Capability-Aware Audio Routing Across Connected Terminals

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The challenge of flexibly delivering and controlling audio data across multiple interconnected intelligent terminals, such as mobile phones, televisions, and sound boxes, to enhance user audio experience is not adequately addressed by existing technologies.

Innovation Solution

An audio control method and system that enables flexible audio switching between a master device and slave devices, utilizing wired or wireless connections, allowing for dynamic audio distribution and processing based on the capabilities of the slave devices, enhancing user experience.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If audio data is delivered across multiple interconnected terminals, then user audio experience is enhanced through flexibility and customization, but system complexity increases due to multiple devices and connections

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaudio delivery flexibilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a file manager as an intermediary component that centralizes the control of audio file operations. The file manager receives selection information from the audio player, determines the target device, and manages the audio data transmission coordination. This intermediary approach allows multiple terminals to be connected while maintaining a centralized control point, thus enhancing audio delivery flexibility without proportionally increasing system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The file manager is designed with multi-functional capabilities: it not only manages audio file selections but also determines target playback devices, controls data transmission, and coordinates between different terminal types (mobile phones, tablets, computers, audio equipment). This universal design allows a single component to handle diverse audio delivery scenarios across multiple device types, improving versatility while avoiding the need for separate specialized components for each function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If audio switching between master and slave devices is implemented, then audio playback flexibility is improved, but control complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaudio switching capabilityVSAvoidcontrol complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements self-service mechanisms where the file manager automatically determines the target device based on the audio file type and user context, without requiring manual intervention for each switching decision. The audio player automatically sends selection information to the file manager, which then autonomously coordinates the data transmission to the appropriate slave device. This automation reduces control complexity while maintaining flexible audio switching capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent incorporates feedback loops where the file manager receives selection information from the audio player, processes it to determine the appropriate target device, and then coordinates the transmission accordingly. The system continuously monitors the playback state and device availability, adjusting the audio routing based on real-time conditions. This feedback mechanism enables dynamic audio switching while keeping control logic centralized and manageable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If audio data is dynamically routed to different terminals, then user experience is customized, but information loss may occur during transmission

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaudio routing capabilityVSAvoidaudio data integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The file manager serves as a trusted intermediary that maintains awareness of the audio data being transmitted to different devices. It tracks which audio files are selected, determines the appropriate target devices based on device capabilities, and coordinates the transmission to ensure complete data delivery. This intermediary role prevents information loss by maintaining centralized knowledge of the audio data flow and ensuring proper routing to capable devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary actions by having the file manager determine the target device and prepare the transmission path before actual audio playback begins. The selection information is processed in advance, and the appropriate slave device is identified and ready to receive the audio data. This preliminary preparation ensures that when audio data is transmitted, the receiving device is already configured and ready, preventing data loss or transmission errors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4167580B1Audio control method, system, and electronic device
Publication Date: 2025.09.10 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP4167580B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4167580B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4167580B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

This application provides an audio control method, a system, and an electronic device, and relates to the terminal field, so that audio data of a terminal can be flexibly switched to another terminal for play. The terminal may select another device based on an input of a user, process to-be-switched audio data based on a capability of the another device, and then send processed audio data to the another device, so that the another device directly plays the audio data, or further processes the audio data and then plays processed audio data.