Portable Speaker Grouping With Local Multi-Mode Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional portable speakers face challenges in grouping speaker functions and coordinating output with additional speakers, leading to cumbersome operations and undesired output changes when adding or removing speakers.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an audio device with an actuatable control feature that allows users to control audio output in multiple modes, including a mode where a subset of channels is output in coordination with additional audio devices, and a mode where all channels are output in synchrony.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If portable speakers are grouped to coordinate output, then audio coverage and versatility are improved, but device complexity and operational difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The speaker system automatically performs grouping operations without requiring external device control. The actuable control feature on each speaker enables direct local control, allowing speakers to self-manage their grouping status and audio coordination, thereby reducing operational complexity while maintaining audio coverage benefits
Solution Approach 2:
The actuable control feature serves multiple functions: it controls audio output modes (stereo, party mode, independent), manages grouping operations (join, leave, switch), and provides user feedback. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise require separate controls or external device management into a single integrated interface
2Measurement precision
If external devices are used to control speaker grouping, then control precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The control functionality is extracted from external devices and embedded directly into the speaker unit itself. The actuable control feature and controller on each speaker enable direct local control of grouping operations and audio output modes, eliminating the need to interface with external devices while maintaining precise control capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The actuable control feature serves as an intermediary interface between the user and the speaker's internal controller. This local interface provides direct access to grouping control functions, eliminating the need for external devices as intermediaries while maintaining precise control over audio output and speaker coordination
3Ease of operation
If speaker grouping operations are simplified, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability of audio output coordination may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The controller provides feedback to the actuable control feature and user about the current operating mode and grouping status. This feedback mechanism ensures that simplified controls accurately reflect the system state, maintaining reliability by confirming that coordination operations have been successfully executed and the audio output is properly synchronized
Solution Approach 2:
The speaker system dynamically adjusts its operating mode (stereo, party mode, independent) based on user actuation and environmental conditions. This dynamic switching capability allows the system to maintain reliable audio coordination by adapting to different usage scenarios while keeping controls simple through automatic mode selection and transition
Data Source
AI summary
Various implementations include systems and approaches for grouping speakers. In some cases, an audio device includes: a body housing an electro-acoustic transducer; a controller for controlling the electro-acoustic transducer; and an actuatable control feature on the body configured to control audio output from an audio source at the electro-acoustic transducer in a plurality of modes, wherein, in a first of the plurality of modes, the audio output includes a subset of channels of the audio source, output in coordination with at least one additional audio device, and in a second of the plurality of modes, the audio output includes an entirety of the channels of the audio source, output in synchrony with the at least one additional audio device.