Spatial Audio Adjustment for TV Listening During Room Conversations
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Solution Overview
Problem
Watching an audiovisual program in a noisy environment, such as when others are conversing, can result in a less-than-optimal experience for both the viewer and the conversants due to the challenge of hearing the program audio over the conversation, and vice versa.
Innovation Solution
A computing system adjusts the volume of sound generating devices by using a listening device with a microphone array to differentiate between program audio and room conversations, determining user and object locations, and adjusting volume or pausing the program based on detected conversations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If the volume of speakers is increased to make program audio audible over conversation, then the program audio becomes louder and more audible, but the conversation between people in the room becomes more disruptive and less private
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies different volume levels to different spatial locations by adjusting individual speaker volumes based on detected user positions and conversation zones. Speakers near the viewer are increased in volume while speakers near conversing people are decreased, creating localized audio quality zones rather than a uniform volume across the entire room.
Solution Approach 2:
The audio system is segmented into multiple independent speaker channels, each可控 independently based on its spatial relationship to the viewer and conversing people. This allows the system to treat different spatial regions separately, adjusting volume on a per-speaker basis rather than as a single unified audio output.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the volume of speakers is decreased to reduce disruption to conversation, then conversation privacy is improved, but the program audio becomes less audible to the viewer
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates localized audio zones by adjusting speaker volumes based on spatial detection. Areas near conversing people experience reduced volume for their benefit, while areas near the viewer maintain or increase volume for program audibility, allowing both needs to be satisfied simultaneously in different locations.
3Extent of automation
If a listening device with microphone array is used to detect conversations and adjust volume, then automatic volume management is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service by automatically detecting conversations through the microphone array, determining user positions, and adjusting speaker volumes without manual intervention. The system monitors the environment continuously and autonomously makes volume adjustments based on detected conditions, eliminating the need for user control inputs.
Solution Approach 2:
The microphone array provides continuous feedback about the acoustic environment, including detected conversations and user positions. This feedback loop enables the system to dynamically adjust speaker volumes in response to real-time conditions, creating a closed-loop control system that adapts to changing circumstances.
4Ease of operation
If speaker volume is adjusted based on user location and conversation detection, then viewing experience is optimized, but measurement and detection difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The microphone array acts as an intermediary device that facilitates conversation detection and user position determination. By using multiple microphones to capture acoustic signals from different directions, the system can triangulate sound sources and distinguish between program audio and conversational audio, making the detection process more accurate and reliable.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enhances the viewing experience by automatically managing audio levels to prioritize program audio over distracting noises or conversations, ensuring optimal sound for the viewer and respecting the privacy of those conversing.
Implementation Method 1
The listening device may have access to information about the program (e.g, audiovisual content) the user is viewing, such as the program's expected audio. The listening device may use the expected audio from the program and detected audio from the microphone to determine when a conversation is occurring
Implementation Method 2
The listening device may also determine the location of users and objects within the room based on the sounds they make
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and apparatuses are described for optimizing user content consuming experience by recognizing and classifying different sounds while a user views a program. The system may have or may access information related to the program audio being presented, enabling it to distinguish between conversations occurring in the program audio and conversations between users in the viewing environment. The system may turn the program volume down on one or more sound producing devices if it detects a conversation. The system may turn the program volume up if it detects an interrupting noise. The system may also adjust the program content based on locations of various objects within the listening or viewing environment, and types of users in the environment.