IP Library Granted Patent US 8,139,793
Granted Patent B2
US 8,139,793 · App. 11/418,989 · Granted Mar 20, 2012

Methods and apparatus for capturing audio signals based on a visual image

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,139,793
App. No.
11/418,989
Granted
Mar 20, 2012
Kind
B2
Abstract

In one embodiment, the methods and apparatuses detect an initial listening zone wherein the initial listening zone represents an initial area monitored for sounds; detect a view of a visual device; compare the view of the visual with the initial area of the initial listening zone; and adjust the initial listening zone and forming the adjusted listening zone having an adjusted area based on comparing the view and the initial area.

Claims (35)

1. A method comprising:

detecting an initial listening zone wherein the initial listening zone represents an initial area monitored for sounds by at least one microphone;

detecting a view of a visual device;

comparing the view of the visual device with the initial area of the initial listening zone; and

adjusting the initial listening zone and forming an adjusted listening zone having an adjusted area monitored for sounds by at least one microphone based on comparing the view and the initial area.

2. The method according to claim 1 further comprising capturing sounds emanating from the adjusted area.

3. The method according to claim 1 further comprising capturing sounds emanating from the initial area.

4. The method according to claim 1 wherein adjusting further comprises enlarging the initial area of the initial listening zone.

5. The method according to claim 1 wherein adjusting further comprises reducing the initial area of the initial listening zone.

6. The method according to claim 1 wherein adjusting further comprises shifting a location of the initial area of the initial listening zone.

7. The method according to claim 1 wherein the initial listening zone is represented by a set of filter coefficients.

8. The method according to claim 1 wherein the adjusted listening zone is represented by a set of filter coefficients.

9. The method according to claim 1 further comprising capturing an adjusted sound from the adjusted listening zone via a microphone array.

10. The method according to claim 9 further comprising transmitting the adjusted sound.

11. The method according to claim 9 further comprising storing the adjusted sound.

12. The method according to claim 9 wherein microphone array includes more than one microphone.

13. The method according to claim 1 wherein the visual device is a still camera.

14. A method comprising:

detecting an image from a visual device;

forming a listening zone monitored by at least one microphone for sounds emanating from an area associated with the image;

capturing sounds emanating from the listening zone; and

dynamically adjusting the listening zone based on the image.

15. The method according to claim 14 wherein the initial listening zone is represented by a set of filter coefficients.

16. The method according to claim 14 wherein the adjusted listening zone is represented by a set of filter coefficients.

17. The method according to claim 14 wherein the visual device is a still camera.

18. The method according to claim 14 wherein dynamically adjusting further comprises enlarging the listening zone.

19. The method according to claim 14 wherein dynamically adjusting further comprises reducing the listening zone.

20. The method according to claim 14 wherein dynamically adjusting further comprises moving the listening zone to a different location.

21. The method according to claim 14 wherein the image is one of a plurality of images that form a video segment.

22. A system, comprising:

an area detection module configured for detecting a listening zone wherein the listening zone is to be monitored for sounds by at least one microphone;

a view detection module configured for detecting a view monitored by a visual device;

an area adjustment module configured for adjusting the listening zone monitored for sounds based on the view; and

a sound detection module configured for detecting sounds emanating from the listening zone.

23. The system according to claim 22 wherein an area associated with the listening zone is described by a set of filter coefficients.

Assignments (5)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Jul 1, 2016
From: SONY COMPUTER ENTERTAINMENT INC.
To: SONY INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT INC.
Reel/Frame 039239/0356 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 27, 2011
From: SONY NETWORK ENTERTAINMENT PLATFORM INC.
To: SONY COMPUTER ENTERTAINMENT INC.
Reel/Frame 027557/0001 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Dec 26, 2011
From: SONY COMPUTER ENTERTAINMENT INC.
To: SONY NETWORK ENTERTAINMENT PLATFORM INC.
Reel/Frame 027446/0001 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 27, 2006
From: MAO, XIADONG
To: SONY COMPUTER ENTERTAINMENT INC.
Reel/Frame 018176/0163 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 31, 2006
From: MAO, XIADONG
To: SONY COMPUTER ENTERTAINMENT INC.
Reel/Frame 018098/0528 →