Patent Publication Number: US-2011060435-A1

Title: Audio processing for improved user experience

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a divisional of prior, co-pending, U.S. patent application Ser. No.: 11/525,670, filed on Sep. 21, 2006, and entitled AUDIO PROCESSING FOR IMPROVED USER EXPERIENCE, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to electronic devices and, more particularly, to enhanced audio processing for electronic devices. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Portable electronic devices, such as MP 3  players and Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), support media playback for users of such devices. Traditionally, other portable electronic devices, such as mobile phones, have not offered media playback. Recently, however, mobile telephones have included the functionality of MP 3  players so that music can be played back for users of the mobile telephones. Unfortunately, however, when a call is incoming to a mobile telephone, music that might otherwise be played is stopped. After the call has ended, the user can be prompted to return to the music playback if so desired. Hence, music cannot be played while using the mobile telephone to engage in a voice call. 
     Additionally, mobile telephones and computers (e.g., Internet telephony), can enable users to engage in voice calls with multiple parties. However, one problem with such conventional devices is that a user can easily get confused as to who is talking when there are multiple participants on a voice call. 
     Thus, there is need to facilitate improved audio capabilities for electronic devices. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention pertains to improved methods and systems that facilitate enhanced media capabilities for electronic devices. The enhanced media capabilities enable electronic devices to provide voice calling with concurrent audio playback. The audio playback can originate at the electronic device itself or can be transmitted to the electronic device as part of or together with the voice calling. In addition, the enhanced media capabilities can also provide users of electronic devices with acoustic separation (e.g., spatial positioning) of audio currently provided from a voice call and from audio playback. Still further, the enhanced media capabilities can also provide users of electronic devices with acoustic separation (e.g., spatial positioning) of participants in multi-party calls. 
     The invention can be implemented in numerous ways, including as a method, system, device, apparatus (including graphical user interface), or computer readable medium. Several embodiments of the invention are discussed below. 
     As a method for handling an incoming call at a portable electronic device having wireless communication support as well as media playback support, one embodiment of the invention includes at least: receiving an incoming voice call from a calling party; determining whether audio playback of a media item is provided while receiving the incoming voice call; and controlling audio output so that a user of the portable electronic device can hear not only the incoming voice call but also the audio playback of the media item when it is determined that the audio playback is provided while receiving the incoming voice call. 
     As a method for operating a portable electronic device having a media playback subsystem, a wireless communication subsystem and first and second speakers, one embodiment of the invention includes at least the acts of: playing back a media item by the media playback subsystem using first and second audio output channels respectively provided to the first and second speakers; receiving an incoming communication call to the wireless communication subsystem; altering the playing back of the media item while the incoming communication call is being received so as to provide a mono audio output channel to the second speaker and no audio output channel to the first speaker; and outputting the incoming call by providing a communication channel to the first speaker while the incoming communication call is being received. 
     As a method for operating a portable electronic device having a media playback subsystem, a wireless communication subsystem and first and second speakers, one embodiment of the invention includes at least the acts of: receiving audio for a media item being played back by the media playback subsystem; receiving an incoming communication call to the wireless communication subsystem; altering the audio pertaining to the incoming communication call and audio from the media item being played back so as to appear to be originating from different virtual positions; and producing a resulting audio by supplying to the first and second speakers both the altered audio for the incoming communication call and the altered audio for the media item being played back. 
     As a portable electronic device, one embodiment of the invention includes at least: an audio playback subsystem that plays back one or more stored media items; a communication subsystem that supports a voice call; and an audio manager that operates to determine whether audio playback of a stored media item is to be provided while engaging in a voice call, and to direct audio output so that a user of the portable electronic device can hear not only the voice call but also the audio playback of the stored media item when it is determined that the audio playback is provided while engaging in the voice call. 
     As a method for providing a multi-party call on a communication device having associated therewith at least two speakers available for audio output, the multi-party call being with a user of the communication device and a plurality of other participants, one embodiment of the invention includes at least the acts of: assigning the participants to virtual positions; receiving call audio from the participants during the multi-party call; adapting the call audio by the participants based on the virtual positions corresponding thereto; and presenting the adapted call audio to the at least two speakers associated with the communication device. 
     As a graphical user interface for use in managing virtual locations for a plurality of participants to a multi-party call, one embodiment of the invention includes at least a plurality of visually distinct regions, and a visual indication for at least a plurality of the participants. The visual indication for at least one of the participants can be assigned to a different one of the visually distinct regions, thereby causing an audio sound associated with the participant to be spatially adapted to originate from a virtual location corresponding to the visually distinct region. 
     As a portable communication device having at least two speakers available for audio output, one embodiment of the invention includes at least: a communication subsystem that supports a multi-party call, the multi-party call being between a user of the portable communication device and a plurality of other participants; and an audio manager that operates to assign the participants to virtual positions, receive call audio from the participants during the multi-party call, adapt the call audio by the participants based on the virtual positions corresponding thereto, and send the adapted call audio to the at least two speakers. 
     Other aspects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention will be readily understood by the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate like structural elements, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram of a wireless audio system according to one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a block diagram of a media player suitable for use with the invention. 
         FIG. 3A  is a flow diagram of a call reception process according to one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 3B  is a flow diagram of a call determination process according to one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIGS. 4A-4C  are flow diagrams of an audio management process according to one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a table illustrating representative audio management for a portable electronic device supporting both audio playback and wireless voice communications according to one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 6  is an exemplary display screen suitable for use on a portable electronic device according to one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 7  is a diagram of a multi-party conference system according to one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 8A  is a flow diagram of a spatial conference process according to one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 8B  is a flow diagram of a spatial conference process according to another embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 9  is a diagram of a virtual space for a multi-party conference call according to one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 10A  is a representation of a conference call screen according to one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 10B  is a diagram of an exemplary representation of a multi-party participant position screen according to one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 10C  is a diagram of a multi-party participant position screen including participant information according to one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 10D  is a diagram of another exemplary representation of a multi-party participant position screen according to one embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention pertains to improved methods and systems that facilitate enhanced media capabilities for electronic devices. The enhanced media capabilities enable electronic devices to provide voice calling with concurrent audio playback. The audio playback can originate at the electronic device itself or can be transmitted to the electronic device as part of or together with the voice calling. In addition, the enhanced media capabilities can also provide users of electronic devices with acoustic separation (e.g., spatial positioning) of audio currently provided from a voice call and from audio playback. Still further, the enhanced media capabilities can also provide users of electronic devices with acoustic separation (e.g., spatial positioning) of participants in multi-party calls. 
     “Media data,” as used herein, is digital data that pertains to at least one of audio, video, and image. Some examples of specific forms of media data (which can be referred to as “media items”) include, but are not limited to, songs, albums, audiobooks, playlists, movies, music videos, photos, computer games, podcasts, audio and/or video presentations, news reports, and sports updates. 
     Embodiments of the invention are discussed below with reference to  FIGS. 1-10D . However, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the detailed description given herein with respect to these figures is for explanatory purposes as the invention extends beyond these limited embodiments. 
     Various aspects, embodiments and implementations of media utilization are described below. These aspects, embodiments and implementations can be utilized separately or in any combination. 
     One aspect of the invention pertains to a wireless system that supports both wireless communications and media playback. The wireless communications and the media playback can be concurrently supported. Consequently, a user is able to not only participate in a voice call but also hear audio playback at the same time. 
       FIG. 1  is a block diagram of a wireless system  100  according to one embodiment of the invention. The wireless system  100  includes one or more portable electronic devices. In particular, portable electronic devices  102  and  104  are illustrated in  FIG. 1 . The wireless system  100  supports one or more communication devices, such as the communication device  106  illustrated in  FIG. 1 . As an example, the communication device  106  can be a mobile telephone. 
     The portable electronic device  102  includes an audio subsystem  110  and a communication subsystem  112 . The portable electronic device  102  can store audio items that can be played by the audio subsystem  110 . A user of the portable electronic device  102  can utilize a headset  114  that can couple (wired or wirelessly) via a link  116  to the portable electronic device  102 . The headset  114  typically has a left speaker  118  and a right speaker  120 . Through use of the headset  114 , the user of the portable electronic device  102  is able to hear audio items played by the audio subsystem  102  as well as voice calls being received by the communication subsystem  112 . The manner by which the portable electronic device  102  facilitates delivery of audio playback of media items as well as audio for voice calls is described in further detail below. 
     The portable electronic device  104  includes an audio subsystem  122  and a communication subsystem  124 . The audio subsystem  122  allows the portable electronic device  104  to playback audio items. The communication subsystem  124  allows the portable electronic device  104  to participate in voice calls through the wireless network  108 . The portable electronic device  104  enables a user to hear audio output from either or both of the audio subsystem  122  and the communication subsystem  124  at speakers  126  and  128 . The speakers  126  and  128  can correspond to left and right speakers, respectively. The speakers  126  and  128  can also be referred to as earphones. Again, the manner by which the portable electronic device  104  manages the output of audio from the audio subsystem  122  and the communication subsystem  124  are discussed in greater detail below. 
     The portable electronic devices  102  and  104  support not only media playback but also wireless communications. As one example, the portable electronic devices  102  and  104  can correspond to mobile telephones that include audio capabilities. As another example, the portable electronic devices  102  and  104  can pertain to media playback devices (e.g., MP3players) that include communication capabilities. As still another example, the portable electronic devices  102  and  104  can pertain to a personal digital assistant that includes media playback as well as communication capabilities. 
     In one embodiment, the form factor for the portable electronic devices  102  and  104  (as well as the communication device  106 ) can be hand-held (or palm-sized) or pocket-sized devices. In one embodiment, the form factor of the portable electronic devices is hand-held or smaller. The portable electronic devices may, for example, be small and lightweight enough to be carried in one hand, worn, or placed in a pocket (of a user&#39;s clothing). Although the form factor is generally small and hand-held (or palm-sized), the configuration of the device can vary widely. 
       FIG. 2  is a block diagram of a media device  200  suitable for use with the invention. The media device  200  can illustrate representative circuitry of the portable electronic devices  102  and  104  in  FIG. 1 . 
     The media device  200  includes a processor  202  that pertains to a microprocessor or controller for controlling the overall operation of the media device  200 . The media device  200  stores media data pertaining to media items in a file system  204  and a cache  206 . The file system  204  can be implemented by semiconductor memory (e.g., EEPROM, Flash, etc.) or by at least one storage disk. The file system  204  typically provides high capacity storage capability for the media device  200 . However, since the access time to the file system  204  is relatively slow, the media device  200  can also include a cache  206 . The cache  206  is, for example, Random-Access Memory (RAM) provided by semiconductor memory. The relative access time to the cache  206  is substantially shorter than for the file system  204 . However, the cache  206  does not have the large storage capacity of the file system  204 . Further, the file system  204 , when active, consumes more power than does the cache  206 . The power consumption is often a concern when the media device  200  is a portable media player that is powered by a battery (not shown). The media device  200  also includes a RAM  220  and a Read-Only Memory (ROM)  222 . The ROM  222  can store programs, utilities or processes to be executed in a non-volatile manner. The RAM  220  provides volatile data storage, such as for the cache  206 . 
     The media device  200  also includes a user input device  208  that allows a user of the media device  200  to interact with the media device  200 . For example, the user input device  208  can take a variety of forms, such as a button, keypad, touchpad, dial, etc. Still further, the media device  200  includes a display  210  (screen display) that can be controlled by the processor  202  to display information to the user. A data bus  211  can facilitate data transfer between at least the file system  204 , the cache  206 , the processor  202 , and the CODEC  212 . 
     In one embodiment, the media device  200  serves to store a plurality of media items (e.g., songs) in the file system  204 . When a user desires to have the media player play a particular media item, a list of available media items can be displayed on the display  210 . Then, using the user input device  208 , a user can select one of the available media items. The processor  202 , upon receiving a selection of a particular media item, supplies the media data (e.g., audio file) for the particular media item to a coder/decoder (CODEC)  212 . The CODEC  212  then produces analog output signals for a speaker  214 . The speaker  214  can be a speaker internal to the media device  200  or external to the media device  200 . For example, headphones or earphones that connect to the media device  200  would be considered an external speaker. 
     The media device  200  also includes a bus interface  216  that couples to a data link  218 . The data link  218  allows the media device  200  to couple to a host device (e.g., host computer or power source). The data link  218  can also provide power to the media device  200 . 
     The media device  200  further includes wireless communication interface  226  and an antenna  228  to support wireless communication. The wireless communication can pertain to voice or data communications. A microphone  230  can provide voice pickup for an outgoing voice communication. The processor  202  can also operate to control communications (incoming or outgoing) via the wireless communication interface  226 . In one embodiment, the processor  202  can execute computer code to effectively operate as an audio manager, a communication manager, a data manager, and a user interface manager. 
       FIG. 3A  is a flow diagram of a call reception process  300  according to one embodiment of the invention. The call reception process  300  is, for example, performed by a portable electronic device, such as the portable electronic devices  102  and  104  illustrated in  FIG. 1 . These portable electronic devices  102  and  104  support media playback capabilities as well as communication capabilities. 
     The call reception process  300  begins with a decision  302  that determines whether a call is incoming. The incoming call is typically a voice call provided over a wireless communication network. When the decision  302  determines that a call is not incoming, the call reception process  300  awaits an incoming call. On the other hand, when the decision  302  determines that a call is incoming, the call reception process  300  continues. In other words, the call reception process  300  can be deemed to be invoked when a call is incoming. 
     In any case, once a call is incoming, a decision  304  determines whether media playback is active. When the decision  304  determines that media playback is active, media playback is altered  306 . Typically, in this embodiment, the media playback concerns playback of a media item that is already ongoing when the incoming call arrives. The altering  306  of the media playback can be implemented in a variety of different ways. In one implementation, the media playback is modified but not stopped during the incoming call. As one example, the media playback can be directed to one output audio channel, with the incoming call being directed to another output audio channel. Such an approach will allow the user of the portable electronic device to continue to hear the media playback while also hearing the incoming call. As another example, the media playback could be mixed with the incoming call and provided to the user of the portable electronic device as a combined output audio channel. Alternatively, when the decision  304  determines that media playback is not active, the block  306  is bypassed since there is no media playback to be altered. 
     Following the block  306  or its being bypassed, the call reception process  300  outputs  308  the incoming call to one or more audio output devices. As an example, the audio output devices can correspond to speakers. In one implementation, the speakers can be provided on or within a housing of the portable electronic device. In another implementation, the speakers can be external speakers associated with earphones or a headset. Following the block  308 , the call reception process  300  ends. 
       FIG. 3B  is a flow diagram of a call termination process  350  according to one embodiment of the invention. The call termination process  350  is performed by a portable electronic device, such as the portable electronic devices  102  and  104  illustrated in  FIG. 1 . The call termination process  350  can be considered counterpart processing to the call reception process  300  illustrated in  FIG. 3A . 
     The call termination process  350  begins with a decision  352  that determines whether a call has been concluded. When the decision  352  determines that a call has not yet been concluded, then the call termination process  350  awaits termination of the call. On the other hand, when the decision  352  determines that the call has concluded, then the call termination process  350  continues. In other words, the call termination process  350  is performed when a call terminates. 
     Once the decision  352  determines that a call has concluded, outputting of the call to the one or more audio output devices is stopped  354 . A decision  356  then determines whether media playback is active. Here, if media playback was active when the incoming call was received, media playback will typically remain active when the call concludes. Hence, when the decision  356  determines that media playback is active (when the call concludes), the call termination process  350  un-alters  358  the media playback. Since the call reception process  300  altered  306  the media playback when the incoming call arrived, when the call concludes the media playback is un-altered  358 . As a result, the media playback is thereafter able to be output in the same manner that it was output before the incoming call. Alternatively, when the decision  356  determines that media playback is not active, then the block  358  is bypassed because no media playback is to be provided. Following the block  358  or its being bypassed, the call termination process  350  ends. 
     Although the call reception process  300  illustrated in  FIG. 3A  and the call termination process  350  pertain to processes that alter or un-alter media playback dependent on the presence of a voice call, it should be understood that similar processing can be performed in the other scenarios. As another embodiment, if media playback is initiated when an incoming call is active, then the output of the incoming call can be altered so that both the incoming call and the media playback can be directed to the audio output device(s). When the media playback is no longer active, any prior altering of the output of the incoming call can be un-altered. 
       FIGS. 4A-4C  are flow diagrams of an audio management process  400  according to one embodiment of the invention. The audio management process  400  is, for example, performed by a portable electronic device. Examples of portable electronic devices include the portable electronic devices  102  and  104  illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
     The audio management process  400  begins with a decision  402  that determines whether an audio start request has been received. Here, a user of the portable electronic device can provide a user input to invoke an audio start request. When the decision  402  determines that an audio start request has been received, audio to be played is identified  404 . User input with respect to the portable electronic device can be used to identify  404  the audio to be played. After the audio to be played has been identified  404 , playback of the identified audio is initiated  406 . As an example, the playback of the identified audio can be performed by the audio subsystem  110  of the portable electronic device  102  illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
     Following the block  406 , as well as directly following the decision  402  when an audio start request is not received, a decision  408  determines whether an audio start/pause request has been received. The audio start/pause request can be initiated by user input with respect to the portable electronic device. When the decision  408  determines that an audio stop/pause request has been received, playback of the identified audio is stopped or paused  410 . 
     Following the block  410 , as well as directly following the decision  408  when an audio stop/pause request has not been received, a decision  412  determines whether an incoming call has been answered. When the decision  412  determines that an incoming call has been answered, a decision  414  determines whether audio playback is active. When the decision  414  determines that audio playback is not active, the call audio (i.e., audio for the call) is directed  416  to left and right channels. The left and right channels can, for example, correspond to left and right speakers. Alternatively, when the decision  414  determines that audio playback is active, audio playback is directed  418  to a left channel and the call audio is directed  420  to a right channel. 
     Following the blocks  416  or  420  as well as directly following the decision  412  when an incoming call is not answered, a decision  422  determines whether a channel control action has been received. A channel control action can be associated with a user input that impacts channel assignments or properties. Hence, when the decision  422  determines that a channel control action has been received, channel assignments or properties are altered  424 . For example, the channel assignments can be altered  424  by a toggling action that switches different audio channels to different speakers. The channel properties can be altered  424  by adjusting the blending or mixing of different audio channels before being output to a speaker. 
     Following the block  424 , as well as following the decision  424  when a channel control action is not received, a decision  426  determines whether a call has concluded. When the decision  426  determines that a call has concluded, a decision  428  determines whether audio playback is active. Audio playback can be deemed active if the audio playback is active when the call concludes or can be deemed active if audio playback was active when a call was received. When the decision  428  determines that the audio playback is active, audio playback can be directed  430  to left and right channels. Previously, during the call, the audio playback was directed  418  to the left channel and not to the right channel because the right channel carried the call audio. Now, since the call has concluded, the audio playback can be again directed  430  to both the left and right channels. With both left and right channels being available for audio playback, the audio playback can be provided in stereo. Alternatively, when the decision  428  determines that audio playback is not active, left and right channels can be disabled  432 . Following the blocks  430  and  432  as well as directly following the decision  426  when the call has not concluded, the audio management process  400  can return to repeat the decision  402  and subsequent blocks so that subsequent requests can be similarly processed. 
       FIG. 5  is a table  500  illustrating representative audio management for a portable electronic device supporting both audio playback and wireless voice communications according to one embodiment of the invention. The portable electronic device has a left audio channel and a right audio channel that are able to carry audio signals to left and right speakers, respectively. Hence, the assignment of audio sources for the left and right channels determines what audio content or information is provided to a user of the portable electronic device via the left and right speakers. Four different audio management scenarios are illustrated in the table  500 . In the first scenario, audio playback is active but a voice call is inactive. In this case, the media playback is provided to both left and right channels in a stereo fashion. In the second scenario, audio playback is not active but a voice call is active. In this case, the voice call can be output to one or both of the left and right channels. In a third scenario, audio playback as well as a voice call are active. In this case, the audio playback is provided in a mono fashion to the left channel and the voice call is provided to the right channel. Typically, in this situation, a user may interact with the portable media device to alter the channel assignments. For example, by pressing a switch or other input means, the user can cause the audio playback at the left channel to stop and instead provide the voice call to both the left and right channels. In a fourth scenario, the audio playback and voice call are both active. In this case, the audio output to the left and right channels can be a mixture of the audio provided by audio playback and the audio provided by the voice call. A user input action can enable a user to alter the characteristics of the audio mixture. For example, a user input could pause or stop the audio playback. As another example, a user input action could enable a user to alter the relative mixture of the voice call and the audio playback. 
       FIG. 6  is an exemplary display screen  600  suitable for use on a portable electronic device according to one embodiment of the invention. The display screen  600  can be presented by a display device associated with the portable electronic device. The display screen  600  includes a blend control  602 . The blend control  602  allows a user of the portable electronic device to alter the blend (or mixture) of audio from audio playback and audio from a voice call. The blend control  602  is particularly useful for the fourth scenario discussed above with reference to  FIG. 5 . The blend control  602  includes a slider  604  that can be manipulated by a user towards either an audio end  606  or a call end  608 . As the slider  604  is moved towards the audio end  606 , the audio playback output gets proportionately greater than the voice call output. On the other hand, when the slider  604  is moved towards the call end  608 , the voice call output gets proportionally greater than the audio playback output. For example, the position of the slider  604  can represent a mixture of the audio playback output and the voice call output with each amplified similarly so that the mixture is approximately 50% audio. 
     Alternatively, instead of using different audio channels, the audio to be concurrently output from an incoming call and media playback can be altered to provide acoustic separation. The audio for each can be altered such that the audio from the incoming call and the audio from the media playback are perceived by a listener (when output to a pair of speakers, either internal or external) as originating from different virtual locations. The different virtual locations can be default positions or user-specified (during playback or in advance). Additional details on establishing or setting virtual location are discussed below. 
     Another aspect of the invention pertains to transmitting media data from one electronic device to another electronic device while engaging in a voice call between the electronic devices. 
     In one embodiment, an audio subsystem on an electronic device can control audio output device(s) to produce audio sounds pertaining to a media item. The audio sounds can be directed to a user of the portable electronic device by way of the audio output device(s) (e.g., speaker(s)) within or attached to the electronic device. An attached speaker can be in an earphone or a headset. In addition, the audio sound generated at one portable electronic device can be directed to another electronic device together with audio associated with a voice call. Here, audio for the voice call can be mixed with the audio for the media playback and then transmitted to the another electronic device. The mixed audio can then be output to one or more audio output device(s) (e.g., speakers) associated with the another electronic device. In one implementation, instead of being mixed, the voice call and the media playback can be transmitted using separate channels. In such case, the another electronic device can play the audio for the voice call and the media playback using separate speakers if desired. Also, in such a case, a user of the another electronic device is able to separately control the volume of the different audio channels. As an alternative, predetermined sound effects, which can also be considered media items, can be likewise directed to other portable electronic devices during a voice call. 
     The sender or recipient of the audio sounds pertaining to a media item can be permitted to separately control the volume or amplitude of the audio sounds pertaining to the media item. As a result, the mixture or blend of the audio sounds pertaining to media items as compared to audio sounds pertaining to the voice call can be individually or relatively controlled. 
     Still another aspect of the invention pertains to a multi-party communication environment. The various parties to a multi-party communication can be spatially placed such that one or more of the parties is able to more easily distinguish the different parties. 
       FIG. 7  is a diagram of a multi-party conference system  700  according to one embodiment of the invention. The multi party conference system  700  includes a wireless network  702  and a wired network  704 . The multi-party conference system  700  also includes a plurality of portable electronic devices, including portable communication device  706  (referred to as device A), portable communication device  708  (referred to as device B) and portable communication device  710  (referred to as device C). These portable communication devices  706 - 710  couple to a wireless network  702 . Additionally, the multi-party conference system  700  includes a stationary communication device  712  (referred to as device B). The stationary communication device  712  can, for example, pertain to a desktop computer or a telephone. Typically, the communication device  712  would couple to the wired network  704  over a wired link  714 . However, the link  714  could alternatively include a wireless link. 
     From the perspective of the portable communication device  706  (device A), the multi-party conference system  700  is further described. In this embodiment, the portable communication device  706  includes a headset  716  that couples (wirelessly or wired) to the portable communication device  706 . Here, the portable communication device  706  is assumed to be participating in a multi-party conference call with the users of the portable communication devices  708  and  710  as well as the stationary communication device  712 . The wired network  704  and/or the wireless network  702  can provide a central office and switching devices needed to have the users of these devices participate in a multi-party call. 
     According to one aspect of the invention, the user of the device A wears the headset  716  while participating in the multi-party call. That is, the user of the device A  706  hears each of the other participants of the call through the headset  716 . Here, it should be noted that the headset  716  includes a left speaker as well as a right speaker. To assist the user of the device A  706  in determining and distinguishing the different participants in the multi-party call, directional audio processing can be utilized so that the different sources of audio for the call can be directionally placed in a particular location with respect to the headset  716 . As a result, the user of the device A  706  hears the other participants in the multi-party call as sound sources originating from different locations. 
     Although the invention works well for a user wearing a headset, in other embodiments the user hears the audio from other two speaker apparatuses. In one implementation, the two speakers are provided as a pair of earphones. In another implementation, the two speakers are provided as a pair of speakers adjacent or embedded in a computer or a computer peripheral. 
     In one embodiment, the form factor for the portable communication devices  706 - 710  can be hand-held (or palm-sized) or pocket-sized devices. In one embodiment, the form factor of the portable communication devices is hand-held or smaller. The portable communication devices may, for example, be small and lightweight enough to be carried in one hand, worn, or placed in a pocket (of a user&#39;s clothing). Although the form factor is generally small and hand-held (or palm-sized), the configuration of the device can vary widely. 
       FIG. 8A  is a flow diagram of a spatial conference process  800  according to one embodiment of the invention. The spatial conference process  800  can, for example, be performed by an electronic device, such as any of the communication devices  706 - 712  illustrated in  FIG. 7 . Alternatively, the spatial conference process  800  can be performed by a central computing device residing in or coupled to a network, such as the wireless network  702  or the wired network  704 . 
     The spatial conference process  800  begins with a decision  802  that determines whether a multi-party call exists. Here, the spatial conference process  800  is provided and described with respect to a particular electronic device, such as the portable electronic device  706  illustrated in  FIG. 7 . When the decision  802  determines that a multi-party call is not present, the spatial conference process  800  is not further performed. On the other hand, when the decision  802  determines that a multi-party call is present, the spatial conference process  800  continues. In other words, the spatial conference process  800  can be deemed invoked when a multi-party call is present. 
     When the decision  802  determines that a multi-party call is present, participants are assigned  804  to virtual positions. A decision  806  then determines whether call audio is being received. When the decision  806  determines that call audio is being received, the participant associated with the call audio is identified  808 . The call audio can then be adapted  810  based on the virtual position of the identified participant. The adapted call audio is then output  812 . 
     Following the block  812 , as well as directly following the decision  806  when call audio is not being received, a decision  814  determines whether the call has concluded. When the decision  814  determines that the call has not yet concluded, the spatial conference process  800  returns to repeat the decision  806  and subsequent blocks. On the other hand, when the decision  814  determines that a call has concluded, the spatial conference process  800  ends. 
       FIG. 8B  is a flow diagram of a spatial conference process  850  according to one embodiment of the invention. The spatial conference process  850  can, for example, be performed by an electronic device, such as any of the communication devices  706 - 712  illustrated in  FIG. 7 . Alternatively, the spatial conference process  850  can be performed by a central computing device residing in or coupled to a network, such as the wireless network  702  or the wired network  704 . 
     The spatial conference process  850  begins with a decision  852  that determines whether a multi-party call exists. Here, the spatial conference process  850  is provided and described with respect to a particular electronic device, such as the portable electronic device  706  illustrated in  FIG. 7 . When the decision  852  determines that a multi-party call is not present, the spatial conference process  850  is not further performed. On the other hand, when the decision  852  determines that a multi-party call is present, the spatial conference process  850  continues. In other words, the spatial conference process  850  can be deemed invoked when a multi-party call is present. 
     When the decision  852  determines that a multi-party call is present, participants are initially assigned  854  to default positions. Here, the default positions can be assigned  854  in a variety of different ways. In one implementation, the assignment to the default positions is automatic. In one implementation, the participants can be assigned  854  to a default position based on their geographic location relative to the location of the host party, which refers to the user of the portable electronic device  706 . Alternatively, the default position could be assigned  854  based on an order at which the participants joined the multi-party call. 
     Next, a participant position screen is displayed  856 . The participant position screen can enable a user (such as the user of the portable communication device  706 ) to alter the position of one or more of the participants to the multi-party call. Here, the participant position screen is displayed  856  such that a user of the portable communication device can manipulate or otherwise cause one or more of the positions associated with the participants to be changed. In doing so, the user, in one embodiment, can cause the physical movement of a representation of a participant on the participant position screen. Here, a decision  858  determines whether a reposition request has been made. When the decision  858  determines that a reposition request has been made, the associated participant is moved  860  to the specified position. Typically, the user of the portable communication device would be the person that moves  860  a representation of the associated participant to the specified position. In response to the movement  860 , the participant position screen is refreshed  862 . In one implementation, the refreshing  862  is provided as the representation of the associated participant is moved  860 . 
     Following the block  862 , or directly following the decision  858  when a reposition request has not been made, a decision  864  determines whether the multi-party call has concluded. When the decision  864  determines that the multi-party call has not been concluded, the spatial conference process  850  returns to repeat the decision  858  and subsequent blocks so that repositioning can be achieved if desired. Alternatively, when the decision  864  determines that the multi-party call has been concluded, the spatial conference process  850  ends. 
       FIG. 9  is a diagram of a virtual space  900  for a multi-party conference call according to one embodiment of the invention. The virtual space  900  is provided with reference to a headset  902 . In this example, the multi-party call is between four participants. The host participant can be deemed associated with device A and the headset  902  coupled thereto. The other participants are associated with devices B, C and D. According to one arrangement for a multi-party call, the virtual space  900  illustrates that the device B is placed at a virtual position  904 , the device C is placed at a virtual position  906 , and the device D is placed at a virtual position  908 . Consequently, the user of the device A (and thus the headset  902 ) while participating in the multi-party conference hears the user of the device B as originating from the virtual location  904 . In addition, the user of the device A (and thus the headset  902 ) would hear the audio provided by the device C as originating from the virtual location  906 . Still further, the user of the headset  902  hears the user of the device D as originating from the virtual location  908 . Hence, the user of the device A (and thus the headset  902 ) would hear the audio provided by the device B as originating from one side (e.g., left side). Similarly, the user of the device A (and thus the headset  902 ) would hear the audio provided by the device C as originating from an opposite side (e.g., right side). In addition, the user of the device A (and thus the headset  902 ) would hear the audio provided by the device D as originating from a forward direction. Although the virtual space  900  is provided with reference to a headset  902 , the virtual space can also be provided for other two speaker arrangements. 
       FIG. 10A  is an exemplary representation of a conference call screen  1000  according to one embodiment of the invention. The conference call screen  1000  indicates that participants P B , P C  and P D  are participating in the multi-party conference call. The conference call screen  1000  can be associated with and presented on a communication device, such as the portable communication device  706  illustrated in  FIG. 7 . 
       FIG. 10B  is a diagram of an exemplary representation of a multi-party participant position screen  1020  according to one embodiment of the invention. The multi-party participant position screen  1020  illustrates positioning of visual representations of the participants to a multi-party call to locations of the multi-party participant position screen  1020 . For example, the participant P B  is placed in a top portion  1022 , the participant P C  is placed at a left portion  1024 , and the participant P D  is placed a right portion  1026 . The bottom portion  1028  does not include any participant in this example. The participant position screen  1020  can be associated with and presented on a communication device, such as the portable communication device  706  illustrated in  FIG. 7 . A user can also be permitted to interact with the portable communication device providing the portable communication device so as to cause the visual representations of one or more of the participants to move to a different portion. For example, the user can provide user input so that the participant P B  is moved from the a top portion  1022  to the bottom portion  1028 . 
       FIG. 10C  is a diagram of a multi-party participant position screen  1040  including participant information according to one embodiment of the invention. The participant position screen  1040  illustrates the same portions  1022 - 1028  as in the multi-party participant position screen  1020  illustrated in  FIG. 10B . In  FIG. 10C , the multi-party participant position screen  1040  displays information concerning each of the participants to the multi-party call. As an example, the information on the participants can include: name, company, location and type of communication device. For example, the location can pertain to the company address, their home address or their actual position. Their actual position, for example, can be acquired by a Global Positioning System (GPS) device associated with the participant. The type of communication device being utilized by the participant can also be denoted, such as cell phone, work phone, home phone, work computer, etc. Beyond the information displayed in the portions  1022 - 1026  as shown in  FIG. 10C , the portions  1022 - 1026  can also display the visual representations of the participants similar as in the participant position screen  1020  of  FIG. 10B . 
     In the event that there are more than four participants, a larger number of portions can be used.  FIG. 10D  is a diagram of another exemplary representation of a multi-party participant position screen  1060  according to one embodiment of the invention. The multi-party participant position screen  1060  provides distinct portions  1062 - 1076  that can be used to spatially distinguish up to eight different participants. Visual representations and/or information can be displayed in these portions  1062 - 1076 . A user can also be permitted to interact with the portable communication device so as to cause the visual representations of one or more of the participants to move to a different portion. 
     As discussed above, incoming audio from a participant is adapted so that when output to speakers associated with an electronic device, the audio sounds as if it originates from a particular direction. The particular direction is from a virtual position. With multiple participants, different participants are associated with different virtual positions and thus different participants have their audio appear to originate from different directions. 
     In one embodiment, the electronic device or central computing device can automatically identify the different participants and appropriately adapt their audio so as to appear to originate from a corresponding virtual location. In doing so, the electronic device or the central computing device can operate to distinguish audio from the different participants through a variety of means. In one implementation, the audio from a particular participant can be distinguished using a network address associated with a digital transmission of the audio. In another implementation, voice recognition technology can be utilized to distinguish the different participants. For example, each participant can provide a sample of their voice to the system, then the system can thereafter match incoming audio with one of the participants using the voice samples. In still another implementation, a unique code can be used by each of the participants and transmitted with the audio. The unique code can be on a separate channel (e.g., back channel or control channel). Alternatively, the unique code can be sent as audio in a coded manner or in a frequency band beyond user&#39;s hearing. 
     The various aspects, embodiments, implementations or features of the invention can be used separately or in any combination. 
     The invention can be implemented by software, hardware or a combination of hardware and software. The invention can also be embodied as computer readable code on a computer readable medium. The computer readable medium is any data storage device that can store data which can thereafter be read by a computer system. Examples of the computer readable medium include read-only memory, random-access memory, CD-ROMs, DVDs, memory cards, magnetic tape, optical data storage devices, and carrier waves. The computer readable medium can also be distributed over network-coupled computer systems so that the computer readable code is stored and executed in a distributed fashion. 
     The advantages of the invention are numerous. Different aspects, embodiments or implementations may yield one or more of the following advantages. One advantage of the invention is that a user of an electronic device, even a portable electronic device, can receive media playback while participate in a voice call. Another advantage of the invention is that audio can be mixed and transmitted along with audio for a voice call. Still another advantage of the invention is that different virtual spatial locations can be associated with different participants of a multi-party call. 
     The many features and advantages of the present invention are apparent from the written description. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, the invention should not be limited to the exact construction and operation as illustrated and described. Hence, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to as falling within the scope of the invention.