Portable Electronic Device Audio Unit Orientation Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Portable electronic devices with speakers and microphones at opposite ends require users to hold them in specific orientations for optimal communication, leading to inefficiencies in power usage and potential discomfort due to variable volume levels.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a gravity sensor or gyroscope to determine the device's orientation and automatically switch between dual audio units, including speakers and microphones, to optimize audio signal processing and power management by turning off the display and adjusting amplifier gains during calls.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If speakers and microphones are arranged at opposite ends of the device, then communication quality can be improved, but the device requires specific holding orientations which reduces ease of operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the audio unit selection dynamic rather than fixed. The system automatically switches between different speaker-microphone pairs based on real-time device orientation detected by the gravity sensor, allowing the device to adapt to various holding positions without requiring the user to maintain a specific orientation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters by using a gravity sensor to detect orientation changes and automatically adjusting which audio units are active. This parameter change enables the system to maintain optimal communication quality regardless of the device's physical orientation, resolving the contradiction between communication quality and ease of operation.
2Ease of operation
If the display remains on during calls, then user visibility is maintained, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by turning off the display during call periods when it is not needed, and turning it back on when the call ends. This periodic on/off cycle significantly reduces power consumption while maintaining user visibility only when necessary, resolving the contradiction between visibility and power consumption.
3Reliability
If amplifier gain is not adjusted, then audio output remains consistent, but user comfort is reduced due to excessive volume
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the amplifier gain based on device orientation and usage context. The system modifies audio output parameters to prevent excessive volume during certain orientations or call scenarios, thereby improving user comfort while maintaining acceptable audio consistency through intelligent parameter adjustment.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enhances communication quality by ensuring optimal speaker and microphone usage based on device orientation, conserves power by turning off the display during calls, and reduces discomfort from excessive volume by adjusting amplifier gains.
Implementation Method 1
In one embodiment, the first sensing unit is a gravity sensor
Implementation Method 2
In one embodiment, the first sensing unit is a gyroscope
Data Source
AI summary
A portable electronic device includes a display unit, a first audio unit, a second audio unit, a first sensing unit, a second sensing unit, and a controlling unit. The first audio unit includes a first speaker and a first microphone. The second audio unit includes a second speaker and a second microphone. The first sensing unit senses an orientation of the portable electronic device. The second sensing unit senses whether a user is close to one of the first speaker and the second speaker. The controlling unit triggers one of the first audio unit and the second audio unit to output and input audio signals according to the orientation of the portable electronic device and turns off the display unit when the user is close to the one of the first speaker and the second speaker.