Smart Audio Routing for Disjoint Mode Devices

Solution Overview

Problem

Current audio routing systems on computing devices typically route all audio signals to a single default endpoint, regardless of the device configuration or content output location, leading to inefficient audio management when multiple applications with different content output destinations are active.

Innovation Solution

An audio routing component that determines the content output destination for each application and routes individual audio signals to the appropriate audio endpoint based on the application's state and content output location, allowing for intelligent audio routing management across multiple devices in disjoint mode.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a single default audio endpoint is used for all applications, then the device complexity is reduced and ease of operation is improved, but audio routing efficiency and adaptability deteriorate when multiple applications with different content output destinations are active

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of operationVSAvoidadaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the audio routing system by dividing the single default audio endpoint into multiple application-specific audio endpoints. Each application is assigned its own audio endpoint based on its content output destination, allowing independent audio routing decisions for each application while maintaining overall system organization through structured endpoint management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If audio signals are routed to a single default endpoint, then device complexity is reduced, but audio routing efficiency and adaptability worsen when multiple applications with different content output destinations are active

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaudio routing efficiencyVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the audio routing system by dividing the single default audio endpoint into multiple application-specific audio endpoints. Each application is assigned its own audio endpoint based on its content output destination, allowing independent audio routing decisions for each application while maintaining overall system organization through structured endpoint management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an audio routing component as an intermediary between the audio signals and the audio endpoints. This mediator automatically determines the appropriate audio endpoint for each application based on its state and content output destination, simplifying the routing process while enabling efficient multi-application audio management without requiring manual user intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If all audio signals route to one endpoint, then the system is simpler to manage, but the ability to provide application-specific audio routing deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveadaptabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the audio routing system by dividing the single default audio endpoint into multiple application-specific audio endpoints. Each application is assigned its own audio endpoint based on its content output destination, allowing independent audio routing decisions for each application while maintaining overall system organization through structured endpoint management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements self-service audio routing where the audio routing component automatically determines the appropriate audio endpoint for each application based on its state and content output destination. The system autonomously manages audio routing without requiring manual user configuration, reducing operational complexity while maintaining high adaptability for different application scenarios.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS9652196B2Smart audio routing management

Publication Date: 2017.05.16 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC

AI summary

Examples described herein automatically route audio signals associated with applications to appropriate audio endpoints when a computing device is operating in a disjoint mode. Smart audio routing management of audio signals is based on content output destinations for applications associated with the audio signals. Smart audio routing management enables computing devices operating in a disjoint mode to receive audio signals relevant to application content rendered or displayed over multiple devices, and correctly route individual audio signals to audio endpoints that correspond to a location where associated application content is displayed.