Method and system for unified audio control on a personal computer
First Claim
1. A computer program product for use at computer system, the computer program product for implementing a method for controlling audio devices in a computer system, the computer program product comprising one or more computer-readable storage devices having stored there one computer-executable instructions that, when executed, cause the computer system to perform the method, including the following:
- power down one or more components of the computer system to transition the computer system into a powered-down mode;
subsequent to transitioning the computer system into the powered-down mode and while the computer system remains in the powered-down mode;
receive an event indicating a change in the state of a first audio device at the computer system;
communicate the event to a configurable audio controller;
determine a change in a setting of at least one other audio device from among the plurality of audio devices in response to the indicated changed state of the first audio device; and
change the setting of the at least one other audio device as a result of the determination.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method for improved audio controls on a personal computer is provided. The system and method provide a unified architecture for audio controls across hardware and software interfaces of the personal computer. An intelligent facility may automatically change audio controls for users to simply interact with various communications and media applications. To this end, a configurable audio controller intelligently handles various aspects of the system'"'"'s audio devices by following various rules that may be based at least in part on user-configurable settings and a current operating state. The present invention also provides audio controls so that a user may easily change audio settings such as the volume of an audio output device. There are many applications that may use the present invention for automatic control of audio devices based upon the user'"'"'s context.
-
Citations
21 Claims
-
1. A computer program product for use at computer system, the computer program product for implementing a method for controlling audio devices in a computer system, the computer program product comprising one or more computer-readable storage devices having stored there one computer-executable instructions that, when executed, cause the computer system to perform the method, including the following:
-
power down one or more components of the computer system to transition the computer system into a powered-down mode; subsequent to transitioning the computer system into the powered-down mode and while the computer system remains in the powered-down mode; receive an event indicating a change in the state of a first audio device at the computer system; communicate the event to a configurable audio controller; determine a change in a setting of at least one other audio device from among the plurality of audio devices in response to the indicated changed state of the first audio device; and change the setting of the at least one other audio device as a result of the determination.
-
-
2. A computer system, the computer system comprising:
-
one or more processors including at least a main processor, the main processor configured to be powered down when the computer system is powered down; system memory; one or more audio devices; one or more computer-readable storage media having stored thereon a computer-executable instructions representing an audio controller and handling logic, that are executable even when the computer system is transitioned into a powered-down mode, wherein the handling logic is configured to; receive events indicating a change in the state of audio devices; send received events to the audio controller; receive instructions from the audio controller for changing the settings of audio devices; and changing the settings of audio devices in accordance with the received instructions; and wherein the audio controller is configured to; receive events from the handling logic indicating a change in the state of audio devices; determine changes in settings of other audio devices in response to the indicated changed state of the audio devices in the received events; and sending instructions to the handling logic for implementing the determined changed settings of the other audio devices. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5)
-
-
6. A method for controlling audio output from a computing system that is capable of receiving a telephone call and that includes at least one audio output device, the method comprising:
-
the computing system causing audio output to be rendered at a particular volume from the at least one audio output device; the computing system receiving an event, the event comprising an incoming communication; the computing system receiving user input that is responsive to engage the user with the incoming communication at the computing system; and the computing system automatically, in response to the user input and prior to the user engaging in the communication at the computing system, causing a change in the volume of the audio output that is rendered from the audio output device from at least a first volume state to at least a second volume state. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 21)
-
-
10. A computing system comprising:
-
at least one audio output device configured to render music output; telephone hardware configured for receiving a telephone call; and storage media storing computer executable instructions for implementing a method for controlling at least a volume of the music output that is rendered from the at least one audio output device, wherein the method includes; the computing system rendering music output at the at least one audio output device; the computing system receiving an incoming telephone call; the computing system detecting user input for answering the telephone call; and the computing system automatically, in response to the user input, and prior to connecting the incoming telephone call, lowering a volume of the music output that is rendered from the audio output device.
-
-
11. A method for controlling audio output from a computing system that is capable of receiving a telephone call and that includes an audio output device, the method comprising:
-
the computing system rendering audio output of an audio stream at the audio output device; the computing system receiving an incoming telephone call; the computing system receiving user input that is operable to answer the incoming telephone call; the computing system detecting user input entered at the computing system that corresponds to the incoming telephone call; and the computing system automatically, in response to the user input and prior to connecting the telephone call, changing a volume of the audio output that is rendered from the audio output device. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
-
Specification