Single Radio Audio Distribution via Network Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
In whole home entertainment systems, synchronizing audio and video playback is challenging due to latency issues caused by the burden on home wireless networks, which are used for both streaming content and providing internet connectivity to multiple devices, leading to delayed audio transmission to wireless speakers.
Innovation Solution
A media device with a single wireless radio determines if it is the content source, and if not, it disconnects from the home wireless network, establishes a separate 'clean' wireless connection, and transmits audio over this new network to wireless speakers, reducing latency and improving synchronization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the home wireless network is used to transmit audio to wireless speakers, then the system can provide internet connectivity and stream content, but the audio transmission experiences latency and delays
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the wireless communication into two separate networks: the home wireless network (Wi-Fi) for content streaming and internet connectivity, and a dedicated wireless audio network for low-latency audio transmission. This segmentation allows each network to optimize its function without interference, resolving the contradiction between network versatility and audio transmission speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the audio transmission function from the congested home wireless network by establishing a separate dedicated wireless audio network. This extraction removes the harmful burden of content streaming and internet traffic from the audio transmission path, eliminating latency while preserving the home network's multi-functional capabilities.
2Ease of operation
If the home wireless network is used for both content streaming and audio transmission, then device connectivity is maintained, but audio/video synchronization becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments audio transmission from general-purpose wireless networking, creating a dedicated audio network that guarantees timing precision. This segmentation maintains device connectivity through the home network while ensuring audio/video synchronization through the isolated, low-latency audio path.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by creating a specialized wireless audio network with optimized parameters for audio transmission specifically, rather than using a general-purpose network. This localized optimization ensures precise audio timing and synchronization while the home network handles other connectivity requirements.
3Device complexity
If a single wireless radio is used in the media device, then device complexity is reduced, but the device cannot simultaneously maintain connections to both home network and audio network
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic network switching where the single wireless radio alternates between connecting to the home wireless network and establishing a dedicated wireless audio network. This dynamic behavior allows the device to maintain versatility in network connectivity while using only one radio, avoiding the complexity of multiple simultaneous radio interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic action by having the wireless radio periodically switch between network modes: connecting to the home network for content access, then establishing the dedicated audio network for low-latency transmission. This periodic switching enables the single radio to fulfill multiple network roles without requiring simultaneous multi-radio capability.
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided herein are system, apparatus, article of manufacture, method and/or computer program product embodiments, and/or combinations and sub-combinations thereof, for distributing audio by a media device to wireless speakers while content comprising the audio is being played on a display device, wherein the media device includes a single wireless radio. Some embodiments operate by: determining that the media device is not a source of the content, such that the media device does not need to stream the content over a first wireless network; informing the audio speakers to switch from the first wireless network to a second wireless network; disconnecting the media device from the first wireless network; establishing the second wireless network; and providing the audio to the wireless speakers for playback over the second wireless network.