Mobile Device Audio Controller for Multi-Speaker Network Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional mobile devices can only control one speaker at a time and require manual selection of external speakers for audio signal output, lacking an efficient method to manage multiple speakers connected to the same network.

Innovation Solution

A mobile device with an audio processor, outputter, communicator, and controller that processes audio signals, transmits them to external speakers via a network, and allows for selection, grouping, and volume adjustment of multiple speakers using a user interface, enabling seamless audio signal distribution and control across multiple speakers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a mobile device transmits audio signal to multiple external speakers, then audio distribution capability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaudio distribution capabilityVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the audio distribution function by introducing a separate controller module that independently manages multiple speaker connections. The controller receives audio signals from the audio processor and distributes them to multiple external speakers through separate communication channels, thereby improving audio distribution capability while containing complexity within a dedicated module rather than the entire device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The controller acts as an intermediary between the audio processor and multiple external speakers. It receives audio signals from the audio processor and manages the distribution to speakers, simplifying the overall system architecture by introducing a dedicated control layer that handles the complexity of multi-speaker management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If manual speaker selection is required, then speaker control precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespeaker selection precisionVSAvoidspeaker switching convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements self-service functionality where the mobile device automatically detects available external speakers and enables seamless switching between them based on predefined criteria or user preferences. The controller monitors speaker availability and can automatically route audio signals without requiring manual intervention, thereby maintaining precise speaker selection while significantly improving ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the controller continuously monitors the status of connected speakers and automatically adjusts audio routing based on this feedback. This allows the system to maintain precise speaker selection while reducing manual operation requirements, as the system autonomously responds to changes in speaker availability and status.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Device complexity

If only one speaker can be controlled at a time, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespeaker control simplicityVSAvoidaudio output efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple speaker control functions into a single integrated controller that can simultaneously manage multiple external speakers. The controller combines audio signal routing, volume control, and speaker status monitoring into one unified module, enabling simultaneous control of multiple speakers while maintaining manageable device complexity through functional integration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The controller is designed with universal functionality to handle multiple speaker types and configurations simultaneously. It can manage different speaker categories (e.g., left/right channels, background speakers, foreground speakers) through a single multi-functional module, thereby improving audio output efficiency without proportionally increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS9674610B2Mobile device and method for controlling speaker
Publication Date: 2017.06.06 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • US9674610B2 patent drawing
  • US9674610B2 patent drawing
  • US9674610B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A mobile device including an audio processor processing audio data and generating an audio signal, an outputter outputting the audio signal, a communicator that may be connected to an AP (Access Point) network, and a controller, in response to a predetermined event occurring with the audio signal being output, transmitting the audio signal to an external speaker included in the AP network through the communicator and controlling the external speaker to output the audio signal.