Grouped Playback Control for Multi-Zone Audio Synchronization
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional multi-zone audio systems are inflexible and inconvenient, requiring manual adjustment of audio players one at a time and struggling to dynamically manage groups, especially for ad-hoc scenarios, and lack efficient volume control and sound configuration for a unified listening experience across different zones.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for controlling multiple multimedia players in groups, allowing users to create and manage scenes or themes that synchronize playback across zones, with a controller enabling grouping, volume adjustment, and multi-channel audio processing to enhance the listening environment, using networked devices to distribute audio streams and configure equalizations for optimal sound reproduction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual adjustment of audio players one at a time is used, then individual control precision is improved, but operation time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple audio player controls into a unified grouping system where players can be controlled collectively as a group while maintaining individual adjustability. This allows simultaneous control of multiple players, reducing operation time while preserving individual control precision when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between individual control mode and group control mode based on user needs. Players can be individually adjusted when precision is required, then quickly grouped for simultaneous control, making the system adaptable to different operational scenarios.
2Stability of the object's composition
If fixed group configurations are used, then system stability is improved, but adaptability to different scenarios decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic grouping where audio players can be freely added to or removed from groups based on different scenarios. The system maintains stable group configurations during operation but allows easy reconfiguration when needed, achieving both stability and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The grouping system is designed to be universally applicable to different scenarios and player configurations. Users can create custom groups for various purposes (e.g., stereo pairs, surround sound configurations, multi-room synchronization), making the system versatile while maintaining operational stability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If centralized audio source distribution is used, then source sharing is improved, but system complexity and control difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the audio distribution system into independent player units that can individually receive and process audio sources. Each player maintains its own audio processing chain, reducing centralized control complexity while enabling flexible source sharing across multiple players through the network.
Data Source
AI summary
The present application discloses playback devices and networks, software for operating playback devices and playback device networks, and methods of operating playback devices and networks, where an individual network device is configured to switch between operating various operating modes comprising a non-paired mode and a paired mode, where the playback device is configured to output various channels of audio content within various audio frequency ranges while operating in the various operating modes.