Audio Adjustment System Using Acoustic Signal Encoding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current audio adjustment systems for consumer devices, such as televisions, are often complex and inefficient for field application engineers (FAEs) to use, requiring manual input of multiple coefficients and involving multiple protocols, leading to wasted time and increased complexity.
Innovation Solution
An audio adjustment system that outputs a user-friendly interface customized by the audio system provider, allowing FAEs to adjust audio enhancement parameters through existing audio interfaces, such as jacks or networks, without needing to modify the device's firmware, using audio signals to communicate settings and commands.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional protocols (JTAG, I2C, SPI, USB) are used to communicate with device-specific firmware, then reliable communication can be achieved, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate due to multiple protocols and manual coefficient input requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The audio adjustment system uses a universal audio interface that can communicate with the audio device through standard audio ports (headphone jack, microphone jack, AUX port) rather than requiring device-specific protocols. This single interface handles all communication needs for adjusting audio enhancement parameters, eliminating the need for FAEs to learn and switch between multiple protocols like JTAG, I2C, SPI, or USB.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical/electrical communication interfaces (JTAG, I2C, SPI, USB connectors and wiring) with an acoustic field-based communication system. Audio signals carrying encoded adjustment commands are transmitted through the audio output port and received by the audio input port, substituting the need for physical connector plugging and complex protocol handshaking with a simpler acoustic signal transmission mechanism.
2Manufacturing precision
If manual input of multiple coefficients is required, then precise audio parameter adjustment can be achieved, but loss of time increases due to inefficient adjustment process
Solution Approach 1:
The audio adjustment system automatically retrieves current audio enhancement parameters and coefficients from the audio device without requiring manual intervention to query or read existing settings. The system self-configures by automatically accessing the audio device's parameter storage, eliminating the time-consuming manual process of querying current settings and preparing adjustment commands.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by automatically retrieving current parameters and pre-processing adjustment calculations before the actual adjustment is applied. The audio adjustment system fetches existing coefficients, computes necessary adjustments based on user input, and prepares the complete adjustment command set in advance, then applies all changes in a single efficient operation rather than requiring iterative manual adjustments.
3Ease of manufacture
If existing audio interfaces are used for communication, then ease of manufacture and device compatibility improve, but device complexity increases due to need for audio signal encoding and processing
Solution Approach 1:
The audio adjustment system leverages the existing universal audio interface infrastructure (audio output ports, audio input ports, speaker, microphone) that is already present in most consumer devices. Instead of adding new dedicated communication hardware, the system repurposes the existing audio signal path to carry both audio content and adjustment commands, eliminating the need for separate communication modules and reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the audio signal transmission function with the data communication function into a single integrated system. The audio output port simultaneously outputs audio content and encoded adjustment commands through the same physical interface, and the audio input port receives both audio and commands. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate communication protocols and interfaces, reducing system complexity while maintaining ease of manufacture.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution simplifies the audio adjustment process, saving time for both FAEs and manufacturers, and enables easier communication with audio devices, reducing errors and increasing efficiency in tuning audio systems.
Implementation Method 1
The communications module can encode the adjusted value using audio frequency shift keying (AFSK)
Data Source
AI summary
An audio adjustment system is provided that can output a user interface customized by the provider of the audio system instead of the electronic device manufacturer. Such an arrangement can save both field engineers and manufacturers a significant amount of time. Advantageously, in certain embodiments, such an audio adjustment system can be provided without knowledge of the electronic device's firmware. Instead, the audio adjustment system can communicate with the electronic device through an existing audio interface in the electronic device to enable a user to control audio enhancement parameters in the electronic device. For instance, the audio adjustment system can control the electronic device via an audio input jack on the electronic device. The electronic device can also include decoding features for decoding communications sent by the audio adjustment system.