Audio Link Manager Reduces Network Traffic
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Solution Overview
Problem
Complex audio systems face challenges in management and control due to increased size and complexity, leading to difficulties in operation, maintenance, and troubleshooting, especially in systems that are frequently disassembled and reassembled, and graphical user interfaces (GUIs) used for setup and control can be complex and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A system with a common architecture that manages and controls all audio-related equipment, using a network-independent protocol to integrate various devices across different networks, with performance equipment managers to generate and retrieve control panel views, and a link manager to reduce network traffic and enhance data updates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the audio system size and complexity increases, then the system can handle more devices and functions, but the operation, maintenance and troubleshooting become more challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the audio equipment into network nodes with standardized interfaces, allowing complex systems to be managed through modular units. Each device can be independently configured and controlled while integrating into the overall system through standard protocols.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a network manager and standardized communication protocol as intermediaries between devices. This mediator layer abstracts the complexity of direct device connections, providing uniform access to all audio equipment through the network without requiring users to understand individual device configurations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the audio system uses more interconnections and settings, then the system functionality increases, but the configuration and control become more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements universal control interfaces and standardized protocols that work across all audio devices in the network. A single control system can manage diverse equipment (amplifiers, speakers, processors) without requiring device-specific configuration procedures, reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses parameterized configuration where devices are defined by standardized parameters rather than fixed settings. This allows flexible reconfiguration of system functionality by changing parameters rather than reconfiguring connections, making the system easier to adapt while maintaining manageable complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the audio system devices become more geographically dispersed, then the system flexibility increases, but the management and control become more challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from physical proximity-based system management to network-based management. By adding the network communication dimension, devices can be geographically dispersed while maintaining uniform control and monitoring capabilities through the network, eliminating the trade-off between distance and manageability.
4Ease of operation
If the GUI hierarchy is deeper, then the system can provide more detailed controls, but the user must traverse more levels to access controls
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates virtual copies of device interfaces through the network manager. Instead of requiring users to traverse deep hierarchies to access detailed controls, the system provides replicated control interfaces at multiple levels, allowing users to access detailed settings quickly through the networked virtual representations without physically navigating complex hierarchies.
5Speed
If the system uses rapid changes in control panel views, then the system responsiveness improves, but network traffic increases and creates bottlenecks
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring control panel views and buffering network communications. Instead of continuously updating all views in real-time, the system prepares and streams updates in advance, reducing the impact of rapid view changes on network traffic while maintaining responsive user interaction.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for management and control of audio-related equipment. A link manager may be included in the system. The link manager may be configured to manage subscriptions to multiple other audio-related devices or control panel views. When the managed data variables change, the link manager module may notify other audio-related devices and/or control panel views of the change. In response to the notification, the other audio-related devices and/or control panels may subscribe to the audio-related device with the changed data variable, to request receipt of the updated data variable. In some examples, the link manager module may also be configured to lessen the subscription burden for a particular audio-related device.