Wireless Audio Synchronization via Packet Arrival Feedback

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless audio systems face challenges in synchronizing audio between devices due to delays in packet arrival times at Bluetooth sink devices, caused by factors like temporary tuning away from the Bluetooth link or retransmissions.

Innovation Solution

The method involves transmitting a stream of packets to a sink device, receiving feedback indicating packet arrival times, determining an average time shift, and adjusting the streaming time to synchronize the source device with the sink device within a predefined tolerance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If wireless audio packets are transmitted to sink devices, then audio distribution is achieved, but packet arrival time delays occur due to temporary tuning away or retransmissions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepacket transmission speedVSAvoidpacket arrival delay

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The source device receives feedback from the sink device indicating actual packet arrival times, compares these with expected arrival times, and uses this feedback to calculate time shifts and adjust streaming timing accordingly

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The source device proactively adjusts the streaming time of audio packets based on predicted or measured time shifts before synchronization errors become perceptible, preventing audio desynchronization rather than correcting it after the fact

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Duration of action of stationary object

If packet streaming continues without adjustment, then continuous audio output is maintained, but synchronization between source and sink devices degrades

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontinuous audio playbackVSAvoidaudio synchronization

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The streaming time is dynamically adjusted based on measured time shifts in packet arrival times. The system continuously monitors synchronization status and modifies transmission timing in real-time to maintain audio sync between source and sink devices

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If the source device adjusts streaming time to compensate for delays, then synchronization is improved, but additional processing complexity is introduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaudio synchronizationVSAvoidsynchronization control complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The source device autonomously monitors its own packet transmission timing, receives arrival time feedback from the sink, calculates time shifts, and adjusts its streaming schedule without requiring complex external coordination or additional hardware components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS20250184385A1Audio synchronization in wireless systems

Publication Date: 2025.06.05 BOSE CORP

AI summary

Methods, devices, and systems are provided for synchronizing a source device with a sink device. In some examples, the source device plays first audio using, e.g., an electro-acoustic transducer. The source device transmits a stream of packets to the sink device to be used by the sink device for playing second audio, where the playing of the second audio is to be synchronized within a predefined tolerance with the playing of the first audio. In response to determining there is a delay in average packet arrival times of the stream of packets at the sink device, the source device adjusts the playing of the first audio to maintain synchronization with the playing of the second audio within the predefined tolerance.