Audio Input Selector Using Frequency Analysis for Auto Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional audio amplifiers require control signals from audio devices to automatically select desired audio signals, limiting their ability to handle devices that only output audio signals without status information.
Innovation Solution
A selector device with input terminals, a main switch, an analyzer for frequency analysis, and a controller that determines playback status from audio signals, allowing automatic selection and amplification of desired audio signals without requiring additional control signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If control signals are required for automatic selection, then automation capability is improved, but device compatibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the control signal-based selection mechanism with an acoustic signal analysis mechanism. The analyzer detects playback status by examining audio signals directly from the audio device, substituting the need for separate control signals with analysis of the audio signal itself. This allows automatic selection to work with any audio device that outputs audio signals, regardless of whether it sends control signals.
2Measurement precision
If manual selection operations are required, then user control precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service by automatically detecting which audio device is in playback mode and selecting it without user intervention. The controller monitors audio signals from all input terminals, analyzes playback status using the analyzer, and automatically switches the main switch to the appropriate terminal. This eliminates the need for users to manually select devices while maintaining accurate selection based on actual playback status.
3Reliability
If control signals are used for status detection, then detection reliability is improved, but device complexity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the playback status information directly from the audio signal itself, removing the need for separate control signals. The analyzer examines characteristics of the audio signal (such as presence of audio content, signal level, or specific patterns) to determine playback status. This extraction approach simplifies the overall system by eliminating control signal requirements while maintaining reliable detection through direct analysis of the audio signal that already carries the status information.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables automatic selection and amplification of audio signals from any audio device capable of outputting audio signals, reducing user operations and eliminating the need for status signals, thus supporting a wider range of devices.
Implementation Method 1
the analyzer performs frequency analysis on the input signals, so that the input signal including a specific frequency component having a high intensity is not determined as the playback signal and is regarded as noise
Data Source
AI summary
An amplifier device includes a plurality of input terminals for receiving input signals (e.g. audio signals), a main switch, which switches over the input terminals so as to select one input terminal, an analyzer, which analyzes the input signals at respective timings so as to determine whether or not each of the input signals corresponds to a playback signal, a storage for storing a plurality of determination results in connection with the input terminals, a controller for controlling the main switch to select the input terminal whose input signal is newly determined as the playback signal, and an amplifier for amplifying the input signal of the selected input terminal. The analyzer performs frequency analysis on the input signals so as to determine the input signal including a specific frequency component having a high intensity as noise not forming the playback signal.