Slave Device Playback Speed Adjustment for Multi-Room Audio Synchronization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inconsistent data playback between master and slave devices in multi-room audio systems leads to poor user experience, with existing solutions either causing discontinuous sounds or requiring complex synchronization mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A method and system where the slave device adjusts its playback speed to match the input speed of the data buffer, ensuring data input and output speeds are synchronized, primarily operated by the data receiving end with minimal requirements for the data transmitting end, simplifying the synchronization design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the slave device periodically reconnects to the master device and discards previous data, then synchronization inconsistency is resolved, but the user experiences discontinuous sounds and worsened user experience
Solution Approach 1:
The slave device monitors the buffer data amount in real-time and dynamically adjusts playback speed based on feedback from buffer status. When buffer data amount changes indicate desynchronization, the system automatically corrects playback speed to restore synchronization without requiring reconnection or data discarding.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the playback speed parameter dynamically based on buffer data amount. By adjusting playback speed within a range (e.g., 0.95x to 1.05x of normal speed), the system resolves synchronization issues without disrupting audio continuity or user experience.
2Reliability
If the master device periodically sends synchronization signals and the slave device carries out synchronized correction, then playback consistency is improved, but the system requires complex synchronized mechanism design for both devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the synchronization control function from the master device and relocates it to the slave device. The slave device independently monitors its own buffer status and adjusts its playback speed accordingly, eliminating the need for complex bidirectional synchronization mechanisms between master and slave devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The slave device performs self-correction by autonomously monitoring its buffer data amount and adjusting its own playback speed. This self-service approach eliminates the need for external synchronization signals from the master device, significantly simplifying the overall synchronization mechanism.
3Duration of action of moving object
If data is transmitted and played over extended periods, then continuous playback is achieved, but synchronization inconsistency becomes more obvious with several seconds of deviation after one hour
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors buffer data amount throughout the entire playback duration and maintains continuous adjustment of playback speed. This continuous action ensures synchronization is maintained over extended playback periods, preventing the accumulation of time deviations that would otherwise occur during long-term operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for data playing and an associated apparatus and system are provided. The method may be applied to a player apparatus. The player apparatus receives the data to be played from outside and stores the received data in a buffer. The method specifically includes the steps of: determining whether an amount of buffered data for the data to be played in the buffer is changed, wherein the buffered data input speed for the buffer is fixed; and when determining that the amount of buffered data is changed, adjusting a playing speed of the player apparatus, such that the buffered data output speed and the buffered data input speed are the same for the buffer.