Collaborative Sound System Using Mobile Devices as Virtual Speakers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional multi-channel surround sound systems require expensive dedicated speakers and unsightly physical connections, such as speaker wires, which can deter consumers from adopting higher order surround sound formats due to installation challenges and costs.
Innovation Solution
A collaborative surround sound system that utilizes mobile devices with speakers as virtual speakers, wirelessly connected to a headend device, allowing for the use of available mobile devices as rear speakers without the need for physical connections, thereby reducing costs and installation complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If dedicated speakers and speaker wires are used in conventional surround sound systems, then audio quality and surround sound effect are improved, but system cost and installation complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses mobile devices as virtual copies of dedicated speakers. Instead of requiring physical dedicated speakers, the system creates virtual speaker representations in software that replicate the acoustic function of physical speakers. Mobile device speakers are utilized to produce the surround sound effects, eliminating the need for expensive dedicated audio equipment while maintaining the functional equivalent of a conventional surround sound system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical connection system (speaker wires physically connecting AV receiver to speakers) with a wireless communication system. Audio signals are transmitted via wireless protocols between the AV receiver and mobile devices, eliminating the need for physical wiring infrastructure. This substitution reduces installation complexity and cost while preserving the audio transmission function.
2Adaptability or versatility
If speaker wires are run across the room to connect AV receiver to rear speakers, then surround sound system functionality is achieved, but installation becomes unsightly and more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical wiring system with a wireless communication system. Instead of running physical speaker wires across the room to connect the AV receiver to rear speakers, the system uses wireless protocols to transmit audio signals. This eliminates the need for physical installation of wires while maintaining the surround sound functionality, making the system easier to install and more aesthetically pleasing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes mobile devices serve multiple functions: they act as both computing devices and audio output speakers. By utilizing the existing speakers in mobile devices, the system eliminates the need for dedicated audio equipment. The mobile devices' wireless communication capability enables them to function as networked audio outputs, providing surround sound functionality without requiring specialized audio hardware or wiring infrastructure.
3Reliability
If expensive dedicated speakers are purchased for surround sound system, then audio playback quality is improved, but consumer adoption is deterred due to high cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates virtual speaker representations in software that replicate the acoustic function of physical speakers. These virtual speakers are mapped to mobile devices, allowing the system to simulate dedicated speaker behavior using existing mobile device hardware. This approach provides the functional equivalent of expensive dedicated speakers without requiring the actual purchase of such equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes mobile devices that consumers already own as the audio output medium. Instead of requiring additional expensive dedicated speakers, the system leverages the existing speakers in mobile devices. This approach significantly reduces the incremental cost of adding surround sound functionality to a home theater system, as the primary audio output devices are already present in most households.
4Reliability
If physical connections are used to power and connect speakers, then system reliability is improved, but ease of configuration and flexibility are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic system where mobile devices can be easily added, removed, or repositioned without requiring physical reconfiguration of wiring. The wireless connection allows the system to adapt to changing user needs and device availability. Mobile devices can be dynamically assigned to different virtual speaker positions based on their location and availability, providing flexibility that fixed physical connections cannot accommodate.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the mobile devices serve as both computing devices and audio output devices. This multi-functionality allows the same device to be used for various purposes while also providing surround sound output. The wireless connection enables these devices to be integrated into the audio system without requiring dedicated audio hardware, providing configuration flexibility while maintaining system reliability through established wireless communication protocols.
Data Source
AI summary
In general, techniques are described for forming a collaborative sound system. A headend device comprising one or more processors may perform the techniques. The processors may be configured to identify mobile devices that each includes a speaker and that are available to participate in a collaborative surround sound system. The processors may configure the collaborative surround sound system to utilize the speaker of each of the mobile devices as one or more virtual speakers of this system and then render audio signals from an audio source such that when the audio signals are played by the speakers of the mobile devices the audio playback of the audio signals appears to originate from the one or more virtual speakers of the collaborative surround sound system. The processors may then transmit the processed audio signals rendered to the mobile device participating in the collaborative surround sound system.