Portable Media Player Tuning Control via Connector Interface
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Portable media players face challenges in efficiently communicating and controlling accessories, such as tuners, which require effective tuning information exchange to manage radio frequency signals and accessory functionality.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that enables a portable media player to obtain tuning information from accessories, including capability and state information, and control the accessory's functionality by transmitting control information through a connector interface system, utilizing commands to manage access and operations across various environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a portable media player connects to accessories via connector interfaces, then the accessory functionality is enabled, but communication efficiency and control effectiveness deteriorate due to lack of standardized tuning information exchange protocols
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal command set that enables the portable media player to control multiple types of accessories (tuners, audio devices, video devices) through a single standardized interface. The command set includes generic commands (play, pause, stop) and accessory-specific commands (tuning, frequency selection) that can be executed across different accessory types, eliminating the need for separate control protocols for each accessory category.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter-based communication where tuning information (frequency, band, station ID) is exchanged as structured data parameters between the portable media player and the accessory. This parameterized approach allows efficient transmission of tuning state and control commands, transforming complex accessory control into standardized parameter exchange that improves communication efficiency.
2Ease of operation
If tuning information is exchanged between portable media player and accessory, then accessory control capability is improved, but system complexity increases due to additional communication protocols
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges accessory-specific control protocols with the universal media player command set into a single integrated communication framework. Tuning commands, frequency control, and station management are combined with standard playback controls into one unified protocol, reducing the number of separate communication layers and simplifying the overall system architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a standardized command set as an intermediary layer between the portable media player and diverse accessories. This command set acts as a mediator that translates high-level user intentions into accessory-specific operations, simplifying control logic while maintaining full accessory functionality without requiring complex direct point-to-point protocols.
3Measurement precision
If multiple commands are utilized for accessory control, then control precision is improved, but information loss increases due to communication overhead
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by having the accessory pre-format and buffer tuning information (frequency, band, station data) before the portable media player requests it. This pre-prepared data structure reduces the number of communication rounds needed, as the player can retrieve complete tuning states in single queries rather than making multiple sequential requests for different parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent establishes a feedback mechanism where the accessory continuously monitors its tuning state and automatically reports status changes (frequency adjustments, station changes) to the portable media player. This real-time feedback reduces communication overhead by eliminating the need for the player to continuously query the accessory state, as the accessory proactively provides updates only when state changes occur.
Data Source
AI summary
A method, system, and connector interface for controlling an accessory. The method includes obtaining, by a portable media player, tuning information from the accessory; and controlling, by the portable media player, the accessory based on the tuning information. According to the system and method disclosed herein, the portable media player and accessory may utilize a plurality of commands utilized in a variety of environments such as within a connector interface system environment to control access to the portable media player.