Wearable Audio DAC Path Segmentation for Phase Correction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Wearable devices with a single DAC output path face challenges in optimizing driving conditions and correcting phase differences and output levels for multiple speakers, limiting audio output performance.

Innovation Solution

A wearable device with multiple DACs and an audio signal-processing module that analyzes frequency components to activate specific DAC output paths for each frequency band, allowing for independent control of audio signal processing and output across multiple speakers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single DAC output path is used to connect one DAC and two speakers with passive crossover, then device complexity is reduced, but audio output performance deteriorates due to inability to individually optimize driving conditions and correct phase differences

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveDAC output path configurationVSAvoidaudio output performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the single DAC output path into multiple independent DAC output paths (first DAC output path connected to first speaker, second DAC output path connected to second speaker). This segmentation allows each speaker to have its own dedicated DAC path, enabling independent optimization of driving conditions, phase correction, and output level control for each speaker, thereby resolving the contradiction between device complexity and audio output performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If multiple DACs and N DAC output paths are used for each speaker, then audio output performance is improved through individual optimization, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaudio output performanceVSAvoidDAC output path configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by providing different DAC output path configurations for different speakers based on their specific characteristics. Each speaker can have its own dedicated DAC path with customized driving conditions, phase correction, and output level settings tailored to its specific requirements, rather than using a uniform configuration for all speakers. This resolves the contradiction by optimizing audio performance locally for each speaker while maintaining manageable overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If all N DAC output paths are activated for full band audio signal, then audio output performance is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaudio output performanceVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic activation of DAC output paths based on the frequency components present in the audio signal. The processor dynamically determines which DAC output paths need to be activated by analyzing the frequency spectrum of the input audio signal, and selectively activates only the necessary paths rather than keeping all paths active continuously. This dynamic approach maintains high audio output performance when needed while reducing energy consumption when fewer speakers are required, resolving the contradiction between performance and energy usage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS12126975B2Wearable device and method for controlling audio output using multi digital to analog converter path
Publication Date: 2024.10.22 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • US12126975B2 patent drawing
  • US12126975B2 patent drawing
  • US12126975B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A wearable device is provided and includes a plurality of speakers including a first speaker, a second speaker, and an Nth speaker, a plurality of digital to analog converter (DAC)s including a first DAC connected to the first speaker, a second DAC connected to the second speaker, and an Nth DAC connected to the Nth speaker, an audio signal processing module including N DAC output paths configured to filter an audio signal according to each frequency band and output the audio signal, a memory; and a processor electrically connected to the plurality of DACs, the audio signal processing module, and the memory, wherein the memory includes instructions causing the processor to, when the audio signal is reproduced, analyze a frequency component included in the audio signal, activate the N DAC output paths when the frequency component included in the audio signal has a full band range, activate only a DAC output path for processing a specific frequency band among the N DAC output paths when the frequency component included in the audio signal has only the specific frequency band, and output the audio signal through a speaker connected to the activated DAC output path.