Electronic device audio volume reduction in response to audio communication request
AssigneeEchostar Ukraine, L.L.C.
InventorRoman Verchykov
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Presented is a method of facilitating use of an audio communication device, such as a telephone, in the presence of an electronic device capable of generating sound, such as a television or audio receiver. In the method, a message is received from the audio communication device, wherein the message indicates the audio communication device has received a request for an audio communication, such as a telephone call, from a second audio communication device. In response to receiving the message, an audio volume of the electronic device is reduced.
Claims12
A method of facilitating use of an audio communication device in the presence of an electronic device capable of generating sound, the method comprising:
- receiving a message from the audio communication device at a set-top box, wherein the message indicates the audio communication device has received a request for an audio communication from a second audio communication device;
- and wherein the message comprises an identification of the second audio communication device:
- in response to the message, comparing the identification of the second audio communication device with a database comprising a plurality of audio device identifications;
- generating a command configured to reduce an audio volume of the electronic device when the database includes the identification of the second audio communication device;
- inhibiting the reduction of the audio volume of the electronic device when the database does not include the identification of the second audio communication device;
- communicating the command configured to reduce the audio volume of the electronic device from the set-top box to a remote control;
- and communicating a wireless command from the remote control to the electronic device, wherein the wireless command corresponds to the command configured to reduce the audio volume of the electronic device.
An electronic system, comprising:
- a media content output interface in a set-top box that is configured to transmit media content for presentation to a user via an electronic device capable of generating sound or audio;
- a communication interface in the set-top box that is configured to receive a message from an audio communication device, wherein the message indicates an audio communication is being requested at the audio communication device by a second audio communication device;
- data storage configured to store a plurality of identifications of audio communication devices;
- control circuitry in the set-top box that is configured to, in response to the message, generate a command that is configured to reduce an audio volume associated with the media content as presented to the user;
- and a remote control that is configured to receive the command from the set-top box, and is further configured to communicate a wireless command to the electronic device, wherein the wireless command corresponds to the command configured to reduce the audio volume of the electronic device, wherein the message comprises an identification of the second audio communication device;
- and wherein the control circuitry is configured to, if the data storage does not include the identification of the second audio communication device, prevent the reduction of the audio volume associated with the media content as presented to the user.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.