METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MEDIA PROPERTY OF CHARACTERISTIC CONTROL IN A MEDIA SYSTEM

• US 20140162625A1
• Filed: 08/12/2011
• Published: 06/12/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 08/12/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Google Technology Holdings LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Motorola Mobility LLC (Lenovo Group Ltd.)
• Inventors: Zhao, Liang, Fu, Yu-Ling, Li, Qiu-Ling
• Granted Patent: US 9,686,396 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/420
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/165 Management of the audio stream, e.g. setting of volume, audio stream path
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6066 including a wireless connection
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72412 using two-way short-range wireless interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72442 for playing music files
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4122 additional display device, e.g. video projector digital output for controlling a plurality of local displays G06F3/1423
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42203 sound input device, e.g. microphone
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4222 Remote control device emulator integrated into a non-television apparatus, e.g. a PDA, media center or smart toy remote control device for a television receiver integrated into a mobile phone H04M1/72415
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42222 Additional components integrated in the remote control device, e.g. timer, speaker, sensors for detecting position, direction or movement of the remote control, microphone or battery charging device
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4852 for modifying audio parameters, e.g. switching between mono and stereo
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8106 involving special audio data, e.g. different tracks for different languages
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8113 comprising music, e.g. song in MP3 format

Abstract

A method and system for controlling multimedia presentation characteristics among a plurality of devices are disclosed. An electronic device (100) is capable of communication (109) with a peripheral device (102) to play back content (107) on the peripheral device (102). The content (107) has an associated a multimedia presentation characteristic signal, for example an audio signal (108). When the electronic device (101) receives a user input request to adjust a system volume, the device is configured to adjust either the associated audio signal or an output volume level of the peripheral device (102). Once this adjustment reaches a threshold, the device is configured to adjust the other of the associated audio signal or the output volume level of the peripheral device (102). The decision of which control to adjust first and which to adjust second can be user defined. The process can be repeated when more than two devices are included in the system.

Claims

1. A method for controlling a multimedia presentation characteristic in a peripheral device, comprising:

causing delivery of content to the peripheral device, the content comprising a signal corresponding to the multimedia presentation characteristic;

receiving an input, at a control device in communication with the peripheral device, requesting a change in the multimedia presentation characteristic from the peripheral device;

in response to the input, one of;

causing adjustment of the signal corresponding to the multimedia presentation characteristic being delivered to the peripheral device;

or

transmitting to the peripheral device a communication signal to adjust a peripheral device control of an output of the multimedia presentation characteristic of the peripheral device;

until an adjustment threshold is reached, and upon reaching the adjustment threshold, another of;

the causing the adjustment of the signal corresponding to the multimedia presentation characteristic being delivered to the peripheral device;

or

the transmitting to the peripheral device the communication signal to adjust the peripheral device control of the output of the multimedia presentation characteristic of the peripheral device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the multimedia presentation characteristic is one of an audio presentation characteristic, a video presentation characteristic, or combinations thereof.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the multimedia presentation characteristic comprises one of color level, brightness, tint, hue, contrast, sharpness, bass audio level, treble audio level, balance, fade, or combinations thereof.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the multimedia presentation characteristic comprises an audio level;

the signal corresponding to the multimedia presentation characteristic comprises an audio signal associated with the content; and

the peripheral device control of the output of the multimedia presentation characteristic of the peripheral device comprises a volume control of an audio output of the peripheral device.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the input comprises a request to increase audio playback volume, wherein the one of the causing the adjustment or the transmitting comprises increasing the audio signal.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the adjustment threshold comprises a maximum audio signal strength.

7. The method of claim 4, wherein the input comprises a request to decrease audio playback volume, wherein the one of the causing the adjustment or the transmitting comprises transmitting the communication signal to decrease the volume control.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the another of the causing the adjustment or the transmitting occurs until a second adjustment threshold is reached.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein which of the one of the causing the adjustment or the transmitting that occurs is user definable.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising presenting a composite indicator on a display of one or more of the control device or the peripheral device, the composite indicator indicating a combination of the adjustment of the signal corresponding to the multimedia presentation characteristic and the adjustment of the peripheral device control of the output of the multimedia presentation characteristic.

11. The method of claim 4, further comprising presenting a dual control indicator on a display of one or more of the control device or the peripheral device, wherein a first control indicator indicates the adjustment of the audio signal and a second control indicator indicates the adjustment of the volume control

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the first control indicator and the second control indicator are visibly distinguishable from each other.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the peripheral device is one of an audio headset, an audio playback device, a television, a computer, or a multimedia playback device.

14. An electronic device, comprising:

a control circuit configured to cause delivery of content to a peripheral device, the content comprising an audio signal;

an adjustment module configured to adjust the audio signal;

a communication module configured to deliver control signals to the peripheral device; and

an interface for receiving input;

wherein the control circuit is configured to, in response to receiving a volume adjustment input, take a first volume adjustment action until a threshold is reached; and

upon reaching the threshold, take a second volume adjustment action;

wherein the first volume adjustment action is one of causing the adjustment module to adjust the audio signal or causing the communication module to deliver a volume adjustment control signal to the peripheral device; and

the second volume adjustment action is another of the causing the adjustment module to adjust the audio signal or the causing the communication module to deliver the volume adjustment control signal to the peripheral device.

15. The electronic device of claim 14, wherein the volume adjustment input comprises a request to increase volume, wherein the first volume adjustment action comprises the causing the adjustment module to adjust the audio signal.

16. The electronic device of claim 14, wherein the volume adjustment input comprises a request to decrease volume, wherein the first volume adjustment action comprises the causing the communication module to deliver the volume adjustment control signal.

17. The electronic device of claim 16, wherein the threshold comprises a minimum non-zero output volume level of the peripheral device.

18. The electronic device of claim 14, wherein the electronic device comprises a display, wherein the control circuit is configured to present a composite indicator on the display indicating a first volume adjustment action level and a second volume adjustment level.

19. A system, comprising:

a mobile device capable of wireless communication with a peripheral device to deliver content to the peripheral device, the content having an associated audio signal;

wherein when the mobile device receives an input request to adjust a system volume, the mobile device is configured to adjust only one of the associated audio signal or an output volume level of the peripheral device; and

upon reaching a system volume threshold, the mobile device is configured to adjust another of the associated audio signal or the output volume level of the peripheral device.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the mobile device adjusts the only one of the associated audio signal or the output volume level of the peripheral device based upon a user selected priority of the mobile device and the peripheral device.