Audio Chain Latency Correction via Feedback Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Audio and video synchronization is disrupted due to cumulative latency across multiple components in an audio chain, which can exceed individual component latency, leading to desynchronization in multi-room music systems and other configurations.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that measures and corrects for overall latency in an audio chain by using a user device to position a microphone relative to a speaker, synchronizing sound playback and detection times, and communicating adjustment data to components to compensate for latency, ensuring synchronized audio across devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple audio components are chained together for multi-room music systems, then audio coverage and system versatility are improved, but cumulative latency increases causing audio-video desynchronization
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where a microphone captures audio output from speakers, and a processor analyzes the captured signal to measure latency. The measured latency information is then used to adjust timing parameters in the audio chain, creating a closed-loop system that automatically compensates for latency accumulation across multiple components.
Solution Approach 2:
The audio system performs self-diagnosis and self-correction by using its own output (captured via microphone) to measure its own latency characteristics. The system automatically adjusts its timing without external intervention, allowing multi-room systems to maintain synchronization independently.
2Adaptability or versatility
If digital processing is performed on audio signals to enable multi-room distribution, then system functionality is improved, but processing latency is introduced affecting synchronization
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback to measure the actual latency introduced by digital processing components. By capturing the audio output and comparing it against expected timing, the system quantifies processing delays and compensates through timing adjustments in the audio chain.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts timing parameters based on measured latency characteristics. By changing the timing offset parameter in response to measured conditions, the system compensates for processing delays without altering the fundamental digital processing architecture.
3Measurement precision
If latency measurement and correction systems are added to audio chains, then synchronization accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces a microphone as an intermediary device to measure audio latency. Rather than requiring complex internal measurements within each audio component, the microphone serves as a simple external mediator that captures the audio signal and enables latency measurement through standard audio analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The audio system uses its own existing resources (microphone, processor, speaker) to perform latency measurement and correction, eliminating the need for separate dedicated measurement devices. The system serves itself by using its captured output to diagnose and correct its own timing issues.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution effectively compensates for cumulative latency, ensuring synchronized audio and video playback by adjusting individual or multiple components in the audio chain, thereby maintaining synchronization across multiple playback devices.
Implementation Method 1
accounting for a time-of-flight of sound to propagate along the specified distance
Data Source
AI summary
A user device can be used to correct for a latency of an audio chain, which extends inclusively between an input and a speaker. The user device can communicate an indication to the speaker to play a sound at a first time, and record a second time at which a microphone on the user device detects the sound. The user device can compare the first and second times to determine a latency of the audio chain. The user device can communicate adjustment data corresponding to the determined latency to a component in the audio chain. The component can use the adjustment data to correct for the determined latency. In some examples, the user device can display instructions to position the user device a specified distance from the speaker, and can account for a time-of-flight of sound to propagate along the specified distance.