Audio Stream Segmentation for Multi-Device Synchronization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems fail to efficiently manage and utilize multiple gaming accessories, leading to suboptimal audio playback experiences, particularly in gaming and multimedia applications, where the quality and immersion of audio are crucial for user engagement.
Innovation Solution
The development of an Accessory Management Software (AMS) application that processes multichannel audio streams to create synchronized front and surround audio channels, allowing for efficient distribution to multiple audio devices, including built-in speakers and supplemental speakers, to enhance the audio experience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If audio data is provided to multiple audio logical devices, then audio playback quality and immersion are improved, but system complexity and management difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary software layer (audio management system) that sits between the audio source and multiple audio devices. This intermediary handles the complex tasks of audio stream duplication, channel separation, and device management, thereby improving audio playback quality across multiple devices without directly increasing the complexity of individual device operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the audio stream into different channels (front channel and surround channel) and directs them to different audio devices. This segmentation allows each device to receive optimized audio content appropriate to its capabilities, improving overall audio quality while managing system complexity through structured audio distribution.
2Productivity
If audio streams are duplicated and distributed to multiple devices, then user engagement and immersion are improved, but processing overhead and resource consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by selectively duplicating only the necessary portions of the audio stream for each device based on its capabilities. Rather than fully duplicating the entire audio stream to all devices, the system separates channels and distributes only relevant audio data to each device, reducing processing overhead while maintaining user engagement.
3Reliability
If channel separation and synchronization are implemented, then surround sound effect is achieved, but computational complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the multichannel audio stream into distinct front and surround channels, directing them to appropriate audio devices. This segmentation achieves surround sound effects by spatially separating audio content while managing computational complexity through structured channel separation rather than complex real-time processing.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method that incorporates the subject disclosure may include, for example, receiving a multichannel audio stream; forming a front channel audio stream of the multichannel audio stream, including combining a first subset of audio channels of the multichannel audio stream to form the front channel audio stream; forming a surround channel audio stream of the multichannel audio stream including combining a second subset of audio channels of the multichannel audio stream to form the surround channel audio stream; providing the front channel audio stream to a primary set of speakers positioned in front of a listener and providing the surround channel audio stream to a supplemental speaker positioned behind the listener; and synchronizing the front channel audio stream and the surround channel audio stream. Additional embodiments are disclosed.