Multi-Device Audio Stream Mapping for Synchronized Playback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing media playback systems face challenges in synchronizing audio playback across multiple devices, leading to undesirable delay times, which can be problematic for applications like lip-syncing with video or live performances.
Innovation Solution
A computing device processes audio content using information about the configuration of playback devices, including specifications and environmental data, to generate customized audio streams that minimize delay times and ensure synchronized playback across multiple devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If audio content is processed by multiple networked playback devices independently, then each device can play audio autonomously, but delay times increase and synchronization becomes problematic
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a central controller as an intermediary device that receives audio content and distributes it to multiple playback devices. This mediator coordinates the playback timing and ensures all devices synchronize their output, eliminating the delay issues that arise when devices operate independently. The controller acts as the central authority that manages the audio distribution and timing across the network.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary processing of audio content at the controller before distribution to playback devices. The controller pre-coordinates the audio streams and timing information, so that when audio is distributed to multiple devices, they are already prepared to play back in synchronization. This preliminary coordination eliminates the need for each device to independently process and synchronize, reducing overall delay.
2Reliability
If a central controller processes and distributes audio to multiple devices, then synchronization improves, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller is designed to perform multiple functions: it acts as an audio source, a distribution hub, a synchronization coordinator, and a communication manager all in one device. By consolidating these functions into a single multi-functional controller rather than requiring separate specialized components, the system achieves reliable synchronization without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If audio is streamed to multiple devices simultaneously, then multi-room playback is enabled, but maintaining synchronization across devices becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the controller monitors the status and timing of each playback device in the network. Based on this feedback information about device states, network conditions, and playback timing, the controller dynamically adjusts distribution parameters to maintain synchronization across all devices simultaneously playing in different rooms. This closed-loop control ensures synchronization is maintained despite varying environmental conditions.
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.