- Number
- 10959022
- Published
- 2021-03-23
- Filed
- 2020-02-06
- Assignee
- Disney Enterprises, Inc.
- Inventors
- Baumbach; Elliott H.
- CPC
- H04R5/04; H04R5/033; G06F3/165
- Verdict
- Low Hardware
- Source
- Google Patents · FreePatentsOnline
The keeper's note
Adaptive headphone audio hardware responding to external inputs.
Abstract
Embodiments provide techniques for controlling an audio output for a headphone system. In one embodiment, a headphone system comprising a speaker, a communication interface configured to receive a first audio signal from a first audio source hosted on a first computing device and a master audio signal from a master audio source hosted on a second computing device separate from the first computing device, wherein the first audio source and master audio source are separate from the headphone system, and an audio control module, is configured to output the first audio signal on the speaker using a first volume level, receive the master audio signal, and in response, decrease a volume of the first audio signal relative to the first volume level, output the master audio signal on the speaker at a second volume level greater than the decreased volume of the first audio signal, and after determining the master audio signal is finished, increase the volume of the first audio signal.
Background
BACKGROUND (1) Audio ducking is a technique for temporarily lowering the volume of a first audio signal for a period of time, during which a second audio signal can be heard over the first audio signal. Ducking is commonly used in media for narration over music, or for language translations over original speakers. (2) Generally, an audio controller or mixer performs audio ducking on two or more audio signals, and then exports a combined, ducked audio signal for external playback. For example, the audio controller or mixer can use audio ducking to correlate two audio tracks, so that as one track plays; the other track gets quieter. A common use of audio ducking is for voice-overs where the music fades into the background as speech from a narrator begins. SUMMARY (3) In one embodiment, a headphone system comprises a speaker; a communication interface configured to receive a first audio signal from a first audio source hosted on a first computing device and a master audio signal from a master audio source hosted on a second computing device separate from the first computing device, wherein the first audio source and master audio source are separate from the headphone system; and an audio control module configured to output the first audio signal on the speaker using a first volume level, receive the master audio signal, and in response, decrease a volume of the first audio signal relative to the first volume level, output the master audio signal on the speaker at a second volume
Claims
1. A headphone system comprising: a speaker; a communication interface configured to receive a first audio signal from a first audio source hosted on a first computing device and a master audio signal from a master audio source hosted on a second computing device separate from the first computing device, wherein the first audio source and master audio source are separate from the headphone system; and an audio control module, configured to: output the first audio signal on the speaker using a first volume level, receive the master audio signal, identify a priority corresponding to the master audio signal, compare the priority of the master audio signal to a priority of the first audio signal, upon determining the priority of the master audio signal is greater than the priority of the first audio signal, decrease a volume of the first audio signal relative to the first volume level, output the master audio signal on the speaker at a second volume level greater than the decreased volume of the first audio signal, and after determining the master audio signal is finished, increase the volume of the first audio signal. ||
8. A method comprising: receiving, at a headphone system, a first audio signal from a first audio source; outputting the first audio signal on a speaker in the headphone system using a first volume level; in response to receiving a master audio signal from a master audio source, decreasing a volume of the first audio signal relative to the first volume level, wherein the first audio source and the master audio source are separate from the headphone system, and wherein the master audio source is a parental software application including a priority level for the master audio signal that identifies the master audio signal as having priority over the first audio signal, and establishes a priority among a plurality of master audio signals; outputting the master audio signal on the speaker at a second volume level greater than the decreased volume of the first audio signal; and after determining the master audio signal is finished, increasing the volume of the first audio signal. ||
15. A method comprising: receiving, at a headphone system, a first audio signal from a first audio source; outputting the first audio signal on a speaker in the headphone system using a first volume level; in response to receiving a master audio signal from a master audio source, decreasing a volume of the first audio signal relative to the first volume level, wherein the first audio source and the master audio source are separate from the headphone system, wherein the master audio source is a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) peripheral device that broadcasts an advertisement comprising the master audio signal, wherein the master audio signal includes information about a physical area in which the headphone system is located; outputting the master audio signal on the speaker at a second volume level greater than the decreased volume of the first audio signal; and after determining the master audio signal is finished, increasing the volume of the first audio signal.