Virtual Line-In Playback Bridging for Cross-System Audio Sync
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing media playback systems from different manufacturers often lack interoperability, preventing them from forming playback groups together due to differences in control and timing protocols.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a virtual line-in (VLI) interface that allows playback devices from different systems to synchronize by adapting to the timing and control protocols of the second system, using VLI domain information as an audio source and maintaining native domain signaling for compatibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If playback devices from different manufacturers use different control and timing protocols, then each system maintains its own operational integrity, but interoperability between systems is prevented
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a virtual line-in (VLI) interface as an intermediary layer between playback devices of different manufacturers. This VLI interface translates and adapts control and timing protocols, allowing devices from different systems to communicate and synchronize without requiring direct protocol compatibility. The VLI acts as a mediator that converts protocol differences into a common language, enabling interoperability while preserving the original protocol integrity of each device.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a system adapts to the timing and control protocols of another system, then synchronized playback across different manufacturers is enabled, but complexity in handling multiple protocol domains increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the protocol adaptation process into distinct functional components within the VLI interface. Instead of handling all protocol translations in a monolithic manner, the system divides protocol adaptation into separate modules that handle timing synchronization, control signal translation, and audio data flow independently. This segmentation reduces the complexity of domain adaptation by allowing each component to focus on a specific aspect of protocol compatibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The VLI interface serves as an intermediary that manages the complexity of handling multiple protocol domains. It translates control and timing protocols between different manufacturers' systems without requiring the underlying devices to understand each other's native protocols. This intermediary layer abstracts the complexity of domain adaptation, presenting a simplified interface to both sides while managing the intricate protocol translations in the background.
3Reliability
If playback devices maintain native domain signaling, then compatibility with original systems is preserved, but ability to interface with external systems is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges native domain signaling with VLI domain adaptation in a unified playback system. The system simultaneously maintains native protocol communication for reliability with original systems while integrating VLI interface capabilities for external system compatibility. This merging allows playback devices to operate in dual modes, preserving native system compatibility while gaining the ability to interface with external systems through the VLI standard.
Data Source
AI summary
Example systems and techniques disclosed herein facilitate interoperability between different media playback systems referred to herein as a virtual line-in (VLI) media playback system and a native playback system. When a VLI session is created by a VLI sender, a first native playback device can join a VLI group as a VLI receiver. As a VLI receiver, the first native playback device receives audio content and playback commands from the VLI sender to facilitate synchronous playback with other VLI receivers. At the same time, this native playback device can concurrently operate as a native domain group coordinator of a native domain synchrony group. As the native domain group coordinator, the native playback device translates VLI domain audio, control, and timing signals into the native domain and distributes such signals to native domain group members. In this way, the native domain group members can synchronize their playback with the VLI group.