In-Vehicle Audio Device Single Button Control via Bluetooth Streaming Feedback

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional in-vehicle audio systems struggle to accurately control portable audio devices using a single button due to ambiguity in operation states like playing, stopped, or paused, often sending mismatched control signals, which confuses users.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that determine the streaming state of a portable audio device via Bluetooth communication, allowing accurate control using a single operation button by transmitting distinct stop and playback signals based on the streaming state, even if the exact operation state cannot be acquired.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If a single play/pause button is used to control portable audio apparatus, then space efficiency is improved, but control accuracy deteriorates due to inability to determine operation state

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebutton spaceVSAvoidoperation state determination accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The in-vehicle audio apparatus transmits control signals to the portable audio apparatus and receives feedback signals containing streaming state information. This feedback mechanism enables the system to determine whether the portable apparatus is in streaming mode, allowing accurate interpretation of button presses even with a single play/pause button.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediate feedback signal as a mediator between the portable audio apparatus and the in-vehicle audio apparatus. This feedback signal carries streaming state information that resolves the ambiguity of control commands, enabling accurate operation state determination without requiring multiple buttons.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If operation state information is not acquired from portable audio apparatus, then device complexity is reduced, but control reliability deteriorates due to mismatched control signals

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication protocol complexityVSAvoidcontrol signal accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system establishes a feedback communication channel where the portable audio apparatus returns streaming state information to the in-vehicle audio apparatus. This feedback enables reliable control signal transmission without requiring complex operation state acquisition protocols.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The portable audio apparatus autonomously generates and transmits feedback signals containing its own streaming state information. This self-service approach provides the necessary control information without requiring complex external monitoring or state acquisition mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If play/pause button function changes based on assumed state, then ease of operation is improved, but error rate increases due to incorrect state assumptions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebutton operation simplicityVSAvoidcontrol signal matching accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses real-time feedback signals from the portable audio apparatus to determine the actual streaming state before executing button commands. This feedback-based approach eliminates incorrect state assumptions while maintaining simple single-button operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The play/pause button's function dynamically changes based on the actual streaming state received through feedback signals. The system adaptively interprets button presses according to the current confirmed state, ensuring correct control signal transmission while maintaining operational simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2368767B1Wireless communication control method, wireless communication control device, and in-vehicle acoustic device
Publication Date: 2019.03.13 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO LTD
  • EP2368767B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2368767B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2368767B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Disclosed is an in-vehicle acoustic device capable of accurately controlling the operating state of a portable acoustic device with one button. An in-vehicle audio device (1) serving as the in-vehicle acoustic device is equipped with an antenna (8) which receives a signal indicating the streaming state of a portable audio device (9), and a communication module (2) which transmits operating instruction signals to the portable audio device (9) according to operating signals from an operating unit (5). When the operating unit (5) is operated and the portable audio device (9) is streaming, the communication module (2) transmits a stop instruction signal to stop playback operation by the portable audio device (9), and when the operation unit (5) is operated and the portable audio device (9) is not streaming, the communication module transmits a play instruction signal to start playback operation by the portable audio device (9). In addition, the in-vehicle audio device (1) uses Bluetooth communication as the method for wireless communication between the in-vehicle audio device and the portable audio device (9).