Audio Device Branching Unit for Internet Distribution

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing audio distribution systems require complex processing to prevent sound looping during Internet live broadcasting of telephone talks, making it difficult to distribute telephone conversations between a distributor and a viewer without sound looping.

Innovation Solution

An audio device with a branching unit that separates microphone input signals into two streams, one for the caller and one for synthesis with background audio, allowing seamless Internet distribution without sound looping, and applying effect processes to enhance the audio experience.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the sound signal from the microphone is synthesized with the caller's sound and distributed via Internet, then the telephone talk can be broadcasted live, but the caller's sound loops back creating a feedback issue

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveInternet distribution capabilityVSAvoidsound looping

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the microphone sound signal into two separate branches: one branch is synthesized with the caller's sound for Internet distribution, while the other branch is sent directly to the caller without synthesis. This segmentation prevents the caller's sound from looping back to them while still enabling live broadcast distribution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a branching unit as an intermediary component that separates the sound signal path. This mediator creates distinct pathways for the distributor's sound - one for broadcast synthesis and another for direct caller transmission, eliminating the harmful feedback loop while maintaining broadcast functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If a special process is implemented at the computer to prevent sound looping, then the feedback issue is resolved, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesound looping preventionVSAvoidcomputer processing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements sound looping prevention through the audio device's own branching unit rather than requiring complex special processes at the computer. The system serves itself by handling the signal separation at the source, making the computer's task simpler and more straightforward.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The branching unit performs the sound signal separation in advance, before the signals reach the computer for distribution. By preliminarily dividing the sound paths and preventing the looping issue at the source, the computer只需 performs simple synthesis and distribution without needing complex feedback prevention algorithms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS10924706B2Audio device

Publication Date: 2021.02.16 TEAC CORP

AI summary

An audio device is provided which distributes via the Internet a telephone talk between a distributer and a viewer, with a simple structure. An audio interface device can be connected to a PC, and distributes via the Internet a sound signal which is input from a microphone along with a BGM by outputting the sound signal to the PC. When a call is made with a caller, the audio interface device branches the sound signal which is input from the microphone into a first sound signal and a second sound signal, and supplies the second sound signal to the caller. Also, the first sound signal, the sound signal from the caller, and the BGM are synthesized and output to the PC, and the telephone talk is distributed via the Internet.