Wireless Audio Device Grouping via Time Period Overlap
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for grouping playing devices in a network music system are complex and cumbersome, requiring users to add devices one by one, leading to a poor user experience.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that allow users to group playing devices based on assigned play time periods, using a terminal apparatus to determine current time and group devices accordingly, simplifying the process by automatically forming play groups based on time periods that encompass the current time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If users add playing devices one by one into playing groups, then the grouping function can be achieved, but the operation procedure becomes complex and user experience deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-assigning play time periods to each playing device. The terminal apparatus retrieves these pre-configured time periods and automatically groups devices based on time period overlaps, eliminating the need for users to manually add devices one by one. This resolves the contradiction by making the grouping operation simple (improving ease of operation) while maintaining systematic control (managing procedure complexity).
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements self-service by enabling playing devices to automatically group themselves based on their assigned play time periods. The terminal apparatus facilitates this by retrieving time period information and performing automatic grouping, without requiring users to manually configure each device's group membership. This resolves the contradiction by simplifying user interaction (improving ease of operation) while maintaining structured device management (controlling procedure complexity).
2Productivity
If users manually search and add each playing device to groups, then complete device grouping is achieved, but time consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-service by enabling playing devices to automatically group themselves based on their assigned play time periods. The terminal apparatus facilitates this by retrieving time period information and performing automatic grouping, without requiring users to manually configure each device's group membership. This resolves the contradiction by simplifying user interaction (improving ease of operation) while maintaining structured device management (controlling procedure complexity).
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-assigning play time periods to each playing device. The terminal apparatus retrieves these pre-configured time periods and automatically groups devices based on time period overlaps, eliminating the need for users to manually add devices one by one. This resolves the contradiction by making the grouping operation simple (improving ease of operation) while maintaining systematic control (managing procedure complexity).
Data Source
AI summary
A method for grouping playing devices and terminal apparatus includes acquiring a user setting assigned to a plurality of play time periods of N playing devices in a wireless music system and determining a current time. It is determined which the play time periods of the N playing devices include a first target play time period encompassing the current time. The playing devices of the N playing devices are grouped corresponding to the first target play time period into a first play group.