Host-Client Audio Circuit with Bidirectional Mode Switching

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing communication protocols for audio data transmission, such as I2S, require multiple signal wires and are unidirectional, necessitating additional interfaces and protocols, which increases complexity and latency.

Innovation Solution

A communication system using two data wires to transmit stereo audio data in parallel, with a selection wire for determining transmission mode and a clock wire for synchronization, enabling bidirectional communication with reduced latency and manufacturing effort.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional I2S protocol is used for audio data transmission, then audio data can be transmitted unidirectionally, but additional signal wires and communication interfaces are required for bidirectional communication, increasing device complexity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebidirectional communication capabilityVSAvoidnumber of signal wires and communication interfaces

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies multi-functionality by enabling the same two data wires to serve dual purposes: transmitting stereo audio data in parallel during audio mode, and establishing bidirectional communication during communication mode. The selection wire dynamically switches between audio transmission and communication protocols, allowing a single interface to perform multiple functions without requiring separate dedicated wires for each mode, thus reducing device complexity while maintaining bidirectional communication capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamics through the selection wire that dynamically switches between two operational modes: audio transmission mode and communication mode. This dynamic switching allows the system to adapt its behavior based on the current operational requirement, enabling the same physical wires to carry different types of data at different times, thereby resolving the contradiction between versatility and complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If separate communication interfaces are provided for audio data and other data transmission, then both audio and control data can be transmitted, but the number of signal wires increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transmission capabilityVSAvoidnumber of signal wires

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies multi-functionality by enabling the same two data wires to serve dual purposes: transmitting stereo audio data in parallel during audio mode, and establishing bidirectional communication during communication mode. The selection wire dynamically switches between audio transmission and communication protocols, allowing a single interface to perform multiple functions without requiring separate dedicated wires for each mode, thus reducing device complexity while maintaining bidirectional communication capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the audio data transmission function and the communication function into a single interface using the same two data wires. By combining these functions and using a selection wire to switch between them, the system eliminates the need for separate dedicated wires for audio and control data, thereby reducing the total quantity of signal wires required

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Quantity of substance

If audio data are transmitted sequentially rather than in parallel, then fewer wires are needed, but delay occurs between audio channels

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of data wiresVSAvoidtransmission delay between channels

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the stereo audio signal into two separate parallel channels, with each data wire carrying one audio channel independently. This segmentation allows simultaneous transmission of multiple audio channels without interference, maintaining synchronization and eliminating delay between channels while using a minimal number of wires

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS11706273B2Host communication circuit, client communication circuit, communication system, sound reproducing device and communication method

Publication Date: 2023.07.18 AUSTRIAMICROSYSTEMS AG

AI summary

A host side is adapted to be connected to a client side by means of a clock wire, a selection wire, a first data wire and a second data wire. The host side is configured to transmit a digital selection signal over the selection wire to the client side, the selection signal determining either an audio transmission mode or a client communication mode. Further, the host side is configured to transmit digital audio data of a first channel and a second channel over the first and the second data wire to the client side in the audio transmission mode, and to perform client communication over the first and the second data wire in the client communication mode.