Video Audio Signal Processing in Computing Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional computing devices terminate both video and audio processing when a combined video/audio application is placed in the background or the device enters a suspend state, disrupting user experience due to power management constraints.

Innovation Solution

A software plug-in that detects when a combined video/audio application is in the background or the device is in a suspend state, terminating video signal processing while continuing audio signal playback, thus mimicking the behavior of audio-only applications and conserving power.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If the application is placed in the background or device enters suspend state, then power consumption is reduced, but audio playback is interrupted along with video processing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidaudio playback continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the processing of video and audio signals by maintaining separate processing paths. When the application moves to background or suspend state, the system selectively terminates video signal processing while preserving audio signal processing, allowing independent control of each signal type's resource consumption and playback continuity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts audio signal processing from the combined video/audio processing workflow. By separating audio processing from video processing, the system can continue audio playback independently when video processing is terminated due to background or suspend state, thus maintaining audio continuity while reducing overall power consumption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Loss of energy

If both video and audio processing are terminated in background state, then power is conserved, but user experience deteriorates due to interrupted audio

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower conservationVSAvoiduser experience

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different quality levels to different signal processing paths based on their importance. Audio signal processing maintains higher quality and continuity in background state compared to video signal processing, which is fully terminated. This local differentiation in processing quality optimizes both power conservation and user experience by preserving critical audio functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If video processing continues in background state, then audio playback can continue, but power consumption increases unnecessarily

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaudio playback continuityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP2627097B1Video/audio switching in a computing device

Publication Date: 2017.05.17 ACER INC

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AI summary

Video/audio switching techniques for control of an application running on a computing device. In accordance with an example technique, video and associated audio signals provided from a source for playback at the computing device are processed. It is detected that the application has been placed into the background or a suspend state and the processing of the video signals is terminated without affecting processing of the audio signals.