Audio Stream Notification System for Communication Interference Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing audio resource management solutions are inflexible and often only work for specific applications, failing to effectively manage audio resources in complex or nuanced scenarios, such as differentiating between communication and non-communication audio streams.

Innovation Solution

The system allows applications to opt out of default audio stream behavior, notifies applications of communication stream initiations, and enables registration for filtered or unfiltered notifications, enabling custom audio stream behaviors and differentiating between communication and non-communication streams.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If default audio stream attenuation behavior is applied, then communication audio streams can be heard clearly without interference, but non-communication audio streams lose volume and flexibility

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication audio qualityVSAvoidaudio stream flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts audio stream behavior based on real-time conditions. When a communication audio stream is detected, the system automatically attenuates non-communication streams. Applications can opt out of this default behavior by registering custom handlers, allowing dynamic control over audio attenuation based on specific application needs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes audio parameters (volume/attenuation) based on the type of audio stream active. Communication streams maintain full volume while non-communication streams are attenuated by default. Applications can modify these parameters by registering custom audio stream handlers that specify different attenuation behaviors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If existing audio resource management solutions are used, then simple audio scenarios work adequately, but complex or nuanced applications lack flexibility

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaudio management simplicityVSAvoidapplication-specific customization

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments audio stream management into distinct categories: communication audio streams and non-communication audio streams. It provides default attenuation behavior for non-communication streams while allowing applications to register custom handlers for specific scenarios, enabling both simplicity and customization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The audio stream manager provides universal functionality by handling both communication and non-communication streams through a unified interface. Applications can use the same registration mechanism to either accept default behavior or implement custom attenuation strategies, making the system adaptable to various use cases.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If applications are notified of communication stream initiation, then custom audio behaviors can be implemented, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecustom audio behavior capabilityVSAvoidnotification and registration system

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback by notifying registered applications when communication audio streams are initiated. Applications receive callbacks with information about the communication stream and can respond by implementing custom attenuation behaviors through registered handlers, creating a feedback-driven adaptive system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The audio stream manager acts as an intermediary between communication streams and applications. It detects communication stream initiation, manages the notification process to registered applications, and coordinates custom attenuation behaviors, simplifying the interaction complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS7945440B2Audio stream notification and processing

Publication Date: 2011.05.17 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC

AI summary

Various embodiments provide techniques for allowing an application to opt out of system default audio stream behavior, as well as techniques for notifying applications on a computing device that a communication audio stream has been initiated. The techniques may differentiate between communication-related audio streams and audio streams that are not communication-related. In some embodiments, an application may register to receive notification that a communication stream has been initiated. The application may be configured to comply with system default audio stream handling policies, or it can perform custom behavior in response to the audio stream notification. In some embodiments, an application may register for filtered or unfiltered notification. In a filtered notification scenario, an application is notified that a communication stream has been initiated when an audio stream associated with the application has not already been modified in response to the initiation of a different communication stream. In an unfiltered notification scenario, an application/process is notified whenever a communication stream is been initiated.