Smartphone-Based Audio System Using Management Modules
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Solution Overview
Problem
Audio communication systems for small-scale performances and lectures often require overly complex and expensive equipment, despite the availability of sophisticated wireless communication capabilities in smartphones that are underutilized for such purposes.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing existing smartphones and laptops to create an inexpensive local audio system through executable modules that form local wireless networks, enabling audio input, processing, and output, with noise filtering and bit-rate adjustment capabilities, and supporting multiple users with customized audio data processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If specialized wireless microphones and audio receivers are used for audio communication systems, then audio communication quality is improved, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by using smartphones as multi-functional devices that combine audio input (microphone), audio output (speaker/headphone), wireless communication (Wi-Fi/Bluetooth), and processing capabilities. Instead of dedicated specialized equipment, the system uses general-purpose smartphones that can perform multiple audio communication functions, thereby reducing system complexity while maintaining audio quality through software-based audio processing and management modules.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses copying by replicating audio communication functionality across multiple smartphone devices rather than using specialized hardware. Each smartphone copies the necessary audio input/output and processing functions through installed applications, allowing the system to achieve reliable audio communication quality through software implementation rather than dedicated hardware copies.
2Reliability
If specialized wireless microphones and audio receivers are used, then audio communication capability is improved, but device cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies this principle by using commercially available smartphones that are already manufactured and widely distributed, rather than investing in expensive specialized audio equipment. The smartphones serve as disposable or replaceable units that provide sufficient audio communication capability for the application, reducing overall device cost while maintaining functional reliability through the use of existing consumer electronics.
Solution Approach 2:
By using universal smartphones that already contain microphones, speakers, processors, and wireless communication capabilities, the system avoids the need for expensive specialized audio equipment. The multi-functional nature of smartphones provides all necessary audio communication capabilities at a fraction of the cost of dedicated hardware systems.
3Ease of manufacture
If smartphones are used for audio communication, then device cost is reduced, but audio processing capability may be insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a management module as an intermediary software layer that coordinates audio processing across multiple smartphones. This management module receives audio data from managed communication modules, performs centralized audio processing functions (mixing, routing, effects processing), and distributes processed audio back to the appropriate devices. This intermediary architecture enables sophisticated audio processing capabilities that would be difficult to implement on individual smartphones alone, thereby maintaining audio processing reliability while using cost-effective smartphone hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges audio processing capabilities across multiple smartphones by having them work together as a distributed audio system. Multiple smartphones combine their processing power, audio inputs, and outputs through the management module, achieving reliable audio processing capability that exceeds what any single smartphone could provide alone, while keeping individual device costs low.
Data Source
AI summary
According to one aspect, a communications system is disclosed. In one embodiment, the communications system includes a managed communications module that is executable on a personal communications device. The managed communications module is operative to, when executed by a processor, receive input data associated with sound from a user of the personal communications device and to cause the personal communications device to send audio output data including the input data over a local wireless network link. A management module that is executable on a management computer is operative to, when executed by a processor, receive the audio output data and to perform at least one audio data processing function to generate processed audio data. The management module is also operative to, when executed, cause the management computer to send the processed audio data to the managed communications module over the local wireless network link.