Dual Decoder Portable Media Device Power Quality Trade-off
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Solution Overview
Problem
Portable multimedia players have limitations in generating and exporting high-quality media signals to external screens and speakers due to their design for low power consumption and low-quality video display.
Innovation Solution
A portable media device with two onboard hardware media decoders, one for low-power, low-quality video and another for high-power, high-quality video, where the high-power decoder is activated when external power is available, and the low-power decoder operates on battery power, allowing for simultaneous or sequential playback and export of media signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If a single low-power decoder is used in portable media players, then power consumption is reduced and battery life is extended, but the quality of media signals exported to external screens and speakers is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the decoding function into two separate hardware decoders: a first low-power decoder for battery operation and a second high-performance decoder for AC power operation. This segmentation allows the system to optimize power consumption during portable use while enabling high-quality media output when connected to external power sources, directly resolving the contradiction between power efficiency and media signal quality
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between the first and second decoders based on power availability and operational mode. The controller activates the appropriate decoder depending on whether the device is running on battery or AC power, and whether external displays/speakers are connected. This dynamic adaptation enables the system to maintain low power consumption during portable use while delivering high-quality media signals when power is abundant
2Manufacturing precision
If a high-power decoder is used to generate high-quality media signals, then media signal quality is improved, but power consumption increases beyond what battery power can provide
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the decoding workload into two dedicated hardware components: a first decoder optimized for low power consumption and a second decoder optimized for high performance. This physical segmentation allows the high-power second decoder to be activated only when AC power is available, eliminating the concern about battery drainage while maintaining the capability for high-quality media output
Solution Approach 2:
The controller acts as an intermediary that manages power distribution and decoder activation based on power source detection. When AC power is detected, the controller enables the high-power second decoder; when only battery power is available, it activates the low-power first decoder. This intermediary control mechanism resolves the contradiction by matching decoder power requirements with available power sources
3Duration of action of moving object
If portable media players are designed with low power consumption, then battery life is extended, but the device cannot export high-quality media signals to external devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments media output into two quality levels handled by separate decoders: the first decoder supports basic portable playback with extended battery life, while the second decoder enables high-quality output to external HDTVs and home theater systems when AC power is available. This segmentation allows the device to maintain long battery life for portable use while gaining versatility for high-quality external playback
Solution Approach 2:
The dual-decoder architecture provides universal functionality across different usage scenarios. The first decoder handles portable playback scenarios, while the second decoder enables connection to external displays and audio systems. The controller intelligently selects which decoder to use based on the operational context, making the device universally adaptable to both portable and home theater environments
Data Source
AI summary
A portable media device 100 including two onboard hardware media decoders (124, 128) operative to decode a given digital content item 148 is provided. In some embodiments, one of the onboard hardware media decoders 128 has a relatively high power consumption and produces a relatively ‘high quality’ media signal, and the other of the onboard hardware media decoder 124 has a relatively low power consumption and produces a relatively ‘low quality’ media signal. In one non-limiting use case: (i) when no external power is available, the relatively ‘low power’ hardware media decoder 124 may generate a relatively ‘low quality’ media signal which is presented on an onboard display screen 140a and/or onboard speaker 140b; and (ii) when external power is available, the relatively ‘high power’ hardware media decoder 128 may generate a relatively ‘high quality’ media signal which is exported out of the portable media device 100 via one or more media ports, and presented on an external host presentation device 160 (for example, a large-screen television).