Playback Device Route Switching for Low-Power Audio Networking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing networked media systems face challenges in efficiently managing communication routes between playback devices, particularly in conserving battery power and reducing congestion, as conventional protocols often block direct routes and cause triangular routing issues.
Innovation Solution
The system employs a method where playback devices can dynamically switch between direct and non-direct communication routes based on low power modes, allowing devices to enter low power mode, inform other devices to avoid direct routes, and periodically receive messages to exit low power mode, thereby conserving energy and optimizing communication pathways.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional protocols block direct routes to prevent routing loops, then routing stability is improved, but communication efficiency deteriorates due to triangular routing issues
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between direct and non-direct communication routes based on device power states. When all devices are awake, direct routes are used for efficient communication. When devices enter low power mode, the system automatically transitions to non-direct routes through the access point, preventing routing loops while maintaining communication efficiency under varying conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the communication route parameter based on the power state parameter of devices. By monitoring whether devices are in awake or low power mode, the system adjusts the routing parameter to select appropriate paths, thereby resolving the contradiction between routing stability and communication efficiency.
2Reliability
If devices maintain constant wireless interfaces and communication data updates, then communication reliability is improved, but battery power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Devices enter periodic low power modes where wireless interfaces are reduced or suspended. The system maintains communication reliability by using non-direct routes through the access point during these periodic low power states, allowing devices to conserve battery power while ensuring communication can resume when devices wake up.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the communication function from the battery-powered device during low power mode by routing traffic through the access point. This separates the communication responsibility from the sleeping device, allowing it to conserve power while maintaining network connectivity through other active devices.
3Speed
If devices use direct communication routes, then communication speed is improved, but device complexity increases due to route management overhead
Solution Approach 1:
The access point serves as an intermediary device that simplifies route management. When direct routes are not available due to low power modes, the access point mediates communication between devices, automatically handling the routing without requiring complex management logic in the battery-powered devices themselves.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments are provided for utilizing communication routes based operation mode. In an example implementation, while operating in a first operation mode, a playback device may communicate with a second playback device of the networked media system via a first route and a second route. The playback device may determine that the first playback device is to enter a second operation mode. Responsive to the determination, the playback device may (i) transmit, to the second playback device, a message to cause the second playback device to cease communication with the first playback device via the first route, and (ii) operate in the second operation mode.