Multi-Device Audio Stream Mapping for Low-Latency Synchronization
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing media playback systems face challenges in synchronizing audio across multiple devices without noticeable delay, particularly in applications requiring lip-syncing with video or live performances, due to processing limitations in playback devices.
Innovation Solution
A computing device processes audio content using information about the configuration of playback devices, including transducer specifications and environmental data, to generate customized audio streams that are then sent to the devices, reducing processing time and minimizing delay.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If audio content is processed by playback devices themselves, then device autonomy is improved, but processing time and synchronization delay increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the audio processing function from individual playback devices and relocates it to a centralized computing device. The computing device receives audio content, processes it according to transducer specifications, and distributes the processed audio streams to multiple playback devices. This extraction eliminates the processing bottleneck at each device while maintaining system autonomy through centralized control.
Solution Approach 2:
The computing device acts as an intermediary between the audio source and the playback devices. It receives audio content, processes it according to the capabilities of each playback device's transducers, and distributes optimized audio streams. This intermediary approach allows sophisticated processing without adding delay at the playback devices themselves.
2Manufacturing precision
If audio is customized for each transducer, then audio quality is improved, but processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by customizing audio streams for each specific transducer based on its specifications. The computing device analyzes transducer characteristics (frequency response, power handling, impedance) and generates tailored audio streams optimized for each device. This ensures high audio quality for each playback device without requiring complex processing at the device level, as the customization is performed centrally beforehand.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple playback devices are synchronized, then system versatility is improved, but coordination complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the coordination function for multiple playback devices into a single centralized computing device. The computing device receives transducer specifications from multiple playback devices, processes audio content accordingly, and distributes synchronized audio streams to all devices. This consolidation handles the coordination complexity centrally, allowing the playback devices to focus solely on playback, thereby improving system versatility without adding complexity at the device level.
Data Source
AI summary
An example method includes receiving data indicating a configuration of one or more playback devices. The one or more playback devices may include one or more transducers. The method further includes, based on the received data, associating each of one or more audio streams respectively with at least one transducer of the one or more transducers. The method further includes generating the one or more audio streams and sending at least one of the generated one or more audio streams to each of the one or more playback devices. An example non-transitory computer readable medium and an example computing device related to the example method are also disclosed herein.