Playback Audio Stream Mapping for Low-Latency Synchronization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing playback devices experience undesirable delay times when processing audio content for synchronized playback, particularly in applications like lip-syncing audio with video or live performances, due to limited processing capacity.
Innovation Solution
A computing device processes audio streams 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 playback devices for playback, reducing processing time and delay.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If playback devices process audio content locally for synchronized playback, then audio processing can be performed, but processing time and delay increase due to limited processing capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the audio processing function from individual playback devices and relocates it to a dedicated remote processing device. The playback devices only handle simple tasks like receiving and playing back audio streams, while complex processing operations are performed remotely, thereby reducing local processing delays and improving synchronization accuracy.
2Measurement precision
If playback devices have higher processing capacity for audio content, then synchronization accuracy improves, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a remote processing device as an intermediary between the audio source and playback devices. This intermediary handles all complex audio processing, format conversion, and synchronization tasks, allowing playback devices to remain simple and cost-effective while achieving high synchronization accuracy through the intermediary's advanced capabilities.
3Manufacturing precision
If audio streams are customized for each playback device, then audio playback quality improves, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by having the remote processing device pre-process and customize audio streams before transmission to playback devices. The processing device prepares device-specific audio streams in advance, considering each playback device's capabilities and characteristics, which eliminates the need for real-time customization and reduces playback delay while maintaining high audio quality.
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.