Adaptively configuring an audio interface according to selected audio output device

• US 6,266,571 B1
• Filed: 10/29/1997
• Issued: 07/24/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 10/29/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Guasti, Peter, Nassiff, Amado, Fado, Frank, VanBuskirk, Ronald
• Primary Examiner(s): Mei, Xu
• Application Number:
  US08/960,446
• Time in Patent Office: 1,364 Days
• Field of Search: 700/94, 381/61, 381/26, 381/77, 381/111, 381/122, 381/123, 381/124, 345/326, 345/327, 345/339, 345/961, 345/971, 345/978, 704/270, 704/272, 704/275, 704/278, 434/379, 434/308
• US Class Current: 700/94
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/165 Management of the audio stream, e.g. setting of volume, audio stream path
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 715/978 Audio interaction as part of an operator interface

Abstract

A method for configuring an audio interface for a speech recognition application in a computer system comprises the steps of: (a) displaying a first graphical user interface prompting a user selection of an output audio device between: a headset having at least one earphone speaker and a microphone; external speakers connected to the computer system; and, internal speakers connected to the computer system; (b) in the event of the user selecting the headset: (1) displaying a second graphical user interface for prompting a user to connect the headset; (2) displaying a second graphical user interface illustrating proper placement of the headset and the microphone; and, (3) displaying a fourth graphical user interface for adjusting audio playback volume;(c) in the event of a user selecting one of the external and internal speakers, omitting displaying the second and third graphical user interfaces as in steps (b)(1) and (b)(2) respectively, and displaying the fourth graphical user interface as in step (b)(3). The method can further comprise the steps of: including in the fourth graphical user interface a user operable volume control, an animation sequence indicative of an output audio signal and a user operable switch for initiating the output audio signal; and, including in the fourth graphical user interface a picture corresponding to the audio output device selected in step (a).

Claims

1. A method for configuring an audio interface for a speech recognition application in a computer system, comprising the steps of:

(a) displaying a first graphical user interface prompting a user selection of an output audio device between;

a headset having at least one earphone speaker and a microphone;

external speakers connected to said computer system; and

, internal speakers connected to said computer system;

(b) in the event of the user selecting said headset;

(1) displaying a second graphical user interface for prompting a user to connect said headset;

(2) displaying a third graphical user interface illustrating proper placement of said headset and said microphone; and

,

(3) displaying a fourth graphical user interface for adjusting audio playback volume;

(c) in the event of a user selecting one of said external and internal speakers, omitting displaying said second and third graphical user interfaces as in steps (b)(1) and (b)(2) respectively, and displaying said fourth graphical user interface as in step (b)(3).

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of including in said fourth graphical user interface a user operable volume control, an animation sequence indicative of an output audio signal and a user operable switch for initiating said output audio signal.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising the step of including in said fourth graphical user interface a picture corresponding to said audio output device selected in step (a).

4. A computer programmed with a routine set of instructions for configuring an audio interface for a speech recognition application stored in a physical medium, comprising:

means for displaying a first graphical user interface prompting a user selection of an output audio device between;

a headset having at least one earphone speaker and a microphone;

external speakers connected to said computer system; and

, internal speakers connected to said computer system;

means operable in the event of the user selecting said headset;

for displaying a second graphical user interface for prompting a user to

connect said headset;

for displaying a third graphical user interface illustrating proper placement of said headset and said microphone; and

, for displaying a fourth graphical user interface for adjusting audio playback volume;

means operable in the event of the user selecting one of said external and internal speakers for inhibiting said means for displaying said second and third graphical user interfaces, and instead, enabling said means for displaying said fourth graphical user interface.

5. The computer of claim 4, wherein said fourth graphical user interface includes a user operable volume control, an animation sequence indicative of an output audio signal and a user operable switch for initiating said output audio signal.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein said fourth graphical user interface includes a picture corresponding to said selected audio output device.