Set-Top Box Audio Control With Event-Triggered Genre Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing set-top boxes require manual user intervention for audio output adjustments, which is restrictive and unreliable, leading to increased resource consumption and power usage.

Innovation Solution

A decoder box with a processing unit, configuration module, and control module that analyzes audio-video streams in real-time to automatically optimize sound rendering based on genre, using multiple data sources and controlling resource usage to minimize power consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If real-time stream analysis is performed to automatically optimize audio output, then audio adaptation reliability is improved, but resource consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaudio adaptation reliabilityVSAvoidresource consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs stream analysis periodically rather than continuously, triggered by genre transitions or at scheduled intervals. The parameterization module analyzes the stream at specific moments (when genre changes are detected or at predefined time intervals) rather than constantly, reducing overall resource consumption while maintaining reliable audio adaptation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system automatically detects genre changes and triggers analysis only when necessary, without requiring continuous monitoring. The control module self-regulates the analysis process based on detected events, performing resource-intensive operations only when the situation warrants it, thus balancing reliability with resource efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Productivity

If continuous stream analysis is performed to detect genre changes, then audio output optimization is improved, but processing resources are depleted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaudio output optimizationVSAvoidprocessing resources
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs partial analysis by focusing only on critical audio parameters and genre-indicative features rather than analyzing the entire stream in detail. The parameterization module extracts only the necessary information for genre classification, performing sufficient analysis to achieve optimization without depleting processing resources through exhaustive examination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

Analysis is performed periodically at intervals or upon detecting specific triggers (genre transitions), rather than continuously. This allows the system to maintain productivity by optimizing audio output at key moments while conserving processing resources during intervals between analyses.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

3Use of energy by moving object

If manual user intervention is required for audio adjustments, then resource consumption is reduced, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource consumptionVSAvoidease of audio adjustment
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically performs audio optimization based on stream genre detection without requiring manual user intervention. The control module and parameterization module work together to self-adjust audio parameters, eliminating the need for users to manually configure settings while maintaining low resource consumption through event-triggered operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system pre-configures audio parameters based on detected genre information before actual playback optimization is needed. By analyzing the stream and determining appropriate audio settings in advance (when resources are more available), the system prepares optimization parameters that can be applied automatically, improving ease of operation without requiring intensive real-time processing during playback.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4664901A1Audio setting control for set-top box
Publication Date: 2025.12.17 SAGEMCOM BROADBAND SAS
  • EP4664901A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4664901A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4664901A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Decoder box (1) comprising: - a parameterization module (11) arranged to define a genre of the input stream, which is associated with audio parameters; - a configuration module (10) arranged to dynamically adapt, using the audio parameters, a setting of an audio playback device so as to optimize a sound rendering of said audio playback device according to the genre of the input stream; - a control module (12), arranged to detect an occurrence of a current event among a set of predefined events, relating to the broadcasting of the input stream, and to control the parameterization module according to said current event so as to optimize a use of resources of the parameterization module (11) and therefore of the decoder box (1).