Wearable Audio Mode Selection with Concurrent Visual Feedback

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for selecting audio output modes on wearable audio output devices are limited, lacking immersive and realistic experiences, fail to illustrate mode differences, and require excessive user interaction, leading to inefficiency and increased power consumption.

Innovation Solution

An electronic device with a graphical user interface that allows concurrent audio and visual feedback for switching between audio output modes, providing efficient selection and saving user preferences, reducing the need for manual inputs and conserving power.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional methods for selecting audio output modes are used, then the device structure remains simple, but the user interaction efficiency deteriorates due to excessive manual inputs and time-consuming selection processes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser interaction efficiencyVSAvoidinterface complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically detects the audio content type and recommends appropriate audio output modes without requiring extensive user configuration. The interface presents pre-configured options based on content analysis, allowing users to select modes with minimal input while the system handles the complex selection logic automatically

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system pre-analyzes audio content and prepares recommended audio output mode settings before the user needs to make a selection. By anticipating user needs and pre-configuring optimal settings based on content type, the system reduces the time and effort required for mode selection

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If conventional audio output modes are used, then the device operates reliably with simple processing, but the listening experience quality deteriorates due to lack of immersive and realistic spatial audio

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem reliabilityVSAvoidlistening experience quality
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts audio output modes based on real-time content analysis and user context. Rather than using fixed conventional modes, the system adapts spatial audio parameters, head tracking activation, and mode recommendations dynamically to match the audio content type and user preferences, providing immersive experiences while maintaining system stability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Device complexity

If conventional methods for selecting audio modes are used, then the interface remains simple, but the information feedback to users deteriorates because differences between audio modes are not illustrated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinterface simplicityVSAvoidaudio mode differentiation information
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides immediate visual and auditory feedback when users interact with audio mode selection. The interface displays icons, labels, and descriptive text that illustrate the characteristics of each audio mode, and plays sample audio snippets to help users understand mode differences before making selections, ensuring informed decision-making without complicating the interface

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

4Device complexity

If conventional audio output settings are not saved, then the system maintains simplicity, but the user efficiency deteriorates due to repeated manual configuration

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem simplicityVSAvoidconfiguration time
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically saves user-selected audio output mode preferences and retrieves them for future use. By pre-storing configuration data and automatically applying saved settings when appropriate content types are detected, the system eliminates repeated manual configuration while maintaining straightforward system operation through automatic preference management

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4182778B1Method relating to graphical user interfaces for selecting audio output modes of wearable audio output devices and a corresponding electronic device.
Publication Date: 2025.08.13 APPLE INC
  • EP4182778B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP4182778B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP4182778B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

An electronic device displays a user interface for controlling an audio mode for a wearable audio output device. While displaying the user interface, the device electronic outputs first audio using a first audio mode while displaying in the user interface a first indication that the first audio mode is used for the first audio. While displaying the user interface and outputting the first audio using the audio mode, the electronic device receives a request to switch to using a second audio mode. In response, the device outputs second audio using the second audio mode while displaying a second indication that the second audio mode is used for the second audio. While outputting the second audio using the second audio mode and displaying the second indication, the electronic device detects an input, and, in response, selects one of the first audio mode or the second audio mode the active audio mode.