Audio Reception Buffer Control for Variable Compression Streams

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless audio reproduction systems face challenges in maintaining a constant reproduction delay time and preventing buffer overflow when the compression rate varies due to changing communication conditions, leading to potential data loss and listener discomfort.

Innovation Solution

A signal processing apparatus and method that manages encoded data reception and decoding based on frame thresholds, employing a restoration measure to discard excess data and control output to maintain consistent reproduction, even with varying compression rates.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the compression rate is varied to adapt to communication conditions, then transmission efficiency is improved, but the reproduction delay time becomes variable

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission efficiencyVSAvoidreproduction delay time
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic adjustment of the buffer threshold based on the compression rate. When the compression rate changes, the threshold for determining when to start reproduction is updated accordingly. This allows the system to maintain a constant reproduction delay time while adapting to varying communication conditions through compression rate changes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If the compression rate is increased to improve transmission efficiency, then data transmission speed is improved, but the buffer size may be exceeded causing overflow

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission speedVSAvoidbuffer overflow prevention
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent dynamically adjusts the buffer threshold based on the compression rate. When compression rate increases, the threshold is adjusted to prevent buffer overflow, while still allowing efficient data transmission. This dynamic adaptation maintains system reliability under varying compression conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Duration of action of stationary object

If data is accumulated in the transmission buffer to ensure continuous transmission, then transmission continuity is improved, but the delay time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission continuityVSAvoiddelay time
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of stationary objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the threshold parameter dynamically based on compression rate. By adjusting this parameter, the system optimizes the balance between accumulation time (for continuity) and delay time, ensuring transmission continuity while minimizing unnecessary delays.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Device complexity

If the reproduction start is determined by fixed buffer threshold, then system simplicity is maintained, but the delay time cannot be compensated when compression rate varies

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem simplicityVSAvoiddelay time compensation
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces dynamic threshold adjustment based on compression rate while maintaining a relatively simple system structure. The threshold is updated according to the compression rate, enabling delay time compensation without significantly increasing system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3742438B1Signal processing apparatus, signal processing method, and program
Publication Date: 2026.01.28 SONY GROUP CORP
  • EP3742438B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3742438B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3742438B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present technology relates to a signal processing apparatus, a signal processing method, and a program by which, in reproducing transmitted encoded data in real time, buffer overflow can be prevented from occurring on a reception apparatus side even if it is transmitted with a compression rate of the encoded data being varied in a manner that depends on communication condition. Encoded data including transmitted audio data is buffered by a reception buffer. At this time, the quantity of encoded data buffered by the reception buffer is managed in units of processing according to an encoding method. The present technology is applicable to a real-time content reproduction system utilizing a communication system.