Master Audio Device Selection for Networked Synchronization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing audio systems with networked devices often face limitations in providing synchronized audio output due to constraints in device characteristics and network capacity, leading to potential failures or irregularities like audio stuttering when airtime usage exceeds available resources.
Innovation Solution
The system determines a master audio device with the highest data throughput to minimize airtime usage by calculating data throughput values for each device and selecting the one that requires the least airtime for transmission, thereby optimizing network resource allocation and preventing errors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a group of networked audio devices is configured to provide synchronized audio output, then audio distribution capability is improved, but airtime usage increases and may exceed network resources
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary determination of a master audio device from the group of audio devices before distributing audio data. This master device is selected based on its ability to minimize airtime usage. By performing this selection in advance, the system optimizes the distribution architecture to reduce overall airtime consumption while maintaining synchronized audio output capability across the network.
2Reliability
If audio data is distributed to multiple audio devices, then synchronized audio output is achieved, but errors and irregularities occur when airtime exceeds available resources
Solution Approach 1:
The system determines a master audio device in advance from the group of audio devices that will minimize airtime usage. This preliminary selection ensures that audio data distribution is optimized before transmission begins, preventing airtime exhaustion that would cause audio errors and irregularities, thereby maintaining reliable synchronized audio output.
3Ease of operation
If any audio device is selected as master device, then audio data distribution is simplified, but airtime efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the selection criterion for the master audio device from arbitrary or random selection to selection based on airtime efficiency parameters. By evaluating and selecting the device that minimizes airtime usage, the system optimizes network resource utilization while maintaining the simplified master-slave distribution architecture.
Data Source
AI summary
Described are techniques for configuring a group of devices to perform a function by using a master device to provide data to other devices within the group. Test data may be communicated between a selected device and each device in the group to determine link quality values for each communication. A value indicative of the airtime that would be used to distribute data using the selected device may be determined. This process may be repeated for each device within the group. The selected device associated with the lowest airtime value may be designated as the master device. Data transmitted from the master device to the other devices may be used to cause the group of devices to perform a function.