Centralized Audio Request Routing for Distributed Playback
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multimedia content playback systems require local jukebox devices to receive and process order requests, and users need to know the address and contact information of these devices to request audio content, which is inconvenient and limits the acoustic quality of mobile playback devices.
Innovation Solution
A system where order requests for multimedia content are transmitted to a central unit via communication terminals, and the content is sent to geographically distributed, separate playback units, eliminating the need for local jukebox devices to receive requests and allowing playback without knowing the specific device's address or contact information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If local jukebox devices are equipped with receiving and control modules to process order requests, then audio content can be played back at local locations, but users must know the address and contact information of these devices which is inconvenient
Solution Approach 1:
The receiving and control modules are extracted from the distributed playback units and centralized into a single central unit. This allows playback units to be simplified to only contain audio output capabilities, while the central unit handles all request processing, user interaction, and content delivery coordination.
Solution Approach 2:
The central unit acts as an intermediary between users and the distributed playback units. Users send requests to the central unit which then routes content to the appropriate playback unit, eliminating the need for users to know device addresses or contact information.
2Reliability
If each local jukebox device has receiving and control modules, then audio content can be requested and played locally, but the acoustic playback quality cannot compete with traditional jukeboxes
Solution Approach 1:
The complex receiving and control functionality is extracted from the playback units, leaving only the audio output function. This allows the playback units to be designed with high-quality acoustic components without the burden of processing requests or storing content locally.
Solution Approach 2:
The central unit combines multiple functions (request reception, content storage, routing control) into a single location, while distributed playback units focus exclusively on high-quality audio reproduction. This separation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function.
3Adaptability or versatility
If order requests are transmitted to distributed playback units directly, then local playback is enabled, but users need to know address and contact information of each device
Solution Approach 1:
The central unit provides a universal interface for all playback locations. A single centralized system handles requests for multiple distributed playback units, allowing users to access audio content at any location through one unified system rather than needing to know details about each individual device.
4Productivity
If local jukebox devices store audio files locally, then playback can occur without network dependency, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The audio file storage function is extracted from the distributed playback units and centralized in the central unit. Playback units receive and play audio content in real-time from the network, eliminating the need for local storage while maintaining playback capability.
Data Source
AI summary
The system has a receiver module (11) receiving order request for audio contents, where the requests are transmitted using a communication terminal (3) over a communication network (2). A computer based central unit (1) transmits the contents over the network to geographically distributed playback units (5, 6, 7), which are separated from the communication terminals. The receiver module is arranged in the central unit, which is designed in such a manner that the audio contents are transmitted corresponding to the order requests to one of the playback units for play back of the audio contents. Independent claims are also included for the following: (1) a method for requisition and playback of audio content (2) a computer program product with a computer program code unit.