Automatic sound reproduction setting adjustment

• US 6,760,635 B1
• Filed: 05/12/2000
• Issued: 07/06/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/12/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Wistron Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Ryan, Jeffrey Michael, Bates, Cary Lee, Santosuosso, John Matthew
• Primary Examiner(s): Isen, F. W.
• Assistant Examiner(s): PENDLETON, BRIAN T
• Application Number:
  US09/569,784
• Time in Patent Office: 1,516 Days
• Field of Search: 381/103, 381/107, 381/104, 455/200.1, 846/33, 846/65, 846/27, 846/63, 368/245
• US Class Current: 700/94
• CPC Class Codes: H03G 3/001 Digital control of analog signals
• CPC Class Codes: H03G 3/3089 Control of digital or coded signals

Abstract

Apparatus, article of manufacture, and method for automatic adjustment of sound reproduction settings on an audio or audio/visual system based on listener preference and/or experience is provided. In one embodiment, an audio system includes an apparatus for adjusting an output parameter of the audio system, the apparatus comprising: a memory for storing a stored output parameter setting associated with an audio program being played on the audio system; and a processor configured to: determine whether a stored output parameter setting is associated with an audio program being processed on the audio system; if the stored output parameter setting is associated with the audio program, compare the stored output parameter setting to a saved output parameter setting; and if the stored output parameter setting is greater than the saved output parameter setting, change the output parameter to the stored output parameter setting.

Claims

1. A method for adjusting an output parameter for an audio system, comprising:

determining whether a stored output parameter setting is associated with an audio program being processed on the audio system;

if the stored output parameter setting is associated with the audio program, comparing the stored output parameter setting to a saved output parameter setting;

if the stored output parameter setting is different than the saved output parameter setting, changing the output parameter to the stored output parameter setting;

periodically decreasing a value of the stored output parameter setting; and

if the value of the stored output parameter setting is less than a threshold value, deleting the stored output parameter setting from memory.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

providing a user option to store into memory a current output parameter setting as a stored output parameter setting associated with the audio program.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the stored output parameter setting includes at least one parameter selected from the group consisting of volume, bass, treble and combinations thereof.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the saved output parameter setting is a current output parameter setting.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the saved output parameter setting is an initial output parameter setting.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the audio system receives the audio program from a broadcast signal.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the audio system processes audio programs stored on a data storage medium.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

providing a user prompt to confirm deletion of the stored output parameter from memory.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

designating one or more stored output parameter settings which are excluded from the value decreasing step.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

detecting an adjustment to the output parameter; and

changing the stored output parameter setting based on the adjustment.

11. The method of claims 10, wherein the stored output parameter setting is changed to a value between the stored output parameter setting and an adjusted output parameter setting.

12. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

if no stored output parameter setting is associated with the audio program, storing in memory a current output parameter as the stored output parameter setting associated with the audio program.

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving identification data of the audio program.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the identification data comprises digital data.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the identification data comprises analog data.

16. A method for adjusting an output parameter for an audio system, comprising:

determining whether a stored output parameter setting is associated with an audio program being processed on the audio system, wherein the stored output parameter setting includes a stored volume setting;

if the stored output parameter setting is associated with the audio program, comparing the stored output parameter setting to a saved output parameter setting;

if the stored output parameter setting is greater than the saved output parameter setting, changing the output parameter to the stored output parameter setting; and

periodically performing a volume erosion process, the process comprising;

decreasing the stored volume setting by a fixed decrement;

comparing the stored volume setting to a threshold volume setting; and

if the stored volume setting is less than the threshold volume setting, deleting from memory the stored output parameter setting for the audio program.

17. A computer-readable medium containing instructions which, when executed by one or more processes, performs a method comprising:

determining whether a stored output parameter setting is associated with an audio program being processed on the audio system, wherein the stored output parameter setting includes a stored volume setting;

if the stored output parameter setting is associated with the audio program, comparing the stored output parameter setting to a saved output parameter setting;

if the stored output parameter setting is greater than the saved output parameter setting, changing the output parameter to the stored output parameter setting; and

periodically performing a volume erosion process, the process comprising;

decreasing the stored volume setting by a fixed decrement;

comparing the stored volume setting to a threshold volume setting; and

if the stored volume setting is less than the threshold volume setting, deleting from memory the stored output parameter setting for the audio program.

18. A computer-readable medium containing instructions which, when executed by one or more processes, performs a method comprising:

determining whether a stored output parameter setting is associated with an audio program being processed on the audio system;

if the stored output parameter setting is associated with the audio program, comparing the stored output parameter setting to a saved output parameter setting;

if the stored output parameter setting is different than the saved output parameter setting, changing the output parameter to the stored output parameter setting;

periodically decreasing a value of the stored output parameter setting; and

if the value of the stored output parameter setting is less than a threshold value, deleting the stored output parameter setting from memory.

19. The computer-readable medium of claim 18, wherein the method further comprises:

providing a user option to store into memory a current output parameter setting as a stored output parameter setting associated with the audio program.

20. The computer-readable medium of claim 18, wherein the method further comprises:

providing a user prompt to confirm deletion of the stored output parameter from memory.

21. The computer-readable medium of claim 18, wherein the method further comprises:

designating one or more stored output parameter settings which are excluded from the value-decreasing step.

22. The computer-readable medium of claim 18, wherein the method further comprises:

detecting an adjustment to the output parameter; and

changing the stored output parameter setting based on the adjustment.

23. The computer-readable medium of claim 22, wherein the method further comprises:

if no stored output parameter setting is associated with the audio program, storing in memory a current output parameter as the stored output parameter setting associated with the audio program.

24. An apparatus for adjusting an output parameter of an audio system, comprising:

a memory for storing a stored output parameter setting associated with an audio program being played on the audio system; and

a processor configured to;

determine whether a stored output parameter setting is associated with an audio program being processed on the audio system;

if the stored output parameter setting is associated with the audio program, compare the stored output parameter setting to a saved output parameter setting;

if the stored output parameter setting is different than the saved output parameter setting, change the output parameter to the stored output parameter setting,

periodically decrease a value of the stored output parameter setting; and

if the value of the stored output parameter setting is less than a threshold value, delete me stored output parameter setting from memory.

25. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the processor is further configured to:

provide a user option to store into memory a current output parameter setting as a stored output parameter setting associated with the audio program.

26. The apparatus of claim 24, further comprising:

a display for displaying information from the processor.

27. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the information displayed is selected from the group consisting of volume setting, bass setting, treble setting, audio program identification, and user prompt messages.

28. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the processor is further configured to:

providing a user prompt to confirm deletion of the stored output parameter from memory.

29. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the processor is further configured to:

designating one or more stored output parameter settings which are excluded from the value-decreasing step.

30. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the processor is further configured to:

detect an adjustment to the output parameter; and

change the stored output parameter setting based on the adjustment.

31. The apparatus of claim 30, wherein the processor is further configured to:

if no stored output parameter setting is associated with the audio program, store in memory a current output parameter as the stored output parameter setting associated with the audio program.

32. An apparatus for adjusting an output parameter of an audio system, comprising:

a memory for storing a stored output parameter setting associated with an audio program being played on the audio system, wherein the stored output parameter setting includes a stored volume setting; and

a processor configured to;

determine whether a stored output parameter setting is associated with an audio program being processed on the audio system;

if the stored output parameter setting is associated with the audio program, compare the stored output parameter setting to a saved output parameter setting;

if the stored output parameter setting is greater than the saved output;

parameter setting, change the output parameter to the stored output parameter setting; and

periodically perform a volume erosion process, the process comprising;

decreasing the stored volume setting by a fixed decrement;

comparing the stored volume setting to a threshold volume setting; and

if the stored volume setting is less than the threshold volume setting, deleting from memory the stored output parameter setting for the audio program.