Audio System Control Terminal Device Area-Based Selection Interface
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users face difficulties in easily selecting audio devices for specific areas in an audio system, as it is challenging to determine the location of the device for reproduction, leading to confusion in choosing the correct device for playback.
Innovation Solution
A control terminal device and audio system that utilizes a mobile phone as a controller, connected via a network with audio devices equipped with wireless and wired LAN capabilities, allowing for easy selection and grouping of devices by room, using a stealth mode access point system and a user-friendly interface to identify and connect to the correct device for synchronized reproduction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a list of audio devices is displayed without location information, then the device selection process is simple, but the user cannot easily identify which device is disposed in a specific area
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a spatial dimension to the device selection interface by displaying area information (rooms/locations) alongside device information. Instead of a flat list, the interface organizes devices according to their physical locations, allowing users to navigate through areas first and then select devices within those areas. This dimensional addition resolves the contradiction by providing location context without significantly complicating the selection process.
2Ease of operation
If the user interface requires sequential selection of area and then source, then the system provides structured control, but the operation becomes more time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions by automatically detecting the user's current location (via GPS or WiFi positioning) and pre-selecting or highlighting the corresponding area in the interface. This eliminates the need for users to manually navigate through all areas to find their current location, significantly reducing selection time while maintaining the structured control architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides feedback by displaying real-time information about the user's location and the status of audio devices in different areas. This feedback mechanism helps users make informed decisions quickly by showing which devices are currently active, which are available, and which area the user is in, thereby reducing the time needed to make selections.
3Adaptability or versatility
If audio devices are controlled without grouping by area, then the control system is simpler, but the user cannot easily select devices for synchronized reproduction across multiple locations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the audio system into area-based groups, where each area (room) contains one or more audio devices. This segmentation allows the system to manage complexity by organizing devices geographically rather than as a single pool. Users can select multiple areas for synchronized reproduction, and the system handles the coordination automatically, providing versatility without requiring users to manually configure complex device groupings.
Data Source
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AI summary
In this audio system, a plurality of audio devices, which are disposed in various areas, and a control terminal device, which controls each of the audio devices, are controlled via a network. The control terminal device is provided with a communication unit that transmits a command message to the plurality of audio devices, a display unit that displays an operation screen, and a display control unit that causes the display unit to display a device selection screen for selecting any of the plurality of audio devices. The display control unit displays an area image representing an area where each of the audio devices is located as a selection operation unit for selecting the audio devices on the device selection screen.