AUDIO OUTPUT DEVICE
FIG2 is a plan view of the multi-directional audio output device of FIG1
FIG2 is a plan view, indicated generally by the reference numeral 10, of the multi-directional audio output device 1. The plan view 10 includes the first to sixth loudspeakers 2 to 7 described above. Each of the loudspeakers is orientated in a different direction such that each loudspeaker can provide an audio output in a different direction. Thus, as shown in FIG2, the first loudspeaker 2 is orientated in a first direction having an angle 0 degrees, with each of the other loudspeakers being orientated in a direction having an angle relative to the angle of the first loudspeaker. Specifically, the second loudspeaker 3 is orientated in a direction having an angle 45 degrees, the third loudspeaker 4 is orientated in a direction having an angle 135 degrees, the fourth loudspeaker 5 is orientated in a direction having an angle 180 degrees, the fifth loudspeaker 6 is orientated in a direction having an angle 225 degrees, and the sixth loudspeaker 7 is orientated in a direction having an angle 315. Of course, in any particular embodiment, the number of loudspeakers and the relative angles of those loudspeakers may be different to that shown in FIG2. The loudspeakers 2 to 7 can provide audio outputs in the directions of the respective loudspeakers, but audio output can, of course, be provided in other directions. By way of example, as indicated by the dotted lines in FIG2, audio outputs may be provided in the directions 0 degrees (referred to below as the reference direction), 45 degrees, 90 degrees, 135 degrees, 180 degrees, 225 degrees, 270 degrees and 315 degrees. Of course, the directions shown in FIG2 are provided by way of example only. Any combination of directions could, in principle, be provided by the audio output device 1.
plan view
225
is output at
1
device
45
at
2
loudspeakers loudspeaker
90
reference numerals
180
angle
315
is output at
10
reference numeral plan view output
3
second loudspeaker
135
is output at
['1. An apparatus comprising: means for controlling a plurality of audio outputs of a multi-directional audio output device; means for receiving a first user input for indicating a first direction, wherein based, at least in part, on the first user input, a first one of the plurality of audio outputs is configured to be output in the first direction and is defined as a first audio output; and means for receiving a second user input for indicating a change in an audio setup of the multi-directional audio output device.', '10. An apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the audio output device comprises a loudspeaker or a plurality of loudspeakers.']