COMPUTER PROGRAM AND METHODS FOR AUTOMATICALLY INITIALIZING AN AUDIO CONTROLLER

• US 20090240993A1
• Filed: 05/07/2009
• Published: 09/24/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 08/20/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Polycom Incorporated (Plantronics, Inc.)
• Inventors: JOINER, JAMES S., RICHARDSON, CRAIG H., POCINO, MICHAEL A., DREWES, THOMAS M.
• Granted Patent: US 8,234,573 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 714/57
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2201/38 Displays
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42161 via computer interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/56 Arrangements for connecting several subscribers to a common circuit, i.e. affording conference facilities video conference systems H04N7/15
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/563 User guidance or feature selection
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/568 audio processing specific to telephonic conferencing, e.g. spatial distribution, mixing of participants echo suppression in two-way loud-speaking telephone systems H04M9/02; sound field processing per se H04S7/30
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 715/967 Visual or iconic programming

Abstract

A computer program of the type commonly known as a “wizard” is disclosed that initializes user interface software for controlling an audio conferencing device. The wizard allows the desired audio inputs (e.g., microphone, telephones, etc.) and audio outputs (speakers, recording devices, etc.) to be chosen by an audio system administrator. Thereafter, the wizard allows an audio conferencing device (or devices) to be chosen by the administrator, or allows such a device(s) to be optimally chosen dependent upon the chosen inputs and outputs. The wizard then maps the inputs and outputs to the input and output ports on the audio conferencing device. When the administrator finishes the wizard, the wizard computes the mapping parameters and other audio-optimizing parameters for the selected inputs and outputs. These parameters are then loaded into the user interface software automatically.

Claims

1. A method for initializing user interface software for controlling an audio conferencing device, comprising:

(a) executing a set up program on a computer;

(b) selecting at least one audio input from the set up program;

(c) selecting at least one audio output from the set up program;

(d) selecting at least one audio conferencing device from the set up program;

(e) using the set up program to electronically map the inputs and outputs to input and output ports on the audio conference device;

(f) using the set up program to define at least mapping parameters relating to at least one of the selected audio inputs, audio outputs or audio conferencing devices for the user interface software; and

(g) electronically transferring the mapping parameters to the user interface software.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein step (f) further comprises using the set up program to define audio optimization parameters for the inputs or outputs, and where step (g) further comprises electronically transferring the audio optimization parameters to the user interface software.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the audio optimization parameters are dependent on the basis of the selected inputs or outputs.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein step (d) is accomplished automatically by the set up program on the basis of the selected input and outputs.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein step (d) is further accomplished on the basis of a selectable optimization option.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein step (d) further comprises displaying an error message if the selected audio conference device is not compatible with the selected inputs or outputs.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein step (e) is accomplished automatically by the set up program.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising coupling the selected inputs and outputs to the input and output ports on the audio conference device in accordance with a map created by the set up program.

9. The method of claims 1, wherein the inputs include items selected from the group consisting of a microphone and a telephone.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the outputs include items selected from the group consisting of a speaker, a telephone, and a recorder.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the set up program is executed upon execution of the user interface software.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the computer is coupled to the audio conferencing device.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein step (e) further comprises displaying a number of available inputs and output ports for the at least one selected audio conferencing device.

14. A method for initializing an audio conferencing device, comprising:

(a) executing a set up program on a computer coupled to the audio conferencing device, wherein the set up program provides a predetermined sequential series of steps to a user of the computer;

(b) selecting at least one audio input at a first step in set up program;

(c) selecting at least one audio output at a second step in the set up program;

(d) selecting at least one audio conferencing device at a third step in the set up program;

(e) electronically mapping the selected the inputs and outputs to input and output ports on the audio conference device at a fourth step in the set up program;

(f) determining, using the set up program, at least mapping parameters relating to at least one of the selected audio inputs, audio outputs or audio conferencing devices for initializing the audio conferencing device; and

(g) electronically transferring the mapping parameters to the audio conferencing device.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein step (f) further comprises determining audio optimization parameters for the inputs or outputs, and where step (g) further comprises electronically transferring the audio optimization parameters to the audio conferencing device.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the audio optimization parameters are dependent on the basis of the selected inputs or outputs.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein the third step is accomplished automatically by the set up program on the basis of the selected input and outputs.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the third step is further accomplished on the basis of a selectable optimization option.

19. The method of claim 14, wherein the third step further comprises displaying an error message if the selected audio conference device is not compatible with the selected inputs or outputs.

20. The method of claim 14, wherein the fourth step is accomplished automatically by the set up program.

21. The method of claim 14, further comprising coupling the selected inputs and outputs to the input and output ports on the audio conference device in accordance with a map created by the set up program.

22. The method of claims 14, wherein the inputs include at least one device selected from the group consisting of a microphone and a telephone.

23. The method of claim 14, wherein the outputs include at least one device selected from the group consisting of a speaker, a telephone, and a recorder.

24. The method of claim 14, wherein the set up program is executed upon execution of user interface software.

25. The method of claim 14, wherein the predetermined sequential series of steps comprises a predetermined sequential series of screens.

26. The method of claim 14, wherein the third step further comprises displaying a number of available inputs and output ports for the at least one selected audio conferencing device.

27. A method for choosing an optimal audio conferencing device, comprising:

(a) selecting at least one audio input at a first step in a set up program executed on a computer;

(b) selecting at least one audio output at a second step in the set up program;

(c) automatically selecting at least one audio conferencing device at a third step in the set up program, wherein the at least one audio conferencing is automatically selected (i) to be compatible with the selected inputs and outputs, and (ii) to be optimal in conjunction with a selected user preference.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein the inputs include at least one device selected from the group consisting of a microphone and a telephone.

29. The method of claim 27, wherein the outputs include at least one device selected from the group consisting of a speaker, a telephone, and a recorder.

30. The method of claim 27, wherein the user preference is selected form the group consisting of cost and size.

31. A computer readable media for storing a program for initializing user interface software for controlling an audio conferencing device, wherein the program is executable on a computer to perform a method comprising:

(a) executing a set up program on a computer;

(b) selecting at least one audio input from the set up program;

(c) selecting at least one audio output from the set up program;

(d) selecting at least one audio conferencing device from the set up program;

(e) using the set up program to electronically map the inputs and outputs to input and output ports on the audio conference device;

(f) using the set up program to define at least mapping parameters relating to at least one of the selected audio inputs, audio outputs or audio conferencing devices for the user interface software; and

(g) electronically transferring the mapping parameters to the user interface software.

32. The computer readable media of claim 31, wherein step (f) further comprises using the set up program to define audio optimization parameters for the inputs or outputs, and where step (g) further comprises electronically transferring the audio optimization parameters to the user interface software.

33. The computer readable media of claim 32, wherein the audio optimization parameters are dependent on the basis of the selected inputs or outputs.

34. The computer readable media of claim 31, wherein step (d) is accomplished automatically by the set up program on the basis of the selected input and outputs.

35. The computer readable media of claim 34, wherein step (d) is further accomplished on the basis of a selectable optimization option.

36. The computer readable media of claim 31, wherein step (d) further comprises displaying an error message if the selected audio conference device is not compatible with the selected inputs or outputs.

37. The computer readable media of claim 31, wherein step (e) is accomplished automatically by the set up program.

38. The computer readable media of claim 31, further comprising coupling the selected inputs and outputs to the input and output ports on the audio conference device in accordance with a map created by the set up program.

39. The computer readable media of claims 31, wherein the inputs include items selected from the group consisting of a microphone and a telephone.

40. The computer readable media of claim 31, wherein the outputs include items selected from the group consisting of a speaker, a telephone, and a recorder.

41. The computer readable media of claim 31, wherein the set up program is executed upon execution of the user interface software.

42. The computer readable media of claim 31, wherein the computer is coupled to the audio conferencing device.

43. The computer readable media of claim 31, wherein step (e) further comprises displaying a number of available inputs and output ports for the at least one selected audio conferencing device.

44. A computer readable media for storing a program for initializing an audio conferencing device, wherein the program is executable on a computer to perform a method comprising:

(a) executing a set up program on a computer coupled to the audio conferencing device, wherein the set up program provides a predetermined sequential series of steps to a user of the computer;

(b) selecting at least one audio input at a first step in set up program;

(c) selecting at least one audio output at a second step in the set up program;

(d) selecting at least one audio conferencing device at a third step in the set up program;

(e) electronically mapping the selected the inputs and outputs to input and output ports on the audio conference device at a fourth step in the set up program;

(f) determining, using the set up program, at least mapping parameters relating to at least one of the selected audio inputs, audio outputs or audio conferencing devices for initializing the audio conferencing device; and

(g) electronically transferring the mapping parameters to the audio conferencing device.

45. The computer readable media of claim 44, wherein step (f) further comprises determining audio optimization parameters for the inputs or outputs, and where step (g) further comprises electronically transferring the audio optimization parameters to the audio conferencing device.

46. The computer readable media of claim 45, wherein the audio optimization parameters are dependent on the basis of the selected inputs or outputs.

47. The computer readable media of claim 44, wherein the third step is accomplished automatically by the set up program on the basis of the selected input and outputs.

48. The computer readable media of claim 47, wherein the third step is further accomplished on the basis of a selectable optimization option.

49. The computer readable media of claim 44, wherein the third step further comprises displaying an error message if the selected audio conference device is not compatible with the selected inputs or outputs.

50. The computer readable media of claim 44, wherein step fourth step is accomplished automatically by the set up program.

51. The computer readable media of claim 44, further comprising coupling the selected inputs and outputs to the input and output ports on the audio conference device in accordance with a map created by the set up program.

52. The computer readable media of claims 44, wherein the inputs include at least one device selected from the group consisting of a microphone and a telephone.

53. The computer readable media of claim 44, wherein the outputs include at least one device selected from the group consisting of a speaker, a telephone, and a recorder.

54. The computer readable media of claim 44, wherein the set up program is executed upon execution of user interface software.

55. The computer readable media of claim 44, wherein the predetermined sequential series of steps comprises a predetermined sequential series of screens.

56. The computer readable media of claim 44, wherein the third step further comprises displaying a number of available inputs and output ports for the at least one selected audio conferencing device.

57. A computer readable media for storing a program for choosing an optimal audio conferencing device, wherein the program is executable on a computer to perform a method comprising:

(a) selecting at least one audio input at a first step in a set up program executed on a computer;

(b) selecting at least one audio output at a second step in the set up program;

(c) automatically selecting at least one audio conferencing device at a third step in the set up program, wherein the at least one audio conferencing is automatically selected (i) to be compatible with the selected inputs and outputs, and (ii) to be optimal in conjunction with a selected user preference.

58. The computer readable media of claim 57, wherein the inputs include at least one device selected from the group consisting of a microphone and a telephone.

59. The computer readable media of claim 57, wherein the outputs include at least one device selected from the group consisting of a speaker, a telephone, and a recorder.

60. The computer readable media of claim 57, wherein the user preference is selected form the group consisting of cost and size.

61. An audio conferencing system, comprising:

a computer coupled to an audio conferencing device, wherein the computer contains user interface software for controlling the audio conferencing device, and a set up program for initializing the user interface software, wherein the set up program performs a method, the method comprising;

(a) selecting at least one audio input from the set up program;

(b) selecting at least one audio output from the set up program;

(c) selecting at least one audio conferencing device from the set up program;

(d) using the set up program to electronically map the inputs and outputs to input and output ports on the audio conference device;

(e) using the set up program to define at least mapping parameters relating to at least one of the selected audio inputs, audio outputs or audio conferencing devices for the user interface software; and

(f) electronically transferring the mapping parameters to the user interface software.

62. The audio conferencing system of claim 61, wherein step (e) further comprises using the set up program to define audio optimization parameters for the inputs or outputs, and where step (f) further comprises electronically transferring the audio optimization parameters to the user interface software.

63. The audio conferencing system of claim 62, wherein the audio optimization parameters are dependent on the basis of the selected inputs or outputs.

64. The audio conferencing system of claim 61, wherein step (c) is accomplished automatically by the set up program on the basis of the selected input and outputs.

65. The audio conferencing system of claim 61, wherein step (d) is accomplished automatically by the program.

66. The audio conferencing system of claim 61, further comprising the selected inputs and outputs coupled to the input and output ports in accordance with a map created by the set up program.

67. An audio conferencing system, comprising:

a computer coupled to an audio conferencing device, wherein the computer contains a program for controlling the audio conferencing device, wherein the program performs a method, the method comprising;

(a) selecting at least one audio input at a first step in program;

(b) selecting at least one audio output at a second step in the program;

(c) selecting at least one audio conferencing device at a third step in the program;

(d) electronically mapping the selected the inputs and outputs to input and output ports on the audio conference device at a fourth step in the program;

(e) determining, using the program, at least mapping parameters relating to at least one of the selected audio inputs, audio outputs or audio conferencing devices for initializing the audio conferencing device; and

(f) electronically transferring the mapping parameters to the audio conferencing device.

68. The audio conferencing system of claim 67, wherein step (e) further comprises determining audio optimization parameters for the inputs or outputs, and where step (f) further comprises electronically transferring the audio optimization parameters to the audio conferencing device.

69. The audio conferencing system of claim 68, wherein the audio optimization parameters are dependent on the basis of the selected inputs or outputs.

70. The audio conferencing system of claim 67, wherein the third step is accomplished automatically by the program on the basis of the selected input and outputs.

71. The audio conferencing system of claim 67, wherein step fourth step is accomplished automatically by the program.

72. The audio conferencing system of claim 67, further comprising the selected inputs and outputs coupled to the input and output ports on the audio conference device in accordance with a map created by the program.

73. The audio conferencing system of claim 67, wherein the predetermined sequential series of steps comprises a predetermined sequential series of screens.