Connected Audio Playback Reconfiguration for Battery Runtime
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In multi-device audio systems with battery-powered speakers, the system often needs to pause and recompute when one or more speakers run out of power, leading to a poor user experience due to inefficient power management.
Innovation Solution
An operation time optimization system where each audio device measures its power condition and sends this information to a primary device, which determines whether to reconfigure the system by replacing the primary device with another secondary device based on power conditions, thereby extending the overall system playback time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If battery-powered speakers are used in multi-device system, then portability and flexibility are improved, but system operation duration is limited by power consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by having each audio device measure and report its power condition to the primary device before power depletion occurs. The primary device then proactively determines and executes reconfiguration before the system fails, preventing the need for pausing and recomputation later.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements dynamic reconfiguration where the primary audio device can replace secondary devices based on real-time power conditions. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to adapt its composition continuously, replacing devices as they run out of power rather than operating with a fixed configuration until failure.
2Reliability
If system reconfiguration is performed when devices run out of power, then system continuity is maintained, but user experience deteriorates due to pausing and recomputation
Solution Approach 1:
The system executes reconfiguration in advance before power depletion causes system failure. By monitoring power conditions continuously and acting proactively, the system maintains continuity without interrupting audio playback, thus preserving user experience while ensuring reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where each audio device continuously reports its power condition to the primary device. This real-time feedback enables the primary device to make informed decisions about reconfiguration timing, ensuring that replacements occur optimally without disrupting the user experience.
3Duration of action of moving object
If primary device replaces secondary devices upon power depletion, then system operation time is extended, but device complexity increases due to power monitoring and reconfiguration logic
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the power management function: each audio device independently measures its own power condition (simple local function), and the primary device handles the complex reconfiguration decisions (centralized control). This segmentation distributes complexity appropriately, extending system operation time without overwhelming individual devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The primary audio device acts as an intermediary that coordinates reconfiguration. Instead of each device independently managing its own replacement (which would be complex), the primary device mediates the reconfiguration process by receiving power condition reports and determining which secondary devices to replace, simplifying the overall system architecture.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
On the one hand, an audio device capable of optimizing operation time of a system and a system connecting a plurality of the audio devices to form the system to optimize the operation time are provided. On the other hand, a method for optimizing operation time of a system connected to audio devices is provided. The provided audio device, system, and method for operation time optimization can achieve the maximum playback time of the entire system by using power consumption condition information of each device as a reference.