Audio Buffer Threshold Adjustment for Video-Audio Synchronization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multimedia systems face challenges in synchronizing audio and video data, leading to desynchronization issues that affect user experience, as video data processing often takes longer than audio data processing, causing buffer reinitialization and potential discontinuity in playback.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that include a processor configured to manage a data buffer for audio samples, determining a volume threshold based on the time for processing video frames, and adjusting this threshold to maintain synchronization by outputting buffered audio samples when the buffer exceeds the threshold, discarding or copying video frames as necessary, and controlling audio output based on input and output rates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If video data is processed in a video channel and audio data is processed in an audio channel, then audio and video can be processed simultaneously, but video processing takes much more time than audio processing, causing desynchronization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-calculating and storing the processing time difference between video and audio channels. Before actual playback, the system determines the time offset (Tv-Ta) and uses this information to pre-adjust the buffering strategy, ensuring that audio buffering accounts for the anticipated video processing delay without causing desynchronization during playback
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism - a buffer management system that mediates between the audio and video channels. This intermediary buffer stores audio data for a calculated duration (Ta + Δt), acting as a time-synchronization mediator that allows the faster audio channel to wait for the slower video channel without losing synchronization
2Reliability
If the audio buffer and video buffer are reinitialized when desynchronization is detected, then synchronization can be restored, but this causes discontinuity in playing audio and video data, resulting in poor user experience
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the buffer management strategy adaptive rather than static. Instead of fixed reinitialization, the system dynamically adjusts audio buffering duration based on real-time detection of video frame loss. When frame loss is detected, the buffer duration is extended; when synchronized, it returns to normal, creating a dynamic response that maintains continuity while restoring synchronization
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by continuously monitoring video frame reception status and using this information to adjust buffer management. The system detects whether video frames are being lost and feeds this information back to the buffer management logic, which then adjusts buffering behavior accordingly, preventing the need for disruptive reinitialization
3Productivity
If video frames are lost in the video channel, then processing time is reduced, but the outputted audio data cannot match the outputted video data, resulting in failure of synchronized playback
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies beforehand cushioning by creating a time buffer in the audio channel that anticipates potential video processing delays. The audio buffer is designed to hold data for duration Ta + Δt, providing a cushion that absorbs timing variations and ensures audio can wait for video without causing desynchronization, even when video processing takes longer than expected
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for synchronizing audio and video. The systems and methods may perform operations including: obtaining a data stream including a sequence of video frames and a sequence of audio samples; inputting the sequence of video frames into a video channel, the sequence of video frames being processed and outputted from the video channel; inputting, for processing, the sequence of audio samples into an audio channel, the audio channel including a data buffer configured to buffer processed audio samples, a volume threshold of the data buffer being determined according to a time for processing one or more successive video frames; determining that a data volume of audio samples buffered in the data buffer exceeds the volume threshold; and in response to a determination that the data volume of buffered audio samples exceeds the volume threshold, outputting the buffered audio samples from the audio channel.