Multi-Channel Audio Routing for Synchronized Wireless Playback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multimedia systems with source equipment lacking a wireless communication module struggle to implement multi-channel audio playback effectively, as audio repeaters cannot optimize sound rendering for heterogeneous audio devices, requiring complex and expensive equipment configurations.
Innovation Solution
An accessory device with a wired input, wired output, and wireless communication circuit routes specific audio channels to appropriate playback devices, synchronized by applying delays and processing based on device capabilities, ensuring synchronized multichannel reproduction without complicating the audio reproduction equipment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If an audio repeater is used to transmit audio channels to wireless speakers, then multi-channel audio playback can be implemented, but the audio repeater cannot optimize sound rendering for heterogeneous audio devices and requires complex and expensive equipment configurations
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the audio signal processing functions between the source equipment (which performs routing and synchronization) and the audio reproduction equipment (which simply receives and plays back). This segmentation allows the source equipment to handle heterogeneous device configurations while keeping the audio reproduction equipment simple and inexpensive.
Solution Approach 2:
The source equipment acts as an intermediary that receives the multi-channel audio signal, routes specific channels to appropriate audio reproduction devices based on their capabilities, and applies synchronization delays. This intermediary function enables compatibility with heterogeneous devices without requiring complex processing in the audio reproduction equipment themselves.
2Device complexity
If the source equipment does not integrate a wireless communication module, then the system remains simple and inexpensive, but it cannot directly transmit audio channels to wireless speakers
Solution Approach 1:
The source equipment is designed to perform multiple functions: it acts as both an audio signal source and an audio router/synchronizer. By giving the source equipment this multi-functionality, the system can support wireless audio playback without adding wireless communication modules to the source equipment or requiring complex processing in the audio reproduction equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The source equipment self-services the system by handling the routing and synchronization of audio channels based on the capabilities of connected audio reproduction devices. This self-service approach eliminates the need for additional wireless communication modules in the source equipment while maintaining simplicity and inexpensive hardware requirements.
3Device complexity
If audio channels are transmitted without synchronization, then the system is simpler, but the sound reproduction quality deteriorates due to lack of synchronized multichannel reproduction
Solution Approach 1:
The source equipment performs preliminary synchronization of audio channels before transmission to the audio reproduction devices. By applying the appropriate delays in advance at the source equipment, the system ensures synchronized playback without requiring complex synchronization processing in the audio reproduction equipment, thus maintaining simplicity while achieving high sound reproduction quality.
Data Source
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AI summary
Accessory equipment (14) comprising: - a wireless communication circuit (36); - a routing circuit (35) arranged to: o receive from a source equipment, via the input port and the first wired link, a digital audio-video signal comprising a video signal (Sv) and audio channels, the audio channels comprising at least a first audio channel belonging to a multi-channel audio signal, and at least a second audio channel; o transmit to the wireless communication circuit only the at least a first audio channel so that the wireless communication circuit transmits it to at least one audio reproduction equipment via a wireless link (39); o transmit to the audio-video reproduction equipment only the video signal and the at least a second audio channel.