Integrated Circuit Mediation for Aggregated Audio Transducers

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing integrated circuits (ICs) face challenges in controlling aggregated transducers due to incompatibility of input/output signals and the need for identical software drivers, which limits their functionality when presented as a single integrated device to a host processor.

Innovation Solution

The integration of a first IC configured to receive and process audio signals, drive transducers, and manage firmware for a second IC, enabling echo cancellation and selective disabling of ICs based on predetermined conditions to optimize power consumption and functionality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple transducers are controlled by a single software driver, then the system can present multiple ICs as a single integrated device to the host processor, but the input/output signals required by both the driver and the aggregated transducers may not be compatible

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompatibility of aggregated transducersVSAvoidsignal compatibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The first integrated circuit acts as an intermediary between the host processor driver and the second integrated circuit. It receives audio signals from the driver, processes them, and transmits appropriate signals to the second IC, enabling compatibility between different transducer types without requiring the driver to directly support all transducer formats.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system divides the audio signal processing into segments handled by different ICs. The first IC handles certain audio functions and transducer drivers, while the second IC handles other functions, allowing each to be optimized for its specific transducer type while maintaining overall system compatibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If all integrated circuits remain active to ensure functionality, then the system can maintain full operational capability, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem functionalityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the operational state of integrated circuits based on actual usage requirements. The first IC can selectively disable the second IC when certain audio functions are not needed, allowing the system to maintain full functionality when required while reducing power consumption during lower-demand periods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The first integrated circuit autonomously manages the power state of the second integrated circuit by monitoring system requirements and automatically disabling the second IC when unnecessary, without requiring external intervention or manual power management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS20250274710A1Integrated circuit arrangement supporting aggregated transducers

Publication Date: 2025.08.28 CIRRUS LOGIC INT SEMICON LTD

AI summary

In an example there is provided a first integrated circuit. The first integrated circuit is configured to receive an audio signal and configured to drive an audio transducer based on the received audio signal. The first integrated circuit is configured to transmit a portion of the audio signal to a second integrated circuit.