Audio Sharing Interface for Selective Output Path Switching
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional audio sharing methods often inadvertently share unwanted sounds, such as alarms or notifications, across multiple audio output devices, and changing the audio path to another device is cumbersome.
Innovation Solution
An electronic device equipped with communication circuits and a processor that allows selective audio sharing and easy path switching by displaying a list of connected audio output devices, enabling the user to choose a target device and control the audio output.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If audio sharing is enabled across multiple devices, then audio can be shared with other people, but unwanted sounds (alarms, notifications) are also shared inadvertently
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments audio sharing into two distinct modes: shared audio (music, videos, games) and private audio (alarms, notifications, messages). This is achieved through separate audio output paths in the system architecture, where shared audio is routed through the audio sharing module to external devices, while private audio is routed directly to the device's speaker through the audio output module, preventing unwanted sounds from being shared
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different quality attributes to different audio streams by implementing audio type identification and classification. Each audio stream is tagged with its type (shared or private), and the system applies different routing rules based on this local quality attribute. Shared audio streams are routed to external devices with full quality, while private audio streams are routed locally and excluded from sharing
2Adaptability or versatility
If audio output is connected to multiple audio output devices, then audio can be output through multiple devices, but changing the audio path to another device is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic audio path switching through a user interface that displays currently connected audio output devices and allows real-time switching between them. The system dynamically adjusts the audio routing configuration based on user selection, enabling easy transition between different audio output devices without requiring manual configuration or technical knowledge
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an audio sharing module as an intermediary layer between the audio processing unit and multiple audio output devices. This module manages the audio routing table, maintains connection status of multiple devices, and provides a unified interface for switching between devices, simplifying the complex task of audio path management
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device is provided. The electronic device includes a communication circuit for short-range wireless communication with an external electronic device, a touch-sensitive display, and a processor connected to the communication circuit and the display, wherein the processor can be configured to receive, from the external electronic device, through the communication circuit, a list related to one or more audio output devices wirelessly connected to the external electronic device, display the list on the display, select a target device from among the one or more audio output devices on the basis of a user input received from the display during displaying of the list, and transmit, to the external electronic device, through the communication circuit, information related to the target device and audio to be outputted through the target device.