Reproduction Data Buffer Management for Audio-Tactile Synchronization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing technologies fail to ensure synchronization between multiple reproduction apparatuses while preventing sound dropout due to buffer underflow, leading to long silent periods.

Innovation Solution

A system that generates and transmits reproduction data with control information for duplication or discarding based on perceptual features, using threshold values to manage buffer memory levels and synchronize audio and tactile data reproduction across devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If reproduction data is continuously received via wireless communication, then audio reproduction can proceed without interruption, but buffer underflow occurs causing sound dropout when communication quality deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaudio reproduction continuityVSAvoidsound dropout
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by duplicating reproduction data before it is fully consumed, creating a buffer of redundant data that can be used if communication deteriorates. This advance preparation ensures that when data loss occurs, the system can continue reproduction using the pre-duplicated data without interruption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system discards redundant duplicated data after it has served its protective function, then recovers the original data stream when communication quality improves. This allows the system to manage buffer memory efficiently by removing unnecessary duplicates while preserving the ability to recover from communication failures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #34Discarding and recovering

2Object-affected harmful factors

If processing stops until buffer memory is recovered from underflow state, then sound dropout is prevented, but long silent periods occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesound dropoutVSAvoidsilent period duration
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

By duplicating reproduction data in advance and maintaining a buffer of redundant data, the system eliminates the need to stop reproduction when buffer underflow is detected. The duplicated data serves as a buffer that allows continuous reproduction without interruption, thereby preventing long silent periods while avoiding sound dropout.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Object-affected harmful factors

If reproduction data is duplicated to prevent buffer underflow, then sound dropout is reduced, but synchronization between multiple reproduction apparatuses deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesound dropoutVSAvoidsynchronization stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback mechanisms where reproduction apparatuses exchange synchronization information and buffer status data. Based on this feedback, each apparatus dynamically adjusts its duplication strategy, duplicating data only when necessary and coordinating duplication actions across multiple devices to maintain synchronization while preventing sound dropout.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The duplication strategy is made dynamic rather than static. The system continuously monitors buffer levels, communication quality, and synchronization status, adjusting duplication behavior in real-time. This dynamic approach allows the system to duplicate data to prevent sound dropout while maintaining synchronization by coordinating duplication actions across multiple reproduction apparatuses based on current system state.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4213491B1Information processing device, information processing system, and information processing method
Publication Date: 2025.10.15 SONY GROUP CORP
  • EP4213491B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4213491B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4213491B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An information processing device includes a reproduction data reception unit configured to receive first reproduction data and control information regarding the first reproduction data, a first buffer memory configured to store the received first reproduction data and control information, a synchronization information management unit configured to receive synchronization information from another reproduction apparatus that reproduces second reproduction data in synchronization with the first reproduction data, a reproduction data management unit configured to duplicate or discard the first reproduction data stored in the first buffer memory, and a reproduction processing unit configured to reproduce the first reproduction data on the basis of the received synchronization information.