Patent Document

This application is a Continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/805,405, filed Jul. 21, 2015, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     The delivery of enhanced audio has improved significantly with the availability of sound bars, 5.1 surround sound, and 7.1 surround sound. These enhanced audio delivery systems have improved the quality of the audio delivery by separating the audio into audio channels that play through speakers placed at different locations surrounding the listener. The existing surround sound techniques enhance the perception of sound spatialization by exploiting sound localization, a listener&#39;s ability to identify the location or origin of a detected sound in direction and distance. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods for delivery of a personalized audio, substantially as shown in and/or described in connection with at least one of the figures, as set forth more completely in the claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates an exemplary system for delivery of personalized audio, according to one implementation of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates an exemplary environment utilizing the system of  FIG. 1 , according to one implementation of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates another exemplary environment utilizing the system of  FIG. 1 , according to one implementation of the present disclosure; and 
         FIG. 4  illustrates an exemplary flowchart of a method for delivery of personalized audio, according to one implementation of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The following description contains specific information pertaining to implementations in the present disclosure. The drawings in the present application and their accompanying detailed description are directed to merely exemplary implementations. Unless noted otherwise, like or corresponding elements among the figures may be indicated by like or corresponding reference numerals. Moreover, the drawings and illustrations in the present application are generally not to scale, and are not intended to correspond to actual relative dimensions. 
       FIG. 1  shows exemplary system  100  for delivery of personalized audio, according to one implementation of the present disclosure. As shown, system  100  includes user device  105 , audio contents  107 , media device  110 , and speakers  197   a ,  197   b , . . . ,  197   n . Media device  110  includes processor  120  and memory  130 . Processor  120  is a hardware processor, such as a central processing unit (CPU) used in computing devices. Memory  130  is a non-transitory storage device for storing computer code for execution by processor  120 , and also storing various data and parameters. 
     User device  105  may be a handheld personal device, such as a cellular telephone, a tablet computer, etc. User device  105  may connect to media device  110  via connection  155 . In some implementations, user device  105  may be wireless enabled, and may be configured to wirelessly connect to media device  110  using a wireless technology, such as Bluetooth, WiFi, etc. Additionally, user device  105  may include a software application for providing the user with a plurality of selectable audio profiles, and may allow the user to select an audio language and a listening mode. Dialog refers to audio of spoken words, such as speech, thought, or narrative, and may include an exchange between two or more actors or characters. 
     Audio contents  107  may include an audio track from a media source, such as a television show, a movie, a music file, or any other media source including an audio portion. In some implementations, audio contents  107  may include a single track having all of the audio from a media source, or audio contents  107  may be a plurality of tracks including separate portions of audio contents  107 . For example, a movie may include audio content for dialog, audio content for music, and audio content for effects. In some implementations, audio contents  107  may include a plurality of dialog contents, each including a dialog in a different language. A user may select a language for the dialog, or a plurality of users may select a plurality of languages for the dialog. 
     Media device  110  may be configured to connect to a plurality of speakers, such as speakers  197   a , speaker  197   b , . . . , and speaker  197   n . Media device  110  can be a computer, a set top box, a DVD player, or any other media device suitable for playing audio contents  107  using the plurality of speakers. In some implementations, media device  107  may be configured to connect to a plurality of speakers via wires or wirelessly. 
     In one implementation, audio contents  107  may be provided in channels, e.g. two-channel stereo, or 5.1-channel surround sound, etc. In other implementation, audio contents  107  may be provided in terms of objects, also known as object-based audio or sound. In such an implementation, rather than mixing individual instrument tracks in a song, or mixing ambient sound, sound effects, and dialog in a movie&#39;s audio track, those audio pieces may be directed to exactly go to one or more of speakers  197   a - 197   n , as well as how loud they may be played. For example, audio contents  107  may be produced as metadata and instructions as to where and how all of the audio pieces play. Media device  110  may then utilize the metadata and the instructions to play the audio on speakers  197   a - 197   n.    
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , memory  130  of media device  110  includes audio application  140 . Audio application  140  is a computer algorithm for delivery of personalized audio, which is stored in memory  130  for execution by processor  120 . In some implementations, audio application  140  may include position module  141  and audio profiles  143 . Audio application  140  may utilize audio profiles  143  for delivering personalized audio to one or more listeners located at different positions relative to the plurality of speakers  197   a ,  197   b , . . . , and  197   n , based on each listener&#39;s personalized audio profile. 
     Audio application  140  also includes position module  141 , which is a computer code module for obtaining a position of user device  105 , and other user devices (not shown) in a room or theater. In some implementations, obtaining a position of user device  105  may include transmitting a calibration signal by media device  110 . The calibration signal may include an audio signal emitted from the plurality of speakers  197   a ,  197   b , . . . , and  197   n . In response, user device  105  can use a microphone (not shown) to detect the calibration signal emitted from each of the plurality of speakers  197   a ,  197   b , . . . , and  197   n , and use a triangulation technique to determine a position of user device  105  based on its location relative to each of the plurality of speakers  197   a ,  197   b , . . . , and  197   n . In some implementations, position module  141  may determine a position of a user device  105  using one or more cameras (not shown) of system  100 . As such, the position of each user may be determined relative to each of the plurality of speakers  197   a ,  197   b , . . . , and  197   n.    
     Audio application  140  also includes audio profiles  143 , which includes defined listening modes that may be optimal for different audio contents. For example, audio profiles  143  may include listening modes having equalizer settings that may be optimal for movies, such as reducing the bass and increasing the treble frequencies to enhance playing of a movie dialog for a listener who is hard of hearing. Audio profiles  143  may also include listening modes optimized for certain genres of programming, such as drama and action, a custom listening mode, and a normal listening mode that does not significantly alter the audio. In some implementations, a custom listening mode may enable the user to enhance a portion of audio contents  107 , such as music, dialog, and/or effects. Enhancing a portion of audio contents  107  may include increasing or decreasing the volume of that portion of audio contents  107  relative to other portions of audio contents  107 . Enhancing a portion of audio contents  107  may include changing an equalizer setting to make that portion of audio contents  107  louder. Audio profiles  143  may include a language in which a user may hear dialog. In some implementations, audio profiles  143  may include a plurality of languages, and a user may select a language in which to hear dialog. 
     The plurality of speakers  197   a ,  197   b , . . . , and  197   n  may be surround sound speakers, or other speakers suitable for delivering audio selected from audio contents  107 . The plurality of speakers  197   a ,  197   b , . . . , and  197   n  may be connected to media device  110  using speaker wires, or may be connected to media device  110  using wireless technology. Speakers  197  may be mobile speakers and a user may reposition one or more of the plurality of speakers  197   a ,  197   b , . . . , and  197   n . In some implementations, speakers  109   a - 197   n  may be used to create virtual speakers by using the position of speakers  109   a - 197   n  and interference between the audio transmitted from each speaker of speakers  109   a - 197   n  to create an illusion that sound is originating from a virtual speaker. In other words, a virtual speaker may be a speaker that is not physically present at the location from which the sound appears to originate. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates exemplary environment  200  utilizing system  100  of  FIG. 1 , according to one implementation of the present disclosure. User  211  holds user device  205   a , and user  212  holds user device  205   b . In some implementations, user device  205   a  may be at the same location as user  211 , and user device  205   b  may be at the same location as user  212 . Accordingly, when media device  210  obtains the position of user device  205   a  with respect to speakers  297   a - 297   e , media device  210  may obtain the position of user  211  with respect to speakers  297   a - 297   e . Similarly, when media device  210  obtains the position of user device  205   b  with respect to speakers  297   a - 297   e , media device  210  may obtain the position of user  212  with respect to speakers  297   a - 297   e.    
     User device  205   a  may determine a position relative to speakers  297   a - 297   e  by triangulation. For example, user device  205   a , using a microphone of user device  205   a , may receive an audio calibration signal from speaker  297   a , speaker  297   b , speaker  297   d , and speaker  297   e . Based on the audio calibration signals received, user device  205   a  may determine a position of user device  205   a  relative to speakers  297   a - 297   e , such as by triangulation. User device  205   a  may connect with media device  210 , as shown by connection  255   a . In some implementations, user device  205   a  may transmit the determined position to media device  210 . User device  205   b , using a microphone of user device  205   b , may receive an audio calibration signal from speaker  297   a , speaker  297   b , speaker  297   c , and speaker  297   e . Based on the audio calibration signals received, user device  205   b  may determine a position of user device  205   b  relative to speakers  297   a - 297   e , such as by triangulation. In some implementations, user device  205   b  may connect with media device  210 , as shown by connection  255   b . In some implementations, user device  205   b  may transmit its position to media device  210  over connection  255   b . In other implementations, user device  205   b  may receive the calibration signal and transmit the information to media device  210  over connection  255   b  for determination of the position of user device  205   b , such as by triangulation. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates exemplary environment  300  utilizing system  100  of  FIG. 1 , according to one implementation of the present disclosure. It should be noted that, to clearly show that audio is delivered to user  311  and user  312 ,  FIG. 3  does not show user devices  205   a  and  205   b . As shown in  FIG. 3 , user  311  is located at a first position and receives first audio content  356 . User  312  is located at a second position and receives second audio content  358 . 
     First audio content  356  may include dialog in a language selected by user  311  and may include other audio contents such as music and effects. In some implementations, user  311  may select an audio profile that is normal, where a normal audio profile refers to a selection that delivers audio to user  311  at levels unaltered from audio contents  107 . Second audio content  358 , may include dialog in a language selected by user  312  and may include other audio contents such as music and effects. In some implementations, user  312  may select an audio profile that is normal, where a normal audio profile refers to a selection that delivers audio portions to user  312  at levels unaltered from audio contents  107 . 
     Each of speakers  397   a - 397   e  may transmit cancellation audio  357 . Cancellation audio  357  may cancel a portion of an audio content transmitted by speaker  397   a , speaker  397   b , speaker  397   c , speaker  397   d , and speaker  397   e . In some implementations, cancellation audio  357  may completely cancel a portion of first audio content  376  or a portion of second audio content  358 . For example, when first audio  356  includes dialog in a first language and second audio  358  includes dialog in a second language, cancellation audio  357  may completely cancel the first language portion of first audio  356  so that user  312  receives only dialog in the second language. In some implementations, cancellation audio  357  may partially cancel a portion of first audio content  356  or second audio content  358 . For example, when first audio  356  includes dialog at an increased level and in a first language, and second audio  358  includes dialog at a normal level in the first language, cancellation audio  357  may partially cancel the dialog portion of first audio  356  to deliver dialog at the appropriate level to user  312 . 
       FIG. 4  illustrates exemplary flowchart  400  of a method for delivery of a personalized audio, according to one implementation of the present disclosure. Beginning at  401 , audio application receives audio contents  107 . In some implementations, audio contents  107  may include a plurality of audio tracks, such as a music track, a dialog track, an effects track, an ambient sound track, a background sounds track, etc. In other implementations, audio contents  107  may include all of the audio associated with a media being played back to users in one audio track. 
     At  402 , media device  110  receives a first playback request from a first user device for playing a first audio content of audio contents  107  using speakers  197 . In some implementations, the first user device may be a smart phone, a tablet computer, or other handheld device including a microphone that is suitable for transmitting a playback request to media device  110  and receiving a calibration signal transmitted by media device  110 . The first playback request may be a wireless signal transmitted from the first user device to media device  110 . In some implementations, media device  110  may send a signal to user device  105  prompting the user to launch an application software on user device  105 . The application software may be used in determining the position of user device  105 , and the user may use the application software to select audio settings, such as language and audio profile. 
     At  403 , media device  110  obtains a first position of a first user of the first user device with respect to each of the plurality of speakers, in response to the first playback request. In some implementations, user device  105  may include a calibration application for use with audio application  140 . After initiation of the calibration application, user device  105  may receive a calibration signal from media device  110 . The calibration signal may be an audio signal transmitted by a plurality of speakers, such as speakers  197 , and user device  105  may use the calibration signal to determine the position of user device  105  relative to each speaker of speakers  197 . In some implementations, user device  105  provides the position relative to each speaker to media device  110 . In other implementations, user device  105 , using the microphone of user device  105 , may receive the calibration signal and transmit the information to media device  110  for processing. In some implementations, media device  110  may determine the position of user device  105  relative to speakers  197  based on the information received from user device  105 . 
     The calibration signal transmitted by media device  110  may be transmitted using speakers  197 . In some implementations, the calibration signal may be an audio signal that is audible to a human, such as an audio signal between about 20 Hz and about 20 kHz, or the calibration signal may be an audio signal that is not audible to a human, such as an audio signal having a frequency greater than about 20 kHz. To determine the position of user device  105  relative to each speaker of speakers  197 , speakers  109   a - 197   n  may transmit the calibration signal at a different time, or speakers  197  may transmit the calibration signal at the same time. In some implementations, the calibration signal transmitted by each speaker of speakers  197  may be a unique calibration signal, allowing user device  105  to differentiate between the calibration signal emitted by each speaker  109   a - 197   n . The calibration signal may be used to determine the position of user device  105  relative to speakers  109   a - 197   n , and the calibration signal may be used to update the position of user device  105  relative to speakers  109   a - 197   n.    
     In some implementations, speakers  197  may be wireless speakers, or speakers  197  may be mobile speakers that a user can reposition. Accordingly, the position of each speaker of speakers  109   a - 197   n  may change, and the distance between the speakers of speakers  109   a - 197   n  may change. The calibration signal may be used to determine the relative position of speakers  109   a - 197   n  and/or the distance between speakers  109   a - 197   n . The calibration signal may be used to update the relative position of speakers  109   a - 197   n  and/or the distance between speakers  109   a - 197   n.    
     Alternatively, system  100  may obtain, determine, and/or track the position of a user or a plurality of users using a camera. In some implementations, system  100  may include a camera, such as a digital camera. System  100  may obtain a position of user device  105 , and then map the position of user device  105  to an image captured by the camera to determine a position of the user. In some implementations, system  100  may use the camera and recognition software, such as facial recognition software, to obtain a position of a user. 
     Once system  100  has obtained the position of a user, system  100  may use the camera to continuously track the position of the user and/or periodically update the position of the user. Continuously tracking the position of a user, or periodically updating the position of a user, may be useful because a user may move during the playback of audio contents  107 . For example, a user who is watching a movie may change position after returning from getting a snack. By tracking and/or updating the position of the user, system  100  can continue to deliver personalized audio to the user throughout the duration of the movie. In some implementations, system  100  is configured to detect that a user or a user device has left the environment, such as a room, where the audio is being played. In response, system  100  may stop transmitting personalized audio corresponding to that user until that user returns to the room. System  100  may prompt a user to update the user&#39;s position if the user moves. To update the position of the user, media device  110  may transmit a calibration signal, for example, a signal at a frequency greater than 20 kHz, to obtain an updated position of the user. 
     Additionally, the calibration signal may be used to determine audio qualities of the room, such as the shape of the room and position of walls relative to speakers  197 . System  100  may use the calibration signal to determine the position of the walls and how sound echoes in the room. In some implementations, the walls may be used as another sound source. As such, rather than cancelling out the echoes or in conjunction with cancelling out the echoes, the walls and their configurations may be considered for reducing or eliminating echoes. System  100  may also determine other factors that affect how sound travels in the environment, such as the humidity of the air. 
     At  404 , media device  110  receives a first audio profile from the first user device. An audio profile may include a user preference determining the personalized audio delivered to the user. For example, an audio profile may include a language selection and/or a listening mode. In some implementations, audio contents  107  may include a dialog track in one language or a plurality of dialog tracks each in a different language. The user of user device  105  may select a language in which to hear the dialog track, and media device  110  may deliver personalized audio to the first user including dialog in the selected language. The language that the first user hears may include the original language of the media being played back, or the language that the first user hears may be a different language than the original language of the media being played back. 
     A listening mode may include settings designed to enhance the listening experience of a user, and different listening modes may be used for different situations. System  100  may include an enhanced dialog listening mode, a listening mode for action programs, drama programs, or other genre specific listening modes, a normal listening mode, and a custom listening mode. A normal listening mode may deliver the audio as provided in the original media content, and a custom listening mode may allow a user to specify portions of audio contents  107  to enhance, such as the music, dialog, and effects. 
     At  405 , media device  110  receives a second playback request from a second user device for playing a second audio content of the plurality of audio contents using the plurality of speakers. In some implementations, the second user device may be a smart phone, a tablet computer, or other handheld device including a microphone that is suitable for transmitting a playback request to media device  110  and receiving a calibration signal transmitted by media device  110 . The second playback request may be a wireless signal transmitted from the second user device to media device  110 . 
     At  406 , media device  110  obtains a position of a second user of a second user device with respect to each of the plurality of speakers, in response to the second playback request. In some implementations, the second user device may include a calibration application for use with audio application  140 . After initiation of the calibration application, the second user device may receive a calibration signal from media device  110 . The calibration signal may be an audio signal transmitted by a plurality of speakers, such as speakers  197 , and the second user device may use the calibration signal to determine the position of user device  105  relative to each speaker of speakers  197 . In some implementations, the second user device may provide the position relative to each speaker to media device  110 . In other implementations, the second user device may transmit information to media device  110  related to receiving the calibration signal, and media device  110  may determine the position of the second user device relative to speakers  197 . 
     At  407 , media device  110  receives a second audio profile from the second user device. The second audio profile may include a second language and/or a second listening mode. After receiving the second audio profile, at  408 , media device  110  selects a first listening mode based on the first audio profile and a second listening mode based on the second listening profile. In some implementations, the first listening mode and the second listening mode may be the same listening mode, or they may be different listening modes. Continuing with  409 , media device  110  selects a first language based on the first audio profile and a second language based on the second audio profile. In some implementations, the first language may be the same language as the second language, or the first language may be a different language than the second language. 
     At  410 , system  100  plays the first audio content of the plurality of audio contents based on the first audio profile and the first position of the first user of the first user device with respect to each of the plurality of speakers. The system  100  plays the second audio content of the plurality of audio contents based on the second audio profile and the second position of the second user of the second user device with respect to each of the plurality of speakers. In some implementations, the first audio content of the plurality of audio contents being played by the plurality of speakers may include a first dialog in a first language, and the second audio content of the plurality of audio contents being played by the plurality of speakers may include a second dialog in a second language 
     The first audio content may include a cancellation audio that cancels at least a portion of the second audio content being played by speakers  197 . In some implementations, the cancellation audio may partially cancel or completely cancel a portion of the second audio content being played by speakers  197 . To verify the effectiveness of the cancellation audio, system  100 , using user device  105 , may prompt the user to indicate whether the user is hearing audio tracks they should not be hearing, e.g., is the user hearing dialog in a language other than the selected language. In some implementations, the user may be prompted to give additional subjective feedback, i.e., whether the music is at a sufficient volume. 
     From the above description, it is manifest that various techniques can be used for implementing the concepts described in the present application without departing from the scope of those concepts. Moreover, while the concepts have been described with specific reference to certain implementations, a person of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that changes can be made in form and detail without departing from the scope of those concepts. As such, the described implementations are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. It should also be understood that the present application is not limited to the particular implementations described above, but many rearrangements, modifications, and substitutions are possible without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

Technology Category: 5