IP Library Granted Patent US 9,071,218
Granted Patent B2
US 9,071,218 · App. 13/578,400 · Granted Jun 30, 2015

Electronic device audio volume reduction in response to audio communication request

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,071,218
App. No.
13/578,400
Granted
Jun 30, 2015
Kind
B2
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.

Claims (26)

1. 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.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein receiving the message comprises:

receiving the message at a second electronic device communicatively coupled with the first electronic device; and

the method further comprising:

transmitting the command from the second electronic device to the first electronic device to reduce the audio volume of the first electronic device, wherein the audio volume of the first electronic device is reduced.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein:

transmitting the command comprises transmitting the command to a wireless remote control interface of the first electronic device.

4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

muting the electronic device.

5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

pausing a playback function of the electronic device.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein: the first audio communication device comprises a telephone; and the identification of the second audio communication device comprises a telephone number.

7. 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.

8. The electronic system of claim 7 , wherein:

to reduce the audio volume associated with the media content, the control circuitry is configured to reduce the audio volume associated with the media content before the media content is transmitted via the media content output interface.

9. The electronic system of claim 7 , wherein:

to reduce the audio volume associated with the media content, the control circuitry is configured to mute the audio volume associated with the media content before the media content is transmitted via the media content output interface.

10. The electronic system of claim 7 , wherein:

to reduce the audio volume associated with the media content, the control circuitry is configured to pause the media content before the media content is transmitted via the media content output interface.

11. The electronic system of claim 7 , wherein:

a second electronic device is coupled with the media content output interface and is configured to present the media content to the user; and

to reduce the audio volume associated with the media content, the control circuitry is configured to transmit a command via the media content output interface to the second electronic device to reduce the audio volume associated with the second electronic device.

12. The electronic system of claim 7 , further comprising:

a remote control output interface;

wherein a second electronic device is coupled with the media content output interface and is configured to present the media content to the user; and

wherein, to reduce the audio volume associated with the media content, the control circuitry is configured to transmit a command via the remote control output interface to a remote control input interface of the second electronic device to reduce the audio volume associated with the second electronic device.

Assignments (2)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Nov 4, 2024
From: ECHOSTAR UKRAINE L.L.C.
To: DISH UKRAINE L.L.C.
Reel/Frame 069301/0716 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 10, 2012
From: VERCHYKOV, ROMAN
To: ECHOSTAR UKRAINE LLC
Reel/Frame 028769/0372 →