Spatialized augmented reality (ar) audio menu

Abstract

Various implementations include approaches for controlling a wearable audio device. In some cases, a method includes: detecting an initiation trigger for initiating a spatialized augmented reality (AR) menu mode; providing at least two distinct audio choices corresponding with spatially delineated zones in a menu defined relative to a physical position of the wearable audio device, in response to the initiation trigger, wherein each audio choice is associated with a selection from the menu; receiving a selection command indicating selection of one of the audio choices, wherein the selection command comprises a gesture detected by a gesture detection system at the wearable audio device; and in response to receiving the selection command: a) initiating playback of audio content associated with the selected audio choice, b) adjusting a setting at the wearable audio device, c) entering an additional menu related to the selection command, or d) exiting the menu.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A computer-implemented method of controlling a wearable audio device, the method comprising:
 in response to an initiation trigger, providing four distinct choices corresponding with four spatially delineated zones in a menu defined relative to a physical position of the wearable audio device, wherein the four spatially delineated zones include two horizontally aligned zones and two vertically aligned zones;   receiving a selection command indicating selection of one of the four distinct choices, wherein the selection command includes a gesture detected by a gesture detection system at the wearable audio device; and   in response to receiving the selection command, performing an action.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the initiation trigger includes one or more of: a user command, a tactile actuation, a voice command, a multi-modal gesture, a sensor input, activity detected by a mobile application running on the wearable audio device, or a location-based trigger. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the selection command indicating selection of one of the four distinct choices from the horizontally aligned zones are selected using a look left or look right gesture. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the selection command indicating selection of one of the four distinct choices from the vertically aligned zones are selected using a look up or look down gesture. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the gesture detection system includes an inertial measurement unit (IMU) at the wearable audio device. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the gesture includes a multi-modal gesture to mitigate false positive selections. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising outputting, at the wearable audio device, at least one of:
 introductory audio content about at least one of the spatially delineated zones in the menu;   a signature tone associated with the menu; or   a signature tone indicating an entity associated with the menu.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the introductory audio content is output as spatialized audio in a direction of at least one of the spatially delineated zones. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the action includes at least one of:
 initiating playback of audio content associated;   adjusting a setting at the wearable audio device;   entering an additional menu;   repeating playback of the four distinct choices; or   exiting the menu.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the action can be assigned by a user. 
     
     
         11 . A wearable audio device comprising:
 an acoustic transducer for providing audio output;   a gesture detection system; and   a controller coupled with the acoustic transducer and the gesture detection system, the controller configured to
 in response to an initiation trigger, provide four distinct choices corresponding with four spatially delineated zones in a menu defined relative to a physical position of the wearable audio device, wherein the four spatially delineated zones include two horizontally aligned zones and two vertically aligned zones, 
 receive a selection command indicating selection of one of the four distinct choices, wherein the selection command includes a gesture detected by a gesture detection system at the wearable audio device, and 
 in response to receiving the selection command, perform an action. 
   
     
     
         12 . The wearable audio device of  claim 11 , wherein the initiation trigger includes one or more of: a user command, a tactile actuation, a voice command, a multi-modal gesture, a sensor input, activity detected by a mobile application running on the wearable audio device, or a location-based trigger. 
     
     
         13 . The wearable audio device of  claim 11 , wherein the selection command indicating selection of one of the four distinct choices from the horizontally aligned zones are selected using a look left or look right gesture. 
     
     
         14 . The wearable audio device of  claim 11 , wherein the selection command indicating selection of one of the four distinct choices from the vertically aligned zones are selected using a look up or look down gesture. 
     
     
         15 . The wearable audio device of  claim 11 , wherein the gesture detection system includes an inertial measurement unit (IMU). 
     
     
         16 . The wearable audio device of  claim 11 , wherein the gesture includes a multi-modal gesture to mitigate false positive selections. 
     
     
         17 . The wearable audio device of  claim 11 , further comprising outputting, via the transducer, at least one of:
 introductory audio content about at least one of the spatially delineated zones in the menu;   a signature tone associated with the menu; or   a signature tone indicating an entity associated with the menu.   
     
     
         18 . The wearable audio device of  claim 17 , wherein the introductory audio content is output as spatialized audio in a direction of at least one of the spatially delineated zones. 
     
     
         19 . The wearable audio device of  claim 11 , wherein the action includes at least one of:
 initiating playback of audio content associated;   adjusting a setting at the wearable audio device;   entering an additional menu;   repeating playback of the four distinct choices; or   exiting the menu.   
     
     
         20 . The wearable audio device of  claim 11 , wherein the action can be assigned by a user.