Method and apparatus for identifying audio output outlet

• US 10,299,037 B2
• Filed: 03/03/2016
• Issued: 05/21/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 03/03/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lenovo PC International Limited (Lenovo Group Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Lenovo Singapore Pte Limited (Lenovo Group Ltd.)
• Inventors: Yang, Xinmei
• Primary Examiner(s): Ojo, Oyesola C
• Application Number:
  US15/059,658
• Publication Number:
  US 20170257700A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,174 Days
• Field of Search: 381 58
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/165 Management of the audio stream, e.g. setting of volume, audio stream path
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2420/01 Input selection or mixing for amplifiers or loudspeakers for hearing aids H04R25/43
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2420/03 Connection circuits to selectively connect loudspeakers or headphones to amplifiers
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2420/05 Detection of connection of loudspeakers or headphones to amplifiers
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2420/07 Applications of wireless loudspeakers or wireless microphones
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2499/15 Transducers incorporated in visual displaying devices, e.g. televisions, computer displays, laptops
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 29/001 for loudspeakers H04R29/007 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 3/00 Circuits for transducers , loudspeakers or microphones

Abstract

Identification and management of audio output outlets connected to a user device is described. Once one or more audio output outlets connected to a user device are identified, an audio signal is forwarded to each detected audio output outlet and in an event the audio signal forwarded to an audio output outlet is detected by an internal audio sensor of the user device, that audio output outlet is designated as a loudspeaker. Audio output outlets designated as loudspeakers are muted when the user device is in silent mode. If the audio signal forwarded to an audio output outlet is not detected by the internal audio sensor of the user device, that audio outlet is marked as a private speaker. Audio output outlets designated as private speakers remain in an audible state even when the user device is in silent mode.

Claims

1. A computerized method comprising:

detecting one or more audio output outlets connected to a user device;

forwarding an audio signal to each detected audio output outlet and in an event the audio signal forwarded to an audio output outlet is detected by an internal audio sensor of the user device, designating that audio output outlet as a loudspeaker;

designating an audio output outlet as a private speaker in an event the audio signal forwarded to an audio output outlet is not detected by the internal audio sensor of the user device; and

muting audio output outlets designated as loudspeakers when the user device is in silent mode.

2. The computerized method of claim 1 further comprising maintaining audio output outlets designated as private speakers in an audible state when the user device is in silent mode.

3. The computerized method of claim 1 further comprising designating an audio output outlet as a private speaker based on instructions received from a user of the user device.

4. The computerized method of claim 1 further comprising assigning an identifier to each detected audio output outlet and communicating the identifier assigned to each audio output outlet to a user of the user device.

5. The computerized method of claim 4 further comprising communicating the identifier assigned to an audio output outlet by at least one of playing an audio signal through the audio outlet or displaying the identifier on a screen of the user device.

6. The computerized method of claim 1 further comprising designating an audio output outlet as a loudspeaker based on instructions received from a user of the user device.

7. The computerized method of claim 1 further comprising assigning a priority level to each detected audio output outlet and forwarding audio produced through the user device to the one or more audio output outlets based on the priority level assigned to each audio output outlet.

8. The computerized method of claim 1 further comprising receiving the priority level for assigning to each detected audio output outlet from a user of the user device.

9. The computerized method of claim 1 further comprising assigning at least one of the one or more audio output outlets to a specific audio generating source included in or coupled with the user device.

10. The computerized method of claim 9 further comprising assigning the at least one of the one or more audio output outlets to a specific audio generating source included in or coupled with the user device in response to a request received from a user of the user device.

11. A computer program product, tangibly embodied in a non-transitory computer readable storage medium, comprising instructions being operable to cause a data processing system to:

detect one or more audio output outlets connected to a user device;

forward an audio signal to each detected audio output outlet and in an event the audio signal forwarded to an audio output outlet is detected by an internal audio sensor of the user device, designate that audio output outlet as a loudspeaker;

cause a data processing system to designate an audio output outlet as a private speaker in an event the audio signal forwarded to an audio output outlet is not detected by the internal audio sensor of the user device; and

mute audio output outlets designated as loudspeakers when the user device is in silent mode.

12. The computerized program product of claim 11 further comprising instructions being operable to cause a data processing system to maintain audio output outlets designated as private speakers in an audible state when the user device is in silent mode.

13. The computerized program product of claim 11 further comprising instructions being operable to cause a data processing system to designate an audio output outlet as a private speaker based on instructions received from a user of the user device.

14. The computerized program product of claim 11 further comprising instructions being operable to cause a data processing system to assign an identifier to each detected audio output outlet and communicate the identifier assigned to each audio output outlet to a user of the user device.

15. The computerized program product of claim 14 further comprising instructions being operable to cause a data processing system to communicate the identifier assigned to an audio output outlet by at least one of playing an audio signal through the audio outlet or displaying the identifier on a screen of the user device.

16. The computerized program product of claim 11 further comprising instructions being operable to cause a data processing system to designate an audio output outlet as a loudspeaker based on instructions received from a user of the user device.

17. The computerized program product of claim 11 further comprising instructions being operable to cause a data processing system to assign a priority level to each detected audio output outlet and forwarding audio produced through the user device to the one or more audio output outlets based on the priority level assigned to each audio output outlet.

18. The computerized program product of claim 11 further comprising instructions being operable to cause a data processing system to receive the priority level for assigning to each detected audio output outlet from a user of the user device.

19. The computerized program product of claim 11 further comprising instructions being operable to cause a data processing system to assign at least one of the one or more audio output outlets to a specific audio generating source included in or coupled with the user device.

20. The computerized program product of claim 19 further comprising instructions being operable to cause a data processing system to assign the at least one of the one or more audio output outlets to a specific audio generating source included in or coupled with the user device in response to a request received from a user of the user device.

21. A user device comprising:

an audio sensor;

a processor, the processor being configured to;

detect one or more audio output outlets connected to the user device;

forward an audio signal to each detected audio output outlet and in an event the audio signal forwarded to an audio output outlet is detected by the internal audio sensor, designate that audio output outlet as a loudspeaker;

cause a data processing system to designate an audio output outlet as a private speaker in an event the audio signal forwarded to an audio output outlet is not detected by the internal audio sensor; and

mute audio output outlets designated as loudspeakers when the user device is in silent mode.

22. The user device of claim 21 wherein the processor is further configured to maintain audio output outlets designated as private speakers in an audible state when the user device is in silent mode.

23. The user device of claim 21 wherein the processor is further configured to designate an audio output outlet as a private speaker based on instructions received from a user of the user device.

24. The user device of claim 21 wherein the processor is further configured to assign an identifier to each detected audio output outlet and communicate the identifier assigned to each audio output outlet to a user of the user device.

25. The user device of claim 21 wherein the processor is further configured to assign a priority level to each detected audio output outlet and forwarding audio produced through the user device to the one or more audio output outlets based on the priority level assigned to each audio output outlet.