals may be increased in the amplifier  26 . The modified audio signals may be transmitted to the speakers  46 ,  48 ,  50 ,  52  and  54  through the connection  56 . The speakers  46 ,  48 ,  50 ,  52  and  54  may utilize the modified audio signals to produce the sound field for the user. As discussed above, the modified audio signals may generate a sound field that may be adjusted in a variety of ways based upon the user preference information along with location and orientation information, which may influence the sound generated from each of the different speakers  46 ,  48 ,  50 ,  52  and  54 . By utilizing the modified audio signals, the speakers  46 ,  48 ,  50 ,  52  and  54  provide the user with sound that may be tailored to the user&#39;s preferences, location, and/or orientation relative to images being generated on a display. 
     In addition to the modified audio signal, various other factors, such as speaker functionality and configuration, may affect the sound field that is generated by the speakers  46 ,  48 ,  50 ,  52  and  54 . With regard to the configuration, the speakers  46 ,  48 ,  50 ,  52  and  54  may be positioned within a housing  44 , which may be in a headset and/or around a room. The placement of the speakers  46 ,  48 ,  50 ,  52  and  54  may influence the sounds generated and may require the modified audio signals to be manipulated by the user preferences to provide an optimized sound field. In addition to the speaker configuration, the functionality or capabilities of the speakers  46 ,  48 ,  50 ,  52  and  54  may influence the sound produced as well. For instance, the speakers  46 ,  48 ,  50 ,  52  and  54  may include individual speakers that are specifically designed to enhance certain sounds, such as treble or bass sounds. Thus, the speaker functionality and configuration may influence the sound field generated by the speaker subsystem  16 . 
     Referring generally to  FIG. 2 , a speaker subsystem in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. In this embodiment, a headset  60  may house various components of the speaker subsystem  16  shown and discussed above in  FIG. 1 . The headset  60  may include a first casing  62  connected to a second casing  64  via a connecting strap or other connector  66 . The headset  60  may include various components and circuitry, which may be utilized to provide the various functionalities discussed above with regard to  FIG. 1 . These functions may include generating a sound field and exchanging position information to determine the user&#39;s orientation and/or location, for instance 
     To exchange the position information with the location subsystem  14  (see  FIG. 1 ), the headset  60  may include orientation sensors  38 ,  40 , and  42 , which assist in the determination of the user&#39;s orientation. These orientation sensors  38 ,  40 , and  42  may be disposed at various locations on the headset  60 . For instance, the first orientation sensor  38  may be located on the first casing  62  of the headset  60 . The second orientation sensor  40  may be located on the connecting strap  66  of the headset  60 . The third orientation sensor  42  may be located on the second casing  64  of the headset  60 . By arranging these orientation sensors  38 ,  40 , and  42  around the headset  60 , each of the orientation sensors  38 ,  40 , and  42  may be positioned to optimize the position information obtained. Alternatively, the orientation sensors  38 ,  40 , and  42  may be separated any from the headset  60 . For instance, the orientation sensors  38 ,  40 , and  42  may be attached to a belt around the user or to a badge. 
     To communicate with the orientation sensors  38 ,  40 , and  42  in the headset  60 , the orientation sensors  38 ,  40 , and  42  may interact with the subsystem  14  as previously discussed. In exchanging the position information, the headset  60  may interact with the location subsystem  14  via a receiver circuit  68 . The receiver circuit  68  may manage the communication or provide a communication path from the orientation sensors  38 ,  40 , and  42  to other components in providing this function. The position signal may be communicated across a wireless link or a physical link, as discussed above. These links enable the position signal to be exchanged with the other components, such as the location subsystem  14  as described in  FIG. 1 . 
     The sound field may be produced for the user through speakers  46 A– 54 B that are attached to the headset  60 . The speakers  46 A,  48 A,  50 A,  52 A, and  54 A may be connect to the first casing  62 , while the speakers  46 B,  48 B,  50 B,  52 B, and  54 B may be attached to the second casing  64 . By positioning the speakers  46 A– 54 B in various positions on the headset, an optimal sound field may be produced from a specific configuration. With this configuration, the user may be able to receive the sound field that rotates in a variety of orientations, such as up, down, left, or right, as discussed above. 
     For the various components to operate within the headset  60 , a source of voltage or power may be utilized, such as a power circuit  70 . The power circuit  70  may include a battery, an array of batteries, or a connection to a power source. The power circuit  70  may provide power to the orientation sensors  38 ,  40 , and  42 , speakers  46 A,  48 A,  50 A,  52 A, and  54 A, the receiver circuit  68 , or other components within the headset  60 . 
     While the sound subsystem  12  may comprise a headset  60 , in an alternative embodiment, the speaker subsystem  16  may include speakers located in a room or defined space. In this embodiment, the user may have orientation sensors  38 ,  40 , and  42  attached to the user to provide position information to the location subsystem  14  for creation of a modified audio signal. The sound field may then be modified with the information received from the orientation sensors  38 ,  40 , and  42 , as discussed above. Similarly, the speakers  46 A– 54 B may be mounted on the floor, on the ceiling, or at other locations within the defined space. In this configuration, the user may still adjust various parameters, such as the user set-up parameters or audio parameters, to control the distribution of sound. 
     For instance, if the speakers  46 A– 54 B are mounted on the ceiling, the sound may be “lowered” by adjusting the user set-up parameters of the surround sound processor. Similarly, if the speakers  46 A– 54 B are very close and utilized for a user at a computer display, the sound field can be adjusted to give the impression that the speakers are farther away. These adjustments may be made to enable the user to change default settings or other initial parameters, as discussed above. 
     Turning to  FIG. 3 , a flow diagram is illustrated in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. In the diagram, generally referred to by reference numeral  80 , the interactions between the various subsystems discussed above are shown. The process begins at block  82 . At block  84 , a position signal or position information signal may be generated by a source. The position signal may relate to the user&#39;s orientation and/or location relative to the images being displayed, as discussed above. For instance, the source of the position signal may be the location subsystem  14 , as discussed with regard to  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 . Also, the position signal may include other information, such as the room&#39;s dimensional information, which may be communicated by a wireless technology or through a physical connection. An input or audio signal may be delivered to the system by from an audio source within the sound subsystem  12 , as discussed above in regards to  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 . The audio signal may be generated by a stereo, a DVD player, a VCR, a computer, TV, or similar device. 
     To provide the adjusted sound field, the audio signal may be modified as shown at block  86  based on the position signal, which may include the location and orientation information, created at block  84 . As discussed above, the modifications may include various factors, such as user defined setup parameters, user preference data, user preference information, initial parameters, or signal parameters. Likewise, the modification may be implemented in any of the subsystems, as discussed above. 
     To generate the sound field for the user, the adjusted or modified audio signal may be transmitted to the speaker subsystem, as shown at block  88 . Once the signal is transmitted to the speaker subsystem, the adjusted or modified audio signal may be utilized by the speaker to generate a sound field for the user. As discussed above with regard to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the speakers receive the signals and produce the sound for the user. The sound field may be adjusted and rotated according to the orientation, location, or position of the user to provide the user with an enhanced listening experience. Accordingly, the process ends at block  90 . 
     While the invention may be susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way of example in the drawings and have been described in detail herein. However, it should be understood that the invention is not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed. Rather, the invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the following appended claims.