Optical Audio Signal Transmission for Low-Loss Speaker Links

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing speaker systems that use metal wires for signal transmission face high costs due to the need for expensive wires to reduce power consumption, leading to increased overall system costs.

Innovation Solution

The integration of low-noise buffer elements, analog-to-digital conversion elements, serializer elements, optical interface transmission devices, optical interface reception devices, and deserializer devices with optical fibers to transmit audio signals, reducing signal loss and increasing transmission distance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If expensive metal wires are used for signal transmission, then power consumption is reduced, but system cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidsystem cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces metal wire-based electrical signal transmission with optical fiber-based optical signal transmission. The audio signal transmission device converts audio signals to optical signals for transmission through optical fibers, eliminating the need for expensive low-power metal wires while maintaining energy efficiency and reducing system cost.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the transmission medium from electrical conductors (metal wires) to optical conductors (optical fibers). This fundamental parameter change in the transmission medium allows for lower cost implementation while achieving better power consumption characteristics through the optical transmission approach.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Loss of energy

If optical fibers are used for signal transmission, then signal loss is reduced and transmission distance is increased, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal lossVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates multiple functions into unified modules: the audio signal transmission device combines buffering, A/D conversion, serialization, and optical conversion in one unit, while the audio signal reception device combines optical reception, deserialization, and D/A conversion in another unit. This modular integration reduces overall system complexity despite the advanced transmission technology.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces standardized optical interface devices as intermediaries between the digital signal processing components and the optical fiber transmission medium. These interface devices handle the complexity of optical coupling, signal conditioning, and protocol management, isolating the complexity from the core audio processing functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

This solution effectively reduces signal loss and increases transmission distance in speaker systems, while also lowering costs by eliminating the need for expensive metal wires.

Implementation Method 1

an optical interface transmission device configured to convert the at least one serialized digital signal into at least one optical signal

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOptical conversion: Light

Implementation Method 2

an optical interface reception device configured to receive from the at least one fiber optical device and convert one of the at least one optical signal so as to output an electrical signal

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOptical detection: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentEP4510469A1Audio signal transmission device and method, audio signal reception device and method, and audio system
Publication Date: 2025.02.19 ACON OPTICS COMM INC
  • EP4510469A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4510469A1 patent drawingFigure 3A
  • EP4510469A1 patent drawingFigure 3B

AI summary

An audio signal transmission device (100), an audio signal transmission method, an audio signal reception device (400, 500), an audio signal reception method, and an audio system are provided. The audio signal transmission method includes: receiving an audio signal and generating a low-noise buffer signal by a low-noise buffer element (101); converting the low-noise buffer signal into a digital signal by an analog-to-digital conversion element; serializing a digital signal to output one or more serialized digital signals by a serializer element (103); and converting the one or more the serialized digital signals into one or more optical signals by an optical interface transmission device (104). The audio signal reception method includes: receiving and converting one of the at least one optical signal and outputting an electrical signal by the optical interface reception device (401); and deserializing the electrical signal and outputting the deserialized digital signal by the deserializer element (402).