USB Audio Pass-Through Device for Multi-Host Digital Sharing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current USB communication protocols are limited to master-slave relationships, preventing two host computing devices from directly sharing digital audio data over a USB connection in a multi-host configuration.

Innovation Solution

An audio pass-through device with multiple USB ports facilitates the sharing of digital audio data between two or more host computing devices, utilizing a high-speed digital audio gateway engine that manages and converts sample rates, bit depths, and applies digital rights management rules, while supporting various interfaces and protocols.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If USB communication protocols are used in a master-slave relationship, then communication control is exclusive and simple, but two host computing devices cannot directly share digital audio data

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemulti-host capabilityVSAvoidcommunication protocol complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a USB hub as an intermediary device between multiple host computing devices. The hub acts as a mediator that receives digital audio data from one host and forwards it to another host, enabling multi-host communication without requiring the hosts to directly interact. This resolves the contradiction by adding an intermediary component that enables versatility while maintaining protocol simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If digital audio data is converted to analog and back to digital, then compatibility is improved, but latency increases and data quality deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice compatibilityVSAvoidaudio latency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the unnecessary analog conversion step from the audio data transmission path. By maintaining digital audio data throughout the entire transmission process between hosts via the USB hub, the system removes the harmful analog-to-digital conversion环节 that causes latency and quality loss, while still achieving compatibility through digital protocol handling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Adaptability or versatility

If sample rate and bit depth conversion is performed, then audio compatibility is improved, but processing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaudio format compatibilityVSAvoiddata transfer speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by having the USB hub detect and identify the audio format parameters (sample rate, bit depth) of incoming digital audio data immediately upon reception. This early detection allows the system to prepare appropriate conversion parameters in advance, enabling efficient real-time conversion without significant processing delays, thus maintaining both compatibility and productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS9524141B2System and method for audio pass-through that has at least two USB ports between multiple host computing devices

Publication Date: 2016.12.20 IKINGDOM CORP

AI summary

A digital audio pass-through device capable of connecting multiple host computing devices is described. The digital audio pass-through device allows computing devices such as personal computers (Mac or PC), tablets, and smart phones to share high quality digital audio data streams with one another via USB connections. The digital audio pass-through device also allows for the aggregation of high quality audio data from multiple computing devices with limited to no latency.