Audio Processing Adaptation for Foldable Device Form Factors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Devices that can change form factor, such as flexible or foldable devices, face challenges in seamlessly adapting audio processing to match changes in form factor and orientation, leading to inconsistent audio experiences for users.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method that receive an indication of a device's form factor, select an audio component based on the assigned location of a graphical user interface object, and control audio processing to provide distinct audio outputs for selected and non-selected components, applying effects like filtering and reverberation to create intuitive foreground and background audio experiences.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a device changes form factor (e.g., folding or flexing), then the device can provide versatile display configurations, but the audio processing becomes inconsistent and difficult to adapt to the new form factor
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts audio processing parameters based on the current form factor state. When the device folds or flexes, the audio processing configuration is automatically updated to match the new physical configuration, ensuring consistent audio experience across different form factors. This involves real-time detection of form factor changes and corresponding adjustments to audio component assignments and processing effects.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes audio processing parameters (such as spatial positioning, volume levels, and processing effects) based on the detected form factor. By modifying these parameters in response to form factor changes, the system maintains reliable and consistent audio processing despite the physical transformation of the device.
2Reliability
If audio processing is adapted to each form factor change, then audio experience consistency is improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-defines audio processing configurations for different form factors. Instead of calculating audio parameters in real-time during form factor transitions, the system has prepared audio processing profiles in advance for various device states. When a form factor change is detected, the system simply switches to the appropriate pre-configured profile, reducing the computational complexity and processing overhead.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements dynamic audio processing that automatically adapts to form factor changes through programmed response rules. This dynamic adaptation follows predefined logic that maps specific form factor states to corresponding audio configurations, maintaining consistency while managing complexity through systematic rather than ad-hoc adjustments.
3Ease of operation
If graphical user interface objects are reassigned to different display areas when form factor changes, then the user interface adapts well, but the audio component assignment becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback from the graphical user interface object assignments to automatically determine audio component assignments. When UI objects are reassigned to different display areas due to form factor changes, the audio system receives this feedback and automatically adjusts audio component assignments accordingly. This feedback mechanism simplifies the overall system by allowing the audio assignment to be derived from the already-determined UI configuration rather than requiring independent complex audio assignment logic.
Solution Approach 2:
The graphical user interface object assignment acts as an intermediary between the form factor detection and the audio component assignment. Instead of directly mapping form factor changes to audio configurations, the system uses the UI object assignments as an intermediate step that translates physical configuration changes into logical audio assignments, simplifying the overall control architecture.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus comprising means for: receiving an indication of a form factor of a device; selecting an audio component, in dependence on the receiving an indication of a form factor of the device and in dependence on an assigned location of a graphical user interface object associated with the audio component, wherein the graphical user interface object is assigned to at least a first display area when the device is in a first form factor and is assigned to the at least a first display area when the device is in a second form factor; controlling audio processing of audio associated with the selected audio component; and providing at least the processed audio for audio output by one or more loudspeakers.