Automatic Audio Source Switching

• US 20110228944A1
• Filed: 03/19/2010
• Published: 09/22/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 03/19/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bose Corporation
• Original Assignee: Bose Corporation
• Inventors: Croghan, Frank, Torres, Wade P., Norville, Pelham, Hartung, Klaus, Morton, Daniel M., Lehnert, Hilmar
• Granted Patent: US 9,426,574 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 381/17
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/162 Interface to dedicated audio devices, e.g. audio drivers, interface to CODECs
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 23/04 using light waves, e.g. infrared
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/43635 HDMI
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47 End-user applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/60 for the sound signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/088 the inserted signal being digital
• 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 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 method for automatically switching an audio source includes the steps of receiving an audio signal from a video display device, and receiving a digital audio signal from one of a plurality of audio/video source devices which each can supply audio and video information to the video display device. The digital audio signal is compared with the audio signal from the video display device. The digital audio signal is output to a supplemental audio system of the video display device when the comparing step indicates that the digital audio signal and the audio signal from the video display device contain substantially similar audio programs.

Claims

1. A method for automatically switching an audio source, comprising the steps of:

receiving an audio signal from a video display device;

receiving a digital audio signal from one of a plurality of audio/video source devices which each can supply audio and video information to the video display device;

comparing the digital audio signal with the audio signal from the video display device; and

outputting the digital audio signal to a supplemental audio system of the video display device when the comparing step indicates that the digital audio signal and the audio signal from the video display device contain substantially similar audio programs.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the audio signal received from the video display device is an analog signal.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the audio signal received from the video display device is a digital signal.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the video display device is a television.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the audio signal received from the video display device is supplied to the video device from one of the audio/video source devices.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the digital audio signal received from the source device has 6 or more channels.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the digital audio signal received from the source device has more channels than the audio signal received from the video display device.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the receiving step includes receiving a digital audio signal from each of the plurality of audio/video source devices.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the comparing step utilizes information beyond what is included in the audio signal and digital audio signal.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the information that is beyond what is included in the audio signal and digital audio signal includes the presence or absence of a wireless signal from a remote control.

11. An apparatus for automatically switching an audio source, comprising:

an audio receiver that can receive (a) an audio signal from a video display device, and (b) a digital audio signal from one of a plurality of audio/video source devices which each can supply audio and video information to the video display device, wherein the audio receiver compares the digital audio signal with the audio signal from the video display device and outputs the digital audio signal to a supplemental audio system of the video display device when the digital audio signal and the audio signal from the video display device contain substantially similar audio programs.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the audio signal received from the video display device is an analog signal.

13. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the audio signal received from the video display device is a digital signal.

14. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the video display device is a television.

15. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the audio signal received from the video display device is supplied to the video device from one of the audio/video source devices.

16. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the digital audio signal received from the source device has 5 or more channels.

17. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the digital audio signal received from the source device has more channels than the audio signal received from the video display device.

18. A method for automatically switching an audio source, comprising the steps of:

receiving a digital audio signal from one of a plurality of audio/video source devices which each can supply video information to a video display device;

receiving an indication from the video display device that the digital audio signal should be transmitted to a supplemental audio system; and

outputting the digital audio signal to the supplemental audio system.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the indication is an audio signal that substantially matches the digital audio signal.