Sound Input Control Unit for Application-Specific Selective Muting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems face challenges in managing mute control for sound signals, leading to inconvenience when sound input is undesired but necessary for specific applications, and result in unnecessary sound signal cutoffs.
Innovation Solution
An information processing system with a sound input controlling unit that includes a mixer, mute unit, and switch unit to selectively process and output sound signals based on user instructions and priority settings, ensuring sound signals are only outputted to relevant applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a mute process is performed to prevent sound signal processing when voice input is undesired, then the harmful effect of unnecessary sound processing is reduced, but the sound signal input is cut off even when applications require it, degrading convenience
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the sound signal processing system into multiple independent processing paths, each dedicated to a specific application. The sound input controlling unit includes separate processing channels that can be independently controlled, allowing selective mute functionality per application rather than a global mute that affects all sound processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic control of sound signal processing where the processing state changes based on application requirements and user instructions. The system can dynamically switch between processing and non-processing states for different applications, allowing flexible adaptation to varying needs without permanent or global restrictions.
2Ease of operation
If sound signal processing is performed for all applications, then the convenience of sound input is maintained, but sound signals are processed even when not needed, wasting energy and causing echo or muffling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the sound processing system into application-specific processing channels, allowing the system to activate only the necessary processing paths. This prevents energy waste on processing sound signals for applications that do not require them, while maintaining processing capability for applications that do need it.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the processing parameters (active/inactive state) of sound signal processing based on application requirements. The system adjusts the processing state dynamically, enabling processing only when and where needed, thereby reducing energy consumption while maintaining convenience for required applications.
3Device complexity
If a global mute control is implemented, then the complexity of managing individual application sound settings is reduced, but the ability to provide sound input to specific applications that need it is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates segmented processing channels for different applications, each with independent control. This segmentation allows the system to manage sound processing on a per-application basis without requiring complex global management, as each channel operates independently based on its specific requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The sound input controlling unit is designed with multi-functionality, capable of handling both global mute operations and application-specific processing simultaneously. This universal design allows the system to provide both simplified global control and detailed application-specific adaptability through a unified interface.
Data Source
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AI summary
An information processing apparatus is connected to a peripheral apparatus that includes sound inputting means for outputting a sound signal representative of sound of surroundings. The information processing apparatus performs control such that, in a case where sound input is required in processing of an application determined in advance, in a state in which a sound signal accepted from the peripheral apparatus is cut off, the sound signal accepted from the peripheral apparatus is accepted and the sound signal is used only in the processing of the application determined in advance.