Audio Video Synchronization via Network Time Protocol
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing synchronization systems fail to effectively synchronize multiple signals received through different transmission mediums, leading to undesirable results when signals with varying delays are mixed without proper synchronization.
Innovation Solution
The method employs a standard time reference (Master Metronome) and the Network Time Protocol (NTP) to synchronize multiple streams of time-based digital audio and video content from remote sources, adjusting latencies to ensure all signals arrive simultaneously by buffering closer streams to match the latency of more distant streams, using a session server and client application to manage this process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple signals from different transmission mediums are mixed without synchronization, then the system is simple to operate, but the signals arrive at different times causing synchronization failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a synchronization server as an intermediary component that receives multiple unsynchronized signals from different sources, processes their timing information, and outputs synchronized signals. This mediator handles the complexity of timing coordination centrally, allowing client devices to remain simple while achieving reliable synchronization across multiple transmission mediums.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs feedback mechanisms where the synchronization server receives timing information from signal sources, compares their arrival times, and adjusts the timing of output signals accordingly. This continuous feedback loop enables the system to compensate for varying transmission delays and maintain synchronization reliability despite differences in signal sources and transmission paths.
2Reliability
If signals with varying delays are buffered to synchronize arrival times, then signal synchronization is improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The synchronization server acts as an intermediary that centralizes the buffering and latency management functions. Instead of each client device independently managing complex buffering operations, the server handles these tasks centrally, receiving signals with varying delays, calculating appropriate buffer times, and outputting synchronized signals to all clients simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts buffering parameters based on the detected arrival times of different signals. The synchronization server measures the time differences between signals and modifies buffer durations and signal timing parameters accordingly, allowing flexible adaptation to varying network conditions while maintaining synchronization reliability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If real-time collaboration over network is implemented, then the system enables distributed operations, but latency variations cause synchronization failures
Solution Approach 1:
The synchronization server continuously monitors the arrival times of signals from distributed sources and uses feedback to adjust timing parameters in real-time. This feedback mechanism enables the system to compensate for network latency variations dynamically, maintaining reliable synchronization even as network conditions change during distributed collaboration.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs dynamic timing adjustments where buffer durations and signal synchronization parameters are continuously adapted based on actual signal arrival times. This dynamic approach allows the system to respond to changing network conditions in real-time, maintaining synchronization reliability while enabling flexible distributed collaboration across varying latency conditions.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is an architecture and technology for a method for synchronizing multiple streams of time-based digital audio and video content from separate and distinct remote sources, so that when the streams are joined, they are perceived to be in unison.