Methods and apparatuses for implementing a head tracking headset

#An example embodiment of the present invention relates generally to audio hands-free devices, such as headsets, and more particularly, to the orientation of audio hands-free devices and three dimensional (3D) audio playback using audio hands-free devices.

#Users are increasingly using headsets with their mobile devices. Headsets make it possible to provide many applications and usability improvements over hands-free or normal use of mobile devices, such as 3D audio, improved sound quality, improved call quality, improved noise cancellation, navigation with spatial audio, and the like. The main drawback is that when a user wants to listen to 3D audio not all headsets are equipped with inertial sensors including accelerometers, gyroscopes, proximity sensors, and/or optical sensors to detect the head orientation and position of the user wearing the headsets. Determining or tracking the head position and orientation is particularly important when listening to audio with spatial content, like stereo, binaural or multichannel audio or when playing games or following driving instructions with spatialized content or content related to the orientation of the head.

#Methods, apparatuses, and computer program product are described herein that are configured to provide 3D audio playback using audio hands-free devices.

#Having thus described certain embodiments of the invention in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:

#FIG. 1 is an overview of a system that can be used to practice an example embodiment of the present invention;

#FIG. 2 is a block diagram of example components of an example deep neural network based 3D audio rendering system;

#Some embodiments of the present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all, embodiments of the invention are shown. Indeed, various embodiments of the invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. As used herein, the terms “data,” “content,” “information,” and similar terms may be used interchangeably to refer to data capable of being transmitted, received and/or stored in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. Thus, use of any such terms should not be taken to limit the spirit and scope of embodiments of the present invention.

#Additionally, as used herein, the term ‘circuitry’ refers to (a) hardware-only circuit implementations (e.g., implementations in analog circuitry and/or digital circuitry); (b) combinations of circuits and computer program product(s) comprising software and/or firmware instructions stored on one or more computer readable memories that work together to cause an apparatus to perform one or more functions described herein; and (c) circuits, such as, for example, a microprocessor(s) or a portion of a microprocessor(s), that require software or firmware for operation even if the software or firmware is not physically present. This definition of ‘circuitry’ applies to all uses of this term herein, including in any claims. As a further example, as used herein, the term ‘circuitry’ also includes an implementation comprising one or more processors and/or portion(s) thereof and accompanying software and/or firmware. As another example, the term ‘circuitry’ as used herein also includes, for example, a baseband integrated circuit or applications processor integrated circuit for a mobile phone or a similar integrated circuit in a server, a cellular network device, other network device, and/or other computing device.

#As defined herein, a “computer-readable storage medium,” which refers to a non-transitory physical storage medium (e.g., volatile or non-volatile memory device), can be differentiated from a “computer-readable transmission medium,” which refers to an electromagnetic signal.