Clock Synchronization for In-Vehicle Multimedia Playback
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Solution Overview
Problem
In-vehicle entertainment systems face synchronization issues between audio and video components played on devices with different processor clock rates, leading to lip-sync errors and an unpleasant passenger experience.
Innovation Solution
A clock synchronizing system that transmits periodic clock information between devices to synchronize their clocks, ensuring synchronized playback of multimedia files across multiple devices without requiring additional hardware.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If devices with different processor clock rates are used for audio and video playback, then device compatibility and processing power are improved, but clock synchronization and audio-video sync are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where the first device transmits periodic clock information to the second device, which then adjusts its clock based on received feedback. This closed-loop control ensures that despite initial clock rate differences, the devices achieve and maintain synchronization, resolving the contradiction between device compatibility and sync reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The second device dynamically changes its clock parameter based on received clock information from the first device. By adjusting the clock rate or phase of the second device to match the first device, the system maintains audio-video synchronization while allowing different hardware configurations, thus resolving the contradiction between adaptability and synchronization reliability
2Device complexity
If clock synchronization is implemented through software communication, then hardware complexity is reduced, but synchronization precision and reliability are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces potential hardware-based synchronization mechanisms with a software-based communication system. The first device transmits clock information through communication networks to the second device, eliminating the need for additional hardware synchronization components while achieving reliable clock synchronization through intelligent software protocols
3Measurement precision
If periodic clock information transmission is used, then synchronization accuracy is improved, but network bandwidth consumption and communication overhead are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic transmission of clock information at optimized intervals rather than continuous transmission. This periodic action maintains sufficient synchronization accuracy for audio-video playback while significantly reducing network bandwidth consumption and communication overhead compared to continuous real-time synchronization
Solution Approach 2:
The system transmits only the necessary clock information parameters required for synchronization rather than complete system state data. This partial action approach provides sufficient precision for clock synchronization while minimizing network bandwidth consumption by transmitting only essential timing data
Data Source
AI summary
A clock synchronizing system and method for playback of a multimedia file is provided. A first device receives the multimedia file that includes at least an audio component and a video component. A second device receives the multimedia file from the first device. During a playback of the multimedia file, the first device renders the audio component by way of a first multimedia player and the second device renders the video component by way of a second multimedia player. The first device further transmits periodic clock information to the second device. The second device synchronizes a clock of the second multimedia player with a clock of the first multimedia player, based on the periodic clock information.