Networked Speaker System with Automatic User Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Non-technical users find it difficult to optimize speaker settings in distributed wireless speaker systems, especially when speakers are moved, leading to complicated settings and inefficient power usage.
Innovation Solution
A system that uses a user's electronic device to track location via wireless signals, automatically activating or deactivating speakers based on proximity, allowing seamless audio follow-me functionality across a home environment, optimizing power usage and user convenience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If speakers are moved to different locations in a distributed wireless speaker system, then the system provides greater flexibility and adaptability to user needs, but the speaker settings become complicated and difficult to optimize
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically detects speaker movements using locators and wireless signals, and self-adjusts the audio routing and speaker activation without requiring user intervention. The locators continuously monitor user position and automatically configure which speakers are active, eliminating the need for manual settings optimization when speakers are moved.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses locators to continuously feedback user position information to the control processor, which then dynamically adjusts speaker activation and audio routing based on real-time position data. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures settings automatically adapt to speaker and user movements.
2Reliability
If multiple speakers are kept active in a distributed speaker system, then audio coverage is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts which speakers are active based on real-time user position detection. The locators continuously track user movement and the control processor automatically activates or deactivates speakers as the user enters or leaves their proximity, ensuring audio coverage is maintained only where needed and power is conserved when speakers are not in use.
3Use of energy by moving object
If manual speaker activation is required for each location, then power consumption is reduced, but user convenience and ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically detects when a user approaches or leaves a speaker location using wireless signal detection and locator technology, and self-activates or deactivates the appropriate speakers without requiring any manual user input. This maintains power efficiency while providing seamless user convenience.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables convenient, automatic speaker activation and deactivation as the user moves, ensuring optimal audio experience while conserving power by only activating speakers within range, enhancing user convenience and system efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
receiving, at a locator positioned with a speaker, predetermined wireless signals from an electronic device associated with a user
Data Source
AI summary
In a multi-speaker audio system for, e.g., a home entertainment system or other entertainment system, each networked-speaker (wired or wireless) is activated or deactivated as appropriate such that audio play follows a user as the user moves around the home.