Power Management for Audio Buffering and Playback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Portable electronic devices face challenges in prolonging battery life during low power states while buffering and playing back audio broadcast data, as they often require balancing power consumption between buffering and playback functions.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of low power actions, such as stopping playback while continuing to buffer, or switching to outputting the live audio stream, which are configurable by users through a graphical user interface, to optimize battery life by reducing overall power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If the device continues buffering and playing back audio broadcast data in a low power state, then the user can access recorded content, but battery life is depleted quickly
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the buffering and playback operations based on the detected power state. When a low power state is detected, the system transitions from normal buffering and playback operations to reduced-power operations, such as stopping buffering while continuing playback from existing buffer, or stopping both operations. This dynamic adaptation allows the device to maintain useful functionality while conserving battery life when power is limited.
2Duration of action of moving object
If the device stops buffering to conserve power, then battery life is prolonged, but the user cannot record new broadcast content
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements partial actions by selectively stopping only the buffering operation while maintaining playback from the existing buffer when power is low. This allows the user to continue accessing previously recorded content without the power-intensive buffering process, thereby prolonging battery life while preserving playback functionality. The buffering capability can be restored when power availability improves.
3Ease of operation
If the device provides multiple low power action options, then user control is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the power management control into distinct, selectable actions that the user can choose from. Instead of presenting a single complex configuration interface, the system offers discrete low power action options (such as stop buffering only, stop both buffering and playback, or switch to live stream only). This segmentation simplifies user decision-making while providing adequate control, as each option represents a clear, independent choice with predictable outcomes.
Data Source
AI summary
Various techniques that relate to prolonging the battery life on a portable electronic device during the buffering and playback of audio broadcast data are provided. In accordance with disclosed embodiments, upon detecting a low power state, the device may implement one or more low power actions, including starting, continuing, or stopping one or more audio broadcast functions, such as buffering or playing back audio broadcast data, to reduce overall power consumption, and thus prolong battery life. In one embodiment, a user may specify one or more low power actions that are to be implemented during a low power state by configuring user settings stored on the device. In another embodiment, the device, upon detecting a low power state, may prompt the user to make a selection from a listing of selectable low power action options and perform the selected low power action.