Visual Drag-and-Drop Interface for Wireless Audio Device Pairing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing complexity of wireless device interconnections makes it difficult for users to intuitively configure and control interconnected endpoint devices, leading to confusing user experiences.
Innovation Solution
A graphical user interface on a computing device that visually represents connected audio devices and allows users to control their connections and modes through intuitive gestures and prompts, enabling direct audio signal transmission and reception between devices such as headsets and loudspeakers, facilitating peer-to-peer audio modes like conversation, baby monitor, and public address.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If wireless capabilities are added to more devices to enable complex interconnections, then device functionality and connectivity are improved, but user interface complexity and ease of operation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a visual drag-and-drop interface as an intermediary between the user and the complex wireless device interconnections. Users drag a source device onto a target device to establish connections, transforming complex configuration tasks into simple visual gestures. This mediator layer shields users from the underlying complexity of multiple wireless capabilities and connection protocols.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the complex device interconnection configuration into discrete, manageable steps: selecting a source device, selecting a target device, and establishing the connection through dragging. This segmentation breaks down the overwhelming task of configuring multiple wireless devices into simple, sequential actions that are easy to understand and execute.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple audio devices are interconnected in peer-to-peer modes, then audio functionality and versatility are improved, but device complexity and ease of operation worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The visual drag-and-drop interface serves as an intermediary that simplifies the configuration of peer-to-peer audio modes. By representing devices as visual icons and connections as visual links, the system mediates between the user's intent and the complex peer-to-peer audio routing, making it easy to understand and control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses visual representations (copies) of audio devices and their connections on the user interface. These visual copies allow users to see and manipulate the audio device topology without directly interacting with the complex underlying audio routing logic, making the system easier to understand and control.
3Loss of information
If detailed connection information is provided to users, then information completeness is improved, but user interface complexity and ease of operation worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing different levels of information detail in different parts of the interface. The visual connection representation shows essential connection status clearly, while additional detailed information about audio modes and device capabilities is available on-demand through context menus or detailed views, allowing users to access comprehensive information without being overwhelmed by it.
Data Source
AI summary
A system includes a first audio device having a first microphone, first speaker, and first wireless interface, a second audio device having a second speaker and second wireless interface, and a computing device having a user interface. The user interface presents representations of the first and second audio devices. Upon receiving user input indicating a connection between the representations of the first and second audio devices, the computing device inquires whether a first or second mode should be used. Upon receiving user input confirming the first mode should be used, the computing device instructs the first audio device to send audio signals detected by the first microphone to the second audio device, which reproduces the audio signals. The first mode is selected based on whether the first and second audio devices is a loudspeaker or a headset.