Audio Apparatus with Motion-Tracking Lighting Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional audio apparatuses restrict the use environment at parties due to the need for users to physically approach the device to control sound and lighting effects, limiting the ability to engage with the audio experience across a wider area.

Innovation Solution

An audio apparatus equipped with a detector, processor, and communication interface that allows for remote detection of users and their body motions, enabling the provision of synchronized lighting and sound effects across multiple directions, and allowing user control through a mobile terminal device.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a user goes close to the audio apparatus to control lighting effects through a controller, then the user can manually adjust lighting parameters, but the use environment is restricted and user mobility is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanual control of lighting effectsVSAvoiduse environment surrounding the audio apparatus
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical control system (physical controller requiring close proximity) with a wireless communication system. The mobile terminal communicates with the audio apparatus through wireless communication units, allowing users to control lighting effects remotely without physical contact or close proximity to the device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a mobile terminal as an intermediary device between the user and the audio apparatus. The mobile terminal receives user input and transmits control signals to the audio apparatus through wireless communication, enabling remote control while maintaining the original control functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the audio apparatus provides lighting effects in fixed directions, then the structure is simple, but it cannot adapt to users dancing in wide areas

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelighting coverage areaVSAvoidlighting control system
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic lighting control where the audio apparatus detects user position and body motion in real-time, then dynamically adjusts lighting direction and intensity. The detector unit captures user movement data, and the processor unit dynamically modifies lighting output to track and respond to user position changes throughout the dancing area.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent makes the lighting system universal by enabling it to serve multiple functions: providing ambient lighting, tracking user position, responding to body motion, and adapting to different dancing areas. The same lighting system can serve various users in different positions and movements without requiring separate control mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If remote detection of users is implemented, then user control from distance is enabled, but detection precision may be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveremote control capabilityVSAvoiduser position and motion detection
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple detection functions into a single detector unit that can simultaneously detect user position, direction, and body motion. By combining these detection capabilities in one integrated unit, the system maintains comprehensive detection precision while enabling remote control through wireless communication.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3338457B1Audio apparatus, driving method for audio apparatus, and computer readable recording medium
Publication Date: 2020.11.04 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP3338457B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP3338457B1 patent drawingFigure 2~4
  • EP3338457B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6B

AI summary

An audio apparatus, a driving method thereof, and a computer readable recording medium are provided. The audio apparatus includes a lighting part configured to provide a lighting effect to at least one direction around the audio apparatus; a detector configured to detect a direction, with respect to the audio apparatus, of a person present in a vicinity of the audio apparatus, and detect a motion of the person; and a processor configured to control the lighting part to provide, to the detected direction, the lighting effect based on the detected motion.