Multi-Radio Audio Hub for Low-Latency Multi-Device Connectivity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing computing devices have limitations in connecting multiple audio devices due to limited interfaces and protocols, leading to functionality issues such as latency and throughput problems with wireless connections and a restricted number of devices that can be connected simultaneously.
Innovation Solution
An audio hub with multiple wired and wireless interfaces, including proprietary and non-proprietary protocols, that connects to a computing device via a single interface, enabling flexible connection of multiple audio devices and incorporating a reference microphone for noise reduction, automatic gain control, and echo cancellation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple audio devices are connected using wireless protocols directly to a computing device, then device connectivity is enabled, but latency and throughput problems occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an audio hub as an intermediary device between the computing device and multiple audio devices. The audio hub consolidates multiple wireless connections, allowing the computing device to communicate with the hub via a single high-bandwidth connection while the hub handles multiple audio device connections. This intermediary approach reduces latency and improves throughput by centralizing the wireless communication burden away from the computing device.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple audio devices are connected directly to a computing device, then device functionality is achieved, but the number of simultaneously connected devices is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The audio hub is designed as a universal multi-functional device that can simultaneously connect to multiple different types of audio devices (microphones, speakers, headphones, etc.) using various communication protocols. It provides a single unified interface to the computing device while supporting diverse audio device connections, thereby increasing the number of simultaneously connected devices without requiring multiple interfaces on the computing device itself.
3Ease of operation
If a single interface is used to connect the audio hub to the computing device, then setup is simplified, but audio processing capabilities are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The audio hub serves as a capable intermediary that performs extensive audio processing (noise reduction, echo cancellation, automatic gain control) before transmitting processed audio signals to the computing device through the single interface. This allows the hub to compensate for the interface limitations by pre-processing audio signals, thereby maintaining both setup simplicity and audio processing reliability.
4Reliability
If noise reduction and echo cancellation are implemented, then audio quality is enhanced, but processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The audio hub implements self-service audio processing by automatically performing noise reduction, echo cancellation, and automatic gain control without requiring external processing or complex user configuration. The reference microphone and processing algorithms work autonomously to enhance audio quality, reducing the burden on the computing device and simplifying the overall system architecture despite the advanced processing capabilities.
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the disclosure relate to an audio hub that may be connected to a computing device. The audio hub may comprise multiple wired and wireless communication interfaces that may be used to interface multiple peripheral audio devices with the computing device. The audio hub may comprise a built-in reference microphone that may be used for noise cancelation, automatic gain control, and/or acoustic echo cancelation. The audio hub may additionally be configured for audio dosimetry measurements based on output audio signals as sent to an audio output device connected to the audio hub.