Method and apparatus for media property of characteristic control in a media system

• US 9,686,396 B2
• Filed: 08/12/2011
• Issued: 06/20/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 08/12/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Google Technology Holdings LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Google Technology Holdings LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Inventors: Zhao, Liang, Fu, Yu-Ling, Li, Qiu-Ling
• Primary Examiner(s): Shen, Qun
• Application Number:
  US14/232,635
• Publication Number:
  US 20140162625A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,139 Days
• Field of Search: 455420, 455566
• 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 comprising:

causing, by a control device in communication with an external peripheral device, delivery of content to the external peripheral device from a separate device, the content comprising a multimedia signal corresponding to a multimedia presentation characteristic, and the separate device being external to both the control device and the external peripheral device;

receiving, at the control device, an input representative of a request to adjust the multimedia presentation characteristic;

responsive to receiving the input, transmitting, by the control device and to the separate device, a first communication signal configured to cause an adjustment of the multimedia signal before the multimedia signal is delivered to the external peripheral device until an adjustment threshold of the multimedia signal is reached; and

responsive to reaching the adjustment threshold, transmitting, by the control device and to the external peripheral device, a second communication signal configured to cause an adjustment to a peripheral device control, wherein the adjustment to the peripheral device control causes an adjustment to the multimedia presentation characteristic output by the external 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 multimedia signal comprises an audio signal associated with the content; and

the peripheral device control comprises a volume control of an audio output of the external 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 and the transmitting comprises transmitting the second communication signal to decrease the volume control.

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

9. 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 external 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.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the first control indicator and the second control indicator are visibly distinguishable from each other.

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

12. An electronic device, comprising:

a control circuit configured to cause delivery of content to an external peripheral device from a separate device, the content comprising an audio signal, the electronic device being configured to communicate with the external peripheral device, and the separate device being external to both the control device and the external peripheral device;

an adjustment module configured to adjust the audio signal before delivery of the audio signal to the external peripheral device;

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

an interface for receiving an input;

wherein the control circuit is configured to, in response to receiving a volume adjustment input, cause the adjustment module to adjust the audio signal until a threshold is reached by transmitting, by the control device and to the separate device, a communication signal configured to cause an adjustment of the audio signal before the audio signal is delivered to the external peripheral device; and

upon reaching the threshold, cause the communication module to deliver the volume adjustment control signal to the external peripheral device.

13. The electronic device of claim 12, wherein the volume adjustment input comprises a request to increase volume.

14. The electronic device of claim 12, wherein the volume adjustment input comprises a request to decrease volume.

15. The electronic device of claim 14, wherein the threshold comprises a minimum non-zero output volume level of the external peripheral device.

16. The electronic device of claim 12, 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.

17. A system, comprising:

a mobile device capable of wireless communication with an external peripheral device to deliver content to the external peripheral device from a separate device, the content having an associated audio signal, and the separate device being external to both the control device and the external peripheral device;

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

an interface configured to receive an input;

wherein responsive to receiving an input request to adjust a system volume, the mobile device is configured to adjust the associated audio signal before the associated audio signal is delivered to the external peripheral device by transmitting, to the separate device using the communication module, a communication signal configured to cause an adjustment of the audio signal prior to being output from the separate device; and

responsive to reaching a threshold, the mobile device is configured to adjust an output volume level of the external peripheral device by transmitting, to the external peripheral device using the communication module, a communication signal configured to cause an adjustment of the output volume level of the external peripheral device.