Unified Audio Endpoint Aggregation for Meeting Room Displays
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Managing multiple devices in a meeting room setting is cumbersome due to the need for individual setup and coordination of audio devices, which becomes complex with increasing numbers of devices.
Innovation Solution
A computer device with an operating system that aggregates audio data from multiple display devices into a single audio buffer, partitioning it into sections corresponding to each device, allowing for transmission as a unified audio endpoint, thereby simplifying device management and configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple display devices are connected in a meeting room, then audio output capability is improved, but device management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple display devices into a single logical audio endpoint that applications can address uniformly. The audio subsystem merges the physical devices into one abstract entity, allowing applications to send audio data to a single endpoint while the system internally distributes it to multiple display devices. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining high audio output capability while reducing management complexity to a single device interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The unified audio endpoint provides universal interface that can serve multiple display devices simultaneously. A single audio endpoint can be used by any application to output audio to multiple display devices, making the system multi-functional. This allows the same audio endpoint to adapt to different numbers and configurations of display devices without requiring separate management interfaces for each device.
2Measurement precision
If each display device is managed individually, then audio routing precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The unified audio endpoint acts as an intermediary between applications and multiple display devices. Applications interact with the single endpoint rather than directly with multiple devices. The endpoint internally manages the precise routing of audio data to the appropriate display devices, maintaining routing precision while shielding applications from the complexity of individual device management.
Solution Approach 2:
The system segments the management function into two layers: a unified interface layer that applications interact with, and an internal distribution layer that handles precise routing to individual devices. This segmentation allows the system to maintain precise audio routing control while presenting a simplified unified interface to users and applications.
3Reliability
If multiple audio devices are coordinated separately, then audio quality is improved, but setup time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary configuration by establishing a unified audio endpoint that pre-configures the audio subsystem to support multiple display devices. This preliminary setup creates a ready-to-use interface that applications can immediately utilize without requiring separate configuration for each display device, significantly reducing setup time while maintaining the capability to deliver high-quality audio to multiple devices.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and devices for aggregating a plurality of display devices in communication with a computer device and representing the display devices as a single audio endpoint may include receiving audio data from an application. The methods and devices may include combining the audio data for the plurality of display devices in communication with the computer device into an audio buffer with a size determined by a total number of audio channels of the plurality of display devices. The methods and devices may include partitioning the audio buffer into sections and identifying a subset of the sections of the audio buffer that correspond to each of the plurality of display devices. The methods and devices may include transmitting the subset of the sections of the audio buffer that correspond to each of the plurality of display devices.