Bluetooth Audio Playback in Powered-Off Notebook Computers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional notebook computers can only perform Bluetooth communication and output sound data when booted, requiring users to boot the device to play sound data from external apparatuses, which is inconvenient.

Innovation Solution

An electronic apparatus equipped with a communication interface and sound processor that can autonomously receive and output sound data via Bluetooth even when the device is in a power-off state, using a single or multiple Bluetooth modules to process and transmit sound data without external control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If Bluetooth communication is enabled only when the notebook computer is booted, then the system operates with full control and processing capabilities, but the user cannot play sound data from external apparatuses without booting the device

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of sound playback operationVSAvoiddevice operational state complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the notebook computer into two operational segments: a booted state with full OS control and a power-off state with autonomous Bluetooth sound playback capability. This segmentation allows the system to provide simplified sound playback functionality without requiring full system boot, thereby improving ease of operation while maintaining clear operational boundaries

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary configuration during the booted state by storing connection information and sound playback settings in advance. When the device is powered off, this pre-stored information enables autonomous Bluetooth sound playback without requiring user intervention or full system boot, resolving the contradiction between operational simplicity and system complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If the notebook computer is booted to play sound data, then full processing capabilities are available, but the user experiences inconvenience and time loss due to the booting process

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesound playback efficiencyVSAvoidbooting time
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements partial action by enabling only the necessary Bluetooth communication and sound playback functions during power-off state, rather than booting the entire operating system. This selective activation achieves the minimum required functionality for sound playback, significantly reducing time loss while maintaining adequate productivity for the specific task

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Ease of operation

If a separate audio device is used to play sound data, then the notebook computer can remain powered off, but the user requires additional equipment and connection steps

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of audio playback operationVSAvoidnumber of devices required
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the Bluetooth communication module and sound playback functionality directly into the notebook computer, eliminating the need for separate audio devices. The notebook computer itself serves dual purposes as both the primary computing device and the audio playback device, reducing the total number of devices required while simplifying the operation to a single device ecosystem

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP2801904B1An electronic apparatus and a method of controlling the same
Publication Date: 2019.10.23 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP2801904B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2801904B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2801904B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An electronic apparatus includes a storage to store an operating system, a controller to boot the electronic apparatus using the operating system stored in the storage, a speaker to output sound, a communication interface to receive sound data from an external apparatus, and a sound processor to process and output the received sound data through the speaker, and the communication interface, the sound processor, and the speaker operate even when the electronic apparatus is not booted.