Bonded-Zone Volume Control for Synchronized Playback Speakers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing digital audio systems lack seamless satellite volume control across multiple playback devices in a bonded zone, leading to inconsistent audio experiences when adjusting volume settings.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system where user input for volume changes at a secondary playback device is propagated throughout the bonded zone, allowing all devices to adjust their volume synchronously, with a primary playback device managing audio signal processing and distribution to ensure consistent audio output across all devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If volume control is implemented independently at each playback device, then each device can be controlled individually, but inconsistent audio levels and audible delays occur across the bonded zone
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the volume control functionality across all playback devices in the bonded zone by implementing a centralized volume controller that receives volume adjustment commands and distributes them to all devices. This ensures that when one device's volume is adjusted, all other devices in the bonded zone同步 adjust their volume levels, maintaining consistent audio output across the entire system while preserving individual control capability through the bonded zone interface.
2Reliability
If a centralized volume control system is implemented, then audio consistency is maintained across all devices, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a centralized volume controller as an intermediary component that mediates between user input and multiple playback devices. This volume controller receives volume adjustment commands (either from a controller device or directly from playback devices), processes them centrally, and distributes the adjusted audio signals to all bonded zone devices. This intermediary approach maintains audio consistency while managing system complexity by consolidating control logic in a single component rather than requiring complex peer-to-peer coordination between all devices.
3Reliability
If volume adjustments are propagated through the network, then synchronized volume control is achieved, but network dependency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a volume controller that serves multiple functions: it acts as a centralized control point for volume adjustments, functions as an audio signal distributor to all bonded zone devices, and maintains synchronization across the network. The controller device can receive user input and send volume adjustment commands to the volume controller, which then propagates these adjustments to all playback devices. This multi-functional design achieves synchronized volume control while reducing network communication overhead by consolidating control and distribution functions in a single component.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments are provided for satellite volume control. An example method includes receiving an input at a playback device to adjust a volume for a plurality of playback devices that are grouped for synchronous playback of audio content, wherein the plurality of playback devices includes the playback device. The method also includes sending a first message over a network from the playback device to a device associated with the plurality of playback devices, the first message including information based on the input, wherein the information is used to adjust the volume of the plurality of playback devices. The method also includes receiving a second message at the playback device over the network, the second message including information for the volume of the playback device, wherein the volume is based on the adjusted volume of the plurality of playback devices.