Audio Volume Synchronization Across Devices With Uneven Step Counts
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing audio systems struggle to evenly control volume values across multiple connected audio devices with different step counts, leading to incomplete volume adjustments when the number of steps is not integer-based.
Innovation Solution
An audio system comprising a master and slave device, where the master device calculates and transmits a ratio of volume change to the slave device, allowing the slave device to convert this ratio into an integer-based control amount, integrating fractional parts for subsequent adjustments, ensuring synchronized volume control across devices with varying step counts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the volume value of the master device is changed by 1 step (0.5%), then the ratio of change is transmitted to the slave device, but the slave device cannot increase its volume value because the corresponding steps (0.5 steps) is not an integer
Solution Approach 1:
The slave device accumulates fractional step values in a storage unit before executing volume adjustments. When fractional parts accumulate to form a complete integer step, the device automatically executes the volume change. This preliminary accumulation action enables precise volume control to be maintained without losing adjustment completeness.
Solution Approach 2:
A storage unit acts as an intermediary between the received ratio of change and the actual volume adjustment execution. This intermediary accumulates fractional values and converts them into executable integer steps, resolving the contradiction between precision and completeness.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the number of volume steps differs between master and slave devices, then each device has its own step count (e.g., master: 200 steps, slave: 100 steps), but this makes it difficult to evenly change volume values across both devices
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of changing the physical step counts of devices, the system changes the parameter representation by transmitting a ratio of change rather than absolute step values. The slave device converts this ratio into its own step increments, maintaining both device compatibility and synchronization accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The ratio of change serves as an intermediary parameter that bridges devices with different step counts. This intermediary enables adaptive conversion between different step systems while maintaining precise volume synchronization.
3Measurement precision
If the slave device waits for accumulated fractional steps to form an integer, then volume control precision is maintained, but there is a delay in volume adjustment response
Solution Approach 1:
The system maintains continuous volume control by accumulating fractional changes without interruption. Rather than waiting for complete integers before any adjustment, the device continuously accumulates precision values and executes adjustments as soon as integer steps are available, minimizing response delays while maintaining precision.
Data Source
AI summary
An audio system includes a first audio device and a second audio device. The first audio device receives an operation of increasing or reducing a parameter value, controls a first parameter using control amount according to operation amount, calculates a ratio of change in the control amount relative to a whole parameter adjustment range, and transmits the ratio of change to the second audio device. The second audio device receives the ratio of change, converts the ratio of change into a control amount of whole parameter adjustment range, controls a second parameter using a value of an integer part of the control amount, integrates the value of the fractional part of the control amount in a storage unit, and controls the second parameter using the value of the integer part when integer part is generated in the integrated value of the storage unit.