Method and apparatus for modifying output characteristics of proximate devices
Systems and methods for reducing distractions from nearby devices when content susceptible to interruption is being consumed. Content susceptible to interruption is determined, and when this content is consumed on one device, nearby devices are identified and their output characteristics are modified. For example, output volume of nearby devices may be reduced, or the volume of the first device may be increased. This process is repeated with different devices as they each output content determined to be susceptible to interruption. Consumers are thus presented with fewer distractions from surrounding devices while they are consuming content that is susceptible to interruption.
1. A method of modifying volume of proximate devices, the method comprising:
detecting a first device configured for playing a first content stream at a first volume;
detecting a second device proximate to the first device, and configured for playing a second content stream at a second volume, wherein the first content stream is different than the second content stream;
for a plurality of different content streams simultaneously consumed on the first and second devices, identifying, scenes susceptible to interruption of each content stream;
in response to identifying, that a first scene of the scenes susceptible to interruption is being consumed on the first device, and based on analysis of genres of both the first content stream and the second content stream, lowering the volume for the second device consuming the second content stream;
after conclusion of the first scene, identifying, that a second scene being consumed on the first device is not susceptible to interruption by the second content stream that is played by the second device; and
adjusting the volume for the second device consuming the second content stream to the second volume.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the identifying further comprises receiving identifiers of scenes of the content stream from metadata of the content stream.
3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising, selecting a random one of the first and second devices currently consuming the first scene of the scenes susceptible to interruption of its respective content stream as a priority device.
4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising, when more than one of the first and second devices is currently consuming the first scene of the scenes susceptible to interruption of its respective content stream, selecting one of the more than one of the first and second devices consuming live content as a priority device, wherein the first and second devices that is not selected is consuming content that is recorded.
5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the selecting further comprises selecting one of the more than one of the first and second devices consuming live primetime content as the priority device.
6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising, when more than one of the first and second devices is currently consuming the first scene of the scenes susceptible to interruption of its respective content stream, selecting one of the more than one of the first and second devices consuming video on demand or pay per view content as a priority device.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the modifying comprises one or more of modifying an output luminance of proximate devices and muting the output volume of each of the devices other than the priority device.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the modifying further comprises modifying an output volume of one or more of ringtones of each of the devices other than a priority device, notifications of each of the devices other than the priority device, and alerts of each of the devices other than the priority device.
9. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
selecting additional devices different from the devices of the plurality of the first and second devices; and
modifying volume of the selected additional devices during consumption of the first scene of the scenes susceptible to interruption of the respective content stream on a priority device;
wherein the additional devices include connected devices.
10. A system for modifying output characteristics of proximate devices, the system comprising:
a storage device; and
control circuitry configured to:
detecting a first device configured for playing a first content stream at a first volume;
detecting a second device proximate to the first device, and configured for playing a second content stream at a second volume, wherein the first content stream is different than the second content stream;
for a plurality of different content streams simultaneously consumed on the first and second devices, identifying, scenes susceptible to interruption of each content stream;
in response to identifying, that a first scene of the scenes susceptible to interruption is being consumed on the first device, and based on analysis of genres of both the first content stream and the second content stream, lowering the volume for the second device consuming the second content stream;
after conclusion of the first scene, identifying, that a second scene being consumed on the first device is not susceptible to interruption by the second content stream that is played by the second device; and
adjusting the volume for the second device consuming the second content stream to the second volume.
11. The system of claim 10 , wherein the identifying further comprises receiving identifiers of scenes of the content stream from metadata of the content stream.
12. The system of claim 10 , wherein the control circuitry is further configured to select a random one of the first and second devices currently consuming the first scene of the scenes susceptible to interruption of its respective content stream as a priority device.
13. The system of claim 10 , wherein the control circuitry is further configured to, when more than one of the first and second devices is currently consuming the first scene of the scenes susceptible to interruption of its respective content stream, select one of the more than one of the first and second devices consuming live content as a priority device, wherein the first and second devices that is not selected is consuming content that is recorded.
14. The system of claim 13 , wherein the selecting further comprises selecting one of the more than one of the first and second devices consuming live primetime content as the priority device.
15. The system of claim 10 , wherein the control circuitry is further configured to, when more than one of the first and second devices is currently consuming the first scene of the scenes susceptible to interruption of its respective content stream, select one of the more than one of the first and second devices consuming video on demand or pay per view content as a priority device.
16. The system of claim 10 , wherein the modifying comprises modifying an output luminance of proximate devices.
17. The system of claim 16 , wherein the modifying further comprises muting the output volume of each of the devices other than a priority device.
18. The system of claim 10 , wherein the modifying further comprises modifying an output volume of one or more of ringtones of each of the devices other than a priority device, notifications of each of the devices other than the priority device, and alerts of each of the devices other than the priority device.
19. The system of claim 10 , wherein the control circuitry is further configured to:
select additional devices different from the devices of the plurality of the first and second devices; and
modify volume of the selected additional devices during consumption of the first scene of the scenes susceptible to interruption of the respective content stream on a priority device;
wherein the additional devices include connected devices.