Network Audio Device Fault Tolerance via Intermediary Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional network audio systems face challenges in providing redundancy and flexibility, especially in large venues, due to the significant length, weight, and cost of cabling required for redundant connections, leading to vulnerability in case of failures.
Innovation Solution
A network audio system that configures direct and serial connections to provide fault tolerance while reducing cabling requirements, allowing for mixing of direct and serial connections to adapt to different venues and requirements, with a fault tolerance module to select redundant ports in case of failures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If redundant physical connections are implemented between audio components and the central system, then fault tolerance is improved, but cabling cost and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a network audio device with multiple network interfaces as an intermediary component. This device can receive audio signals through one network interface and transmit them through another network interface, eliminating the need for redundant physical cable connections while maintaining fault tolerance capabilities through software-based signal routing and switching.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/physical redundant cable system with a software-based network routing system. Instead of using multiple physical cable paths for fault tolerance, the system uses network protocols and software switching to achieve the same reliability goal with reduced physical infrastructure.
2Reliability
If redundant physical connections are implemented in large venues, then fault tolerance is improved, but cabling length and weight increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The network audio device serves as an intermediary that consolidates multiple network connections into a single physical path. Instead of running separate redundant cables from the central system to each audio component, the intermediary device manages signal routing through its multiple network interfaces, dramatically reducing cable length requirements in large venue installations.
3Reliability
If redundant physical connections are implemented, then fault tolerance is improved, but cabling cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes expensive redundant physical cable infrastructure with a more cost-effective software-based solution. By using standard network interfaces and software routing, the system achieves the same fault tolerance capability without the high cost of duplicate cable runs, connectors, and installation labor associated with traditional redundant physical connections.
Data Source
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AI summary
In one embodiment, an audio device includes a plurality of ports. The audio device receives, from a first network via a first port included in the plurality of ports, at least one of a first audio signal and a first control signal. The audio device transmits the at least one of the first audio signal and the first control signal to an audio output device. In case of a fault associated with the first port, the audio device transmits at least one of a second audio signal and a second control signal to the audio output device, where the at least one of the second audio signal and the second control signal is received from a second network via a second port included in the plurality of ports.