Dynamic Priority Control for Flexible Sound Input Output Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional information processing devices lack flexibility in changing sound output settings, particularly when programs are added or deleted, or when selecting sound input/output targets, such as devices like microphones or headsets.

Innovation Solution

An information processing device that obtains priority values for multiple programs and uses these values to selectively control sound input/output targets, allowing dynamic changes in sound output settings by prioritizing programs for input/output operations and performing cross-fade volume adjustments during changes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If fixed settings for changing control of output sound are used, then the system operates stably according to predetermined rules, but the system lacks flexibility when programs are added or deleted or when sound input/output targets need to be changed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflexibility in changing sound output settingsVSAvoidcomplexity of setting management
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the control parameter from fixed conditional rules to dynamic priority values. Each program is assigned a priority value, and the sound output target is determined by comparing these priority values. This allows flexible adaptation when programs are added or deleted, as long as their priority values are set, without requiring complex rule modifications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces dynamic priority values that can be adjusted for each program, replacing static fixed settings. The system dynamically determines which program receives sound input/output based on current priority values, enabling flexible reconfiguration of sound targets without system restructuring.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If conventional fixed control methods are used, then the control logic is simple, but the system cannot flexibly adapt to changing program configurations or sound input/output requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to adapt to program additions or deletionsVSAvoidloss of configuration information when programs are added or deleted
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent assigns priority values to programs in advance, before sound input/output operations begin. This preliminary configuration ensures that when programs are added or deleted, the system already has the necessary priority information to immediately determine sound targets without requiring complex rule reconfiguration or losing configuration information.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If selective changing control of sound input/output targets is implemented, then flexibility is improved, but the complexity of determining which program receives sound increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of changing sound input/output targetsVSAvoidcomplexity of sound target selection logic
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent simplifies sound target selection by changing from complex conditional rule evaluation to simple priority value comparison. The system only needs to compare numerical priority values to determine which program receives sound input/output, greatly reducing the complexity of selection logic while improving ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP2778900B1Information processing device, information processing method, program, and information storage medium
Publication Date: 2019.01.09 SONY INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT LLC
  • EP2778900B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2778900B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2778900B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

To be able to change settings for selective changing control of a program as a target for sound input/output flexibly. A BGM sound selection managing section (54) obtains priority values set to a plurality of programs, respectively. The BGM sound selection managing section (54) performs control such that a program selected from among the plurality of programs on a basis of the obtained priority values becomes a target for selective sound input/output from/to an outside.