Foldable Device Speaker Routing via Sensor State Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electronic devices with foldable displays face challenges in audio output due to limited battery capacity and space constraints, requiring users to identify which housing a speaker is in when receiving a call.
Innovation Solution
An electronic device with a hinge unit connecting two housings, each with a speaker, uses sensors to determine the device's state and automatically route audio data to the appropriate speaker for output.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a speaker is disposed only in one housing of a foldable display, then battery capacity and mounting space are saved, but user convenience deteriorates as the user must identify which housing the speaker is in to hold a telephone call
Solution Approach 1:
The electronic device automatically detects its own folding state through sensors and autonomously selects the appropriate speaker for audio output without requiring user intervention. The processor receives sensor information about the folding state, determines which housing is in the upper position, and automatically routes audio data to the corresponding speaker, allowing the device to serve itself in selecting the active speaker.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adapts the audio output configuration based on the real-time folding state of the device. The processor continuously monitors sensor data and adjusts speaker selection according to whether the device is folded or unfolded, ensuring audio always outputs from the appropriate speaker regardless of the device's physical configuration.
2Ease of operation
If speakers are disposed in both housings of a foldable display, then user convenience is improved as audio can always be heard, but battery capacity and mounting space are consumed
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of activating both speakers simultaneously, the system uses only the necessary portion (one speaker) based on the folding state. The processor determines which single speaker is appropriate given the current configuration, avoiding the excessive use of both speakers and thereby conserving battery capacity while still providing convenient audio output.
3Ease of operation
If the device automatically selects speaker based on folding state, then user convenience is improved, but device complexity increases due to sensors and processing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor module and processor are multi-functional components that serve both the folding state detection function and other device functions. The same processor that runs the operating system and applications also handles sensor data processing and speaker selection logic, while the sensor module provides information for both folding state detection and audio routing decisions, reducing overall system complexity through component multi-functionality.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention may include: a housing including a first housing and a second housing; a hinge unit rotatably connected to the first housing and the second housing; a display; a first speaker disposed in the first housing; a second speaker disposed in the second housing; at least one sensor; and a memory. The memory may store instructions which, when executed, cause the processor to: receive an event related to audio data; identify a state of the electronic device on the basis of information obtained through the at least one sensor; determine at least one speaker to output the audio data, among the first speaker and the second speaker, on the basis of the state of the electronic device; and output the audio data through the at least one speaker.