Media Playback Node Synchronization via Physical Layer API
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies fail to provide a seamless and synchronized multi-speaker sound system for immersive audio experiences, especially in ad-hoc settings without the need for complex equipment, and lack integration with visual effects.
Innovation Solution
A network of media playback nodes, such as mobile devices, synchronize media playback across multiple devices using a physical layer API, timing synchronization signals, and a common time reference to create a cohesive audio and visual experience, including audio, video, and lighting effects, through ad-hoc networks like Bluetooth or Wi-Fi.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple networked components are used to create a multi-speaker sound system, then the listening experience is dramatically improved, but the device complexity and setup requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the multi-speaker sound system into independent networked components (media playback nodes) that can function autonomously. Each device maintains its own playback capabilities while synchronizing with others through network communication, allowing the system to be segmented into manageable units that can be independently configured and deployed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes existing mobile devices and media players universal by enabling them to function as synchronized playback nodes in a multi-device system. Through the physical layer API and synchronization protocols, standard consumer devices gain the additional capability to participate in coordinated multi-speaker playback without requiring specialized hardware modifications.
2Measurement precision
If synchronization signals and timing advance information are used to coordinate playback, then playback sync is improved, but the information processing requirements and communication overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary synchronization by establishing timing relationships and exchange rates before actual media playback begins. The physical layer API retrieves synchronization signals and timing advance information in advance, allowing the system to pre-calculate start times and coordinate playback parameters before content delivery, thereby reducing real-time processing demands.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a base station or coordinating device as an intermediary that manages synchronization information distribution. The intermediary consolidates timing advance information and synchronization signals from multiple sources, processes them centrally, and distributes coordinated playback instructions to media playback nodes, reducing the communication overhead between peer devices.
Data Source
AI summary
Concepts and technologies disclosed herein are directed to collaborative media playback. According to one aspect disclosed herein, a media playback node can receive information for use in determining a start time for playback of media content so that playback of the media content is in sync with playback of the media content by a further playback node. The media playback node also can determine, based at least in part upon the information, the start time for playback of the media content. The media playback node also can initiate playback of the media content at the start time.