Foreground Background Audio Volume Control for Simultaneous Playback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electronic devices struggle to simultaneously output multiple sound-related content, requiring users to stop currently playing content to preview new content, and they often fail to manage sound-related applications in multi-tasking environments, limiting user convenience.
Innovation Solution
An electronic device with a controller that outputs sound content from both the foreground and background at different preset volumes, allowing simultaneous playback of content without interrupting the current sound, enabling users to manage multiple sound-related tasks more effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional electronic devices output only one sound at a time, then the device complexity is low, but the ease of operation deteriorates because users must stop current content to preview new content
Solution Approach 1:
The audio output system is segmented into multiple independent channels: foreground audio channel for current content and background audio channel for searched content. Each channel can operate independently with its own volume control, allowing users to preview new content without stopping current playback.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically manages audio channels based on user interaction. When content is searched, a background audio channel is created and activated. The foreground and background channels can be dynamically switched or terminated based on user selection, providing flexible audio management.
2Ease of operation
If conventional electronic devices execute one application in the foreground, then the device complexity is low, but the ease of operation deteriorates because sounds of other applications running in the background are not output
Solution Approach 1:
The audio processing unit is designed to handle multiple audio sources simultaneously. It can process and output audio from both foreground and background applications at the same time, making the system universal in handling multi-tasking audio requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller acts as an intermediary that manages multiple audio channels. It receives audio data from different applications, assigns them to appropriate channels (foreground or background), and coordinates their simultaneous output through the audio processing unit.
3Productivity
If conventional electronic devices stop current content to preview new content, then the device complexity is low, but the loss of time increases because users cannot efficiently manage sound-related applications
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by allowing users to search for and preview content in the background while current content continues to play. The background audio channel is prepared in advance, enabling users to quickly switch to new content without stopping the current playback.
Solution Approach 2:
The foreground audio channel continues to play current content uninterrupted while the background channel plays searched content. This continuity allows users to efficiently compare and select content without losing time by stopping current playback.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and method are provided for searching content. The electronic device includes a display; an audio processing unit; and a controller configured to control the audio processing unit to output sound of first content from a foreground of the display at a preset foreground volume, detect a request to search for second content, and in response to the detected request, control the audio processing unit to simultaneously output sound of the second content from a background of the display at a preset background volume with the sound of the first content. The preset foreground volume differs from preset background volume.