Operating-System Audio Concatenation for Multi-Card Calling
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing operating systems, such as Android, do not support audio-card concatenation or switching, particularly for devices with multiple audio units like on-board computers or kiosks, and require complex modifications to integrate 4G/5G network modules, which is cumbersome and time-consuming.
Innovation Solution
An audio concatenation method implemented on an operating system using an independent audio subsystem that continuously checks the status of audio services to dynamically create channels between audio-card ports, allowing quick expansion of device functions without modifying the system framework's hardware abstraction layer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the operating system uses a predetermined single audio unit configuration, then the system framework remains simple and stable, but the device cannot support audio-card concatenation or switching functions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the audio subsystem into independent modules including audio service, audio policy manager, and audio device configuration files. Each audio card and its ports are configured as separate entities in device configuration files, allowing the system to selectively activate and concatenate specific audio paths without modifying the entire system framework.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic audio path configuration where the audio policy manager can selectively enable or disable audio cards and their ports based on current needs. The system can dynamically create concatenated audio paths by selecting from available audio cards and ports defined in configuration files, without requiring permanent structural changes to the system framework.
2Productivity
If the HAL is modified to support 4G/5G network module audio functionality, then the call function is enabled, but the modification process becomes complicated and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-configures all audio card and port information in device configuration files before runtime. The audio policy manager reads these pre-defined configurations and can immediately activate required audio paths without needing to modify the HAL or system framework at deployment time. This allows rapid addition of new audio functionality through configuration files alone.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an audio policy manager as an intermediary layer between the audio service and the audio hardware. This policy manager handles all audio path selection and concatenation logic, eliminating the need to modify the HAL for different audio configurations. The intermediary translates high-level audio requirements into specific hardware activation commands.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the HAL is re-modified for each 4G/5G network module provider, then compatibility with different manufacturers is achieved, but the process becomes troublesome and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal audio configuration system where a single audio policy manager can handle multiple audio card providers and configurations. Different audio cards from various manufacturers are defined in configuration files with standardized parameters, allowing the same audio policy manager to manage all providers without requiring separate HAL modifications for each.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses configurable parameters in device configuration files to adapt to different audio card providers. Instead of modifying the HAL structure, the system changes operational parameters such as audio card identifiers, port configurations, and concatenation rules in the configuration files, enabling rapid adaptation to different providers without code changes.
Data Source
AI summary
An audio concatenation method adopted on an electronic device having an operating system is disclosed and includes following steps: executing an audio subsystem on the operating system, wherein the audio subsystem has a service resource checker; continuously checking the status of an audio service of the operating system through the service resource checker; and, upon determining that the status of the audio service is a calling request (Incalling), creating a channel to concatenate two audio-card ports designated by the calling request, so as to execute a calling procedure corresponding to the calling request through the two audio-card ports being concatenated.