Metronome Audio Playback Lock Screen Interruption

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Solution Overview

Problem

Mobile computing devices experience latency and interruption in audio playback when transitioning to a lock screen state, making them unreliable for use as metronomes, which are essential for maintaining a steady tempo during musical practice.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that utilize a separate audio player application on a mobile computing device to play metronome audio clips, ensuring uninterrupted playback even when the device transitions to a lock screen state, by transferring playback responsibility from the browser application to the audio player application.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the mobile computing device uses the Web Audio API for audio playback in a browser application, then the metronome can be implemented through a webpage, but the audio playback experiences latency or interruption when the device transitions to a lock screen state

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemetronome accessibility via webpageVSAvoidaudio playback continuity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism that detects lock screen transitions and manages audio playback state. The browser application serves as an intermediary between the user interface and the audio player, coordinating playback resumption when the device returns from lock screen state, thereby resolving the conflict between web-based accessibility and reliable continuous playback

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Loss of energy

If the mobile computing device automatically transitions to lock screen state after a period of inactivity, then power consumption is reduced, but the metronome audio playback is interrupted or experiences latency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower consumption during inactivityVSAvoidmetronome playback duration
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by detecting the lock screen transition event and proactively managing the audio playback state before complete interruption occurs. The system prepares for the transition by pausing and preserving playback state, then automatically resuming when the device wakes from lock screen state, ensuring continuous metronome function while allowing the device to enter low-power state during inactivity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the screen turns off completely or changes operational mode during lock screen state, then device functionality is protected, but the metronome timing accuracy and consistency deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice protection during inactivityVSAvoidmetronome timing accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs feedback mechanisms where the browser application continuously monitors device state changes and receives notifications about lock screen transitions. This feedback loop enables the system to detect when the screen turns off or operational mode changes, and automatically adjust playback timing to compensate for any latency introduced by these state changes, maintaining timing accuracy despite device protection measures

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3375177B1Metronome embedded in search results page and unaffected by lock screen transition
Publication Date: 2021.01.27 GOOGLE LLC
  • EP3375177B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3375177B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3375177B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present disclosure provides systems and methods for providing a metronome embedded in a search results page. One example computer-implemented method includes displaying, by a mobile computing device, a search results webpage that includes a metronome user interface. The method includes receiving, by the mobile computing device, a user input that requests implementation of the metronome at a tempo. In response to receiving the user input, the method includes generating, by the mobile computing device, an audio clip that exhibits the tempo. The method includes using, by the mobile computing device, an audio player application to play the audio clip. The audio player application does not experience interruption or latency when the mobile computing device transitions to a lock screen state during playback of the audio clip.