Sound output control device

• US 20100274370A1
• Filed: 04/27/2010
• Published: 10/28/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 04/28/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: DENSO Corporation
• Original Assignee: DENSO Corporation
• Inventors: Ochi, Hikaru
• Granted Patent: US 8,548,617 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/94
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/162 Interface to dedicated audio devices, e.g. audio drivers, interface to CODECs
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72412 using two-way short-range wireless interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72442 for playing music files

Abstract

A sound output control device is disclosed. The sound output control device includes an application information acquisition section and a control section. The application information acquisition section is configured to acquire application information from an external device having multiple applications for sound output. The control section is configured to process audio data streamed from the external device through causing the external device to start one of the multiple applications. The control section has a predetermined selection criterion to select a start-candidate application from the plurality of applications. The control section is further configured to select the start-candidate application according to the application information acquired from the external device and the predetermined selection criterion, and cause the external device to start the selected start-candidate application.

Claims

1. A sound output control device comprising:

an application information acquisition section that is configured to acquire application information from an external device having a plurality of applications for sound output, the application information being information on the plurality of applications of the external device; and

a control section that is configured to process audio data streamed from the external device through causing the external device to start one of the plurality of applications,

wherein the control section has a predetermined selection criterion to select a start-candidate application from the plurality of applications, the start-candidate application being the one of the plurality of applications to be started in the external device,

wherein the control section is further configured to select the start-candidate application according to the application information acquired from the external device and the predetermined selection criterion, and cause the external device to start the selected start-candidate application.

2. The sound output control device according to claim 1, wherein:

the predetermined selection criterion includes a first selection criterion;

the first selection criterion is that when a default application, which is one application of the plurality of applications and is registered as a default in the external device, has an audio function and a browsing function, the control section selects the default application as the start-candidate application; and

when the default application has the audio function and the browsing function, the control section selects the default application as the start-candidate application according to the application information and the first selection criterion, and the control section causes the external device to start the selected start-candidate application.

3. The sound output control device according to claim 2, wherein

the predetermined selection criterion further includes a second selection criterion;

the second selection criterion is that when the default application does not have the audio function and the browsing function, the control section selects a top level application as the candidate application, the top level application being an application that is registered as a top level among a group of the plurality of applications that has the audio function and the browsing function; and

when the default application does not have the audio function and the browsing function, the control section selects the top level application as the start-candidate application according to the application information and the second selection criterion and causes the external device to start the selected-start candidate application.

4. The sound output control device according to claim 1, further comprising:

a communication link connection section that is connectable with the external device via a local wireless communication link,

wherein the application information acquisition section acquires the application information from the external device via the local wireless communication link when the communication link connection section is connected with the external device via the local wireless communication link.

5. The sound output control device according to claim 1, wherein:

the sound output control device is an in-vehicle apparatus mounted to a vehicle;

the external device is a portable device, which has music data and is external with respect to the in-vehicle apparatus;

the communication link connection section is connectable with the portable device via a local wireless communication link by using an audio/video remote control protocol for remote control of audio/video;

the audio function is a function of playback of music; and

the browsing function is a function of transferring information on the music data to the in-vehicle apparatus.