Peripheral Audio Synchronization via Automatic Latency Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Peripheral audio devices introduce delays in audio playback, leading to unsynchronized audiovisual media playback, and existing user-adjustment methods lack the necessary granularity and are cumbersome.
Innovation Solution
A display device transmits signals to both internal and external speakers, measuring the latency difference to automatically synchronize audiovisual content by adjusting playback timing based on reception times.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If peripheral audio devices are used to provide audio output, then audio quality and versatility are improved, but latency is introduced causing audiovisual desynchronization
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary latency measurement by transmitting test signals through the peripheral audio device before actual media playback. The measured latency value is stored and used to pre-adjust the audio playback timing, compensating for the delay introduced by the peripheral device. This preliminary action ensures that audiovisual content remains synchronized without requiring real-time adjustments during playback.
2Reliability
If manual user adjustment methods are provided for synchronization, then some degree of synchronization control is achieved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to cumbersome adjustment processes and lack of granularity
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically performs latency measurement and synchronization adjustment without requiring user intervention. The electronic device autonomously transmits test signals, measures the latency introduced by peripheral audio devices, calculates the appropriate compensation value, and applies the synchronization adjustment. This self-service approach eliminates the need for manual user adjustment while achieving precise audiovisual synchronization.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where the measured latency from peripheral audio devices is used to automatically adjust audio playback timing. The synchronization status is continuously monitored and adjusted based on the measured latency values, ensuring accurate audiovisual alignment without requiring manual user intervention.
3Measurement precision
If automatic latency measurement and adjustment is implemented, then synchronization accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses an intermediary test signal as a mediator to measure latency between the electronic device and peripheral audio devices. Instead of directly measuring complex synchronization parameters, the system transmits simple test signals through the audio chain and measures the time delay. This intermediary approach simplifies the measurement process while maintaining high precision in latency detection.
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed herein are system, apparatus, article of manufacture, method and/or computer program product embodiments, and/or combinations and sub-combinations thereof, for synchronizing playback of audiovisual media. An example process includes receiving, via at least one microphone, a first signal that is outputted from at least one external speaker that is coupled to a display device; determining, based on the first signal, a latency associated with the at least one external speaker, wherein the latency corresponds to a difference between a transmission time of the first signal by the display device to the at least one external speaker and an output time of the first signal by the at least one external speaker; and providing the latency to the display device, wherein the display device is configured to adjust at least one of a video playback timing and an audio playback timing of an audiovisual media content item based on the latency.