Wireless Controller Latency via Accessory Radio Relay
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Solution Overview
Problem
Streaming devices experience latency issues when using wired or wireless local area network connections to send controller data to host machines, which can negatively impact the user experience, especially in fast-paced games like racing or first-person shooters.
Innovation Solution
Establishing a direct accessory connection between a wireless controller and a host device via an accessory radio, allowing control data to be sent directly, and if this connection fails, using a target device to rebroadcast the data via a distinct logical controller or local area network connection to minimize latency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If a direct accessory connection is established between wireless controller and host device, then latency is reduced and response time is improved, but device complexity and connection setup difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The target device acts as an intermediary that facilitates the direct accessory connection between the wireless controller and host device. It receives connection requests from controllers, manages the accessory connection protocol, and coordinates with the host device to establish low-latency communication paths, thereby reducing latency while managing connection complexity centrally.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-establishing accessory connections between the target device and wireless controllers before gaming sessions begin. Connection requests are processed in advance, and the target device maintains ready-state connections with controllers, so that when a gaming session starts, the low-latency path is already established without requiring complex real-time setup.
2Reliability
If direct accessory connection is used for control data transmission, then transmission speed and reliability are improved, but adaptability to different connection scenarios is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adapts the control data transmission path based on connection availability. When a direct accessory connection between host and controller is established, the system uses this low-latency path for optimal reliability. When direct connection is not possible, the system dynamically switches to using the target device as a relay through wireless LAN, maintaining adaptability while preserving reliability through multiple operational modes.
Solution Approach 2:
The target device is designed with multi-functionality to handle both accessory connection protocols and wireless LAN communication. It can universally manage different types of control data transmissions - either directly through accessory connections or indirectly through wireless LAN - making the system adaptable to various connection scenarios while maintaining reliable data transmission through a single unified device.
3Ease of operation
If target device monitors for direct connection and rebroadcasts control data, then latency is reduced and user experience is enhanced, but device complexity and processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The complex monitoring and rebroadcasting functionality is extracted as a dedicated role of the target device, separating this function from both the host device and wireless controllers. The target device specifically handles accessory connection monitoring, control data reception, and conditional rebroadcasting, while the host device focuses on game rendering and the controllers focus on input generation. This extraction reduces the operational complexity burden on any single device while enhancing user experience through coordinated specialization.
Data Source
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AI summary
The disclosed subject matter includes techniques for wireless control. A system includes a processor. The system also includes a computer-readable memory storage device storing executable instructions that can be executed by the processor to cause the processor to receive a connection request from a wireless controller. The processor can also send a request for a media stream and a request for a wireless monitoring acknowledgement to a host device. The processor can also receive a response from the host device with the wireless monitoring acknowledgment. The processor can also further receive a message from the host device acknowledging a reception with the wireless controller. The processor can stop monitoring for control data from the wireless controller in response to the host device acknowledging the reception with the wireless controller. The processor can further receive the media stream from the host device.