Multi-channel speaker output orientation detection

A system for determining a relative orientation of system-designated right and left speakers in a pair of earpieces that receive audio signals from a portable audio source device that processes multi-channel audio having, at least, a designated right channel and a designated left channel, said system comprising:

• a sound sensor that is coupled with the portable audio source device and receives a first sound from the system-designated right speaker and a second sound from the system-designated left speaker;
• a sound metric detector configured to determine a metric of at least one of the received first and second sounds, wherein said determination of the metric comprises:
• detecting an audio signature of at least one of the first and second sounds, wherein the audio signature is associated with a respective channel of the multi-channel audio signal processed by the portable audio source device, and
• detecting at least one of a signal strength and frequency information associated with the audio signature, and
• detecting a variation in the determined metric in the respective channel associated with the audio signature;
• a motion sensor integrated with the sound sensor, wherein the motion sensor detects a direction of motion of the portable audio source device;
• a correlation analyzer that determines a relative orientation of the system-designated right and left speakers with respect to a left side and right side of a user of the portable audio source device based, at least, on correlating the detected direction of motion with the detected variation in the determined metric;
• and
• a channel switch controller that outputs the designated right channel by a speaker of the system-designated right and left speakers oriented on the right side of the user, and outputs the designated left channel by a speaker of the system-designated right and left speakers oriented on the left side of the user.

A computer program product for determining a relative orientation of system-designated right and left speakers in a pair of earpieces that receive audio signals from a portable audio source device that processes multi-channel audio having, at least, a designated right channel and a designated left channel, said computer program product comprising:

• a computer readable storage medium that does not include signals, the computer readable storage medium having program instructions embodied therewith, the program instructions comprising program instruction to,
• receive, by a sound sensor that is coupled with the portable audio source device, a first sound from the system-designated right speaker and a second sound from the system-designated left speaker;
• determine a metric of at least one of the received first and second sounds, and wherein said determining the metric comprises:
• detect an audio signature of at least one of the first and second sounds, wherein the audio signature is associated with a respective channel of the multi-channel audio signal processed by the portable audio source device, and
• detect at least one of a signal strength and frequency information associated with the audio signature;
• detect a variation in the determined metric in the respective channel associated with the audio signature;
• detect a direction of motion of the portable audio source device;
• determine a relative orientation of the system-designated right and left speakers with respect to a left side and right side of a user of the portable audio source device based, at least, on correlating the detected direction of motion with the detected variation in the determined metric;
• and
• output the designated right channel by a speaker of the system-designated right and left speakers oriented on the right side of the user, and output the designated left channel by a speaker of the system-designated right and left speakers oriented on the left side of the user.