Roku, Inc.
Dynamically Switching To/From a First Network During Audio Playback Over HDMI/ARC

Abstract:

Apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed for dynamically switching between communication networks during audio streaming over a High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI)/Audio Return Channel (ARC) interface of a display device. A media device is configured to implement the dynamic switching. The media device, coupled to the HDMI/ARC interface, receives an audio stream over the HDMI/ARC interface and transmits the audio stream to speakers on a first network. The media device determines that the first network is overloaded and identifies a clean channel of a second network for transmitting the audio stream without an overload condition. The media device switches itself and connected speakers to the second network for a clean audio stream. The media device switches itself and connected speakers to the first network when there is no longer a need to be on the second network or when there is benefit to be on the first network.