Context-Aware Audio Routing Across Vehicle Use Space Boundaries
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mobile electronic devices using Vehicle-to-Device communication often require manual switching of audio output between in-vehicle and wearable/audio output devices when moving in and out of a vehicle or enclosed space, leading to inconvenience for users.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a device with a communication subsystem, sensor, and controller that automatically switches audio output based on relative device position and context, using sensors like microphones and UWB for determining location and presence, and AI for context awareness, to route audio to appropriate devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual switching of audio output is used, then user control is maintained, but user convenience deteriorates due to frequent manual intervention required when moving in and out of vehicle
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically detects when the user enters or exits the vehicle using sensors (microphone, UWB, accelerometer) and autonomously switches audio output between the vehicle audio system and the wearable device, eliminating the need for manual user intervention and thereby improving ease of operation while reducing time loss
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors sensor inputs (acoustic environment, wireless signal strength, device motion) to detect user presence in the vehicle and dynamically adjusts audio routing accordingly, creating a closed-loop control system that responds to environmental changes and maintains optimal audio delivery without user input
2Ease of operation
If automatic switching based on sensors is implemented, then user convenience is improved, but device complexity increases due to multiple sensors and processing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent leverages existing multi-functional components in mobile devices (microphone for audio and environmental sensing, UWB transceiver for communication and proximity detection, accelerometer for motion detection) to perform multiple functions including audio processing, location detection, and automatic audio routing control, thereby achieving automatic switching without significantly increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system combines data from multiple sensors (microphone, UWB, accelerometer) and integrates their outputs through a unified control algorithm that processes environmental context, device position, and audio state to make automated routing decisions, merging multiple detection functions into a single coordinated system that manages complexity through integration
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device, a method, and a computer program product provide automatic external audio output device switching based on sensing relative device position to a use space such as an occupant enclosure, vehicle or room. A controller of the electronic device communicates, via a wireless transceiver, an audio output signal to an external audio output device positioned in a use space. In response to a change in a sensor input indicating that a position of the electronic device has moved from inside to outside of the use space and while the external audio output device is within a communication range with the wireless transceiver, the controller configures the electronic device to selectively discontinue communicating the audio output signal to the external audio output device based on context (e.g., type of audio content). The electronic device may switch the audio output signal to an integral or wearable audio output device.