Automatic Audio Allocation Across Moved Playback Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing media playback systems require manual configuration and user input to adjust audio allocations when playback devices are moved or repositioned, leading to inconvenience and potential interruptions in media playback.

Innovation Solution

The system automatically updates audio allocations based on detected triggers and retrieved configuration information, allowing for seamless integration and synchronization of audio portions across playback devices without the need for user intervention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual configuration is used to adjust audio allocations when playback devices are moved, then user control over audio settings is maintained, but user convenience deteriorates and playback interruptions increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser convenienceVSAvoidmanual configuration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically detects when playback devices are moved or repositioned and autonomously reallocates audio portions without requiring user intervention. The playback devices monitor their own positions and trigger automatic audio allocation updates, enabling the system to serve itself rather than requiring manual user configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors the positions of playback devices and uses this feedback information to automatically adjust audio allocations. When a device detects it has been moved, it triggers a reallocation process that redistributes audio portions based on current device positions, creating a closed-loop system that adapts to changing conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If automatic audio reallocation is implemented when devices are moved, then playback continuity is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveplayback continuityVSAvoidsystem automation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system pre-establishes allocation rules and criteria for distributing audio portions among playback devices. These predetermined rules allow the system to quickly and automatically reallocate audio when devices are moved, without requiring complex real-time decision-making or user input, thus maintaining playback continuity while managing system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The audio allocation system dynamically adapts to changing device positions by continuously monitoring playback device locations and automatically adjusting audio portion assignments. This dynamic behavior ensures that audio allocation remains optimized regardless of device movement, improving reliability while the automation handles the complexity of real-time adjustments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Manufacturing precision

If user intervention is required to reconfigure audio allocations, then configuration precision is maintained, but time consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaudio allocation precisionVSAvoidconfiguration time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces manual user configuration actions with automated electronic detection and allocation processes. Playback devices use sensors and communication protocols to detect their positions and trigger automatic audio reallocation, substituting the mechanical process of manual configuration with an automated electronic system that maintains precision while eliminating time consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The audio allocation system performs self-configuration by automatically detecting device positions and reallocating audio portions without user intervention. This self-service capability maintains accurate audio allocation based on current device positions while eliminating the time required for manual user configuration and system reconfiguration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS20240187791A1Automatically allocating audio portions to playback devices
Publication Date: 2024.06.06 SONOS INC
  • US20240187791A1 patent drawing
  • US20240187791A1 patent drawing
  • US20240187791A1 patent drawing

AI summary

Techniques for allocating audio data between a first playback device and a second playback device are disclosed. The audio data comprises a plurality of audio portions and the method comprises: detecting a trigger associated with the first playback device; responsive to detecting the trigger: retrieving configuration information related to the first playback device and the second playback device; and automatically updating an allocation of the audio portions for reproduction by at least one of the first playback device and the second playback device based on the configuration information.