Media Playback Network Steering and Sleep Proxy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing media playback systems face challenges in maintaining efficient communication and power management among bonded and grouped playback devices, particularly when multiple wireless networks and access points are involved, leading to potential disruptions in synchronous playback and increased power consumption.
Innovation Solution
The system coordinates playback devices and access points to ensure that bonded and grouped devices remain on the same access point and wireless network, preventing steering algorithms from separating them. Additionally, an access point can proxy for playback devices by listening for specific queries and sending magic packets to wake them up, allowing more components to remain in low-power modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If wireless steering algorithms are used to distribute devices across multiple access points, then network load is balanced, but bonded and grouped playback devices may be separated leading to playback disruptions
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by establishing bonding or grouping relationships between playback devices before wireless steering algorithms can separate them. The controller configures devices to maintain connections to the same access point through pre-established relationships, preventing separation before it occurs
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the controller continuously monitors the network topology and access point assignments of bonded/grouped devices. When potential separation is detected, the system responds by reconfiguring assignments to maintain togetherness, creating a closed-loop control system
2Ease of operation
If playback devices frequently wake from low-power mode to check for commands, then responsiveness is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller acts as an intermediary that proactively pushes wake-up packets to playback devices only when necessary. Instead of devices continuously polling or automatically waking, the intermediary selectively triggers wake-ups based on actual command needs, reducing unnecessary power consumption while maintaining responsiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements periodic low-power monitoring intervals where playback devices remain in low-power mode between scheduled check-ins. The controller schedules these periodic wake-ups efficiently, allowing devices to conserve energy during intervals while maintaining system responsiveness at acceptable levels
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 1C~1E
AI summary
Examples described herein involve networking in a media playback system. In one aspect, an access point may prevent two or more grouped playback devices from being steered to different networks. In another aspect, an access point may operate as a sleep proxy for a playback device. In a third aspect, an example system may include a fixture configured to receive a bulb. Example bulbs include sound bulbs with one or more audio transducers and access point bulbs, among other examples.