USB Audio Interface for Motion Platform Synchronization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing entertainment motion devices face challenges in synchronizing motion with audio/video streams, requiring precise rate regulation and low latency, and are difficult for developers to integrate due to custom hardware and software requirements, lacking a universal standard for motion platform interfacing.
Innovation Solution
A USB audio-class computer peripheral that receives digital audio-format signals and provides motion signals to motion platforms, using generic drivers and APIs to simplify development and management, allowing for synchronized motion control with minimal computer intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If custom hardware and software elements are used for motion delivery, then motion control functionality is achieved, but device complexity and difficulty of operation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by making the motion platform interface compatible with standard USB audio-class protocols, allowing the same interface to work across multiple computer platforms and applications without requiring custom drivers or software elements for each implementation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary layer by using a USB audio-class peripheral as a mediator between the computer and motion platform, translating motion control commands into standard USB audio-format signals that can be processed by generic USB audio drivers rather than requiring platform-specific custom software
2Adaptability or versatility
If custom drivers and APIs are designed for each computer platform, then motion platform control is enabled, but ease of manufacture and portability decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves universality by designing the motion interface to comply with USB audio-class specifications, enabling a single hardware design to work across Windows, Mac OS, and Linux platforms using their respective generic USB audio drivers without requiring platform-specific customization
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses copying by replicating the well-established USB audio-class interface model from audio devices and applying it to motion platform control, thereby leveraging existing driver implementations and software development knowledge rather than creating entirely new platform-specific interfaces
3Measurement precision
If rate regulation is implemented for synchronized motion delivery, then synchronization precision improves, but latency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical rate regulation systems with a software-based solution using standard USB audio drivers that inherently handle rate control and synchronization through their established audio playback mechanisms, reducing hardware complexity and latency
Solution Approach 2:
The USB audio-class peripheral acts as an intermediary that leverages the mature rate regulation capabilities of generic USB audio drivers to synchronize motion delivery with audio and video streams, avoiding the need to implement custom rate regulation logic that would increase latency
Data Source
AI summary
The present description relates to the interfacing of a computer with a motion platform using a USB audio-class computer peripheral. The computer peripheral receives a digital audio-format signal according to the USB specification and provides a motion signal to up to four motion platforms. As the computer peripheral is a USB audio-class peripheral, no device-specific driver is required to play motion synchronously with a movie or a video game. The general purpose audio driver included in the operating system of the computer is advantageously used and the computer peripheral can alternately be used with any operating system comprising such a general purpose audio driver, such as Windows 2000, Windows XO or Mac OSX. The computer peripheral is seen by the computer as a USB sound card.