Application-Level Audio Routing for Multi-App Sound Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sound output methods in electronic devices, such as smartphones and tablets, fail to separately control sounds from multiple applications, resulting in complex noise for users, as all sounds are uniformly output through a single speaker or device, making it difficult for users to adjust or select sound output characteristics or devices.
Innovation Solution
An electronic device processor stores and manages sound output methods for each application or category, allowing users to individually set sound output characteristics and devices through a user interface, enabling separate sound management for each application, even when multiple applications are running concurrently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If all application sounds are uniformly output through a single speaker, then the sound output system is simple, but the user cannot separately control or select sound output characteristics for different applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the sound output system by creating separate sound channels for different applications. The processor identifies multiple applications executing simultaneously and assigns each application's sound output to specific output devices independently, allowing users to control each application's sound separately rather than through a single unified channel.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a new dimension of control by introducing application-level sound output management alongside the existing device-level control. This creates a hierarchical control structure where sounds can be routed to different devices based on application identity, volume settings, and user preferences, transforming the single-dimension sound output into a multi-dimensional control system.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If multiple applications output sounds simultaneously through the same device, then the sound output device is simple, but the user experiences complex noise and cannot select desired sounds
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts individual application sounds from the mixed sound stream and routes them to separate output devices. The processor identifies specific applications (e.g., game application, music playback application) and directs their sounds to different speakers or headphones, effectively separating the harmful noise mixture into distinct, controllable sound streams.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary sound management layer between the applications and output devices. This intermediary system processes sound requests from multiple applications, applies user-defined routing rules, and manages volume levels, thereby preventing direct mixing of sounds and enabling selective output through different devices.
3Adaptability or versatility
If users adjust sound levels through individual application settings, then each application can be controlled independently, but the user cannot adjust sound output characteristics across multiple applications jointly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal sound control interface that can manage both individual application sounds and grouped application sounds simultaneously. The system provides multiple control modes: users can adjust specific application volumes independently or apply volume changes to multiple applications at once, making the control system adaptable to various user needs without requiring separate control mechanisms for each scenario.
Data Source
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AI summary
A sound outputting method executed in an electronic device and the electronic device are provided. The sound outputting method includes storing a sound output method based on at least one application executing in the electronic device or categories of the at least one application, referring to the stored sound output method if an application is executing, determining a sound output characteristic of the executing application or a sound output device associated with the executing application, based on the sound output method, and outputting a sound associated with the executing application by using the sound output device, based on the determined sound output characteristic.