Audio output coordination
First Claim
1. A method of controlling the audio output of a first and at least one second device capable of producing sound, which devices (1a, 1b, . . . ) are capable of exchanging information with a control unit (3), the method comprising the steps of:
- the control unit gathering sound status information (I) on at least the second devices;
the first device, prior to increasing its sound production, submitting a sound production request (R) to the control unit;
the control unit, in response to the request, allocating a sound share (S) to the first device; and
the first device producing sound in accordance with the allocated sound share, wherein the sound status information (I) comprises the volume of the sound produced by the respective device, and wherein the sound share (S) involves a maximum permitted sound volume.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
To control the sound output of various devices (1a, 1b, 1c, . . . ) a control unit (3) gathers information (I) on the sound output of the devices. Before a device starts producing sound, it submits a request (R) to the control unit. In response to the request, the control unit allocates a sound share (S) to the device on the basis of the sound information, the sound share involving a maximum volume. Thus the volume of any new sound is determined by the volume of the existing sound. An optional priority schedule may allow existing sound to be reduced in volume.
41 Citations
13 Claims
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1. A method of controlling the audio output of a first and at least one second device capable of producing sound, which devices (1a, 1b, . . . ) are capable of exchanging information with a control unit (3), the method comprising the steps of:
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the control unit gathering sound status information (I) on at least the second devices;
the first device, prior to increasing its sound production, submitting a sound production request (R) to the control unit;
the control unit, in response to the request, allocating a sound share (S) to the first device; and
the first device producing sound in accordance with the allocated sound share, wherein the sound status information (I) comprises the volume of the sound produced by the respective device, and wherein the sound share (S) involves a maximum permitted sound volume. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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Specification