Synchronous Audio-Visual Playback Across Spatially Distributed Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current technologies are unable to synchronously reproduce visual and/or audio content across a group of devices, where each device plays back a part of the content based on its spatial location, creating a consistent impression of the entire content.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that determine the spatial locations of devices, partition the content into parts dedicated to each device, and transmit these parts with timestamps for synchronous reproduction, allowing dynamic arrangements without a predetermined device configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If content is partitioned and distributed to multiple devices for synchronous playback, then the immersive experience and coverage area are improved, but the synchronization complexity and coordination overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The content is divided into multiple content parts that are distributed to different devices in the group. Each device reproduces a specific content part, and together they form a complete immersive experience. This segmentation allows the system to scale to multiple devices while maintaining manageable complexity through clear division of content responsibility.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple devices are merged into a coordinated playback system where each device contributes to the overall content reproduction. The devices work together as a unified system, with their individual reproductions combining to create a complete immersive experience that no single device could provide alone.
2Ease of operation
If devices are arranged dynamically without predetermined configuration, then the system flexibility and ease of deployment are improved, but the content partitioning accuracy and spatial mapping precision deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
Devices automatically determine their own spatial locations using built-in sensors like GPS, accelerometers, and gyroscopes. The system self-configures by having each device report its position, and the server automatically partitions and distributes appropriate content parts based on these self-determined locations, eliminating the need for manual configuration while maintaining spatial accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously receives feedback from devices about their spatial locations and dynamically adjusts content partitioning and distribution. This feedback loop ensures that even as devices move or are added/removed, the content allocation remains optimized for the current spatial configuration, maintaining precision without predetermined setup.
3Productivity
If each device reproduces a fraction of virtual content based on its location, then the system scalability and resource efficiency are improved, but the consistency of overall content reproduction and visual continuity worsen
Solution Approach 1:
Each device reproduces content parts that are specifically tailored to its spatial location and capabilities. The content partitioning ensures that each device displays or plays back the appropriate fraction of the virtual content, with local optimizations for visual continuity and consistency across the distributed system.
Solution Approach 2:
The content partitioning and distribution is dynamically adjusted based on device locations, movements, and capabilities. As devices move or are added/removed from the group, the system automatically recalculates and redistributes content parts to maintain visual continuity and reproduction consistency, ensuring stable overall content delivery despite dynamic changes.
Data Source
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Figure 5a~6
AI summary
The invention regards a method for reproducing visual and/or audio data synchronously by a group of devices, as well as a system for realizing such method. According to the invention first, a spatial location of each of the devices of the group is determined. Then, the visual and/or audio content is partitioned into content parts, each part dedicated to be reproduced by one device of the group respectively, based on the spatial location of the device. The dedicated portions are transmitted to their associated devices together with a time stamp, and the transmitted portions are reproduced commonly and synchronously by the group of devices.