Conference Audio Frame Sync via BLE Beacons Across Disparate Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions for synchronizing audio playback across devices connected to disparate networks rely on a direct network connection, which is not always viable, leading to perceptible echoes due to out-of-sync audio output when devices are co-located.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a one-way communication protocol using Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) beacons for devices to transmit their clocks independently, allowing each device to select a master timing clock based on received clocks and adjust playback buffers for synchronized audio output.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If devices rely on direct network connections for audio synchronization, then synchronization can be achieved on unified networks, but synchronization fails on disparate networks leading to perceptible echoes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces BLE beacons as an intermediary communication channel between devices. Instead of relying directly on network connections for synchronization, devices exchange timing information through BLE beacons which act as a mediator. This allows devices on disparate networks to synchronize their audio playback by receiving and processing timing data from BLE beacons, eliminating the requirement for direct network connectivity while maintaining synchronization reliability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If devices use independent clock transmission via BLE beacons, then network compatibility is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional communication protocol implementation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the synchronization function into separate components: audio data transmission through existing network channels and timing synchronization through BLE beacons. This segmentation allows each component to operate independently using appropriate protocols for its function, reducing the complexity burden on any single communication path while maintaining overall system adaptability across different network types.
Data Source
AI summary
Broadcast messages that each includes a conference identifier of a conference to which the device is joined are transmitted from a device. Each broadcast message includes a respective indication of an audio frame of first audio frames of an audio stream of the conference. A broadcast message that includes the conference identifier of the conference and an indication of a received frame number is received from another device that is joined to the conference. One of the first audio frames is output via a speaker of the device where the one of the first audio frames is selected using the respective indication of the audio frame of the first audio frames and the indication of the received frame number.