Wireless Speaker Latency Compensation via Dynamic Speed Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wireless speakers often experience latency due to unsynchronized Digital Analog Converters (DACs) and different packet loss, leading to a poor auditory experience when coupled in a wireless network.
Innovation Solution
A device and method that involves a speaker system with a receiver to receive audio samples and runtime from a second speaker, a calculator to determine a time interval, a generator to adjust audio samples based on this interval, and a comparator to adjust the playing speed of the first speaker to synchronize with the second speaker, thereby minimizing latency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If wireless connection is used to couple speakers, then ease of operation is improved, but latency increases due to unsynchronized DACs and packet loss
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback by having the slave speaker transmit its runtime and audio sample count to the master speaker, which then calculates latency and adjusts playback speed accordingly. This continuous feedback loop enables dynamic synchronization compensation for wireless transmission delays.
Solution Approach 2:
The master speaker changes the playback speed parameter of the slave speaker based on calculated latency differences. By adjusting the playback speed parameter dynamically, the system compensates for packet loss and transmission delays inherent in wireless connections.
2Device complexity
If DACs of multiple speakers are not synchronized, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision of audio timing deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex hardware-based DAC synchronization mechanisms with a software-based timing adjustment system. Instead of synchronizing hardware clocks, the system uses software to calculate latency and adjust playback speed, achieving precise audio timing without complex mechanical synchronization.
Solution Approach 2:
Each speaker independently tracks its own runtime and audio sample count, then uses this self-information to calculate latency relative to the master speaker. This self-service approach eliminates the need for complex centralized synchronization control while maintaining precise timing.
3Reliability
If packet loss occurs in wireless transmission, then reliability deteriorates, but latency increases due to retransmission delays
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by having the slave speaker continuously transmit its runtime and audio sample count to the master speaker before significant latency accumulation occurs. This enables proactive latency compensation and prevents the worsening of audio synchronization reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A first speaker, comprising: a receiver configured to receive, from a second speaker, a second runtime and a second number of audio samples when the first speaker plays an audio file synchronized with the second speaker; a calculator configured to calculate a time interval value based on the second runtime; a generator configured to generate a revised second number of audio samples based on the time interval value; a comparator configured to compare a difference between the revised second number of audio samples and a first number of audio samples of the first speaker so as to determine the amount of latency of the first speaker; an adjustor configured to adjust a playing speed of the first speaker; and an output configured to output the audio file according to the adjusted playing speed.