Daisy-Chained Speaker Boxes With Auto Mode Switching for Low Delay

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing audio link systems for speaker boxes face challenges in achieving low delay and synchronized function settings, particularly in wired transmission solutions, leading to user inconvenience and potential Haas effect with multiple speaker boxes.

Innovation Solution

An audio link system with speaker boxes that automatically determine their master or slave mode, using internal switches to switch signal paths, ensuring synchronized function settings and minimal delay, allowing for an unlimited number of slave boxes without delay superposition.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If wireless transmission solution is used to connect speaker boxes, then connection simplicity is improved, but transmission delay increases excessively

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection simplicityVSAvoidtransmission delay
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces wireless transmission (electromagnetic field-based) with wired transmission (physical connection-based) to achieve lower latency. The wired connection provides a more direct and reliable signal path, eliminating the inherent delays of wireless protocols while maintaining connection simplicity through automated master-slave role assignment and plug-and-play functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Loss of time

If wired transmission solution with series connection is used, then transmission delay is reduced, but system complexity increases due to manual configuration requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission delayVSAvoidsystem configuration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements automated role assignment where speaker boxes automatically determine their own master or slave status based on connection detection. When a speaker box detects a wired connection, it automatically configures itself as a slave unit and synchronizes with the master unit, eliminating the need for manual configuration and reducing system complexity while maintaining low latency through wired connection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent dynamically changes operational parameters (role assignment, signal routing, synchronization settings) based on connection status. The system transitions from a default standalone mode to a synchronized multi-unit mode automatically when wired connections are detected, adapting its behavior to the current system configuration without user intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple slave speaker boxes are connected in wireless mode, then system versatility is improved, but connection stability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem scalabilityVSAvoidconnection stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces wireless connections with wired connections to establish more stable and reliable signal transmission. Wired connections provide physical stability and immunity to wireless interference, ensuring consistent performance even when multiple speaker boxes are connected in series, while the automated configuration system maintains versatility and ease of expansion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP4468747B1Audio link system and method thereof
Publication Date: 2025.12.31 HARMAN INT IND INC
  • EP4468747B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4468747B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4468747B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The present disclosure provides an audio link system and a method used for the audio link system. The audio link system includes a plurality of speaker boxes. The plurality of speaker boxes are capable of being connected in series in a wired manner to form an audio link. Each speaker box includes: a first audio input interface configured to receive a first audio input from an audio source; a second audio input interface configured to receive a second audio input from an upstream speaker box connected thereto; an audio output interface configured to provide an audio output to a downstream speaker box connected thereto; a first switch and a second switch respectively configured to be capable of switching between a first connection state and a second connection state; and a controller configured to: determine a working mode of the speaker box; and control, based on the determined working mode, the first switch and the second switch to switch to corresponding connection states respectively, so as to realize a signal transmission path corresponding to the determined working mode.