Ad Hoc Rendering Network Device State Synchronization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Managing playback and rendering events in a synchronized manner across multiple devices in ad hoc networks of consumer electronic devices, such as smart speakers and TVs, is challenging, especially when rendering video components on one device and separate audio elements on others.
Innovation Solution
A control technique where devices in an ad hoc network exchange and propagate a data record containing state information, allowing each device to determine and execute commands, and synchronize their operational states, with dynamic grouping and communication models ensuring consistent state updates across the network.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If devices in an ad hoc network exchange and propagate state data records to achieve synchronized playback, then synchronization accuracy is improved, but network communication overhead and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the network into device groups with group leaders that manage state data records for their respective groups. This segmentation reduces the communication overhead by limiting the scope of state data propagation to relevant group members rather than requiring all devices to communicate with all other devices, while still maintaining synchronization accuracy within each group.
Solution Approach 2:
Group leaders act as intermediaries between the media source and individual devices within their groups. The group leader receives and processes state data records, then propagates relevant information to group members. This intermediary approach reduces the direct communication burden on each device while ensuring accurate state synchronization across the network.
2Adaptability or versatility
If devices dynamically join and leave the ad hoc network, then network adaptability is improved, but maintaining synchronized state across remaining devices becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements dynamic group leader selection where any device can become a group leader based on current network conditions. When devices join or leave, the group composition dynamically adjusts and a new group leader is selected from the remaining devices. This dynamic approach maintains network adaptability while ensuring that state synchronization reliability is preserved through continuous reorganization around a current leader.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback mechanisms where devices monitor network conditions and device availability. When a device leaves or a group leader becomes unavailable, the remaining devices detect this through lack of state data record propagation and initiate reorganization to select a new group leader. This feedback-driven approach ensures that the network adapts to changes while maintaining synchronization reliability.
3Ease of operation
If all devices store complete state data records locally, then operational autonomy is improved, but memory requirements and data redundancy increase
Solution Approach 1:
Devices store complete state data records locally to maintain operational autonomy and enable independent playback decisions. However, the system optimizes this by having devices store only the portions of state data relevant to their specific group and playback role, rather than duplicating all possible state information. This local quality approach ensures each device has the necessary autonomy while reducing overall memory requirements through selective data retention.
Data Source
AI summary
Control techniques are disclosed for devices that are members of ad hoc rendering networks. A first network device may receive a data record representing state of the network. The data record may contain data identifying device(s) that are members of the network, any grouping(s) of the device(s) defined for the network, and a play state of the device(s). When the first network device receives the data record, it may store the data record locally at the first player device. The first player device may determine whether the data record possesses a command altering a play state of a device. If so and if the command is addressed to the first player device, the first player device may execute the command at the first player device. The data record may be relayed among all devices in the ad hoc rendering network, and each device may perform this same process. In this manner, state updates propagate to all devices that are members of the rendering network, and all such devices store state data of all other devices.