Multi-Zone Audio System Network Load Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multi-zone audio systems face challenges in maintaining high sound quality and synchronized reproduction across multiple rooms due to network bandwidth limitations and potential delays, especially when using network connections, and require complex connection method selection between network and audio cable connections.
Innovation Solution
A system that uses a portable terminal to create a correspondence table for zone-specific reproduction devices, allowing for wireless LAN communication between devices and audio cable connections within zones to reduce network load and delay, enabling efficient audio data transmission and synchronized playback across multiple rooms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If audio data is transmitted to multiple reproduction devices via network connection, then multi-zone reproduction is enabled, but network bandwidth becomes insufficient and delays occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the audio data transmission by identifying a master reproduction device and slave reproduction devices. The master device receives the full audio data via network connection, while slave devices receive audio data through audio cable connections from the master device. This segmentation reduces the network bandwidth requirement by eliminating redundant transmissions to multiple devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The master reproduction device acts as an intermediary between the network and slave reproduction devices. It receives audio data from the network, processes it, and then distributes it to slave devices via audio cable connections. This intermediary role allows the system to maintain multi-zone capability while reducing network load.
2Ease of operation
If audio data is transmitted via network connection, then wireless convenience is achieved, but reproduction delay increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the connection types by establishing wireless network connections only to the master reproduction device and wired audio cable connections from the master to slave devices. This segmentation allows the system to maintain wireless convenience for control and configuration while using wired connections for actual audio data transmission to minimize delay.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies different connection qualities to different parts of the system: wireless network connections are used where convenience is prioritized (control and configuration), while wired audio cable connections are used where low delay is critical (audio data transmission to slave devices).
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple connection methods are supported for reproduction devices, then system flexibility is improved, but control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements automatic role assignment where reproduction devices automatically identify which device should be the master and which should be slaves based on simple criteria (such as connection order or device ID). This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for complex manual configuration and reduces control complexity while maintaining connection flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of requiring the user to configure each device's connection method individually, the system inverts the approach by having devices automatically determine their own connection mode based on their role in the multi-zone system. The master device automatically establishes network connections, while slave devices automatically use audio cable connections.
Data Source
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AI summary
Each of a plurality of reproduction sections each constituting a reproduction unit where audio data is reproduced is provided with at least any one of a first reproduction device group and a second reproduction device group. The first reproduction device group includes at least one reproduction device that is network-connected with storage means for storing the audio data. The second reproduction device group includes a plurality of reproduction devices that are connected to each other using at least one audio cable and that includes at least one reproduction device being network-connected with the storage means. With regard to the reproduction section provided with the first reproduction device group, the audio data is transmitted via the network connection to each reproduction device included in the first reproduction device group. With regard to the reproduction section provided with the second reproduction device group, the audio data is transmitted via the network connection to at least one reproduction device network-connected with the storage means, and the audio data received by the at least one reproduction device is transmitted via the at least one audio cable to at least one other reproduction device.