Abstract: In one embodiment, a computer audio system may use a playback manager to manage the audio streams of audio applications. A playback manager 202 may receive an audio stream category declaration 300 from an audio application 204. The playback manager 202 may determine a media focus status for an audio stream of the audio application 204 based in part on the audio stream category declaration 300.

Abstract: One or more techniques and/or systems are provided for communicating between two or more drivers respectively controlling and/or managing different channels through which data is transferred between a wireless communication device and a computer system and/or between a controller of the computer system and an application of the computer system. Typically, at least one of the channels is configured to transmit time sensitive data (e.g., such as audio data) while another channel is configured to transmit time insensitive data (e.g., such as call control data). A device driver interface may be configured to provide a medium through which the two or more drivers can communicate. The techniques and/or systems find particular application with respect to Bluetooth headsets used in combination with a computer system comprising a system on chip architecture, but other applications are also contemplated.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein include devices and processes for concurrently processing different audio streams with different hardware-based audio processing modes. A computing device for such embodiments may have multiple hardware audio signal processing modes capable of parallel execution. An operating system or audio stack thereof may manage audio paths or streams for audio sources producing respective types of audio signals. Which of the audio paths or streams will be connected with which of the hardware audio signal processing modes may be determined according to the types of the audio signals. A first hardware audio signal processing mode may be processing a first type of audio signal of a first audio path or stream while concurrently a second hardware audio signal processing mode processes a second type of audio signal of a second audio path or stream.

Abstract: In one example, a shared buffer acting as an audio communication channel for an audio interaction device may be reconfigured to allow audio communication channel sharing between audio data streams. An audio interaction device may execute a conversion between an initial audio data stream and an audio signal audibly detectable by a user. A shared buffer may act as an audio communication channel between an operating system and the audio interaction device. The digital audio system may execute an initial audio application with the operating system to process the initial audio data stream. The digital audio system may load the initial audio data stream into the shared buffer. The digital audio system may alter the audio communication channel into a restructured audio communication channel for a subsequent audio data stream while maintaining the initial audio data stream. The digital audio system may load the initial audio data stream into the restructured audio communication channel.

Abstract: An off-host audio engine interface exposes audio processing capabilities to a host. The interface receives offloaded audio streams and a host-processed audio stream from the host. The off-host audio engine processes the offloaded audio streams individually to create off-host-processed audio streams. The host-processed audio stream is mixed with the off-host-processed streams to create a mixed stream. The mixed stream undergoes audio processing by the off-host engine. The off-host audio engine provides output and reference audio streams based on the mixed audio stream. The reference stream can be provided to the host via the interface. Via the interface, the host can control local and global audio processing performed by the off-host engine by enabling or disabling local and global processing, and by enabling or disabling local and global audio processing components of the off-host audio engine.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein include devices and processes for concurrently processing different audio streams with different hardware-based audio processing modes. A computing device for such embodiments may have multiple hardware audio signal processing modes capable of parallel execution. An operating system or audio stack thereof may manage audio paths or streams for audio sources producing respective types of audio signals. Which of the audio paths or streams will be connected with which of the hardware audio signal processing modes may be determined according to the types of the audio signals. A first hardware audio signal processing mode may be processing a first type of audio signal of a first audio path or stream while concurrently a second hardware audio signal processing mode processes a second type of audio signal of a second audio path or stream.

Abstract: Digital content is released to a rendering application for forwarding by such rendering application to an ultimate destination by way of a path therebetween. The path is defined by at least one module, and the digital content is initially in an encrypted form. An authentication of at least a portion of the path is performed to determine whether each defining module thereof is to be trusted to appropriately handle the digital content passing therethrough. The encrypted digital content is decrypted if in fact each such defining module is to be trusted, and the decrypted digital content is forwarded to the rendering application for further forwarding to the ultimate destination by way of the authenticated path.

Abstract: In a computer system that permits multiple audio capture applications to get an audio capture feed concurrently, an audio manager manages audio capture and/or audio playback in reaction to trigger events. For example, a trigger event indicates an application has started, stopped or otherwise changed a communication stream, or indicates an application has gained, lost or otherwise changed focus or visibility in a user interface, or indicates a user change. In response to a trigger event, the audio manager applies a set of rules to determine which audio capture application is allowed to get an audio capture feed. Based on the decisions, the audio manager manages the audio capture feed for the applications. The audio manager also sends a notification to each of the audio capture applications that has registered for notifications, so as to indicate whether the application is allowed to get the audio capture feed.

Abstract: One or more techniques and/or systems are provided for communicating between two or more drivers respectively controlling and/or managing different channels through which data is transferred between a wireless communication device and a computer system and/or between a controller of the computer system and an application of the computer system. Typically, at least one of the channels is configured to transmit time sensitive data (e.g., such as audio data) while another channel is configured to transmit time insensitive data (e.g., such as call control data). A device driver interface may be configured to provide a medium through which the two or more drivers can communicate. The techniques and/or systems find particular application with respect to Bluetooth headsets used in combination with a computer system comprising a system on chip architecture, but other applications are also contemplated.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a computer audio system may use a playback manager to manage the audio streams of audio applications. A playback manager 202 may receive an audio stream category declaration 300 from an audio application 204. The playback manager 202 may determine a media focus status for an audio stream of the audio application 204 based in part on the audio stream category declaration 300.

Abstract: An off-host audio engine interface exposes audio processing capabilities to a host. The interface receives offloaded audio streams and a host-processed audio stream from the host. The off-host audio engine processes the offloaded audio streams individually to create off-host-processed audio streams. The host-processed audio stream is mixed with the off-host-processed streams to create a mixed stream. The mixed stream undergoes audio processing by the off-host engine. The off-host audio engine provides output and reference audio streams based on the mixed audio stream. The reference stream can be provided to the host via the interface. Via the interface, the host can control local and global audio processing performed by the off-host engine by enabling or disabling local and global processing, and by enabling or disabling local and global audio processing components of the off-host audio engine.

Abstract: Digital content is released to a rendering application for forwarding by such rendering application to an ultimate destination by way of a path therebetween. The path is defined by at least one module, and the digital content is initially in an encrypted form. An authentication of at least a portion of the path is performed to determine whether each defining module thereof is to be trusted to appropriately handle the digital content passing therethrough. The encrypted digital content is decrypted if in fact each such defining module is to be trusted, and the decrypted digital content is forwarded to the rendering application for further forwarding to the ultimate destination by way of the authenticated path.

Abstract: Digital content is released to a rendering application for forwarding by such rendering application to an ultimate destination by way of a path therebetween. The path is defined by at least one module, and the digital content is initially in an encrypted form. An authentication of at least a portion of the path is performed to determine whether each defining module thereof is to be trusted to appropriately handle the digital content passing therethrough. The encrypted digital content is decrypted if in fact each such defining module is to be trusted, and the decrypted digital content is forwarded to the rendering application for further forwarding to the ultimate destination by way of the authenticated path.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are provided for controlling application software while switching between session in a multi-session computing environment. An apparatus includes memory coupled to switching logic and application program managing logic. The switching logic is configured to selectively switch console control of a computing device between at least two user kernel sessions that are maintained in the memory. The application program managing logic is configured to selectively control at least one application program that is operatively configured within at least one of the user kernel sessions. For example, the application program managing logic can be configured to stop the operation, restart certain application programs, notify application programs about switching events, and/or adjust the playback of audio and/or video signals associated certain application programs.

Abstract: A volume control may be provided with some integrated graphical indication of the presence and/or level of an audio signal that it controls. For example, a slider-type volume control may be provided with a signal meter within the slider itself. A volume control may be provided with a mechanism for showing the non-mute volume control level of a volume when the volume control is muted. For example, a slider-type volume control may display a ghosted slider tab at the level of volume control in effect before muting while at the same time displaying a regular slider tab at a muted level. A user may be able to glance at a volume control and quickly and intuitively understand aspects of the volume control's state such as the level and condition of the signal that is flowing through or blocked by (if muted) the control.

Abstract: Described herein are one or more implementations offering a centralized (e.g., single-point) user-interface, where a user may manipulate audio properties (e.g., volume level) for one or more audio submixes produced by each of multiple active operating-system processes.