Network Audio Distribution System with Timestamped Packet Formatting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing network audio content distribution systems face challenges in managing system access security, reliability, and traffic management, particularly with respect to system growth and protocol compatibility.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for distributing audio content from multiple audio sources to client terminals on a network, utilizing an audio source interface that converts raw audio into digital audio packets with timestamps and channel identities, which are then formatted into compliant digital audio files and distributed through a network audio server and directory server to client terminals, allowing selective content request and reproduction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If raw audio is directly transmitted over the network, then bandwidth consumption is reduced, but audio quality and system reliability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an audio server as an intermediary component between audio sources and network transmission. The server receives raw audio, formats it into compliant digital audio packets with timestamps and channel identities, and manages the distribution process. This intermediary layer ensures audio quality and system reliability without requiring direct raw audio transmission over the network.
2Device complexity
If audio content is distributed without formatting standards, then system complexity is reduced, but protocol compatibility and adaptability worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms audio parameters by converting raw audio into digitally formatted packets that include specific metadata parameters such as timestamps, channel identities, and compliance markers. This parameter transformation enables the audio content to adhere to network protocols and formatting standards, improving protocol compatibility while maintaining manageable system complexity through standardized transformation processes.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple audio sources are monitored simultaneously, then content variety and adaptability improve, but system complexity and traffic management difficulty worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the audio distribution system into distinct functional modules: audio source interfaces for capturing raw audio, a central audio server for formatting and managing multiple sources, and network transmission points for distribution. This segmentation allows simultaneous monitoring of multiple audio sources while managing system complexity through modular architecture and dedicated processing functions for each source.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the audio server receives formatted audio packets from multiple sources, manages their distribution, and can respond to client requests. The system monitors audio content and adjusts distribution based on received feedback about content availability and client needs, enabling varied content delivery while managing system complexity through intelligent control.
4Productivity
If real-time audio processing is performed, then response time and productivity improve, but computational resources and energy consumption worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary audio processing actions at the audio server, where raw audio is pre-formatted into compliant digital packets with embedded metadata before network transmission. This preliminary action includes adding timestamps, channel identities, and compliance markers, which enables faster processing and immediate playback at client terminals without requiring complex real-time processing, thus improving response time while managing computational resource consumption.
Data Source
AI summary
Audio content distribution from audio sources to client terminals through a network. An audio source interface receives raw audio from an audio source, and converts it into a digital audio clip in a digital audio packet, containing a timestamp and a channel identity corresponding to the audio source. A network audio server formats the digital audio packet into a network compliant digital audio file, which is stored at a network address. The network audio server generates a directory packet including the address of the digital audio file, the channel identity, and the timestamp, and, couples the directory packet to a directory server located on the network. The directory server outputs directory packets to a client terminal on the network, which selects a directory packet and sends an audio file request through the network for the digital audio file. The audio file is then sent to the client terminal.