Audio Source Control Device with Duration Threshold Filtering

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current systems managing primary and auxiliary audio sources in vehicles or similar systems often incorrectly identify the type of audio signals from auxiliary sources, leading to either incomplete or interrupted broadcasts of primary audio sources, causing disturbances for users.

Innovation Solution

A control device that analyzes the broadcast duration of auxiliary audio signals and compares it to a threshold to determine whether to continue or resume broadcasting from the auxiliary or primary audio source, with adjustable time delays to optimize switching between sources based on signal types.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Duration of action of stationary object

If the management equipment treats audio signals from auxiliary audio source as type 1 (long duration), then continuous broadcasting is maintained, but unnecessary switching occurs when tracks end and new ones begin

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebroadcasting continuityVSAvoidunnecessary switching
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical switching system (immediate switch upon signal type detection) with a temporal filtering mechanism. A delay threshold is introduced to filter out brief signal type 2 interruptions, allowing the system to maintain type 1 broadcasting continuity while ignoring transient switches that would otherwise occur with each track change.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If the management equipment treats audio signals from auxiliary audio source as type 2 (short duration), then priority broadcasting is authorized, but frequent switching occurs interrupting primary audio source

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepriority signal broadcastingVSAvoidbroadcast interruptions
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs a preliminary temporal assessment before authorizing priority broadcasting. Instead of immediately switching to type 2 signals upon detection, the system waits for a predetermined delay period to elapse. This preliminary action filters out transient type 2 signals (like music tracks) that would otherwise cause unnecessary interruptions to the primary audio source.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Speed

If the management equipment immediately switches between audio sources based on detected signal type, then rapid response to signal changes is achieved, but system complexity increases due to inaccurate type identification

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveswitching response speedVSAvoidsignal type identification accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the temporal parameter of the switching response by introducing a delay threshold. Instead of switching immediately upon detecting a signal type change, the system waits for the delay period to expire. This parameter change simplifies the identification logic by filtering out transient changes, reducing the complexity of accurate type identification while maintaining responsive switching for genuine signal type 2 interruptions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3127244B1Control device of a system for distribution of audio signals of primary and auxillary sources as a function of their duration
Publication Date: 2018.06.06 PSA AUTOMOBILES SA
  • EP3127244B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

A device (D) is dedicated to controlling the broadcast of audio signals in a system (V) comprising at least one primary audio source (SP1), generating audio signals of a first known type or of a second known type and ensuring broadcast priority, and at least one auxiliary audio source (SA), generating audio signals of an unknown type. Said device (D) is arranged, when a selected primary audio source (SP1) is broadcasting audio signals and an auxiliary audio source (SA) wants to broadcast audio signals, to authorise the latter broadcast, and to analyse the broadcast duration of the latter audio signals in order to decide to authorise either the continuation of the broadcast of audio signals from said auxiliary audio source (SA), or the resumption of the broadcast of audio signals from the selected primary audio source (SP1), depending on the result of comparing this broadcast duration with a threshold.