AV Stream Synchronization via Common Reference Clock

The patent introduces a common reference clock timestamp as an intermediary element that mediates between multiple AV streams with different timing parameters. Each stream is tagged with timestamps from this common reference clock, allowing the viewer's device to act as a mediator that reconstructs synchronized playback by selecting packets from different streams that share the same reference timestamp, thus resolving the synchronization problem while maintaining multiple stream options

The patent transforms the timing parameter representation by converting absolute timing parameters from individual stream clocks into relative timing offsets from a common reference clock. This parameter transformation allows streams with different clock rates and offsets to be synchronized by comparing their relative positions to the common reference, enabling seamless switching between streams while maintaining temporal coherence

The common reference clock serves as a mediator that bridges independent stream timing systems. Each stream continues to use its own production timing independently, but packets are annotated with the reference clock timestamp corresponding to their presentation time. This allows cross-stream correlation without interfering with the independence and flexibility of individual stream production

The patent segments the timing information into two independent components: the stream-specific timing parameters that maintain production flexibility, and the common reference clock timestamps that enable cross-stream correlation. This segmentation allows each component to serve its specific function without compromising the other