Audio system with multi-screen application

• US 10,031,719 B2
• Filed: 08/31/2016
• Issued: 07/24/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 09/02/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Harman International Industries Incorporated (Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Harman International Industries Incorporated (Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.)
• Inventors: Barton, Sean F., Mason, Robert J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ton, David
• Application Number:
  US15/253,224
• Publication Number:
  US 20170060526A1
• Time in Patent Office: 692 Days
• Field of Search: 381 77, 455 412, 455 413
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/165 Management of the audio stream, e.g. setting of volume, audio stream path
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/439 Processing of audio elementary streams
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47217 for controlling playback functions for recorded or on-demand content, e.g. using progress bars, mode or play-point indicators or bookmarks specific graphical features in visual interfaces H04N21/4312
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2227/003 Digital PA systems using, e.g. LAN or internet
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2420/01 Input selection or mixing for amplifiers or loudspeakers
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2420/07 Applications of wireless loudspeakers or wireless microphones
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2430/01 Aspects of volume control, not necessarily automatic, in sound systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 27/00 Public address systems circuits for preventing acoustic reaction H04R3/02; circuits for distributing signals to loudspeakers H04R3/12; monitoring or testing arrangements for public address systems H04R29/007; amplifiers H03F
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 3/12 for distributing signals to two or more loudspeakers specially adapted for hearing aids H04R25/407
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 5/04 Circuit arrangements, e.g. for selective connection of amplifier inputs/outputs to loudspeakers, for loudspeaker detection, or for adaptation of settings to personal preferences or hearing impairments combinations of amplifiers H03F3/68; stereophonic systems H04S

Abstract

A playback device for automatically switching between audio content received from a plurality of media devices may include at least one speaker configured to emit first audio content corresponding to video content received from a first media device. The playback device may also include a wireless transceiver configured to receive data from a second media device and a processor. The processor may be configured to receive an indication of an event at the second media device based on the data, the event indicative of second audio content to be played from the second media device, and instruct the at least one speaker to mute playback of the first audio content and to initiate playback of the second audio content without discontinuing playback of the video content at the first media device.

Claims

1. A playback device for automatically switching between audio content received from a plurality of media devices, comprising:

at least one speaker configured to emit first audio content corresponding to video content received from a first media device;

a wireless transceiver configured to receive data from a second media device; and

a processor configured to;

receive an indication of an event at the second media device based on the data, the event indicative of second audio content to be played from the second media device,

instruct the at least one speaker to mute playback of the first audio content and to initiate playback of the second audio content without discontinuing playback of the video content at the first media device, and

receive an indication of an event at a third media device, the event indicative of third audio content to be played from the third media device, and

instruct the at least one speaker to initiate playback of the third audio content responsive to completion of the second audio content.

2. The playback device of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to:

determine whether the second audio content is above a preset threshold minimum level of volume; and

instruct the at least one speaker to decrease a volume of the playback of the first audio content and concurrently increase a volume of the playback of the second audio content in response to the second audio content being above the preset minimum threshold level of volume.

3. The playback device of claim 1, further comprising a user interface configured to receive user input at the playback device to control the video and first audio content.

4. The playback device of claim 1, further comprising an auxiliary input configured to communicate with the first media device.

5. The playback device of claim 1, wherein the first media device is a television and the second media device is one of a mobile phone or tablet computer.

6. The playback device of claim 1, wherein the first media device is configured to communicate with the processor via a wired connection and wherein the second media device is configured to communicate with the processor via a local area network connection.

7. The playback device of claim 1, wherein the event includes at least one of playing a video at the second media device and receiving a phone call at the second media device.

8. An audio playback system configured to switch between a plurality of audio sources, comprising:

a playback device including at least one speaker configured to emit first audio content corresponding to video content at a first media device, the playback device further including a processor configured to;

receive, from a second media device, an indication of second audio content to be played from the second media device, and

instruct the at least one speaker to mute playback of the first audio content and to initiate playback of the second audio content without discontinuing playback of the video content at the first media device;

receive an indication of an event at a third media device, the event indicative of third audio content to be played from the third media device; and

instruct the at least one speaker to initiate playback of the third audio content responsive to completion of the second audio content.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the processor receives the indication of second audio content to be played at the second media device is in response to an event at the second media device indicating that the second audio content is to be played from the second media device.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the event includes playing a video at the second media device.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein the event includes receiving a phone call at the second media device.

12. The system of claim 8, wherein the processor is further configured to:

determine whether the second audio content is above a preset threshold minimum level of volume; and

instruct the at least one speaker to decrease a volume of the playback of the first audio content and concurrently increase a volume of the playback of the second audio content in response to the second audio content being above the preset threshold minimum level of volume.

13. The system of claim 8, further comprising a user interface configured to receive user input at the playback device to control the video and first audio content.

14. The system of claim 8, further comprising an auxiliary input configured to communicate with the first media device and wherein the first media device is a television and wherein the second media device is one of a mobile phone or tablet computer.

15. The system of claim 8, wherein the first media device is configured to communicate with the processor via a wired connection and wherein the second media device is configured to communicate with the processor via a local area network connection.

16. A method for switching audio output at a home theater playback device, comprising:

receiving, from a first media device, first audio content corresponding to multimedia content at the first media device;

instructing the first audio content to be played via at least one speaker;

receiving, from a second media device, second audio content corresponding to media content at the second media device;

instructing the at least one speaker to mute playing the first audio content and to play the second audio content without discontinuing video content at the first media device;

instructing the at least one speaker to resume play of the first audio content in response to the second media content ending;

receiving, from a third media device, third audio content corresponding to media content at the third media device; and

instructing the at least one speaker to play the third audio content in response to the second audio content ending.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising:

determining whether the second audio content is above a preset threshold minimum level of volume; and

instructing the at least one speaker to decrease a volume of the first audio content and concurrently increase a volume of the second audio content in response to the second audio content being above the preset threshold minimum level of volume.