Multimedia Offset Indicator for Audio Video Synchronization

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Synchronization of audio and video streams from different sources is challenging due to the lack of inherent or explicit synchronization information, leading to potential mismatches in playback timing.

Innovation Solution

A method for synchronizing audio and video streams involves a multimedia processing device that adjusts an offset indicator to compensate for intentional and inherent delays between audio and video streams, allowing for simultaneous playback from different sources by introducing a controlled delay in one stream relative to the other.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If audio and video streams are received from different sources, then the device can access diverse content sources, but synchronization between audio and video becomes difficult to achieve

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to receive from different sourcesVSAvoidsynchronization accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an offset indicator as an intermediary element that mediates between audio and video streams from different sources. This offset indicator acts as a compensating mechanism that adjusts the timing relationship between the two streams, enabling synchronization despite their different origins and inherent timing differences.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the timing parameter of one stream relative to the other by adjusting the offset indicator. This parameter adjustment allows the system to compensate for timing differences between audio and video streams from different sources, transforming the synchronization problem into a controllable parameter adjustment task.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If offset adjustment is implemented to synchronize streams, then playback synchronization is achieved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesynchronization accuracyVSAvoidcontrol mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a user interface that allows users to directly control the offset indicator, making the synchronization adjustment self-service rather than requiring complex automated systems. The user can manually adjust the offset based on observed synchronization issues, simplifying the device's internal control mechanisms while maintaining synchronization accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides visual feedback through the user interface to help users determine the appropriate offset adjustment. By displaying information about the current synchronization state and the effect of offset changes, the system enables users to make informed adjustments without requiring complex automated feedback control systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS8731370B2Method and device for transmitting audio and video for playback

Publication Date: 2014.05.20 AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I L P

AI summary

A video stream from a first source and an audio stream from a second source are received at a multimedia processing device such as a set-top box for play back. A first offset time is determined based upon user input, whereby playback of the video stream relative to playback of the audio stream is adjusted to facilitate synchronization of the audio and video stream.