Audio Playback Synchronization Using an OOB Peer Channel
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Bluetooth earphones with varying capabilities synchronize audio playback based on the weakest device, leading to increased delay and underutilization of higher-performance devices due to restrictive synchronization methods like BLE Audio's SDU synchronization and fixed parameter configuration.
Innovation Solution
Establish an Out of Band (OOB) wireless communication channel, such as a 5G channel, between audio devices to compute time differences and send ready notifications for synchronized playback, independent of Bluetooth protocol limitations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If Bluetooth protocol synchronization (SDU synchronization reference and presentation delay) is used to synchronize audio playback across multiple earphones, then audio synchronization is achieved, but the weakest device limits the performance of all devices in the network causing increased delay and wasted performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the synchronization control into two independent parts: (1) audio data transmission through Bluetooth channels to each earphone, and (2) synchronization signal transmission through a separate peer-to-peer channel between earphones. This segmentation allows each earphone to operate at its own performance level while maintaining synchronization through the dedicated P2P synchronization channel, preventing the weakest device from limiting overall system speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a peer-to-peer synchronization channel as an intermediary mechanism that operates independently from the Bluetooth audio data transmission. This intermediary channel allows earphones to exchange synchronization information directly without being constrained by Bluetooth protocol limitations, enabling higher-performance devices to maintain their speed while still synchronizing with the pair.
2Stability of the object's composition
If BLE Audio algorithm is used to match the weakest device for synchronization, then all devices can play audio simultaneously, but the performance of earphones with better hardware is wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic synchronization where each earphone independently determines its own playback timing based on its hardware capabilities and receives synchronization adjustments through the peer-to-peer channel. This dynamic approach allows high-performance devices to operate at their optimal speed rather than being statically limited to match the weakest device, reducing wasted hardware performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the synchronization parameter from a fixed Bluetooth protocol-based timing (presentation delay) to a flexible peer-to-peer timing mechanism. By allowing each device to negotiate and adjust its synchronization parameters dynamically through the P2P channel, the system can optimize for each device's hardware capabilities rather than uniformly applying conservative timing parameters that waste performance.
3Reliability
If Bluetooth protocol synchronization is used, then audio playback is synchronized across devices, but the system cannot dynamically adjust earphone parameters after network establishment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent establishes a peer-to-peer synchronization channel during the initial connection phase, preparing the infrastructure for dynamic parameter adjustment before audio playback begins. This preliminary setup enables subsequent real-time adjustments to synchronization parameters without requiring reconnection or protocol renegotiation, combining the reliability of pre-established channels with the flexibility of dynamic adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a dynamic parameter adjustment mechanism through the peer-to-peer channel that allows synchronization parameters to be modified in real-time during audio playback. Unlike the static Bluetooth protocol approach, this dynamic system can adapt parameters based on changing network conditions, device states, or user preferences, enhancing versatility while maintaining synchronization reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
An audio system control method, comprising: (a) establishing an OOB wireless communication channel between a first audio playing device and a second audio playing device; (b) computing a first time difference between a current time point and a first expected playing time point, when the first audio playing is ready to play the audio data; (c) sending a ready notification to the second audio playing device through the OOB wireless communication channel if the current time point is before the first expected playing time point; (d) sending a start playing notification to notify the first audio playing device to start playing, if the second audio playing device has received the ready notification, has received the audio data output by the audio source device and is ready to play the audio data; and (e) playing the audio data after the first audio playing device receiving the start playing notification.