Palmsource Inc.

Palmone, Incorporated

Lee R Taylor

Steven C Lemke

Jesse Donaldson

A system and method for prioritizing multiple audio sources and balancing them in a single combined output in a handheld device. Audio sources are sensed and combined with the level of each source subject to adjustment by an attenuator/amplifier. A priority logic unit controls the attenuator/amplifier associated with each source. the level of each source being combined is adjusted on the basis of the character of the sources being combined and a set of programmed rules. For example, if source A is a high priority source (e.g. a telephone ring or other alert tone) and source B is a lower priority source (e.g. a music program) then the sound management system may lower the volume on source B combine with source A and output the result. Alternatively, source A may be raised in volume, combined with source B, and then output. In one embodiment, the sound management system is integrated with a palm sized handheld computer system.

System and method for prioritizing and balancing simultaneous audio outputs in a handheld device

An embodiment of the present invention is directed to a method for controlling software in an electronic system having a plurality of applications and an insertable peripheral device. In one embodiment of the present invention, an indication is received from a headphone jack regarding the insertion state of an audio plug. In response to the indication, a software application resident on said electronic system is automatically notified of the insertion state. In response to the notifying, the execution state of the software application is automatically changed. In one example, the application suspends when the plug is removed and automatically resumes when the plug is reinserted.

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Fremont, CA, United States of America

Lee R Taylor