Audio Manager Priority Routing for Computing Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Computing devices face challenges in managing audio output from multiple active software applications, leading to user distraction and reduced productivity, as they allow simultaneous emission of audio content from multiple sources, which can disrupt focus and violate exam procedures.

Innovation Solution

An audio manager is introduced to identify a priority software application and assign a second audio status to the audio output device, preventing it from emitting content from non-priority applications, thereby ensuring that only the priority application's audio is emitted, enhancing user focus and productivity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the audio output device allows simultaneous emission of audio content from multiple software applications, then the user can access audio from all applications, but user distraction increases and productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaudio access availabilityVSAvoiduser productivity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments audio output management by creating distinct audio channels or streams for different application types. Priority applications receive dedicated audio output while non-priority applications are muted or routed to separate output, allowing simultaneous access without mixing all audio together, thus preventing distraction while maintaining versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different audio emission qualities to different applications based on their priority status. Priority applications receive full audio emission capability while non-priority applications have audio emission restricted or muted, creating localized quality differences that enhance productivity without completely eliminating multi-application audio access.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Loss of information

If the audio output device emits audio content from all active software applications, then complete audio information is available, but user focus is disrupted and exam procedures may be violated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaudio information completenessVSAvoiduser distraction

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and separates priority audio content from non-priority audio content. By identifying and extracting only the essential audio information from priority applications while excluding non-priority application audio, the system maintains necessary audio information availability while eliminating distracting elements that could violate exam procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the potentially harmful effect of multiple audio sources into a benefit by using the audio output device's capability to handle multiple streams as a mechanism for selective muting. The same device that could cause distraction is transformed into a tool for enforcing focus by routing only priority audio to the output.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Ease of operation

If manual control is provided for each software application's audio emission, then user control precision is high, but system complexity and user burden increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaudio control flexibilityVSAvoidaudio management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements self-service by enabling applications to self-identify their priority status or by having the system automatically classify applications based on predefined criteria. This automated classification and audio routing eliminates the need for manual per-application audio control, reducing user burden while maintaining control flexibility through automatic adaptation to user needs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a universal audio management mechanism that handles multiple applications through a single automated system. Rather than requiring individual control for each application, the system provides multi-functional audio routing that automatically manages priority and non-priority applications, simplifying the interface while maintaining comprehensive control capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11789691B2Audio management for a priority computing device application

Publication Date: 2023.10.17 KYNDRYL INC

AI summary

A method can include identifying an audio output device having a first audio status. In the first audio status, the audio output device can be configured to receive first audio data of at least one software application of a set of software applications of a computing device. In the first audio status, the audio output device can be configured to emit, based on the first audio data, first audio content corresponding to the at least one software application. The method can include identifying a priority software application of the computing device. The method can include assigning, in response to the identifying the priority software application, a second audio status to the audio output device. The assigning can include preventing the audio output device from emitting the first audio content. The assigning can further include configuring the audio output device to emit second audio content of the priority software application.