Systems And Arrangements For Controlling Audio Levels Based On User Selectable Parameters

• US 20080043996A1
• Filed: 08/07/2006
• Published: 02/21/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 08/07/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Martin, Jennifer, Dolph, Blaine H.
• Granted Patent: US 8,041,025 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 379/388.07
• CPC Class Codes: G10L 21/02 Speech enhancement, e.g. noise reduction or echo cancellation reducing echo effects in line transmission systems H04B3/20; echo suppression in hands-free telephones H04M9/08
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42203 sound input device, e.g. microphone
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4334 Recording operations recording of a television signal H04N5/76; arrangements for recording or accumulating broadcast information or broadcast-related information H04H60/27
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/440236 by media transcoding, e.g. video is transformed into a slideshow of still pictures, audio is converted into text
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4532 involving end-user characteristics, e.g. viewer profile, preferences monitoring of user activities for profile generation for accessing a video database G06F16/739; user profiles in network data switching protocols H04L67/306; processing of user preferences or user profiles in wireless networks H04W8/18
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/485 End-user interface for client configuration
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4852 for modifying audio parameters, e.g. switching between mono and stereo
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4884 for displaying subtitles
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/60 for the sound signals

Abstract

Methods and arrangements for controlling audio levels according to user selectable features are disclosed. The system can receive a user selection for an alternate mode for audio device. A monitor can monitor audio levels in a physical area and the system can automatically switch an audio device from a current mode to the alternate mode when the monitored audio level exceeds a predetermined threshold. The alternate mode can provide a higher audio level or volume than the current mode. The alternate mode can also be a closed caption mode, a record mode, and a transcript mode to name a few. Thus, when the ambient sound level reaches a predetermined level many audio devices can change modes based on user configured instructions.

Claims

1. A method for controlling audio comprising:

receiving a first user selection for an alternate mode of an audio device;

monitoring at least one parameter related to an audio output according to a second user selection;

comparing the monitored at least one parameter to a predetermined threshold; and

automatically switching the audio device from a current mode to the alternate mode based on the comparing.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the alternate mode modifies an audio output.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one parameter is an ambient audio level.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the alternate mode has a greater audio volume than the current mode.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the alternate mode is a closed caption mode.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the alternate mode is a record mode.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the alternate mode is a transcript mode.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the predetermined threshold comprises a user configurable audio level threshold measured in decibels.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising lowering a volume of at least one audio device to reduce the intensity of the monitored audio level.

10. An apparatus for controlling audio comprising:

a user input device to accept at least one user setting for controlling audio;

an audio level detector to measure an audio level;

a compare module to compare the measured audio level with a predetermined audio level; and

a decision module to determine a mode change of at least one audio device based on the measured audio level exceeding the predetermined level.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising a transducer to convert the audio level into an electrical signal useable by the audio level detector.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the transducer measures the audio level in an area proximate to a location suitable for the user.

13. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising a transmitter to transmit a mode control signal to the at least one audio device.

14. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising an audio control module having an output, the audio level control module to receive a control signal from the decision module and to receive at least one audio signal from an audio producing device and to control an audio signal at the output of the audio level control module responsive to the control signal.

15. A computer program product comprising a computer useable medium having a computer readable program, wherein the computer readable program when executed on a computer causes the computer to:

receive a user selection for at least a first mode and a second mode of at least one audio device;

monitor audio levels in an assigned area; and

automatically switching a mode of the at least one audio device from a first mode to a second mode based on the monitored audio level exceeding a predetermined threshold.

16. The computer program product of claim 15, further comprising a computer readable program when executed on a computer causes the computer to automatically switch the at least one audio processing device from the first mode to the second mode based on a priority of the device.

17. The computer program product of claim 15, further comprising a computer readable program when executed on a computer causes the computer to provide a second mode that has a greater audio volume than the first mode.

18. The computer program product of claim 15, further comprising a computer readable program when executed on a computer causes the computer to implement a closed caption mode as the second mode.

19. The computer program product of claim 15, further comprising a computer readable program when executed on a computer causes the computer to implement a record mode as the second mode.

20. The computer program product of claim 15, further comprising a computer readable program when executed on a computer causes the computer to implement a transcript mode as the second mode.