SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PRIORITIZING AND BALANCING SIMULTANEOUS AUDIO OUTPUTS IN A HANDHELD DEVICE

• US 20080002831A1
• Filed: 09/18/2007
• Published: 01/03/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/30/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Palmsource Incorporated (Access Company Limited)
• Original Assignee: Palmsource Incorporated (Access Company Limited)
• Inventors: Taylor, Lee, Donaldson, Jesse
• Application Number:
  US11/856,724
• Publication Number:
  US 20080002831A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 381/55
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/16 Sound input; Sound output speech processing G10L
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6016 in the receiver circuit
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72403 with means for local support of applications that increase the functionality

Abstract

A system and method for prioritizing multiple audio sources and balancing them in a single combined output in a handheld device. Audio sources are sensed and combined with the level of each source subject to adjustment by an attenuator/amplifier. A priority logic unit controls the attenuator/amplifier associated with each source. the level of each source being combined is adjusted on the basis of the character of the sources being combined and a set of programmed rules. For example, if source A is a high priority source (e.g. a telephone ring or other alert tone) and source B is a lower priority source (e.g. a music program) then the sound management system may lower the volume on source B combine with source A and output the result. Alternatively, source A may be raised in volume, combined with source B, and then output. In one embodiment, the sound management system is integrated with a palm sized handheld computer system.

Claims

1. A handheld device comprising:

a) a first audio source coupled to a first variable attenuator/amplifier;

b) a second audio source coupled to a second variable attenuator/amplifier;

c) a priority logic unit for assigning priority levels to coupled to said first audio source and said second audio source, and also coupled to said first variable attenuator/amplifier and said second variable attenuator/amplifier;

d) a mixer coupled to said first variable attenuator/amplifier and to said second variable attenuator/amplifier; and

e) an audio output connected to said mixer.