Audio Overlay System for Streaming Content

Solution Overview

Problem

Satellite television systems face challenges in providing multiple audio sources simultaneously to users, as existing systems are costly due to numerous components and lack efficient methods for combining and overlaying audio streams.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that communicate a primary audio stream and video stream to a destination device, configure a secondary decoder to decode a secondary audio stream, and combine it with the primary audio stream, allowing for simultaneous use of multiple audio sources.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple audio sources are provided simultaneously using existing satellite television systems, then audio versatility is improved, but system cost and complexity increase due to numerous components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaudio source versatilityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple audio streams (primary and secondary) into a single audio output path. The set-top box receives and processes multiple audio streams, then merges them through a unified decoding and mixing architecture, allowing users to access multiple audio sources without requiring separate complete audio processing chains for each source.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The audio processing system is designed with universal components that can handle multiple audio streams simultaneously. The decoder and mixer are configured to process any combination of audio sources (e.g., main audio, commentary audio, audio descriptions) through the same hardware pathway, making the system multi-functional without requiring dedicated components for each audio source type.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple audio sources are provided simultaneously using existing satellite television systems, then audio versatility is improved, but system cost increases due to numerous components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaudio source versatilityVSAvoidsystem cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple audio streams (primary and secondary) into a single audio output path. The set-top box receives and processes multiple audio streams, then merges them through a unified decoding and mixing architecture, allowing users to access multiple audio sources without requiring separate complete audio processing chains for each source.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The audio processing system is designed with universal components that can handle multiple audio streams simultaneously. The decoder and mixer are configured to process any combination of audio sources (e.g., main audio, commentary audio, audio descriptions) through the same hardware pathway, making the system multi-functional without requiring dedicated components for each audio source type.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If existing systems attempt to provide multiple audio streams, then audio options are improved, but efficiency deteriorates due to lack of effective combining and overlaying methods

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaudio optionsVSAvoidaudio stream processing efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an audio mixer as an intermediary component between the multiple audio decoders and the final audio output. This mixer efficiently combines and overlays the primary and secondary audio streams, managing their synchronization and mixing levels. The intermediary mixer handles the complexity of stream combination, allowing the upstream decoders to work independently and efficiently without direct coordination overhead.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS8862761B1Method and system for forming an audio overlay for streaming content of a content distribution system

Publication Date: 2014.10.14 DIRECTV LLC

AI summary

A system and method for a operating a content distribution system includes a destination device and a requesting device that communicates a primary audio stream secondary audio stream and a video stream to the destination device. The destination device communicates the primary audio stream to a display. The destination device includes a secondary decoder configured to decode the secondary audio stream to form a decoded secondary audio stream. The destination device combines the secondary decoded audio stream and the primary audio stream.