Audio Synchronization via Relative Time Difference Detection

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

In digital media playback systems, maintaining stable synchronization between digital audio/video media renders connected via wireless transmission is challenging due to interference and oscillator frequency differences, leading to asynchronous playback.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus for synchronizing audio playback between digital media renders, involving a digital media controller that detects relative time position differences and controls audio playback to ensure synchrony, using a detecting circuit and control circuit to adjust audio playback accordingly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If wireless transmission is used to connect DMRs to DMS and DMC, then system flexibility and ease of configuration are improved, but transmission stability and synchronization reliability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem flexibilityVSAvoidtransmission stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the DMC continuously monitors the relative time position differences between DMRs and receives status information about synchronization states. Based on this feedback, the DMC sends control signals to adjust audio playback timing, thereby maintaining synchronization despite wireless transmission instability. This closed-loop control system resolves the contradiction by actively compensating for wireless transmission variability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent dynamically adjusts playback parameters (time position, synchronization offsets) based on detected relative time differences. By changing these parameters in real-time according to actual transmission conditions, the system maintains synchronization reliability while preserving wireless flexibility. The DMC modifies playback timing parameters to compensate for wireless transmission variations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If absolute timing concept is employed for DMR synchronization, then synchronization precision is improved, but system compatibility and ease of implementation worsen due to lack of absolute timing information in simplified systems

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesynchronization precisionVSAvoidsystem implementation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using absolute timing references from the DMS (which are unavailable in simplified systems), the patent inverts the approach by having each DMR use its own local timing as a reference. The DMC detects relative time position differences between DMRs and uses these relative measurements to generate synchronization control signals. This inversion from absolute to relative timing resolution maintains synchronization precision while simplifying system implementation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

Each DMR operates autonomously using its own local clock and timing information, without requiring external absolute timing signals from the DMS. The DMRs self-determine their relative time positions and the DMC self-adjusts synchronization based on detected differences. This self-service approach eliminates the need for complex absolute timing infrastructure while maintaining synchronization accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If DMRs operate independently with local oscillators, then device autonomy and adaptability are improved, but synchronization stability deteriorates due to oscillator frequency differences

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice autonomyVSAvoidsynchronization stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements continuous feedback monitoring of relative time position differences caused by oscillator frequency variations. The DMC detects these differences and sends corrective control signals to adjust audio playback timing, thereby compensating for drift caused by independent oscillators. This feedback loop maintains synchronization stability while preserving device autonomy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent makes the synchronization system dynamic by continuously adjusting playback timing parameters based on real-time detection of relative time differences. Rather than using fixed synchronization offsets, the system dynamically adapts to oscillator frequency variations, maintaining stability while allowing each DMR to operate with its own autonomous oscillator.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS8934753B2Method for synchronizing audio playback of digital media renders, and related digital media controller, digital audio media render and digital media server

Publication Date: 2015.01.13 TYMPHANY HK LTD

AI summary

An exemplary method for synchronizing audio playback of a plurality of digital media renders. The digital media renders include a digital audio/video (AV) media render and at least one digital audio media render. The method includes: detecting a relative time position difference between the digital AV media render and the at least one digital audio media render; and controlling audio playback of the digital audio media render to synchronize to audio playback of the digital AV media render according to the relative time position difference.