Remote Patents (Class 381/105)
  • Patent number: 8199934
    Abstract: An audio level compressor for compressing the dynamic range of an input audio signal. The audio level compressor can be part of a microphone, or a separate component. The audio level compressor includes input terminals for receiving the input audio signal, a lamp having a filament resistance that is a function of the input audio signal; a load resistance; a signal gain controller that includes a means for increasing dynamic range compression of the input audio signal, and output terminals for providing an output audio signal that is a function of the input audio signal and the signal gain. The signal gain controller provides a signal gain that is a function of the filament resistance and the load resistance. The audio level compressor can also include an expander circuit or a power conditioning circuit. Power can be provided by an internal source or a phantom power supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Inventor: Gary T. Osborne
  • Patent number: 8189813
    Abstract: In a sound processing apparatus, a storage unit stores, for example, a distance range in which sound uttered from a sound source is varied as information showing an area associated with the sound source. A determination unit determines the distance between the sound source and an attended point which is a position in which the sound uttered from the sound source is heard, and determines whether or not the attended point is in the distance range stored in the storage unit. A varying unit varies the sound when the attended point is in the distance range. A reproducing unit reproduces the sound varied by the varying unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuki Muraoka, Ryoji Makimura
  • Patent number: 8189798
    Abstract: A method for controlling a maximum signal level output to headphones of a wireless device is provided. The method includes: determining an impedance of the headphones; determining a carrier specific maximum signal level for headphones having the impedance; and, adjusting an audio amplifier of the wireless device coupled to the headphones to restrict the maximum signal level output to the headphones to the carrier specific maximum signal level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventor: Cyril Martin
  • Patent number: 8165320
    Abstract: An audio/video (A/V) device having a volume control function for external audio reproduction units by using volume control buttons of a remote controller is provided. The A/V device includes speakers, an audio output port for externally outputting an audio signal, an audio signal processing unit for reproducing and amplifying the audio signal and applying the amplified audio signal to the speakers or the audio output port, a memory unit for storing volume control values, and a control unit for applying to the audio signal processing unit any of the volume control values stored in the memory based on whether the external audio reproduction unit is plugged in the audio output port. The control unit controls the audio signal processing unit to adjust the volume control values for the audio output port by the volume control buttons when the external audio reproduction unit is plugged in the audio output port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jae-Hoon Lee
  • Patent number: 8166287
    Abstract: A system and method for improved audio controls on a personal computer is provided. The system and method provide a unified architecture for audio controls across hardware and software interfaces of the personal computer. An intelligent facility may automatically change audio controls for users to simply interact with various communications and media applications. To this end, a configurable audio controller intelligently handles various aspects of the system's audio devices by following various rules that may be based at least in part on user-configurable settings and a current operating state. The present invention also provides audio controls so that a user may easily change audio settings such as the volume of an audio output device. There are many applications that may use the present invention for automatic control of audio devices based upon the user's context.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Eric Gould Bear, Chad Magendanz, Aditha May Adams, Carl Ledbetter, Steve Kaneko, Dale C. Crosier
  • Patent number: 8160274
    Abstract: The present invention provides for methods and systems for digitally processing an audio signal. Specifically, the present invention provides for a headliner speaker system that is configured to digitally process an audio signal in a manner such that studio-quality sound that can be reproduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Bongiovi Acoustics LLC.
    Inventor: Anthony Bongiovi
  • Patent number: 8155349
    Abstract: When controlling the audio signal to the mute mode from an unmute mode, first, the muting circuit switches from the non-attenuating state to the attenuating state to cause the muting circuit to attenuate the audio signal by the predetermined amount of attenuation, and then, the amount of attenuation by the volume control section is set to the maximum amount of attenuation to cause the volume control section to attenuate the audio signal by the maximum amount of attenuation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Onkyo Corporation
    Inventors: Tadashi Yamamoto, Dai Shimozawa
  • Patent number: 8155348
    Abstract: A post phase-inverter master volume regulator for use in combination with a tube-type musical amplifier having a phase-inverter tube. The signals at both sides of the phase-inverter tube's DC voltage plate are extracted from the amplifier for processing by the master volume regulator. In one embodiment, such signals are extracted by inserting a male/female tube base between the amplifier's phase-inverter tube and its socket. The two voltage plate signals are then transmitted through a multiconductor umbilical to an exterior enclosure. Each signal is connected to ground through its respective user adjustable rheostat, permitting the user to simultaneously change the inverter-tube's two voltage signals (and vary the amplifier's volume). The regulator may also include circuitry adapted to provide a bass-boost, and/or a high frequency cutoff. Sometimes, first and second volume controls may be provided to permit a user to quickly change between two volume settings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Inventor: David William Bray
  • Patent number: 8130974
    Abstract: An ASC generates a control signal based on an engine rotation frequency detected by an engine rotational speed detecting means, and a speaker outputs a sound effect depending on the control signal into a vehicle. The speaker is disposed in a substantially central area of a dashboard, in front of a driver seat and a front passenger seat of the vehicle, in the transverse direction of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kosuke Sakamoto, Toshio Inoue, Akira Takahashi, Yasunori Kobayashi
  • Publication number: 20120051560
    Abstract: Techniques for controlling the volumes of multiple audio output devices using a collective (master) volume control and an individual volume control for each audio output device. In one set of embodiments, each individual volume control can be configured to indicate the current absolute volume level of its corresponding audio output device. When the master volume control is manually adjusted, the individual volume controls can be automatically adjusted in a manner proportional to the manual adjustment of the master volume control. In addition, when an individual volume control is manually adjusted to a setting or value that exceeds the master volume control, the master volume control can be automatically adjusted to be equal to, or greater than, the manually adjusted setting for the individual volume control. In this scenario, the other individual volume controls can remain unchanged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2010
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher Sanders
  • Patent number: 8127125
    Abstract: A system and method for improved audio controls on a personal computer is provided. The system and method provide a unified architecture for audio controls across hardware and software interfaces of the personal computer. An intelligent facility may automatically change audio controls for users to simply interact with various communications and media applications. To this end, a configurable audio controller intelligently handles various aspects of the system's audio devices by following various rules that may be based at least in part on user-configurable settings and a current operating state. The present invention also provides audio controls so that a user may easily change audio settings such as the volume of an audio output device. There are many applications that may use the present invention for automatic control of audio devices based upon the user's context.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Eric Gould Bear, Chad Magendanz, Aditha May Adams, Carl Ledbetter, Steve Kaneko, Dale C. Crosier
  • Patent number: 8116485
    Abstract: An automatic gain control system maintains desired signal content level, such as voice, in an output signal. The system includes automatic gain control over an input signal, and compensates the output signal based on input signal content. When the input signal level exceeds an upper or lower processing threshold level, or is distorted (e.g., clipped), the system applies a gain to the input signal level. The system may compensate for the gain in the output signal when the input signal includes desired signal content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: QNX Software Systems Co
    Inventors: Alex Escott, Phillip A. Hetherington
  • Publication number: 20120027226
    Abstract: A system and method for providing focused directional sound in an audio system where the system effectively uses regular speakers on servo stands with satellite speakers adapted to rotate on two axes. The system allows for the tracking of the speakers to focus the sound toward a person or persons as they move within the room, thereby providing for a real-time optimal sound in relation to the movement of the persons. Sensors for tracking and activating the servos can be done using infrared technology, facial recognition technology or radio frequency technology.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2010
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Inventor: Milford Desenberg
  • Publication number: 20120020486
    Abstract: An audio system includes a first audio device and a second audio device. A communications link connects the first and second audio devices together so that each may communicate with the other. The system includes an audio volume manager that varies the audio output level of the second audio device as a function of the perceived loudness of the second audio device as perceived at the first audio device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2010
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Eric P. Fried, Suresh Sabarathinam
  • Publication number: 20120020487
    Abstract: An audio system includes a first audio device and a second audio device. A communications link connects the first and second audio devices together so that each may communicate with the other. The system includes an audio volume manager that varies the audio output level of the second audio device as a function of the perceived loudness of the second audio device as perceived at the first audio device. To determine the perceived loudness of the second audio device as perceived at the first audio device, the audio volume manager may measure the current distance between the first and second audio devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2010
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Eric P. Fried, Suresh Sabarathinam
  • Patent number: 8082011
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus or a mobile communication apparatus are connectable to an external device via a short-range wireless communication link. When there is an incoming call, it is determined whether a ringing sound is sounded on both the apparatus and the external device, or whether the ringing is on one of the apparatus and the external device, based on a selected mode. Subsequently, appropriate sound is played based on the selected mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Fujitsu Toshiba Mobile Communications Limited
    Inventor: Kazuyuki Nagasawa
  • Publication number: 20110228952
    Abstract: An power-saving amplifying device is disclosed, the power-saving amplifying device uses a micro controller unit (MCU) to receive a control signal transmitted by a volume controller and to generate a decision signal based on the control signal; the MCU transmits the decision signal to the volume controlling circuit for obtaining a drive signal, then the volume controlling circuit transmits the drive signal to a power amplifier for driving a speaker to output a sound with a required volume; the MCU also calculates an output value of a PWM signal and transmits the PWM signal to a DC integrating circuit for rectifying and integrating the PWM signal into a DC voltage; the DC voltage is coupled with a voltage control terminal of the power supply to increase or decrease the DC voltage outputted by the power supply to the power amplifier, thereby reducing power consumption by using the volume to control the output voltage of the power supply.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2010
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Applicant: Sound Cheers Limited
    Inventor: Chi-Lien LIN
  • Patent number: 8019095
    Abstract: Scaling, by a desired amount sm, the overall perceived loudness Lm of a multichannel audio signal, wherein perceived loudness is a nonlinear function of signal power P, by scaling the perceived loudness of each individual channel Lc by an amount substantially equal to the desired amount of scaling of the overall perceived loudness of all channels sm, subject to accuracy in calculations and the desired accuracy of the overall perceived loudness scaling sm. The perceived loudness of each individual channel may be scaled by changing the gain of each individual channel, wherein gain is a scaling of a channel's power. Optionally, in addition, the loudness scaling applied to each channel may be modified so as to reduce the difference between the actual overall loudness scaling and the desired amount of overall loudness scaling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
    Inventors: Alan Jeffrey Seefeldt, Michael John Smithers
  • Publication number: 20110188674
    Abstract: A television system includes a remote control and a television. The remote control includes a sensor and a transmitting unit. The sensor generates a detecting signal according to a user's operation. When the user' operations are different, the detecting signals are different. The transmitting unit transmits the detecting signal. The television includes a receiving unit, a determining unit, and a channel selecting unit. The receiving unit receives the detecting signal. The determining unit determines whether the detecting signal is a first channel signal or a second channel signal. The determining unit generates a first control signal when the detecting signal is the first channel signal, and generates a second control signal when the detecting signal is the second channel signal. The channel selecting unit selects the last channel in response to the first control signal, and selects the next channel in response to the second control signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2010
    Publication date: August 4, 2011
    Applicant: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: LUNG DAI
  • Patent number: 7986798
    Abstract: A signal generating module for an electronic apparatus is provided. The signal generating module includes a processor, a roller, a resistant film, a conducting member, a first lead and a second lead. The roller has a rotary center and is rotably connected to the electronic apparatus thereby. The conducting member is connected to the rotary center to rotate together with the roller. The conducting member has an end including a conducting contact point. The conducting contact point is configured to rotate around the rotary center along a motion path accompanying the rotation of the roller, wherein the motion path is disposed at a first area of the resistant film. The first lead is coupled to the processor and in contact with the resistant film. The second lead is coupled to the processor, and coupled to the conducting member via the rotary center.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: Compal Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Ti-Ming Hsu
  • Patent number: 7933418
    Abstract: A position of a speaker is detected two-dimensionally or three-dimensionally, and a sound field is corrected. A sound reproducing apparatus includes a measuring signal generating portion for generating a first measuring signal, a transmission portion for transmitting a second measuring signal as soon as the first measuring signal is generated, sensors disposed in a listening position and for measuring a time difference between a time instant when the second measuring signal was received and a time instant when a measuring sound wave radiated from a to-be-detected speaker in accordance with the first measuring signal was received, and a position calculating portion for calculating a distance, as to each of n sensors, between each of the n sensors and the to-be-detected speaker based on the measured time difference, and calculating the position of the to-be-detected speaker based on distances among the n sensors and the calculated distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventor: Morito Morishima
  • Patent number: 7929712
    Abstract: An electronic volume apparatus sets an amplification factor (Gamp) of a digital potentiometer in response to a requested sound volume value (Vreq) transmitted thereto from a remote controller and sends back an actual result sound volume value (Vrep) with respect to the requested sound volume value. A coordination relationship among requested sound volume values (Vreq), actual result sound volume values (Vrep) and amplification factors (Gamp) is defined in a coordination relationship storage section. A search section searches an amplification factor (Gamp) and an actual result sound volume value (Vrep) coordinated with the requested sound volume value (Vreq) received from the remote controller from within the coordination relationship storage section. A sound volume control section controls the potentiometer based on a result of the search of the amplification factor. A responding section sends back the actual result sound volume value to the remote controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Mutsumi Katayama
  • Patent number: 7912226
    Abstract: Automatic measurements are made of audio presence and level in an audio signal by direct processing of an MPEG data stream representing the audio signal, without reconstructing the audio signal. Sub-band data is extracted from the data stream, and the extracted sub-band data is dequantized and denormalized. An audio level for the dequantized and denormalized sub-band data is measured without reconstructing the audio signal. Channel characteristics are used in measuring the audio level of the sub-band data, wherein the channel characteristics are used to weight the measured levels. The measured levels are compared against at least one threshold to determine whether an alarm should be triggered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas H. James, Jeffrey D. Carpenter
  • Patent number: 7907739
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of volume controlling, including: (a) receiving a volume adjusting command; (b) determining if the volume corresponding to the volume adjusting command is in a predetermined volume range; (c) if the volume corresponding to the volume adjusting command is in the predetermined volume range, utilizing the volume adjusting command to adjust a current volume; (d) if the volume corresponding to the volume adjusting command does not fall in the predetermined volume range, then (d1) utilizing the volume adjusting command to adjust the current volume; and (d2) computing the using time for the current volume, and adjusting the current volume referring to the predetermined volume range when the using time reaches a predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: Micro-Star Int'l Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yu-Hsin Chuo, Chien-Ming Huang
  • Publication number: 20110058690
    Abstract: An acoustic processing apparatus includes: a connecting unit to which an instructing device is connected; a situation obtaining unit obtaining information indicative of whether a number of apparatuses connected to the instructing device is a plural number or not, from the instructing device; a receiving unit receiving an instruction value from the instructing device; a storage unit in which a set value is stored; a determining unit, in a case where the information indicates that the number of apparatuses connected to the instructing device is a plural number, comparing the instruction and set values, and determines correspondence relationship between the values in accordance with a result of comparison; a changing unit, when the receiving unit receives a instruction value after the correspondence relationship is determined, specifying a set value which corresponds to the instruction value, based on the correspondence relationship, and changes the set value stored in the storage unit to the specified set value
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2010
    Publication date: March 10, 2011
    Applicant: YAMAHA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yuichiro KUZURYU, Kazushi Tamai, Motoyuki Niwa, Yoshinobu Iwasaki
  • Publication number: 20110051016
    Abstract: Embodiments of a remote control and a method are provided for automatically adjusting the volume output of an audio device, such as a television. In one embodiment, the remote control includes a wireless transmitter configured to transmit command signals to the audio device, a microphone configured to monitor sound levels external to the remote control, a memory storing a first threshold, and a controller. The controller is configured to: (i) determine a signal-to-noise ratio as a function of the sound levels detected by the microphone, and (ii) transmit via the wireless transmitter a first command to adjust the volume output of the audio device if the signal-to-noise ratio passes the first threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2009
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Applicant: SLING MEDIA PVT LTD
    Inventor: Deepak Ravi Malode
  • Publication number: 20110009058
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for managing a sound volume of a wireless connection device in a mobile communication terminal are provided. The method includes pre-storing a sound volume level of the wireless connection device with respect to each system supported by the mobile communication terminal, and when a call is generated, requesting to determine a sound volume by transmitting to the wireless connection device a sound volume level of a system in which the call is generated among the sound volume levels pre-stored for the respective systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2010
    Publication date: January 13, 2011
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO. LTD.
    Inventors: Ki-Woong Ha, Khi-Soo Jeong
  • Patent number: 7840012
    Abstract: The audio conditioning apparatus (190) for conditioning an audio signal (O) to be output, contains a noise characterizing unit (106, 112) arranged to evaluate a noise level (NM) of environmental noise yielding a noise level with which subsequently a volume amplification unit (140) amplifies a volume of the audio signal (O) by a volume gain (GV), depending on the noise level (NM). The audio conditioning apparatus (190) contains a further noise characterizing unit (108,114), (110, 116) is comprised, arranged to evaluate a further noise level (NL, NH) of the environmental noise in a noise band of low bass or high treble noise frequencies, and based on this further noise level a further amplification unit (150, 152) amplifies by a further gain (GB, GT) the amplitude of frequency components in a to the noise band corresponding audio band of low respectively high audio frequencies of the audio signal (O).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventor: Gerrit Frederik Magdalena De Poortere
  • Publication number: 20100226509
    Abstract: Electronic devices such as compact portable media players are provided. A housing for an electronic device may be relatively compact. The housing may include a door assembly with an attached spring-loaded clip. The electronic device may include a hold switch. Depending on the state of the hold switch, the electronic device may be in an off mode, a continuous playback mode, or a shuffle playback mode. The electronic device may not have integrated media playback controls such as play, pause, rewind, fast forward, etc. As one example, the electronic device may connect to an accessory that has media playback controls. Buttons and other user interfaces may be included in the accessory and user input information may be conveyed between the accessory and the electronic device using a wired path including audio connectors. The electronic device may include a printed circuit board assembly that is nested together with a battery assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2009
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Inventors: John Benjamin Filson, Pinida Jan Moolsintong, Emery Sanford
  • Patent number: 7740284
    Abstract: A vented gas riser for use in a system for conducting pressurized gas through a gas carrier pipe from a gas supply source line located below ground level to a delivery point disposed above ground is provided. A fluid tight gas riser protective casing is disposed around said carrier pipe and creates a gas escape passageway in an elongate annular space between the carrier pipe and the casing. A containment chamber is disposed below ground level which creates a confined space which has, as its only egress, a fluid connection to a gas escape passageway. Any gas which leaks into the containment chamber is directed into the gas escape passageway. A riser transition head, which includes at least one vent passageway, provides a fluid connection with said gas escape passageway and with the atmosphere such that any gas which leaks into said containment chamber is directed through the gas escape passageway and through the at least one vent and into the atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: Energy Control Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: James M. Royston, John A. Samudovsky
  • Patent number: 7693288
    Abstract: The invention provides for an audio system 10 comprising an audio signal generating means (12) for output of an audio signal (24), and a remote control device (14) for control of the audio signal generating means (12), the audio signal generating means (12) including means for including an identification signal within the audio output (12) and which serve to identify the audio signal generating means (12) from which the audio signal is output, the remote control device being arranged to receive the identification signal so as to identify the source (12) from which a particular audio signal (24) is output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: NXP B.V.
    Inventor: Iwo-Martin Mergler
  • Patent number: 7672470
    Abstract: An audio/video (A/V) device having a volume control function for external audio reproduction units by using volume control buttons of a remote controller is provided. The A/V device includes speakers, an audio output port for externally outputting an audio signal, an audio signal processing unit for reproducing and amplifying the audio signal and applying the amplified audio signal to the speakers or the audio output port, a memory unit for storing volume control values, and a control unit for applying to the audio signal processing unit any of the volume control values stored in the memory based on whether the external audio reproduction unit is plugged in the audio output port. The control unit controls the audio signal processing unit to adjust the volume control values for the audio output port by the volume control buttons when the external audio reproduction unit is plugged in the audio output port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jae-hoon Lee
  • Publication number: 20100007518
    Abstract: An input apparatus and a command inputting method are described. The input apparatus generates a predetermined command using a motion detected by a motion detector and a user manipulation input to an input unit. Accordingly, a user can use the input device capable of motion detection in various manners to control a number of to-be-controlled devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2009
    Publication date: January 14, 2010
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Yong-jin KANG, Sung-han LEE, Hyun-coog SHIN, Dae-hyun KIM, Eung-sik YOON
  • Patent number: 7624259
    Abstract: A system and method for improved audio controls on a personal computer is provided. The system and method provide a unified architecture for audio controls across hardware and software interfaces of the personal computer. An intelligent facility may automatically change audio controls for users to simply interact with various communications and media applications. To this end, a configurable audio controller intelligently handles various aspects of the system's audio devices by following various rules that may be based at least in part on user-configurable settings and a current operating state. The present invention also provides audio controls so that a user may easily change audio settings such as the volume of an audio output device. There are many applications that may use the present invention for automatic control of audio devices based upon the user's context.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Eric Gould Bear, Chad Magendanz, Aditha May Adams, Carl Ledbetter, Steve Kaneko, Dale C. Crosier
  • Patent number: 7609840
    Abstract: A control system and associated method resolving audio conflicts. The control system comprises a computing device, a memory device comprising a database, and a plurality of audio sources. The memory device is coupled to the computing device. The database comprises input data. The computing device is adapted to control an audio level for each of said audio sources in response to said input data to resolve audio conflicts between the audio sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory J. Boss, Carl P. Gusler, Rick A. Hamilton, II, James W. Seaman
  • Publication number: 20090262256
    Abstract: A television set includes: an internal speaker which outputs sound; a memory which holds information; a remote controller receiver which receives an instruction from the outside of the television set; a microcomputer which causes, based on a mode specifying instruction for specifying a sound output mode received by the remote controller receiver, the memory to hold any one of (a) information that indicates a first sound output mode in which sound is outputted from the internal speaker and (b) information that indicates a second sound output mode in which sound is outputted from an external speaker that is a speaker outside the television set; and an HDMI/CEC communication unit which outputs the information that indicates the sound output mode and that is held by the memory, to an amplifier which controls to operate or not operate the speaker outside the television set.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2006
    Publication date: October 22, 2009
    Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Sako Asayama, Hiroshi Kase, Mitsuteru Kataoka, Akihiro Mitani, Toshiki Murakami, Masahiko Mizoguchi, Masazumi Yamada
  • Publication number: 20090257604
    Abstract: A deformable controller for an electronic device, such as a portable electronic device, is disclosed. A user can interact with the controller to cause it to “deform” and thereby provide user input to control the electronic device. The controller can be malleable and symmetrical, and user interaction with the controller can be provided with substantially arbitrary orientation. In one embodiment, the controller is an in-line controller with a cable that couples to the electronic device. In one particular implementation, the portable electronic device can be a portable media player and the controller can remotely control media playback functions for the portable media player.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2008
    Publication date: October 15, 2009
    Inventor: Kyle Yeates
  • Patent number: 7599503
    Abstract: In a device equipped with an audio output, a range of the audio output level in regular use is set. When an attempt is made to change the setting to a volume level exceeding the range of the audio output level having been set, a request is made for an acknowledgement that the operation is appropriate, and only if a reply is received within a given time, is the volume setting changed. Such a method prevents the audio output from a television set or audio equipment to be increased to a volume level higher than necessary due to an operating error in a volume setting operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Tomohiko Taniguchi
  • Publication number: 20090226008
    Abstract: This invention allows changing the volume of a received specific input audio without influencing other audio output devices in a terminal apparatus to which a plurality of audio output devices is connected. This invention provides a terminal apparatus, which is connected to a plurality of audio output devices, and controls to output a plurality of audio data to any of the audio output devices, including a determination unit which determines the audio output devices used to output the plurality of audio data based on information indicating the relationship among audio input devices used to generate the plurality of audio data, and information indicating the relationship among the audio output devices, a mixing unit which mixes the plurality of audio data when it is determined that the plurality of audio data are output to one audio output device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2009
    Publication date: September 10, 2009
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Tetsuhiro Takanezawa
  • Patent number: 7567679
    Abstract: A system for controlling volume includes: a key input unit (1) for receiving user operations, and generating a corresponding controlling signal according to each operation; an MCU (Microprogrammed Control Unit) (2) for comparing an elapsed time of the user continuously operating the key input unit with a preset time, and generating PWM (Pulse-Width Modulation) pulses according to the comparison result; and a volume effect IC (Integrated Circuit) (3) for adjusting volume by 1 unit according to the PWM pulses if the elapsed time is less than or equal to the preset time, and setting volume as mute or adjusting volume by 10 units if the elapsed time is greater than the preset time according to a predefined system status during which the user presses the key input unit. The MCU includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit)(20), a timer (22), and a memory (23). A related method is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2009
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kuan-Hong Hsieh
  • Publication number: 20090136060
    Abstract: An audio output control device includes: display means for displaying two screens; speaker output control means for recognizing whether a main screen or a sub screen is being selected on the display means that is displaying the two screens and performing a control process to output a main or sub sound of the selected main or sub screen through a speaker; and headphone output control means for, before a headphone is connected, performing a control process to supply to a headphone terminal of the headphone the sub or main sound of the sub or main screen that is not being selected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2008
    Publication date: May 28, 2009
    Applicant: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Kazuo Mishima
  • Publication number: 20090122079
    Abstract: In order to display selected content as desired by a viewer by performing an easy operation without interrupting current viewing, a display apparatus includes a reception unit for receiving from a remote controller for transmitting an operation instruction to the display apparatus operation information including the amount of operation of a selection member which is detected at the time of selecting content and identification information identifying selected content, a determination unit for determining an output attribute of the selected content identified using the identification information based on the amount of operation, an output image generation unit for generating an output image of the selected content based on the output attribute determined by the determination unit, and a display control unit for displaying the output image generated by the output image generation unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2008
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yoshio Nishioka
  • Publication number: 20090060225
    Abstract: Remote user interfaces for portable media devices provided improved access by accessories to media assets and metadata stored in a database of a portable media device, enhancing a user's ability to control operation of the portable media device using a remote user interface provided by the accessory. In one example, an accessory can determine whether the database of the portable media device was updated while the portable media device was disconnected from the accessory. In a second example, an accessory can create and manage a playlist for the portable media device and can incorporate into the playlist tracks already queued for playback when the accessory connects to the portable media device. In a third example, an accessory can obtain database navigation history and initialize a database navigation interface to match the database navigation history.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2008
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory T. Lydon, Lawrence G. Bolton, Emily Clark Schubert
  • Patent number: 7457424
    Abstract: An electronic volume device of an invention includes a common volume I/O 371 for receiving an i-th common volume level Dcom[i] (i=1 to N) on a common scale of N steps, a volume converter 373 for converting the Dcom[i] into a j-th unique volume level Dvol[j] on a unique scale of n steps; and a volume controller 372 for controlling an electronic volume based on the unique volume. The volume converter 373 includes a volume memory for storing an offset between the Dcom[i] and the Dvol [j] and a volume controller that controls at least one of the Dvol[j] and the offset such that the received Dcom agrees with the sum of the Dvol[j] and the offset and controls the Dvol[j] on a higher priority than the offset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignees: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaishi, Honda Access Corp.
    Inventors: Mutsumi Katayama, Masashi Hino
  • Publication number: 20080279396
    Abstract: An amplifier remote-controllable at a front and a rear side includes a speaker located at a front portion, an operational panel located at a rear portion, a CD player, an MP3 player, a battery base, a remote-controlled rear infrared receiver, and a remote-controlled front infrared receiver connected to the remote-controlled rear infrared receiver and located at the front portion. A user, whether standing at the front or the rear side of the amplifier, can use a remote controller to transmit signal to either of the two remote-controlled infrared receivers to operate the amplifier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2007
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Inventor: Te-Wei Kung
  • Patent number: 7428310
    Abstract: A home theater system, an audio output adjusting device of a home theater system and methods thereof allow a prescribed or three-dimension audio configuration state for at least one prescribed position even when the prescribed location and/or a configuration of the speakers in a home theater system are modified. The device can include a checker for analyzing at least one of volume and delay time of a test audio signal outputted from speakers and providing the analyzed information to a controller. The controller can control output level and timing of audio signals subsequently output from the speakers based on the analyzed information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2008
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Jeong-Hyun Park
  • Patent number: 7379552
    Abstract: This invention relates to a method (and corresponding system) for providing location-aware media information and more specifically a method for providing location-aware audio content by an audio-presenting device capable of presenting audio content. On the audio source (401) comprising processing means (301) one or more sensors (404), may be positioned in order to locate the position(s) of one or more audio-presenting devices attached, close, or distant to said audio source. The sensors are used by receiving signal(s) to determine the location of the available audio-presenting devices. The audio-presenting device's (402, 403) location relative to the user's working position—in front of the display device (406)—may be estimated by the audio source (401) and thereby provides information items to the audio-presenting devices (402, 403) by the method according to the present invention so as to provide desired sound signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Paulus Cornelis Neervoort, Robert Kortenoeven
  • Publication number: 20080089534
    Abstract: A video playing apparatus and a method of adjusting a sound volume of the video playing apparatus are provided. The video playing apparatus can adjust the volume if a predetermined key is input continuously.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2007
    Publication date: April 17, 2008
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Bong-hwan Park
  • Publication number: 20080085014
    Abstract: A gain adjusting system for adjusting a gain of a sound signal in an audio system, includes a first detecting unit for capturing images of one or more faces of users and determining the number of faces and the size of the faces present in the images; a controller for receiving face data from the first detecting unit for comparing the sizes of faces in subsequently captured images with an initial face size and accordingly deciding and outputting a first decision signal; and a gain regulator coupled to the controller for adjusting the gain level of the sound signal according to the first decision signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2006
    Publication date: April 10, 2008
    Inventors: Hung-Yi Chen, Wei-Nan William Tseng, Cheng-Te Tseng, Yen-Ju Huang
  • Publication number: 20080048878
    Abstract: A method (400) and device (100) for touchless control of an headset or earpiece is provided. The device can include a sensing unit (202) for determining (402) a presence of a finger within a proximity of the earpiece, tracking (404) a touchless movement of the finger in air within the proximity, selecting (410) the control in accordance with a movement of the finger, and adjusting (414) the control in accordance with the tracking. A circular movement of the finger can be tracked for scrolling through a list. Menu options in the list can be audibly played during the scrolling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2007
    Publication date: February 28, 2008
    Inventor: Marc Boillot