# US 2019/0246235 A1 · Location-based personal audio > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2019/0246235 A1 - Document ID: US20190246235A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 16/267,643 - Filed: 2019-02-05 - Published: 2019-08-08 - Earliest claimed: 2018-02-06 - Assignees: Bose Corporation - Applicants: Bose Corporation - Inventors: IIissa Brooke Bruser; Maura Elston Cass; Eric Eugene Dolecki; Andrew D. Dominijanni; Shaun Fisher; Andrew Porter Hlynsky; Maya Antara Mukhopadhaya; Carrie Ann Olson; Naganagouda Patil; Jason Robinson; Daniel Winchell Tellier; Lindsey Turner; Erich Andrew Wiernasz - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20190246235A1 ## CPC - H04S 7/304: {For headphones} - G06F 3/012: {Head tracking input arrangements} - G06F 3/017: {Gesture based interaction, e.g. based on a set of recognized hand gestures (interaction based on gestures traced on a digitiser G06F3/04883)} - G06F 3/165: {Management of the audio stream, e.g. setting of volume, audio stream path} - G06F 9/542: {Event management; Broadcasting; Multicasting; Notifications} - H04R 3/005: {for combining the signals of two or more microphones (specially adapted for hearing aids H04R25/407)} - H04R 5/027: Spatial or constructional arrangements of microphones, e.g. in dummy heads - H04R 5/033: Headphones for stereophonic communication {(details thereof, e.g. relating to batteries, cables or control elements H04R1/10)} - H04R 5/04: Circuit arrangements, {e.g. for selective connection of amplifier inputs/outputs to loudspeakers, for loudspeaker detection, or for adaptation of settings to personal preferences or hearing impairments (combinations of amplifiers H03F3/68; stereophonic systems H04S)} - G06Q 30/0205: {based on location or geographical consideration} - G06Q 30/0251: Targeted advertisements - G06Q 30/0259: {based on store location} - G06Q 30/0261: {based on user location} - H04L 67/535: {Tracking the activity of the user (network monitoring arrangements H04L43/00; recording of computer activity G06F11/34)} - H04R 1/1091: {Details not provided for in groups H04R1/1008 - H04R1/1083} - H04R 2460/07: Use of position data from wide-area or local-area positioning systems in hearing devices, e.g. program or information selection - H04R 2499/11: Transducers incorporated or for use in hand-held devices, e.g. mobile phones, PDA's, camera's - H04S: STEREOPHONIC SYSTEMS - G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N) - H04R: LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; ELECTRIC HEARING AIDS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS (producing sounds with frequency not determined by supply frequency G10K) - G06Q: INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - H04L: TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION (arrangements common to telegraphic and telephonic communication H04M) ## Abstract Various implementations include wearable audio devices and related methods for controlling such devices. In some particular implementations, a computer-implemented method of controlling a wearable audio device configured to provide an audio output includes: receiving data indicating the wearable audio device is proximate a geographic location associated with a localized audio message; providing a prompt to initiate playback of the localized audio message to a user of the wearable audio device; and initiating playback of the localized audio message at the wearable audio device in response to actuation of the prompt by the user. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A computer-implemented method of controlling a wearable audio device configured to provide an audio output, the method comprising: receiving data indicating the wearable audio device is proximate a geographic location associated with a localized audio message; providing a prompt to initiate playback of the localized audio message to a user of the wearable audio device; and initiating playback of the localized audio message at the wearable audio device in response to actuation of the prompt by the user. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the wearable audio device comprises a sensor system, and wherein: a) the sensor system comprises a position tracking system, wherein the method further comprises: selecting the prompt to initiate playback of the localized audio message based upon a position and direction of movement of the wearable audio device; and providing at least one additional prompt to initiate playback of a distinct localized audio message based upon a change in the position or the direction of movement of the wearable audio device, wherein the position tracking system comprises at least one of a global positioning system or an orientation tracking system, and wherein the prompt or the at least one additional prompt is selected based upon at least one of positioning data from the global positioning system or orientation data from the orientation tracking system, b) the sensor system comprises at least one of an accelerometer or a gyroscope, wherein the method further comprises: selecting the prompt to initiate playback of the localized audio message or providing an audio beacon indicating a direction of a distinct localized audio message based upon an acceleration of the wearable audio device or a deceleration of the wearable audio device, or c) the sensor system comprises a microphone, wherein the method further comprises: detecting an ambient audio signal proximate the wearable audio device; and modifying the localized audio message at the wearable audio device based upon the ambient audio signal, wherein detecting the ambient audio signal comprises identifying a signature of the ambient audio signal, and wherein modifying the localized audio message comprises at least one of increasing a decibel level of the localized audio message, decreasing the decibel level of the localized audio message, or providing an active noise reduction signal at the wearable audio device, based upon the identified signature of the ambient audio signal. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising initiating playback of an audio beacon associated with the localized audio message based upon at least one of a position or an orientation of the wearable audio device, wherein the audio beacon is spatialized to indicate at least one of a direction or a proximity of the geographic location associated with the localized audio message, wherein playback of the audio beacon is performed prior to providing the prompt to initiate playback of the localized audio message. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising initiating playback of an audio beacon associated with the localized audio message based upon at least one of a position or an orientation of the wearable audio device, wherein the audio beacon is spatialized to indicate at least one of a direction or a proximity of the geographic location associated with the localized audio message, wherein the spatialized audio beacon adjusts at least one audio characteristic thereof based upon a change in the at least one of the position or the orientation of the wearable audio device, the method further comprising: initiating playback of an additional audio beacon associated with an additional localized audio message based upon the change in the at least one of the position or orientation of the wearable audio device, wherein the additional audio beacon is initiated in a series following initiation of the audio beacon and the localized audio message. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the prompt comprises at least one of an audio prompt provided at the wearable audio device, or a visual prompt or a tactile prompt provided at the wearable audio device or at a distinct device on the user. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein actuation of the prompt is detectable by the wearable audio device and comprises at least one of a gesture of the user, a tactile actuation by the user or a voice actuation by the user. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the localized audio message is only accessible proximate the geographic location, wherein accessible proximity to the geographic location is adjustable based upon a density of a geographic region or user profile data for at least one of the user or a provider of the localized audio message, wherein the localized audio message is stored in a local network at the geographic location or in a cloud storage system connected with the geographic location, and wherein the localized audio message comprises a song, a pre-recorded message from the user or another user, an audio signature from the user, another user or an information source, or a pre-recorded message from the information source. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising: prompting the user or another user to record the localized audio message; saving the localized audio message to a storage device accessible at the wearable audio device after recording the localized audio message; and initiating, by the user or another user at the wearable audio device or another audio recording device, a recording of the localized audio message while the user or another user is at a location remote from the geographic location. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising: prompting the user or another user to record the localized audio message; saving the localized audio message to a storage device accessible at the wearable audio device after recording the localized audio message; initiating, by the user or another user at the wearable audio device or another audio recording device, a recording of the localized audio message while the user or another user is proximate the geographic location; and providing a user-selectable setting to either include or exclude ambient audio captured proximate the geographic location during the recording, wherein the wearable audio device comprises a plurality of microphones configured to perform binaural recording of the localized audio message proximate the geographic location. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising receiving user profile data or biometric information about the user, and wherein providing the prompt to initiate playback of the localized audio message is based upon at least one of the user profile data or the biometric information about the user, wherein the user profile data comprises settings for audio notifications at the wearable audio device, and wherein at least one of providing the prompt or initiating the playback at the wearable audio device is performed according to the settings. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising providing a feedback prompt during the playback of the localized audio message or after the playback of the localized audio message, the feedback prompt comprising at least one option to: refuse the localized audio message, select between distinct localized audio messages, or rate the localized audio message. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the user is permitted to share the localized audio message with a distinct user located at the geographic location or located at a remote geographic location. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the localized audio message is only accessible for a specified period, wherein the specified period is one of a single period or a recurring period. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the localized audio message comprises distinct directionally attributable segments based upon at least one of a direction of approach of the wearable audio device relative to the geographic location or a look direction of the user wearing the wearable audio device. ### Claim 15 A wearable audio device comprising: an acoustic transducer having a sound-radiating surface for providing an audio output; a position tracking system configured to detect a position of the wearable audio device; and a control system coupled with the acoustic transducer and the position tracking system, the control system configured to: receive position data from the position tracking system indicating the wearable audio device is proximate a geographic location associated with a localized audio message; provide a prompt to initiate playback of the localized audio message to a user of the wearable audio device; and initiate playback of the localized audio message at the wearable audio device in response to actuation of the prompt by the user. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The device of claim 15, wherein the control system is further configured to: select the prompt to initiate playback of the localized audio message based upon a position and direction of movement of the wearable audio device; and provide at least one additional prompt to initiate playback of a distinct localized audio message based upon a change in the position or the direction of movement of the wearable audio device, wherein the position tracking system comprises at least one of a global positioning system or an orientation tracking system, and wherein the prompt or the at least one additional prompt is selected based upon at least one of positioning data from the global positioning system or orientation data from the orientation tracking system. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The device of claim 15, wherein the position tracking system comprises an orientation tracking system comprising a head tracking system, and wherein the providing of the prompt to initiate playback of the localized audio message is based at least partially on a head position of a user detected by the head tracking system. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The device of claim 15, further comprising a sensor system coupled with the control system, wherein: a) the sensor system comprises a wireless transceiver configured to detect an audio cache storing the localized audio message proximate the wearable audio device, and the control system is further configured to provide the prompt to initiate playback of the localized audio message in response to the wireless transceiver detecting the audio cache, and wherein the audio cache is stored in a local network at the geographic location or in a cloud storage system connected with the geographic location, b) the sensor system comprises a motion sensor; a tactile sensor; and a microphone, wherein actuation of the prompt is detectable by the sensor system, and wherein actuation comprises at least one of a gesture of the user detectable by the motion sensor, a tactile actuation by the user detectable at the tactile sensor, or a voice actuation by the user detectable by the microphone, c) the sensor system comprises at least one of an accelerometer or a gyroscope, wherein the control system is further configured to: select the prompt to initiate playback of the localized audio message or provide an audio beacon indicating a direction of a distinct localized audio message based upon an acceleration of the wearable audio device or a deceleration of the wearable audio device, or d) the sensor system comprises a microphone, wherein the control system is further configured to: detect an ambient audio signal proximate the wearable audio device via the microphone; and modify the localized audio message at the wearable audio device based upon the ambient audio signal, wherein detecting the ambient audio signal comprises identifying a signature of the ambient audio signal, and wherein modifying the localized audio message comprises at least one of increasing a decibel level of the localized audio message, decreasing the decibel level of the localized audio message, or providing an active noise reduction signal at the wearable audio device, based upon the identified signature of the ambient audio signal. ### Claim 19 (depends on 15) The device of claim 15, wherein the control system is further configured to initiate playback of an audio beacon associated with the localized audio message based upon at least one of a position or an orientation of the wearable audio device, wherein the audio beacon is spatialized to indicate at least one of a direction or a proximity of the geographic location associated with the localized audio message, wherein playback of the audio beacon is performed prior to providing the prompt to initiate playback of the localized audio message, wherein the spatialized audio beacon adjusts at least one audio characteristic thereof based upon a change in the at least one of the position or the orientation of the wearable audio device, wherein the control system is further configured to initiate playback of an additional audio beacon associated with an additional localized audio message based upon the change in the at least one of the position or orientation of the wearable audio device, and wherein the additional audio beacon is initiated in a series following initiation of the audio beacon and the localized audio message. ### Claim 20 (depends on 15) The device of claim 15, wherein the prompt comprises at least one of an audio prompt provided at the acoustic transducer, or a visual prompt or a tactile prompt provided at the wearable audio device or at a distinct device on the user. ### Claim 21 (depends on 15) The device of claim 15, wherein the localized audio message is only accessible proximate the geographic location, wherein accessible proximity to the geographic location is adjustable based upon a density of a geographic region or user profile settings for at least one of the user or a provider of the localized audio message, wherein the localized audio message is stored in a local network at the geographic location or in a cloud storage system connected with the geographic location. ### Claim 22 (depends on 15) The device of claim 15, wherein the localized audio message comprises a song, a pre-recorded message from the user or another user, an audio signature from the user, another user or an information source, or a pre-recorded message from the information source. ### Claim 23 (depends on 15) The device of claim 15, wherein the control system is further configured to: prompt the user or another user to record the localized audio message; save the localized audio message to a storage device accessible at the wearable audio device after recording the localized audio message; and initiate, in response to actuation by the user or another user at the wearable audio device or another audio recording device, a recording of the localized audio message while the user or another user is at a location remote from the geographic location. ### Claim 24 (depends on 15) The device of claim 15, wherein the control system is further configured to: prompt the user or another user to record the localized audio message; save the localized audio message to a storage device accessible at the wearable audio device after recording the localized audio message; and initiate, in response to actuation by the user or another user at the wearable audio device or another audio recording device, a recording of the localized audio message while the user or another user is proximate the geographic location; and provide a user-selectable setting to either include or exclude ambient audio captured proximate the geographic location during the recording, the device further comprising: a plurality of microphones coupled with the control system, the plurality of microphones configured to perform binaural recording of the localized audio message proximate the geographic location. ### Claim 25 (depends on 15) The device of claim 15, wherein the control system is further configured to: receive user profile data or biometric information about the user, wherein providing the prompt to initiate playback of the localized audio message is based upon at least one of the user profile data or the biometric information about the user, and wherein the user profile data comprises settings for audio notifications at the acoustic transducer, and wherein at least one of providing the prompt or initiating the playback at the acoustic transducer is performed according to the settings. ### Claim 26 (depends on 15) The device of claim 15, further comprising providing a feedback prompt during the playback of the localized audio message or after the playback of the localized audio message, the feedback prompt comprising at least one option to: refuse the localized audio message, select between distinct localized audio messages, or rate the localized audio message. ### Claim 27 (depends on 15) The device of claim 15, wherein the user is permitted to share the localized audio message with a distinct user located at the geographic location or located at a remote geographic location. ### Claim 28 (depends on 15) The device of claim 15, wherein the localized audio message comprises distinct directionally attributable segments based upon at least one of a direction of approach of the wearable audio device relative to the geographic location or a look direction of the user wearing the wearable audio device.