Audio Network System with Partial Networks and Connection Nodes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional audio network systems limit the number of connectable audio devices due to maximum transmission channel constraints and lack a seamless backup solution for console malfunctions, making it difficult to manage scene data across multiple devices.
Innovation Solution
The audio network system employs a time-divisional transmission method across multiple partial networks, allowing for additional device connections and automatic console substitution, with a control device managing channel assignments and scene data recall across networks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the maximum number of transmission channels is determined based on network transfer rate, then the network can operate within its capacity limits, but the number of connectable audio devices is limited and additional devices cannot communicate when channels are in full use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the audio network into multiple virtual channels within the physical transmission medium. Each virtual channel can independently carry audio streams, allowing multiple audio devices to communicate simultaneously without requiring additional physical transmission resources. This segmentation of the transmission space enables more devices to connect while maintaining network capacity constraints.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements time-divisional transmission where audio signals from different devices are transmitted in periodic time slots across the network. Each device is allocated specific time windows for transmission, allowing multiple devices to share the same physical channels without interference. This periodic multiplexing increases device connectivity while operating within the network's transfer rate limits.
2Reliability
If a substitute console is connected to the network when a malfunction occurs, then backup functionality is provided, but the connection may not be permitted due to limitation on the number of audio devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the audio devices with dual functionality: they can operate as standard audio devices within their primary network and also function as connection nodes that bridge multiple networks. This multi-functionality allows a device to serve its primary audio processing role while simultaneously providing network extension capabilities for backup consoles or additional devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces connection nodes as intermediary devices between the primary audio network and substitute consoles. These intermediaries manage the communication protocols and channel allocations, allowing backup consoles to connect without directly consuming transmission channels from the primary network, thus bypassing the device connection limitations.
3Ease of operation
If scene data is stored and recalled individually for each device, then each device can maintain its settings, but it is difficult and inconvenient to manage scene data across multiple devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the scene data management functions of multiple audio devices into a unified system. A central controller or master device aggregates the scene data from all connected devices, allowing users to store and recall complete system states through a single operation. This merging eliminates the need for individual device configuration and ensures consistency across the entire audio network.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the central controller continuously monitors and collects scene data from all audio devices in the network. When a scene is recalled, the controller distributes the configuration data back to each device, ensuring synchronized updates. This feedback loop maintains data consistency and simplifies management by providing centralized control over distributed devices.
Data Source
AI summary
A plurality of partial networks can work independently from each other, and each partial network connects together several nodes including a connection node for transmission of audio signals. A connection network connects respective connection nodes of the respective partial networks so as to connect the plurality of the partial networks with each other through the connection nodes. The connection node of the partial network operates when the audio signal is transmitted from the partial network to the connection network, for forwarding the audio signal from a transmission channel used for carrying the audio signal in the partial network to another transmission channel to be used for carrying the audio signal in the connection network, and operates when the audio signal is transmitted from the connection network to the partial network, for forwarding the audio signal from a transmission channel used for carrying the audio signal in the connection network to another transmission channel to be used for carrying the audio signal in the partial network.