Audio Aggregation Controller for Multi-Device Sound Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for a more user-friendly interface for electronic devices to efficiently communicate and control multiple devices simultaneously, allowing users to easily access and manage audio data across connected devices without disturbing others.
Innovation Solution
An electronic device with a communication unit, interface unit, and controller that senses connections to sound output devices, identifies and streams audio data from other devices, and provides metadata, enabling seamless audio data transfer and control across connected devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If audio data from multiple electronic devices is output through individual sound output devices, then each device can be controlled independently, but users cannot easily access audio data from all devices simultaneously and disturbance occurs to others
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges audio data from multiple electronic devices into a single audio stream that can be output through one sound output device. The first electronic device aggregates audio data from second and third electronic devices, allowing users to access audio from all devices simultaneously through a single interface, thereby improving ease of operation while reducing the complexity of managing multiple independent audio outputs
Solution Approach 2:
The first electronic device serves multiple functions by acting as both a standalone audio output device and a aggregator that collects audio data from other electronic devices. This multi-functionality allows a single device to replace multiple independent audio outputs, enabling users to easily access audio data from all connected devices without needing to manage each device's sound output separately
2Productivity
If audio data is transmitted to all connected electronic devices, then all devices can output audio simultaneously, but unnecessary audio output disturbs others
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and selectively transmits only the necessary audio data to the appropriate electronic device. Instead of broadcasting audio data to all connected devices, the system identifies which device should output the audio (the first electronic device in this embodiment) and transmits only to that device, thereby improving transmission efficiency while preventing unnecessary audio output that would disturb others
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback mechanisms to determine which electronic device should output audio data. The controller receives information about the current state of connected devices and uses this feedback to make intelligent decisions about audio data transmission, ensuring that audio is only sent to devices that should output it, thereby avoiding disturbance to others while maintaining efficient transmission
3Ease of operation
If a user interface is provided for determining audio data reception, then user control is improved, but the interface complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides self-service functionality where the electronic device automatically manages audio data reception and output without requiring complex user intervention. The controller automatically determines which audio data should be received and from which devices, and the user interface simply provides basic control options rather than requiring users to manually configure complex audio routing, thereby improving ease of operation while minimizing interface complexity
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device connected to at least one external electronic device, the electronic device including a communication unit configured to perform data communication with the at least one external electronic device, an interface unit configured to connect to a sound output device, and a controller configured to receive audio data when the sound output device is connected to the electronic device through the interface unit, the audio data associated with a first external electronic device outputting a second content associated with a first content being output through the electronic device from the first external electronic device, and to output the received audio data through the sound output device.