Audio Output Device Network Switching for Low Latency
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a delay in audio signal transmission when multiple speaker devices are connected via wireless networks, causing network communication delays in group reproduction scenarios.
Innovation Solution
A content output device that pre-transmits content via a pre-connected network before all network connections are completed, using a combination of wireless LAN and Wi-Fi P2P networks to minimize delay and network load by encoding content according to each network's characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If audio signal is transmitted to multiple speaker devices via wireless network, then group reproduction is achieved, but transmission delay occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary network connection establishment between the content output device and external speaker devices before actual content transmission begins. The communication interface pre-configures transmission paths and establishes network links, so that when content needs to be transmitted, the pathway is already ready, eliminating connection setup delays during playback.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically selects between two communication networks (first network via external network apparatus, second network direct P2P connection) based on real-time network conditions and connection status. The processor monitors network availability and automatically switches transmission paths to optimize for lowest latency, making the system adaptable to changing network environments.
2Loss of time
If content is transmitted via pre-connected network before all connections are completed, then output time is reduced, but network load increases
Solution Approach 1:
The content transmission is divided into multiple segments corresponding to different network paths. The processor segments the audio content and transmits portions via the first communication network (via external network apparatus) and portions via the second communication network (direct P2P), distributing the network load across multiple channels rather than overloading a single path.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes transmission parameters such as encoding bitrate and packet size based on the specific network characteristics of each communication path. For the first network via external apparatus, different encoding parameters are used compared to direct P2P transmission, optimizing each transmission stream for its specific network conditions to reduce overall network load.
Data Source
AI summary
A first content output device (e.g., speaker) may include a communication interface, an output unit, and a processor. The first content output device, upon receiving a request, selectively transmits audio content to an external content output device (e.g., speaker) via two different networks. While the external content device is buffering the audio content received from the first content device via a first network, the devices are setting up for connection via a different second network. When the setting for connection between the device via the second network is completed, the first content output device switches to transmitting the audio content to the external content output device via the second network.