Audio Stream Merging for Multi-Source Microphone Channel Utilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electronic devices struggle to process audio data from multiple internal microphones and external devices into a single audio stream due to platform restrictions, resulting in separate audio streams and underutilization of available audio channels.
Innovation Solution
The electronic device combines audio data from internal microphones and external devices into a single audio stream through an audio processing circuit, which includes pre-processing and post-processing to manage signal intensity and quality, using a wireless or wired connection to integrate multiple audio channels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate audio streams are processed for internal microphones and external devices, then platform restriction compliance is maintained, but audio channel utilization is insufficient and sound quality is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges audio streams from multiple internal microphones and external audio devices into a single unified audio stream. The audio processing circuit combines audio data from different sources by mapping them to corresponding audio channels in the unified stream, enabling comprehensive utilization of all available audio channels while maintaining platform compatibility requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The audio processing circuit acts as an intermediary between multiple audio sources and the audio output system. It receives audio data from various sources, processes and maps them to appropriate channels, and outputs a unified audio stream, thereby mediating the complexity of multi-source integration while providing simplified output.
2Productivity
If audio data from multiple sources is combined into a single stream, then audio channel utilization is maximized, but processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the audio processing task into distinct functional blocks within the audio processing circuit. Each block handles specific aspects such as channel mapping, signal synchronization, and source identification. This segmentation allows efficient processing of multiple audio sources while keeping the overall system architecture manageable and modular.
Solution Approach 2:
The audio processing circuit dynamically adjusts processing parameters based on the detected audio sources and their characteristics. It modifies channel mapping configurations, synchronization timing, and signal processing parameters in real-time to optimize the combination of multiple audio streams into a unified output, thereby improving processing efficiency.
3Manufacturing precision
If pre-processing and post-processing are applied to manage signal intensity and quality, then sound quality is enhanced, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies pre-processing operations to audio data as it is received from various sources, preparing it in advance for final combination. This includes preliminary channel mapping, signal normalization, and synchronization adjustments. By performing these actions beforehand, the final audio stream assembly process is accelerated while maintaining high signal quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The audio processing circuit continuously performs processing operations without interruption as audio data flows through the system. Pre-processing and post-processing operations are executed in a continuous pipeline manner, overlapping processing steps to minimize idle time. This continuous action reduces overall processing time while consistently maintaining audio signal quality through ongoing signal management.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device includes: at least one microphone; a main processing circuit; and an audio processing circuit, wherein the main processing circuit is configured to: obtain, via the at least one microphone, first audio data including a first number of audio channels, the first number being greater than or equal to one; receive second audio data including a second number of audio channels from an external device connected to the electronic device, the second number being greater than or equal to one; and provide the first audio data and the second audio data to the audio processing circuit, and wherein the audio processing circuit is configured to: produce a single audio stream including a third number of audio channels by using the first number of audio channels of the first audio data and the second number of audio channels of the second audio data; and provide the single audio stream to the main processing circuit.