Accessory Audio Coordination via Inaudible High-Frequency Signals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for voice-controlled devices and accessory devices lack efficient coordination in outputting supplemental content in response to user commands, often requiring explicit instructions and limited in timing and format synchronization.
Innovation Solution
A remote system processes voice commands, identifies primary and supplemental content, and encodes instructions in high-frequency audio data or visual signals to coordinate the output of voice-controlled devices and accessory devices, allowing for synchronized and offset timing of content delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If explicit instructions are used to coordinate accessory devices, then device complexity increases, but coordination efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces explicit instruction-based coordination with acoustic field-based coordination. High-frequency audio signals encode coordination instructions that accessory devices automatically decode and execute, eliminating the need for complex explicit command protocols and improving coordination efficiency while reducing system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes high-frequency audio parameters (frequency, amplitude, timing) to encode coordination information. By modulating these acoustic parameters, the system conveys complex coordination instructions through simple audio signals, resolving the contradiction between coordination efficiency and system complexity
2Measurement precision
If synchronized output is implemented, then timing precision improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces high-frequency audio signals as an intermediary carrier for timing synchronization. The audio signals embed timing information that accessory devices automatically extract and use for synchronized output, achieving precise timing without requiring complex inter-device communication and control mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
Accessory devices automatically decode timing information from high-frequency audio signals and self-regulate their output timing. This self-service mechanism achieves precise synchronization without external control systems, reducing device complexity while maintaining timing precision
3Productivity
If high-frequency audio data is used for encoding instructions, then information transmission efficiency improves, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses high-frequency audio signals as a copy channel for transmitting coordination instructions. The audio signals carry encoded information that is decoded by accessory devices, enabling efficient information transmission while remaining transparent to users who simply interact with the primary voice-controlled device
Solution Approach 2:
High-frequency audio signals serve as an intermediary that carries coordination information between the voice-controlled device and accessory devices. This intermediary mechanism enables efficient information transmission without requiring users to directly interact with or understand the complex encoding schemes
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure describes techniques and systems for encoding instructions in audio data that, when output on a speaker of a first device in an environment, cause a second device to output content in the environment. In some instances, the audio data has a frequency that is inaudible to users in the environment. Thus, the first device is able to cause the second device to output the content without users in the environment hearing the instructions. In some instances, the first device also outputs content, and the content output by the second device is played at an offset relative to a position of the content output by the first device.