Self-organizing Audio Synchronization via Local Leader Election
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing peer-to-peer computer network systems for synchronized audio or video playback face challenges in maintaining synchronization when the session leader device becomes unavailable, leading to potential drop-outs or degradation in playback.
Innovation Solution
A self-organizing network is achieved through a local leader election algorithm that automatically selects a new provisional leader among participating devices, ensuring continuous synchronization with minimal disruption, using a method such as a random number election algorithm to maintain playback timing and stream recasting responsibilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single session leader is designated for synchronized playback, then playback synchronization is maintained, but system reliability deteriorates when the leader becomes unavailable
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-configures all participating devices with the leader election algorithm before the session begins. Each device is prepared to potentially become a leader by having the election logic ready locally, eliminating the need for complex runtime negotiations when leader failure occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
When the session leader becomes unavailable, the remaining devices automatically perform the leader election among themselves using the pre-configured algorithm. The system serves itself by autonomously selecting a new leader without requiring external intervention or complex coordination protocols.
2Loss of time
If complex negotiation communication is used to elect a new leader, then accurate leader selection is achieved, but time loss increases during leader transition
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the leader election logic from complex multi-device negotiation and embeds it as a simple local algorithm on each device. This allows each device to independently determine the new leader based on pre-agreed criteria (such as device ID ordering), eliminating time-consuming back-and-forth communication while maintaining deterministic and accurate leader selection.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the session leader is moved or switched off, then device mobility is improved, but synchronization stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements dynamic leader re-election that automatically adapts to device mobility. When the current leader moves or is switched off, the remaining devices dynamically select a new leader using the local algorithm, allowing the synchronization group to maintain stability despite changes in device composition or location.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention provides a protocol and a method for a plurality of separate devices to stream audio and/or video in a synchronized manner in a computer network. One device is session leader and controls synchronization of the streaming of the other devices. If the session leader device is switched off,or becomes otherwise unavailable, local election algorithms on the other devices serve to automatically elect a new session leader to synchronize to in an autonomous manner, e.g. based on a random number election based algorithm.In this manner, a self- organizing synchronization network is provided.