Granted Patent B1

US 9,383,964 · App. 14/693,555 · Granted Jul 5, 2016

Abstract

Claims (45)

1. A system comprising:

an input circuit that is operable to receive user input for independently controlling a desired volume setting of an individual component of a combined-game-and-chat audio signal, said individual component comprising one of:

a chat audio component of said combined-game-and-chat audio signal, and

a game audio component of said combined-game-and-chat audio signal;

an audio control circuit that is operable to:

determine, based on said user input, a corresponding mix setting for mixing together of said chat audio component and said game audio component in an audio source to generate said combined-game-and-chat audio signal;

determine based on said user input, a corresponding volume setting applicable at an audio output element; and

an output circuit that is operable to:

provide said mix setting to said audio source; and

provide said volume setting to said audio output element.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein said audio control circuit is operable to determine said mix setting based on a data set characterizing said audio source.

3. The system of claim 2 , wherein said data set relates to characteristics of said mixing of said chat audio component and said game audio component in said audio source, and/or characteristics of said combined-game-and-chat audio signals in relation to said mixing.

4. The system of claim 2 , wherein said data set is pre-programmed or determined based on testing of said audio source.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein said output circuit is operable to adaptively provide one or both of said mix setting and said volume setting.

6. The system of claim 1 , wherein said output circuit is operable to adaptively delay providing one or both of said mix setting and said volume setting, based on one or more pre-defined delay time values.

7. The system of claim 5 , wherein said output circuit is operable to adaptively provide one or both of said mix setting and said volume setting by using a plurality of ramp up or down steps, to effectuate gradual or stepped changes.

8. The system of claim 1 , wherein said output circuit is operable to provide said volume setting such that volume adjustments based on said volume setting are time synchronized to mixing changes based on said mix setting.

9. The system of claim 1 , wherein said audio output element is a headset.

10. The system of claim 1 , wherein said audio source is a game console, and said audio output element is a game console audio peripheral.

11. A method comprising

in a system comprising an audio source that is operable to a combined-game-and-chat audio signal and at least one audio output element that is operable to output said combined-game-and-chat audio signal:

receiving user input for independently controlling a desired volume setting of an individual component of said combined-game-and-chat audio signal, said individual component comprising one of:

a chat audio component of said combined-game-and-chat audio signal, and

a game audio component of said combined-game-and-chat audio signal;

determining, based on said user input, a corresponding mix setting for mixing together of said chat audio component and said game audio component in an audio source to generate said combined-game-and-chat audio signal;

determining based on said user input, a corresponding volume setting applicable at an audio output element;

providing said mix setting to said audio source; and

providing said volume setting to said audio output element.

12. The method of claim 11 , comprising determining said mix setting based on a data set characterizing said audio source.

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein said data set relates to characteristics of mixing of said chat audio component and said game audio component in said audio source, and/or characteristics of said combined-game-and-chat audio signals in relation to said mixing.

14. The method of claim 12 , wherein said data set is pre-programmed or determined based on testing of said audio source.

15. The method of claim 11 , comprising adaptively providing one or both of said mix setting and said volume setting.

16. The method of claim 11 , comprising adaptively delaying a providing of one or both of said mix setting and said volume setting, based on one or more pre-defined delay time values.

17. The method of claim 16 , comprising adaptively providing one or both of said mix setting and said volume setting by using a plurality of ramp up or down steps, to effectuate gradual or stepped changes.

18. The method of claim 11 , comprising providing said volume setting such that volume adjustments based on said volume setting are time synchronized to mixing changes based on said mix setting.

19. The method of claim 11 , wherein said audio output element is a headset.

20. The method of claim 11 , wherein said audio source is a game console, and said audio output element is a game console audio peripheral.

21. A system comprising:

a headset comprising circuitry operable to control mixing together, by an audio source, of a chat audio component and a game audio component to generate a combined-game-and-chat audio signal, wherein the control of the mixing comprises:

reception of user input for independently controlling a desired volume setting of an individual component of said combined-game-and-chat audio signal, said individual component comprising one of:

said chat audio component, and

said game audio component;

determination, based on said user input, of a corresponding mix setting for said mixing together of said chat audio component and said game audio component; and

determination, based on said mix setting, of a corresponding gain or attenuation to be applied to said combined-game-and-chat audio signal in said headset.

22. The system of claim 21 , wherein said user input is received via one or more user controls of said headset.

Assignments (13)