Sound Output Device Control for Selective Audio Routing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sound output systems fail to accurately determine the intended sound output device when multiple sound output devices are connected, leading to unintended sound output from an incorrect device.

Innovation Solution

A sound output device with a control unit that enables operation of predetermined sound output units and disables others, ensuring sound is only output from the intended unit when connected to an information processing device.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a display device is provided with multiple sound output devices, then sound output capability is enhanced, but sound may be output from an unintended sound output device when coupled to an information processing device

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesound output capabilityVSAvoidsound output accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit pre-configures operation enable/disable states for each sound output device based on coupling status. When coupled to an information processing device, the control unit automatically disables unintended sound output devices before sound playback occurs, preventing the reliability issue while maintaining multiple sound output capabilities

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit receives coupling status information from the information processing device and dynamically adjusts the operational state of sound output devices. This feedback mechanism ensures that only the intended sound output device remains enabled based on real-time coupling conditions, resolving the contradiction between versatility and reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Ease of operation

If multiple sound output devices are enabled simultaneously, then sound output flexibility is improved, but determination of the intended sound output device becomes ambiguous

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesound output flexibilityVSAvoidsound output device identification

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit applies different operational qualities (enabled/disabled states) to different sound output devices based on their specific roles and coupling status. This local differentiation allows multiple devices to coexist in the system while clearly identifying which one is the intended sound output device, resolving the ambiguity issue

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS12052553B2Sound output device, sound output system, and control method

Publication Date: 2024.07.30 SEIKO EPSON CORP

AI summary

Provided is a sound output device communicatively coupled to an information processing device, that includes a mounting portion configured to mount the sound output device on a human body, a plurality of sound output units configured to perform operation for outputting information indicating sound, or sound, and a control unit configured to, when the sound output device is coupled to the information processing device, enable operation of one or more first sound output units that are predetermined among the plurality of sound output units, and disable operation of one or more sound output units other than the one or more first sound output units among the plurality of sound output units.