Audio Rendering Synchronization via Wireless Timing Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Audio computing systems often render the same audio output at different times when receiving audio packets from an audio source, leading to a less than optimal user experience due to lack of synchronization, particularly in stereo audio systems where different audio data should be played simultaneously.
Innovation Solution
A wireless audio streaming protocol is established where a central audio computing system creates a separate wireless network with a peripheral audio computing system to determine and synchronize the rendering times, ensuring both systems output audio simultaneously by calculating the delay between receiving audio packets and adjusting their rendering times accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If audio computing systems receive audio packets independently from the audio source, then each system can process audio data autonomously, but the systems will render audio output at different times causing synchronization issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the first audio computing system sends its audio packet receipt time to the second audio computing system. The second system uses this feedback to calculate its own rendering time offset and adjust its audio output timing accordingly, achieving synchronization while maintaining autonomous processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a timing synchronization mechanism as an intermediary between the two audio computing systems. This intermediary exchanges timing information (receipt times) between systems and enables coordinated rendering without requiring centralized control, resolving the contradiction between autonomy and synchronization.
2Manufacturing precision
If a separate wireless network is established between audio computing systems for synchronization, then rendering times can be synchronized, but network complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the existing wireless network between audio computing systems multi-functional by having it serve both audio data transmission and timing synchronization purposes. This eliminates the need for a separate dedicated synchronization network, reducing overall network complexity while achieving precise synchronization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the audio data communication channel and the timing synchronization channel into a single wireless network infrastructure. By combining these functions, the system achieves synchronization without the overhead of maintaining separate network structures.
3Adaptability or versatility
If audio packets are transmitted at different times to different audio computing systems, then transmission flexibility is improved, but rendering synchronization deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the first audio computing system send its packet receipt time to the second system in advance. This allows the second system to pre-calculate its rendering time offset before actual audio playback, enabling both flexible transmission timing and precise rendering synchronization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic timing adjustment where each audio computing system independently calculates its rendering time based on its actual packet receipt time. This dynamic approach allows the system to adapt to varying transmission conditions while maintaining synchronization, combining flexibility with precision.
Data Source
AI summary
A first audio computing system to establish a connection with an audio source within a first network, establish a connection with a second audio computing system within a second network, receive, from the audio source via the connection within the first network, a first audio packet, the first audio packet including audio data, receive, from the second audio computing system, a receipt time, the receipt time indicating when the second audio computing system received, from the audio source within the first network, a second audio packet, the second audio packet including the audio data included in the first audio packet, calculate a rendering time based on a time of receiving the first audio packet and the receipt time, send the rendering time to the second audio computing system via the second network, and output audio based on the audio data.