Audio Amplifier Voltage Switching for Low-Power Volume Range
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Solution Overview
Problem
Portable electronic devices like laptops and smartphones consume excessive power due to maintaining high operating voltage levels for audio amplification, even when playing audio for a single user, leading to unnecessary power consumption.
Innovation Solution
An audio processing device with a signal processing circuit, power switch circuit, and detection circuit that adjusts the operating voltage based on the audio signal's volume value, allowing the power amplifier to operate at corresponding voltage levels, thereby reducing power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the operating voltage of the audio power amplifier circuit is maintained at the highest voltage level, then the volume range can cover both ordinary volume for personal use and large volume for multiple people, but the power consumption increases unnecessarily when only single user audio effects are played
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic voltage adjustment by switching between multiple voltage levels (first voltage level and second voltage level) based on the audio signal characteristics. The power amplifier circuit dynamically changes its operating voltage to match the required output power, avoiding continuous operation at maximum voltage and thereby reducing power consumption during low-volume scenarios while maintaining the capability for high-volume output when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating parameter (voltage level) of the power amplifier circuit based on the audio signal's volume requirements. By detecting the audio signal characteristics and adjusting the voltage level accordingly, the system adapts the power consumption to the actual usage scenario, resolving the contradiction between maintaining high volume capability and reducing unnecessary power consumption.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the operating voltage is adjusted dynamically based on volume requirements, then power consumption is reduced, but the device complexity increases due to additional control circuits
Solution Approach 1:
The detection circuit serves multiple functions: it detects the audio signal characteristics, determines the required volume level, and generates control signals for voltage switching. By making the detection circuit multi-functional, the patent reduces the need for separate dedicated circuits for each function, thereby minimizing the increase in overall device complexity while achieving dynamic power management.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the voltage control function with the existing audio signal processing path. The detection circuit that is already present for audio processing is extended to also perform voltage level detection and control, merging multiple functions into a single integrated circuit approach rather than adding completely separate control systems.
Data Source
AI summary
An audio processing device includes a signal processing circuit, a power switch circuit, a power amplifier and a detection circuit. The signal processing circuit is configured to process an audio input to generate an audio signal. The power switch circuit is configured to generate an operating voltage. The power amplifier is coupled with the signal processing circuit and the power switch circuit, and configured to drive a load circuit by the operating voltage according to the audio signal. The detection circuit is coupled with the signal processing circuit and the power switch circuit, configured to obtain a volume value from the audio signal and compare the volume value with a first volume threshold to generate a comparison result, and configured to control, according to the comparison result, the power switch circuit to set the operating voltage to have a corresponding one of multiple voltage levels.