Method and apparatus for providing information about the source of a sound via an audio device

1. A method for providing information about the source of a sound via an audio device, the method comprising the steps of:

detecting ambient sound;

identifying specific sounds in said detected ambient sound;

determining information about the source of said identified specific sounds;

determining the volume of a generated audio stream rendered by said audio device upon detection of said identified specific sounds;

changing an operational control characteristic of said generated audio stream upon detection of said identified specific sounds;

providing information about said source of said identified specific sounds to said audio device; and

providing a visual indication indicative of the likelihood of there being a discernible level of said ambient sound present within said audio device based on the volume of said generated audio stream.

2. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the step of determining information about the source of said identified specific sounds comprises:

determining the direction said identified specific sounds travel from their source, and wherein the step of providing information about said source of said identified specific sounds comprises:

providing the direction said identified specific sounds travel from their source.

3. A method according to claim 2 , wherein the step of determining information about the source of said identified specific sounds further comprises:

determining the distance from said source, and wherein the step of providing information about said source of said identified specific sounds further comprises:

providing the distance from said source.

4. A method according to claim 1 , wherein said information about said source of said identified specific sounds is provided via said audio device using positional audio.

5. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the step of changing an operational control characteristic of a generated audio stream rendered by an audio device comprises:

lowering the volume of a generated audio stream rendered by an audio device upon detection of said identified specific sounds.

6. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the step of changing an operational control characteristic of a generated audio stream rendered by an audio device comprises:

pausing a generated audio stream rendered by an audio device upon detection of said identified specific sounds.

7. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the step of providing information about said source of said identified specific sounds comprises the step of:

providing an audio indication upon detection of said identified specific sounds via said audio device.

8. A method according to claim 7 , wherein said audio indication is one of a reproduction of said detected specific sounds or an electrically generated sound.

9. A machine programmed to operate in accordance with the methods according to anyone of the preceding claims.

10. Apparatus ( 100 ) for providing information about the source of a sound via an audio device, the apparatus comprising:

a detector ( 104 ) for detecting ambient sound;

a signal processor ( 106 ) for identifying specific sounds in said detected ambient sound, for determining information about the source of said identified specific sounds, and for monitoring the volume of a generated audio stream rendered by said audio device upon detection of said identified specific sounds;

a controller ( 108 ) for changing an operational control characteristic of said generated audio stream rendered by an audio device upon detection of said identified specific sounds; and

an output ( 110 ) for providing information about said source of said identified specific sounds to said audio device and for providing a visual indication indicative of the likelihood of there being a discernible level of said ambient sound present within said audio device based on the volume of said generated audio stream.

11. Apparatus according to claim 10 , wherein said audio device is one of a headphone, a CD player, a DVD player, an MPEG player, an MP-3 player, a TV, a mobile phone, a pager, a personal digital assistant, an electronic organizer, or a car audio system.