Search

EP-3798663-B1 - ADAPTIVE AUDIO OUTPUT

EP3798663B1EP 3798663 B1EP3798663 B1EP 3798663B1EP-3798663-B1

Inventors

  • GILES, MICHAEL
  • PAQUIER, BAPTISTE

Dates

Publication Date
20260506
Application Date
20200924

Claims (12)

  1. A method, comprising: at a first device (110): generating audio output; receiving an indication that a second device (115) is to emit an audible signal generated by the second device (115) and triggered by the first device (110); adjusting the audio output from a first state to a second state based at least on the indication that the second device (115) is to emit the audible signal; identifying a predetermined condition; and adjusting the audio output from the second state to the first state based on at least the predetermined condition; characterized in that the predetermined condition is based on either the first device being within a predetermined distance relative to the second device, or a timer.
  2. The method of claim 1, wherein adjusting the audio output from the first state to the second state comprises at least one of adjusting a volume parameter for the audio output from a first value to a second value, and muting the audio output.
  3. The method of claim 1, wherein adjusting the audio output from the first state to the second state comprises preventing the audio output from including a frequency range, wherein optionally the frequency range is based on at least the signal the second device is to emit.
  4. The method of any preceding claim, wherein generating audio output includes transmitting audio data to an accessory device via a short-range communication protocol.
  5. The method of claim 4, further comprising: receiving the audio signal emitted by the second device (115); generating further audio output based on the received signal, wherein the further audio output is configured to be perceived as originating from a location of the second device (115).
  6. The method of any preceding claim, wherein the predetermined condition is further based on an indication of user input, wherein the user input is received at one of the first device (110) or the second device (115).
  7. A first device (110), comprising: a transceiver (225) configured to establish one of a network connection or a peer-to-peer connection; and a processor (205) configured to perform operations comprising: generating audio output; receiving an indication that a second device (115) is to emit an audible signal generated by the second device (115) and triggered by the first device; adjusting the audio output from a first state to a second state based at least on the indication that the second device (115) is to emit the signal; identifying a predetermined condition; and adjusting the audio output from the second state to the first state based on the predetermined condition; characterized in that the predetermined condition is based on a location of the first device, a location of the second device, or a timer.
  8. The first device of claim 7, wherein adjusting the audio output from the first state to the second state comprises one of i) adjusting a volume parameter for the audio output from a first value to a second value, ii) muting the audio output, or iii) preventing the audio output from including a frequency range and wherein the frequency range is based at least on the signal the second device (115) is to emit.
  9. The first device of claim 7 or claim 8, the operations further comprising: receiving the audible signal emitted by the second device (115); generating further audio output based on at least the received audible signal.
  10. The first device of any of claims 7 to 9, wherein the predetermined condition is based on at least an indication of user input and wherein the user input is received at one of the first device (110) or the second device (115).
  11. The first device of any of claims 7 to 10, wherein the audible signal comprises an audible tone.
  12. The first device of any of claims 7 to 11, wherein generating audio output includes transmitting audio data to an accessory device via a short-range communication protocol.

Description

BACKGROUND A user may possess multiple electronic devices. A first electronic device may be capable of triggering a second electronic device to emit an audible tone. The tone may be intended to aid the user in finding the second electronic device when the exact location of the second electronic device is unknown. US2016/0373899 and US2016/373501 disclose a portable communication device to receive audio signals and transmit a wireless signal to relay the audio signals to remote devices. US 8,190,438 discloses an audio system in which the audio image of an audio stream is adjusted to allow different audio streams to appear in different locations in the audio image. SUMMARY The invention is defined by the appended claims. Brief Description of the Drawings Fig. 1 shows an example network arrangement according to exemplary embodiments.Fig. 2 shows an exemplary UE according to exemplary embodiments.Fig. 3 shows an exemplary arrangement that includes a UE configured to adjust its audio output according to exemplary embodiments.Fig. 4 shows an exemplary method involving a UE configured to adjust its audio output according to exemplary embodiments.Fig. 5 shows an exemplary arrangement including three UEs according to exemplary embodiments.Fig. 6 shows an exemplary method involving a UE configured to be triggered to emit a signal according to exemplary embodiments. Detailed Description The exemplary embodiments may be further understood with reference to the following description and the related appended drawings, wherein like elements are provided with the same reference numerals. The exemplary embodiments describe devices, systems and methods for improving the user experience associated with managing the audio output generated by an electronic device, including when searching for another device. As will be described below, the exemplary embodiments relate to autonomously adapting the audio output of an electronic device in accordance with various different scenarios. In certain scenarios, the user may be unable to perceive the tone emitted from a misplaced electronic device because one or more of the user's other electronic devices is generating audio output (e.g., streaming music, an active voice call, etc.). In some instances the tone may be a single sound, while in other instances the tone can be multiple sounds, e.g., characterized by multiple frequencies, patterns, amplitudes, volumes, etc. The tone also may be output for any duration, and may be constant or intermittent. The audio output may be played through one or more speakers or may be played through headphones, ear buds, etc. Under conventional circumstances, the user may have to manually adjust the audio output generated by the user's other electronic devices (e.g., lower the volume) to hear the tone emitted from the misplaced electronic device, e.g., during a location attempt. However, it may be inconvenient for the user to manually manage the audio output generated by the user's electronic devices when the user is searching for the misplaced electronic device. For example, the user may not want to interrupt an active voice call to listen for the tone generated by the misplaced electronic device. In another example, the electronic device generating the audio output may not be within reach of the user, e.g., when headphones or ear buds are being worn. Accordingly, there is a need for a mechanism that may autonomously manage the audio output generated by one or more of the user's electronic devices in a convenient manner. The exemplary embodiments are described with regard to a UE. However, reference to a UE is merely provided for illustrative purposes. The exemplary embodiments may be utilized with any electronic device that may establish a connection to a network (including a peer-to-peer (P2P) network, a Personal Area Network (PAN), etc.) and is configured with the hardware, software, and/or firmware to exchange information (e.g., control information) and/or data with the network. Therefore, the UE as described herein is used to represent any suitable electronic device. The UE may connect to an accessory device. Throughout this description, the term "accessory device" generally refers to an electronic device that is configured to connect to the UE. An accessory device also may be configured to generate audio output, including directly (e.g., through an integrated speaker) or indirectly. Further, the audio output may be in an audible range, an inaudible range, or both. By way of example, the accessory device may be headphones, one or more ear buds, a speaker, a wearable device, a further UE, a computing device, etc. The UE and the accessory device may communicate over a wireless and/or wired connection. However, any reference to the accessory device being a particular electronic device or the accessory device connecting to the UE in any particular manner is only provided for illustrative purposes. Therefore, the accessory device as described herein is