Audio Ducking via Dual Stream Volume Metadata
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods face challenges in wirelessly transmitting multiple audio streams due to limited bandwidth, leading to latency issues when adjusting volume settings, as they require significant time to update audio output devices, especially when transitioning between playback and notification audio.
Innovation Solution
An audio system that transmits a dual audio stream with separate data packets for playback and notification audio, each with distinct volume levels, allowing the audio output device to dynamically adjust and mix these streams based on real-time volume settings, reducing latency by processing volume changes immediately.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional methods transmit multiple audio streams wirelessly, then audio content can be delivered to the headset, but bandwidth limitations cause latency when adjusting volume settings
Solution Approach 1:
The audio stream is segmented into separate encoded audio data packets and metadata packets. Each packet type handles specific functions independently, allowing volume adjustments to be processed through metadata updates rather than requiring buffer updates of the entire audio stream, thereby reducing latency while maintaining transmission reliability
Solution Approach 2:
Volume level information is pre-encoded into the metadata packets along with the audio data. This preliminary encoding of volume parameters allows the audio output device to immediately adjust playback volume without waiting for buffer updates or retransmission, reducing the time delay when users change volume settings
2Device complexity
If the audio source device compresses both audio signals at the same bit rate, then transmission is simpler, but notification audio becomes inaudible when playback audio is playing
Solution Approach 1:
Different compression bit rates are applied to different audio streams based on their specific requirements. Notification audio is compressed at a higher bit rate to ensure clarity and audibility, while playback audio uses a lower bit rate, optimizing overall system performance without requiring complex re-encoding during transmission
3Stability of the object's composition
If the audio output device uses a long buffer to store audio frames, then playback continuity is improved, but volume setting changes experience significant latency
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses metadata packets that provide real-time feedback about volume level settings to the audio output device. This feedback mechanism allows the device to immediately adjust its playback parameters according to the latest volume settings without needing to wait for buffer updates, thus maintaining playback stability while reducing volume change latency
Data Source
AI summary
A method performed by an audio source device. The method receives a first audio signal and a second, different audio signal and encodes the first audio signal and the second audio signal, wherein the first audio signal is encoded differently than the second audio signal. The method generates a first data packet that comprises the first encoded audio signal and a first volume level and a second data packet that comprises the second encoded audio signal and a second volume level, wherein the first volume level is lower than the second volume level and transmits, over a wireless connection, the first and second data packets as a dual audio stream to an audio output device.