PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-10750284-B2
Application Number: US-201715433810-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Techniques for presenting sound effects on a portable media player

Abstract:
Improved techniques for presenting sound effects at a portable media device are disclosed. The sound effects can be output as audio sounds to an internal speaker, an external speaker, or both. In addition, the audio sounds for the sound effects can be output together with other audio sounds pertaining to media assets (e.g., audio tracks being played). In one embodiment, the sound effects can serve to provide auditory feedback to a user of the portable media device. A user interface can facilitate a user&#39;s selection of sound effect usages, types or characteristics.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for a computing device comprising:
 determining a desired sound effect to output for the computing device if a sound effect event is detected; 
 retrieving sound effect data for the desired sound effect; 
 determining if audio data is to be output for the computing device with the desired sound effect; 
 obtaining characteristics of the audio data if determined to be output; 
 modifying the sound effect data based on the obtained characteristics of the audio data prior to mixing with the audio data such that the sound effect data have similar characteristics as the audio data; 
 mixing the modified sound effect data and the audio data, wherein the audio data has a longer audio playback duration than the modified sound effect data and the modified sound effect data serves to inform a user of the computing device of a condition being triggered by the computing device; and 
 informing the user of the triggered condition by outputting the mixed modified sound effect data and audio data. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising outputting the mixed modified sound effect data and audio data to an audio output device. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , wherein if audio data is not determined to be output for the computing device, the sound effect data for the desired sound effect is output for the computing device without any audio data. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the characteristics of the audio data include meta data. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1 , wherein modifying the sound effect data includes modifying the sound effect data based on audio resolution, sample rate, or stereo characteristics of the audio data. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the condition is triggered in response to a system action or a user action. 
     
     
       7. A portable computing device comprising:
 a memory storing audio data and sound effect data; and 
 a processor running an application to
 determine a desired sound effect to output for the portable computing device if a sound effect event is detected, 
 retrieve sound effect data for the desired sound effect, 
 determine if audio data is to be output for the portable computing device with the desired sound effect; 
 obtain characteristics of the audio data if determined to be output, 
 modify the sound effect data based on the obtained characteristics of the audio data prior to mixing with the audio data such that the sound effect data have similar characteristics as the audio data, 
 mix the modified sound effect data and the audio data, wherein the audio data has a longer audio playback duration than the modified sound effect data and the modified sound effect data serves to inform a user of the computing device of a condition being triggered by the computing device, and 
 inform the user of the triggered condition by outputting the mixed modified sound effect data and audio data. 
 
 
     
     
       8. The portable computing device of  claim 7 , further comprising an audio output device to output the sound effect data for the desired sound effect without audio data. 
     
     
       9. The portable computing device of  claim 8 , wherein the audio device is to output the mixed modified sound effect data and audio data. 
     
     
       10. The portable computing device of  claim 8 , wherein the application produces an audio channel and a mixer channel. 
     
     
       11. The portable computing device of  claim 10 , wherein the application is to send audio data on the audio channel to the audio output device and mixed modified sound effect data and audio data on the mixer channel to the audio output device. 
     
     
       12. The portable computing device of  claim 7 , wherein the characteristics of the audio data include resolution, sample rate, or stereo characteristics. 
     
     
       13. A non-transitory machine-readable medium, comprising instructions, which executed by a computing device, cause the computing device to perform a method comprising:
 determining a desired sound effect to output for the computing device if a sound effect event is detected; 
 retrieving sound effect data for the desired sound effect; 
 determining if audio data is to be output for the computing device with the desired sound effect; 
 obtaining characteristics of the audio data if determined to be output; 
 modifying the sound effect data based on the obtained characteristics of the audio data prior to mixing with the audio data such that the sound effect data have similar characteristics as the audio data; 
 mixing the modified sound effect data and the audio data, wherein the audio data has a longer audio playback duration than the modified sound effect data and the modified sound effect data serves to inform a user of the computing device of a condition being triggered by the computing device; and 
 informing the user of the triggered condition by outputting the mixed modified sound effect data and audio data. 
 
     
     
       14. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of  claim 13 , comprising instructions, which executed by the computing device, cause the computing device to perform a method comprising outputting sound effect data for the desired sound effect without any audio data if audio data is not determined to be output for the computing device. 
     
     
       15. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of  claim 14 , comprising instructions, which executed by the computing device, cause the computing device to perform a method comprising outputting the mixed modified sound effect data and audio data to the audio output device. 
     
     
       16. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of  claim 14 , comprising instructions, which executed by the computing device, cause the computing device to perform a method comprising modifying the sound effect data based on audio resolution, sample rate, or stereo characteristics of the audio data. 
     
     
       17. A computing device comprising:
 means for determining a desired sound effect to output for the computing device if a sound effect event is detected; 
 means for retrieving sound effect data for the desired sound effect; 
 means for determining if audio data is to be output for the computing device with the desired sound effect; 
 means for obtaining characteristics of the audio data if determined to be output; 
 means for modifying the sound effect data based on the obtained characteristics of the audio data prior to mixing with the audio data such that the sound effect data have similar characteristics as the audio data; 
 means for mixing the modified sound effect data and the audio data, wherein the audio data has a longer audio playback duration than the modified sound effect data and the modified sound effect data serves to inform a user of the computing device of a condition being triggered by the computing device; and 
 means for outputting the mixed modified sound effect data and audio data to inform the user of the triggered condition. 
 
     
     
       18. The computing device of  claim 17 , further comprising means for outputting the sound effect data for the desired sound effect without any audio data if audio data is not determined to be output for the computing device. 
     
     
       19. The computing device of  claim 17 , wherein the characteristics of the audio data include meta data. 
     
     
       20. The computing device of  claim 17 , further comprising means for modifying the sound effect data based on audio resolution, sample rate, or stereo characteristics of the audio data.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This application is a continuation of co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. 13/660,839 filed Oct. 25, 2012, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/144,541 filed on Jun. 3, 2005, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,300,841. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to audio sound effects and, more particularly, to providing audio sound effects on a portable media device. 
     DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART 
     Conventionally, portable media players have user input devices (buttons, dials, etc.) and a display screen for user output. Sometimes the display screen updates as user inputs are provided via the user input devices, thereby providing visual feedback to users regarding their user input. However, the display screen does not always provide visual feedback and the user is not always able to view the display screen to receive the visual feedback. Still further, some portable media players do not include a display screen. Portable media players can also provide auditory feedback as user inputs are provided via the user input devices. For example, to provide auditory feedback for a rotation user input, the iPod® media player, which is available from Apple Computer, Inc. of Cupertino, Calif., outputs a “click” sound using a piezoelectric device provided within the media player. 
     Unfortunately, however, users often interact with media players while wearing earphones or headphones. In such case, the users will likely not be able to hear any auditory feedback, such as “click” sounds from a piezoelectric device. Moreover, the user might also be listening to audio sounds via the earphones or headphones when the user interaction occurs. Consequently, any users interaction with the media player while wearing, earphone or headphones will be without the advantage of auditory feedback. The lack of auditory feedback degrades the user experience and renders the media player less user friendly. 
     Thus, there is a need for improved techniques to facilitate auditory feedback on portable media players. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention pertains to techniques for presenting sound effects at a portable media device. The sound effects can be output as audio sounds to an internal speaker, an external speaker, or both. In addition, the audio sounds for the sound effects can be output together with other audio sounds pertaining to media assets (e.g., audio tracks being played). In one embodiment, the sound effects can serve to provide auditory feedback to a user of the portable media device. A user interface can facilitate a user&#39;s selection of sound effect usages, types or characteristics. 
     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 providing auditory feedback to a user of portable media device, one embodiment of the method includes at least the acts of: outputting first audio data pertaining to a digital media asset to an audio output device associated with the portable media device; detecting an event at the portable media device; and outputting second audio data after the event has been detected, the second audio data pertaining to a sound effect associated with the event that has been detected, the second audio data being output to the audio output device. 
     As a method for outputting a sound effect from an external speaker associated with a portable media device, one embodiment of the method includes at least the acts of: determining whether a sound effect is to be output to the external speaker; identifying sound effect data for the sound effect to be output; retrieving the identified sound effect data; mixing the identified sound effect data with audio data being output, if any, to produce mixed audio data; and outputting the mixed audio data to the external speaker. 
     As a method for providing auditory feedback to a user of portable media device, one embodiment of the method includes at least the acts of: detecting an event at the portable media device; determining whether device feedback is enabled; producing an auditory feedback at the portable media device in response to the event when it is determined that the device feedback is enabled; determining whether earphone feedback is enabled; and producing an auditory feedback at one or more earphones coupled to the portable media device in response to the event when it is determined that the earphone feedback is enabled. 
     As a portable media device, one embodiment of the invention includes at least; an audio output device; a first memory device for storing a plurality of sound effects; computer program code for determining when to output at least one of the sound effects; and a processor for determining when to output at least one of the sound effects and for processing the at least one of the sound effects to produce output sound effect data for the audio output device. 
     As a graphical user interface for a media device adapted to provide auditory feedback, one embodiment of the invention includes at least; a list of auditory feedback options; and a visual indicator that indicates a selected on of the auditory feedback options. The media device thereafter provides auditory feedback in accordance with the selected one of the auditory feedback options. 
     As a computer readable medium including at least computer program code for outputting, a sound effect from an external speaker associated with a portable media device, one embodiment of the invention includes at least: computer program code for determining whether a sound effect is to be output to the external speaker; computer program code for identifying sound effect data for the sound effect to be output; computer program code for retrieving the identified sound effect data; computer program code for mixing the identified sound effect data with audio data being output, if any, to produce mixed audio data; and computer program code for outputting the mixed audio data to the external speaker. 
     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 an audio system according to one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a flow diagram of an audio output process according to one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a block diagram of an audio processing system according to one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a flow diagram of an audio mixing process according to one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 5  is an audio processing system according to one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a block diagram of a multi-channel audio mixing system according to one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 7  is a block diagram of a media player according to one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a media player having a particular user input device according to one embodiment. 
         FIG. 9  is a flow diagram of a sound effect event process according to one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 10  illustrates a graphical user interface according to one embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention pertains to techniques for presenting sound effects at a portable media device. The sound effects can be output as audio sounds to an internal speaker, an external speaker, or both. In addition, the audio sounds for the sound effects can be output together with other audio sounds pertaining to media assets (e.g., audio tracks being played). In one embodiment, the sound effects can serve to provide auditory feedback to a user of the portable media device. A user interface can facilitate a user&#39;s selection of sound effect usages, types or characteristics. 
     The invention is well suited for audio sounds pertaining to media assets (media items), such as musk, audiobooks, meeting recordings, and other speech or voice recordings. 
     The improved techniques are also resource efficient. Given the resource efficiency of these techniques, the improved techniques are also well suited for use with portable electronic devices having audio playback capabilities, such as portable media devices. Portable media devices, such as media players, are small and highly portable and have limited processing resources. Often, portable media devices are hand-held media devices, such as hand-held audio players, which can be easily held by and within a single hand of a user. 
     Embodiments of the invention are discussed below with reference to  FIGS. 1-10 . 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. 
       FIG. 1  is a block diagram of an audio system  100  according to one embodiment of the invention. The audio system  100  depicts a data flow for the audio system  100  under the control of an application  102 . Typically, the audio system  100  is provided by a computing device. Often, the computing device is a portable computing device especially designed for audio usage. One example of portable computing devices are portable media players (e.g., music players or MP3 players). Another example of portable computing devices are mobile telephones (e.g., cell phones) or Personal Digital Assistants (PDA). 
     The application  102  is, for example, a software application that operates on the computing device. The application  102  has access to audio data  104  and sound effect data  106 . The application  102  can utilize the audio data  104  when the application  102  desires to output the audio data  104 . The sound effect data  106  can represent audio sounds pertaining to sound effects that can be utilized by the computing device. For example, the sound effects may correspond to sounds (actual or synthetic) for mouse clicks, button presses, and the like. The sound effect data  106  is audio data and can be stored in a wide variety of formats. For example, the sound effect data  106  a can be simply Pulse Coded Modulation (PCM) data or can be encoded data, such as MP3 or MPEG-4 format. PCM data is typically either raw data (e.g., a block of samples) or formatted (e.g., WAV or AIFF file formats). 
     The application  102  controls when a sound effect is to be output by the audio system  100 . The application  102  also understands that it may or may not already be outputting audio data  104  at the time at which a sound effect is to the output. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the application  102  can control an audio device  108 . The audio device  108  is a hardware component that is capable of producing a sound, such as a sound effect. For example, the audio device  108  can pertain to an audio output device (e.g., speaker or piezoelectric device) that can be briefly activated to provide a sound effect. The sound affect can serve to inform the user of the computing device of a condition, status or event. 
     In addition, the application  102  produces an audio channel  110  and a mixer channel  112 . The audio channel  110  is a virtual channel over which the application  102  can send audio data  104  such that it can be directed to an audio output device. For example, the audio output device can be a speaker that outputs the corresponding audio sounds. In addition, the application  102  can utilize a mixer channel  112  to output sound effects to the audio output device. The mixer channel  112  and the audio channel  110  can be mixed together downstream (see  FIG. 3 ). Hence, the audio system  100  can not only output audio data  104  over the audio channel  110  but can also output sound effects over the mixer channel  112 . As discussed in greater detail below, the audio data on the audio channel  110  can be mix with any sound effect data on the mixer channel  112 . 
       FIG. 2  is a flow diagram of an audio output process  200  according to one embodiment of the invention. The audio output process  200  is performed by an audio system. For example, the audio output process  200  can be performed by the application  102  of the audio system  100  illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
     The audio output process  200  begins with a decision  202  that determines whether an audio play request has been issued. For example, an audio play request can be issued as a result of a system action or a user action with respect to the audio system. When the decision  202  determines that an audio play request has been issued, audio data is output  204  to an audio channel. By outputting the audio data to the audio channel, the audio data is directed to an audio output device, namely, a speaker, wherein audible sound is output. 
     Following the operation  204 , or following the decision  202  when an audio play request has not been issued, a decision  206  determines whether a sound effect request has been issued. When the decision  206  determines that a sound effect request has been issued, then sound effect data is output  208  to a mixer channel. The mixer channel carries other audio data, such as audio data pertaining to sound effects (sound effect data). The mixer channel allows the sound effect data to mix with the audio data on the audio channel. After the sound effect data has been output  208  to the mixer channel, or directly following the decision  206  when a sound effect request has not been issued, the audio output processed  200  turns to repeat the decision  202  and subsequent operations so that subsequent requests can be similarly processed. 
     It should be understood that often audio data is output for a longer duration than is any sound effect data, which tends to be of a shorter duration. Hence, during the output of the audio data to the audio channel, sound effect data for one or more sound effects can be output to the mixer channel and this combined with the audio data. 
       FIG. 3  is a block diagram of an audio processing system  300  according to one embodiment of the invention. The audio processing system  300  includes an audio channel  302  and a mixer channel  304 . The audio channel  302  typically includes a decoder and a buffer. The mixer channel  304  typically includes resolution and/or sample rate converters. 
     The audio channel  302  receives audio data  306  that is to be output by the audio processing system  300 . After the audio data  306  passes through the audio channel  302 , it is provided to a mixer  380 . The mixer channel  304  receives sound effect data  310 . After the sound effect data  310  has passed through the mixer channel  304 , it is provided to a mixer  308 . The mixer  308  serves to combine the audio data from the audio channel  302  with the sound effect data  310  from the mixer channel  304 . The combined data is then supplied to a Digital-to-Analog Converter (DAC)  312 . The DAC  312  converts the combined data to an analog audio output. The analog audio output can be supplied to an audio output device, such as a speaker. 
       FIG. 4  is a flow diagram of an audio mixing process  400  according to one embodiment of the invention. The audio mixing process  400  it is, for example, performed by the audio processing system  300  illustrated in  FIG. 3 . 
     The audio mixing process  400  begins with a decision  402  that determines whether a sound effect is to be output. When the decision  402  determines that a sound effect is not to be output, then the audio mixing process  400  awaits the need to output a sound effect. For example, the decision  206  of the audio output process  200  illustrated in  FIG. 2  indicates that an audio system can make the determination of whether a sound effect is to be output. Accordingly, the audio mixing process  400  is invoked when a sound effect is to be output. 
     Once the decision  402  determines that a sound effect is to be output, a desired sound effect to be output is determined  404 . Here, in one embodiment, the audio system can support a plurality of different sound effects. In such an embodiment, the audio system needs to determine which of the plurality of sound effects is the desired sound effect. The sound effect data for the desired sound effect is then retrieved  406 . 
     A decision  408  then determines whether audio data is also being output. When the decision  408  determines that audio data is also being output, audio characteristics for the audio data being output are obtained  410 . In one implementation, the audio characteristics pertain to metadata corresponding to the audio data being output. The sound effect data is then modified  412  based on the audio characteristics. In one embodiment, the audio characteristics can pertain to one or more of: audio resolution (e.g., bit depth), sample rate, and stereo/mono. For example, the audio resolution for the sound effect data can be modified  412  to match the audio resolution (e.g., bit depth) of the audio data. As another example, the sample rate for the sound effect can be modified  412  based on the sample rate of the audio data. In any case, after the sound effect data has been modified  412 , the modified sound effect data is then mixed  414  with the audio data. Thereafter, the mixed audio data is output  416 . As an example, the mixed audio data can be output  416  to an audio output device (e.g., speaker) associated with the audio system. 
     On the other hand, when the decision  408  determines that audio data is not being output, sound effect data is output  418 . Here, since there is no audio data being output, the sound elect data can be simply output  418 . If desired, the sound effect data can be modified before being output  418 , such as to change audio resolution or sample rate conversion. Here, the output  418  of the sound effect data can also be provided to the audio output device. Following the operations  416  and  418 , the audio mixing process  400  is complete and ends 
       FIG. 5  is an audio processing system  500  according to one embodiment of the invention. The audio processing system  500  includes an audio channel  502 . The audio channel  502  includes a decoder  504  and a buffer  506 . The decoder  504  receives incoming audio data. The decoder  504  decodes the audio data (which was previously encoded). The decoded audio data is then temporarily stored in the buffer  506 . As needed for transmission, the decoded audio data is supplied from the buffer  506  to a mixer  508 . 
     The audio processing system  500  also includes a mixer channel  510 . The mixer channel  510  receives sound effect data that is to be output. Since the audio processing system  500  can process audio data of various bit depths, sample rates, and other criteria, the mixer channel  510  can serve to modify the sound effect data. One benefit of providing the mixer channel  510  with conversion or adaptation capabilities is the ability to modify in the audio characteristics of the sound effect data. By doing so, the sound effect data does not have to be stored by the audio system for a large number of different audio formats. Indeed, for efficient use of storage resources, only a single file for each sound effect need be stored. As needed, sound effect data can have its audio characteristics altered so as to closely match those of the audio data also being output by the audio processing system  500 . In this regard, the mixer channel  510  can include a bit depth converter  512 , a channel count adapter  514 , and a sample rate converter  516 . The bit depth converter  512  can convert the bit depth (i.e., resolution) of the sound effect data. As one example, if the sound effect data has a bit depth of eight (8) bits, the bit depth converter  512  could change the bit depth to sixteen (16) bits. The channel count adapter  514  can modify the sound effect data to provide mono or stereo audio components. The sample rate converter  516  converts the sample rate for the sound effect data. To assist the mixer channel  510  in converting or adapting the audio characteristics, the audio characteristics from the audio data provided to the audio channel  502  can be provided to the mixer channel  510 , so as to inform the mixer channel  510  of the audio characteristics of the audio data in the audio channel  502 . 
     The modified sound effect data output by the mixer channel  510  is supplied to the mixer  508 . The mixer  508  adds or sums the decoded audio data from the audio channel  502  with the modified sound effect data from the mixer channel  510 . The results of the mixer  508  is mixed audio data that is supplied to a buffer  518 . The mixed audio data is digital data stored in the buffer  518 . The audio processing, system  500  also includes a Digital-to-Analog Converter (DAC)  520 . The DAC  520  receives the mixed audio data from the buffer  518 , which is digital data, and converts it into an analog audio output. The analog audio output can be supplied to an audio output device, such as a speaker. 
     Although the audio processing system  500  illustrated in  FIG. 5  depicts a single audio channel and a single mixer channel, it should be understood that the audio processing system  500  can include more than one mixer channel. The advantage of having more than one mixer channel is that multiple sound effects can be output concurrently, thereby providing a polyphony audio effect. 
       FIG. 6  is a block diagram of a multi-channel audio mixing system  600  according to one embodiment of the invention. The multi-channel audio mixing system  600  includes an audio channel  602  that receives audio data and outputs decoded audio data. The decoded audio data being output by the audio channel  602  is supplied to a mixer  604 . The multi-channel audio mixing system  600  also includes a plurality of mixer channel&#39;s  606 - 1 ,  606 - 2 , . . . ,  606 -N. Each of the mixer channels  606  is capable of receiving a different sound effect. For example, the mixer channel  1   606 - 1  can receive a sound effect A, the mixer channel  2   606 - 2  can receive a sound effect B, and the mixer channel N can receive a sound effect N. If desired, the mixer channels  606  can each carry a sound effect at same time, or at least with partial temporal overlap, so that the various sound effects can be output without substantial distortion amongst one another. Regardless of the number of sound effects being processed by the mixer channels  606 , the sound effect data output from the mixer channels  606  are provided to the mixer  604 . The mixer  604  combines the sound effect data from one or more of the mixer channels  606  with the decoded audio data from the audio channel  602 . The result of the mixer  604  is a mixed audio output that can be supplied to in audio output device. 
       FIG. 7  is a block diagram of a media player  700  according to one embodiment of the invention. The media player  700  can implement the audio system  100  of  FIG. 1  or the audio processing system  200 ,  500  of  FIGS. 3 and 5  The media player  700  includes a processor  702  that pertains to a microprocessor or controller for controlling the overall operation of the media player  700 . The media player  700  stores media data pertaining to media items in a file system  704  and a cache  706 . The file system  704  is, typically, a storage disk or a plurality of disks. The file system  704  typically provides high capacity storage capability for the media player  700 . The file system  704  can store not only media data but also non-media data (e.g., when operated in a disk mode). However, since the access time to the file system  704  is relatively slow, the media player  700  can also include a cache  706 . The cache  706  is, for example, Random-Access Memory (RAM) provided by semiconductor memory. The relative access time to the cache  706  is substantially shorter than for the file system  704 . However, the cache  706  does not have the large storage capacity of the file system  704 . Further, the file system  704 , when active, consumes more power than does the cache  706 . The power consumption is often a concern when the media player  700  is a portable media player that is powered by a battery (not shown). The media player  700  also includes a RAM  722  and a Read-Only Memory (ROM)  722 . The ROM  720  can store programs, utilities or processes to be executed in a non-volatile manner. The RAM  722  provides volatile data storage, such as for the cache  706 . 
     The media player  700  also includes a user input device  708  that allows a user of the media player  700  to interact with the media player  700 . For example, the user input device  708  can take a variety of forms, such as a button, keypad, dial, etc. In one implementation, the user input device  708  can be provided by a dial that physically rotates. In another implementation, the user input device  70 $ can be implemented as a touchpad (i.e., a touch-sensitive surface), in still another implementation, the user input device  708  can be implemented as a combination one or more physical buttons and well as a touchpad. Regardless of how implemented, as the user interacts with the user interface device  708 , a piezoelectric device  724  can provide auditory feedback to the user. For example, the piezoelectric device  724  can be controlled by the processor  702  to emit a sound in response to a user action (e.g., user selection or button press). Still further, the media player  700  includes a display  710  (screen display) that can be controlled by the processor  702  to display information to the user. A data bus  711  can facilitate data transfer between at least the file system  704 , the cache  706 , the processor  702 , and the CODEC  712 . 
     In one embodiment, the media player  700  serves to store a plurality of media items (e.g., songs) in the file system  704 . When a user desires to have the media player play a particular media item, a list of available media items is displayed on the display  710 . Then, using the user input device  708 , a user can select one of the available media items. The processor  702 , 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)  712 . The CODEC  712  then produces analog output signals for a speaker  714 . The speaker  714  can be a speaker internal to the media player  700  or external to the media player  700 . For example, headphones or earphones that connect to the media player  700  would be considered an external speaker. The speaker  714  can not only be used to output audio sounds pertaining to the media item being played, but also to output sound effects. The sound effects can be stored as audio data on the media player  700 , such as in file system  704 , the cache  706 , the ROM  720  or the RAM  722 . A sound effect can be output in response to a user input or a system request. When a particular sound effect is to be output to the speaker  714 , the associated sound effect audio data can be retrieved by the processor  702  and supplied to the CODEC  712  which then supplies audio signals to the speaker  714 . In the case where audio data for a media item is also being output, the processor  702  can process the audio data for the media item as well as the sound effect. In such case, the audio data for the sound effect can be mixed with the audio data for the media item. The mixed audio data can then be supplied to the CODEC  712  which supplies audio signals (pertaining to both the media item and the sound effect) to the speaker  714 . 
     The media player  700  also includes a network/bus interface  716  that couples to a data link  718 . The data link  718  allows the media player  700  to couple to a host computer. The data link  718  can be provided over a wired connection or a wireless connection. In the case of a wireless connection, the network/bus interface  716  can include a wireless transceiver. 
     In one embodiment, the media player  700  is a portable computing device dedicated to processing media such as audio. For example, the media player  700  can be a music player (e.g., MP3 player), a game player, and the like. These devices are generally battery operated and highly portable so as to allow a user to listen to music, play games or video, record video or take pictures wherever the user travels. In one implementation, the media player  700  is a handheld device that is sized for placement into a pocket or hand of the user. By being handheld, the media player  700  is relatively small and easily handled and utilized by its user. By being pocket sized, the user does not have to directly carry the device and therefore the device can be taken almost anywhere the user travels (e.g., the user is not limited by carrying a large, bulky and often heavy device, as in a portable computer). Furthermore, the device may be operated by the user&#39;s hands, no reference surface such as a desktop is needed. 
     The user input device  708  can take a variety of forms, such as a button, keypad, dial, etc. (physical or soft implementations) each of which can be programmed to individually or in combination to perform any of a suite of functions.  FIG. 8  illustrates a media player  800  having a particular user input device  802  according to one embodiment. The media player  804  can also include a display  804 . The user input device  802  includes a number of input devices  806 , which can be either physical or soft devices. Such input devices  806  can take the form of a rotatable dial  806 - 1 , such as in the form of a wheel, capable of rotation in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction. A depressible input button  806 - 2  can be provided at the center of the dial  806 - 1  and arranged to receive a user input event such as a press event. Other input buttons  806  include input buttons  806 - 3  through  806 - 6  each available to receive user supplied input action. 
     As noted above, the audio system can be utilized to mix sound effects with player data such that the mixed audio can be output to an audio output device. The audio system can be system or user configurable as to sound effect processing. For example, a user may desire sound effects to be output to a particular audio output device of the audio system. As one example, the audio output device can be an in-device speaker. As another example, a user may desire sound effects to be output to a headphone (earphone) instead of or in addition to any in-device speaker. 
       FIG. 9  is a flow diagram of a sound effect event process  900  according to one embodiment of the invention. The sound effect event process  900  begins with a decision  902  that determines whether a sound effect event has been initiated. An audio system, or its user can initiate a sound effect event. When the decision  902  determines that a sound effect event has not been issued, then the sound effect event process  900  awaits such an event. On the other hand, once the decision  900  determines that a sound effect event has been issued, a decision  904  determines whether a device effect is enabled. When the decision  904  determines that the device effect is enabled, then a device effect is activated  906 . The file device effect corresponds to an audio output device which can be activated to physically produce the sound effect. For example, the device effect can be produced by an in-device speaker. One type of speaker is a loudspeaker. Another type of speaker is a piezoelectric speaker (e.g., piezoelectric device  724 ). 
     A user or system can configure the audio system to provide a given sound effect, the device effect, via an audio output device. For example, if the audio output device is a piezoelectric speaker, the system can control the audio output device to provide the device effect that corresponds to the sound effect event that has been issued. For example, if the sound effect event issued was a “mouse click” event, then the device effect could be a click sound that is physically generated by an electrical control signal supplied to the piezoelectric speaker. 
     On the other hand, when the decision  904  determines that the device effect is not enabled, or following the activation  906  if the device effect was enabled, a decision  908  determines whether an earphone effect is enabled. Here, the system or user can configure the audio system to provide a sound effect to the user via one or more earphones coupled to the audio system. When the decision  908  determines that the earphone effect is enabled, then an earphone effect is activated  910 . By activation  910  of the earphone effect, the appropriate sound effect is output to the user by way of the one or more earphones. As a result, should the user be wearing be earphones, the sound effect is able to be perceived in an audio manner by the user. Following the operation  910 , or following the decision  908  when the earphone effect is not enabled, the sound effect event process  900  returns to repeat the decision  902  and subsequent operations so that additional sound effect events can be processed. 
     In one embodiment, the audio system makes use of a graphical user interface to assist the user with configuring audible sound effects. For example, the user may desire to have little or no sound effects active. On the other hand, when sound effects are these partial the active, the user may desire the sound effects be provided at an in-device speaker of the audio system. Alternatively, or in addition, the user may also desire sound effects to be provided in an audio manner via an earphone or headphone. 
       FIG. 10  illustrates a graphical user interface  1000  according to one embodiment of the invention. The graphical user interface  1000  allows a user to configure a portable computing device for auditory feedback. More particularly, the graphical user interface  1000  includes a header or title  1002  designating that the graphical user interface pertains to “Feedback”. The graphical user interface  1000  also displays a menu or list  1004  of user selectable items. In this example, the menu or list  1004  includes four user selectable items, namely, “Speaker”, “Headphone”, “Both” and “Off”. The “Speaker” selection causes the configuration to provide auditory feedback via a speaker (e.g., piezoelectric device  724 ). The “Headphone” selection causes the configuration to provide auditory feedback via earphone(s) or headphone(s) (e.g., external speaker  714  (external)). The “Both” selection causes the configuration to provide auditory feedback via a speaker (e.g., piezoelectric device  724 ) and as earphone(s) or headphone(s) (e.g., external speaker  714  (external)). The “Off” selection causes the configuration to provide no auditory feedback. A selector  1006  indicates current selection of the “Headphone” item. 
     One example of a media player is the iPod® media player, which is available from Apple Computer, Inc. of Cupertino, Calif. Often, a media player acquires its media assets from a host computer that serves to enable a user to manage media assets. As an example, the host computer can execute a media management application to utilize and manage media assets. One example of a media management application is iTunes®, produced by Apple Computer, Inc. 
     The various aspects, embodiments, implementations or features of the invention can be used separately or in any combination. 
     The invention is preferably 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, 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 processing resources required to implement audio sound effects can be substantially reduced. A media device that is highly portable can make use of audio sound effects. Another advantage of the invention is that sound effects can be output even while a media device is outputting other media music). Another advantage of the invention is that the audio data for sound effects can be stored in a single formats and converted to other formats as appropriate to substantially match audio data of a media item being played. Still another advantage of the invention is that multiple sound effects can be output concurrently with substantial preservation of their intelligibility. 
     The many features and advantages of the present invention are apparent from the written description and, thus, it is intended by the appended claims to cover all such features and advantages of the invention. 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.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20170215
Publication Date: 20200818
Grant Date: 20200818
Priority Date: 20050603
Inventors: LINDAHL, ARAM
WILLIAMS, JOSEPH MARK
GIRISH, MUTHYA K
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "G11B2020/10555", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R5/04", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G11B2020/10555", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/165", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R5/04", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G11B2020/10555", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F3/165", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04R5/04", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 37494105