Augmented audio control
OwnerDavid COHEN, Gadi GRAUSinventors
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Broadcast and/or receiving apparatus allows for individual control of separate sound sources in a broadcast event. The apparatus comprises inputs for a plurality of audio channels, each audio channel being related to a separate sound source. A channel identity inserter adds a channel identity signal into some or all of the audio channels, for indicating a respective separate sound source, and a controller uses the channel identity signals to control audio of the identified audio channel to allow a user to control the separate sound sources individually. In place of an inserted channel identity, a voiceprint can be used instead, and a user interface is also provided.
Claims18
Broadcast apparatus for controlling one or more of a plurality of separate sound sources in a broadcast event, the apparatus comprising:
- inputs for a plurality of audio channels, each audio channel being related to a one of said separate sound sources;
- at least one channel identity inserter for inserting a channel identity signal into at least one of said audio channels, for indicating a respective separate sound source;
- and
- a controller configured to use at least one of said channel identity signals to control audio of said respective audio channel to allow a user to select a desired one of said sound sources.
Receiver apparatus for receiving a broadcast signal having a combined audio channel including a plurality of constituent audio channels, some of said constituent audio channels comprising respective ultrasonic channel identities and the combined audio channel bearing an ultrasonic indicator of a currently dominant audio channel, the receiving apparatus comprising:
- an input configured to allow a user to select one or more of said constituent audio channels for muting;
- a detector for detecting a currently dominant audio channel in said combined audio channel, and
- a volume control for changing a volume or muting at least said currently dominant audio channel in said combined audio channel.
12-16. (canceled)
Broadcast method for controlling one or more of a plurality of speakers in a broadcast event, the method comprising:
- receiving a plurality of audio channels;
- inserting a channel identity signal into at least one of said audio channels;
- multiplying respective ones of said at least one channel identity signal with audio of said respective audio channel to provide an indication of relative dominance of said respective audio channel;
- and
- mixing said plurality of audio channels into a combined audio channel including an indicator of which of said plurality of audio channels is dominant in said combined audio channel.
Receiver method for receiving a broadcast signal having a combined audio channel including a plurality of constituent audio channels, some of said constituent audio channels comprising respective ultrasonic channel identities and the combined audio channel bearing an ultrasonic indicator of a currently dominant audio channel, the receiving method comprising:
- allowing a user to select one or more of said constituent audio channels for controlling;
- detecting a currently dominant audio channel in said combined audio channel, and
- controlling at least said currently dominant audio channel in said combined audio channel.
22-29. (canceled)
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.