Speaker Wakeup Control for Low-Power Peripheral Audio Playback

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems waste power when peripheral devices with speakers are turned on unnecessarily, as they do not efficiently manage power states based on usage requirements.

Innovation Solution

An electronic apparatus and method that controls power supply to speakers in peripheral devices by identifying their power states and sending wakeup signals to transition them to the appropriate state for audio playback, using communication interfaces and processors to manage power efficiently.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If power of the peripheral apparatus is fully turned on to ensure the speaker can perform audio playback, then the speaker functionality is reliable, but unnecessary power is wasted when the basic function is not being used

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespeaker functionalityVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the power management into two distinct levels: device-level power state (on/off) and component-level power state (speaker on/off). The host apparatus sends different types of wakeup signals based on the peripheral's power state: a first wakeup signal to activate only the speaker component, and a second wakeup signal to activate the entire device. This segmentation allows the system to power on only the necessary components rather than the entire device, resolving the contradiction between ensuring speaker reliability and reducing power consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If the host apparatus always transmits a wakeup signal to turn on the peripheral apparatus, then the speaker is always available for audio playback, but power is wasted when the peripheral apparatus is not performing the basic function

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespeaker availabilityVSAvoidpower waste
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic power management where the host apparatus continuously monitors the power state of the peripheral apparatus and adjusts its wakeup signal transmission accordingly. When the peripheral is in the off state, the host transmits appropriate wakeup signals to activate only the speaker for audio playback. When the peripheral is already in the on state performing basic functions, the host avoids sending redundant wakeup signals. This dynamic adjustment optimizes both speaker availability and power efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Loss of energy

If the host apparatus monitors power state information before sending wakeup signals, then power consumption is optimized, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidpower state monitoring
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a self-service power management mechanism where the peripheral apparatus autonomously reports its power state to the host apparatus through periodic status updates or on-demand queries. The host apparatus uses this self-reported information to determine whether to send wakeup signals, avoiding the need for complex continuous monitoring circuits. The peripheral device serves itself by providing power state information, simplifying the overall system complexity while maintaining optimized power consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP4708912A1Electronic apparatus and control method therefor
Publication Date: 2026.03.11 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP4708912A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4708912A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4708912A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An electronic apparatus, may include: a communication interface; at least one processor; the at least one processor configured to, based on a user input for a sound play being received, identify a target device capable of performing the sound play; identify a power state of the target device; based on the power state of the target device being identified as an off state, transmit a first wakeup signal for changing a power state of a speaker in the target device to an on state, to the target device through the communication interface; and based on a first response signal corresponding to the first wakeup signal being received, transmit a first control command for the sound play to the target device through the communication interface.