Dynamic muting audio transducer control for wearable personal communication nodes

{
  "publication_number": "US10667874B2",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B2",
  "title": "Dynamic muting audio transducer control for wearable personal communication nodes",
  "abstract": "Systems, methods, software and apparatus that enable dynamic audio transducer control include obtaining attribute information relating to multiple communication nodes that are communication node group members. A group management system or other computing system receives attribute information from two or more of the communication nodes and determines settings for one or more audio transducers (e.g., speakers and microphones) in the group's communication nodes based on the attribute information. An audio transducer command is transmitted to or imposed on one or more of the nodes. Attribute information can include node attributes and/or changes to attributes. Audio transducer commands transmitted or otherwise imposed on nodes can include muting and unmuting commands, as well as setting volume levels and other audio settings associated with a node's operation.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A method comprising: managing a first communication node from a plurality of communication nodes, including: receiving, at the first communication nodes from a second communication node from the plurality of communication nodes, attribute information indicating a location of the second communication node; determining, at the first communication node, audio transducer settings to apply at the first communication node based on the received attribute information; and implementing, at the first communication node, the audio transducer settings.",
    "2. The method of claim 1 wherein the attribute information includes changes in the location of the second communication node.",
    "3. The method of claim 1 wherein each of the first and second communication nodes comprises a computing system executing a communication software application.",
    "4. The method of claim 1 wherein each of the first and second communication nodes comprises a wireless intermediate communication device linked to an end user device.",
    "5. The method of claim 4 wherein the end user device comprises a wearable personal communication device wirelessly linked to the intermediate communication device.",
    "6. The method of claim 1 further comprising: implementing the audio transducer includes executing at least one of the following: a muting command; an unmuting command; and a speaker volume level command.",
    "7. The method of claim 6 further comprising the attribute information includes information about environmental noise levels.",
    "8. The method of claim 1 further comprising: sending, from the first communication node to the second communication node, an audio transducer command to modify an audio transducer setting of the second communication node.",
    "9. A first wearable personal communication node comprising: a computer readable storage media; and processing instructions stored on the computer readable storage media that, when executed by a processor, direct the processor to: receive attribute information of a second wearable personal communication node, the attribute information indicating a location of the second wearable personal communication node; determine, at the first wearable personal communication node, audio transducer settings to apply at the first wearable personal communication node based on the received attribute information; and implementing, at the first wearable personal communication node, the audio transducer settings.",
    "10. The first wearable personal communication node of claim 9 wherein the attribute information dynamic changes in the location of the second wearable personal communication node.",
    "11. The first wearable personal communication node of claim 9 further comprises: a wireless intermediate communication device configured to connect to a communication network; and a wearable end user device configured to wirelessly connect to the wireless intermediate communication device, and including an audio transducer for two-way communication with other communication nodes via the communication network by way of the wireless intermediate communication device.",
    "12. The first wearable personal communication node of claim 9 wherein implementing the audio transducer setting includes executing at least one of the following: a muting command; an unmuting command; and a speaker volume level command.",
    "13. The first wearable personal communication node of claim 9 wherein the processing instructions, when executed by a processor, direct the processor to: send, from the first wearable personal communication node to the second wearable personal communication node, an audio transducer command to modify an audio transducer setting of the second wearable personal communication node.",
    "14. The first wearable personal communication node of claim 9 wherein the processing instructions, when executed by a processor, direct the processor to: send, from the first wearable personal communication node to the second wearable personal communication node, second attribute information indicating a location of the first wearable personal communication node.",
    "15. A data storage device storing program instructions that, when executed by one or more processors of a computing system, cause the computing system to operate a first communication node, including: receive attribute information of a second communication node, the attribute information indicating a location of the second communication node; determine, at the first communication node, audio transducer settings to apply at the first communication node based on the received attribute information; and implementing the audio transducer settings at the first communication node.",
    "16. The data storage device of claim 15 wherein the first communication node comprises: a wireless intermediate communication device linked to an end user device; and the end user device, including a wearable communication device wirelessly linked to the intermediate communication device.",
    "17. The data storage device of claim 15 wherein implementing the audio transducer setting includes executing at least one of the following: a muting command; an unmuting command; and a speaker volume level command.",
    "18. The data storage device of claim 15 wherein the attribute information further includes at least one of the following: identifying whether a headphone or earpiece jack is in use; and environmental noise levels.",
    "19. The data storage device of claim 15 further comprising the program instructions that, when executed, cause the computing system to: send, from the first communication node to the second communication node, an audio transducer command to modify an audio transducer setting of the second communication node.",
    "20. The data storage device of claim 15 further comprising the program instructions that, when executed, cause the computing system to: send, from the first communication node to the second communication node, second attribute information indicating a location of the first communication node."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "Aspects of the disclosure are related to communications and, in particular, to establishing, managing and maintaining communication groups based on attributes.\n\nTelephones, computers, and tablets provide an efficient way for users in different physical locations to communicate with one another. However, such devices often require the user to actively monitor conditions and to provide multiple inputs and preferences, including device-related audio transducer settings, for each of the communications before the communications can take place. Such audio transducer settings may be based on factors and conditions that are difficult, inconvenient, impractical or impossible for a user to actively monitor and adjust while actively communicating with member nodes in the group. Preferences may include the individuals involved in the communication group and contact identifiers for such individuals, among other preferences. Moreover, when busy performing other tasks and/or engaging in communications, it is often difficult to adjust the volume and/or other audio transducer settings in changing environments while physically holding a telephone, computer, or tablet, and distracts from the primary task.\n\nOverview Implementations of dynamic audio transducer control include obtaining (e.g., monitoring, collecting or receiving) attribute information relating to a plurality of communication nodes that are members of a defined communication node group. A group management system or other computing system receives attribute information from two or more of the communication nodes.",
  "cpc": [
    "A61B 34/30",
    "A61B 17/29",
    "A61B 17/3417",
    "A61B 2017/00477",
    "A61B 2034/302",
    "A61B 2034/305",
    "A61B 2090/506",
    "A61B 34/35",
    "A61B 34/37",
    "A61B 34/70",
    "A61B 34/71",
    "A61B 34/74",
    "B25J 9/1689",
    "G06F 3/165",
    "H04B 1/385"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "A61B 17/00",
    "A61B 17/29",
    "A61B 17/34",
    "A61B 34/00",
    "A61B 34/30",
    "A61B 34/35",
    "A61B 34/37",
    "A61B 90/50",
    "B25J 9/16",
    "G06F 3/16",
    "H04B 1/3827"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "ORION LABS",
    "ORION LABS INC"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "ROBBINS JESSE",
    "ALBRECHT GREG",
    "JUHLIN ELLEN",
    "WOOD ROGER",
    "GIRLING NEIL"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2018-10-05",
  "publication_date": "2020-06-02",
  "grant_date": "2020-06-02",
  "priority_date": "2015-05-19",
  "application_number": "US-201816152684-A",
  "family_id": "61801244",
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}