Companion Device Media Synchronization Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing companion device synchronization techniques rely on consistent detection of sporadic synchronization signals, which limits synchronization accuracy due to factors like background noise and device positioning.
Innovation Solution
The method supplements timing information with current measurements from the companion device, allowing it to accurately track media content delivery even without consistent synchronization signals, by using a confidence value to determine the reliability of the carrier signal and adjusting the wait interval for triggering actions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If synchronization signals are used to trigger companion device actions, then actions can be synchronized with media content delivery, but synchronization accuracy is limited due to sporadic signal detection and environmental factors
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-associates expected actions with specific time instants of reference points in the media content before delivery begins. This allows the companion device to have a library of actions ready to be triggered at the appropriate moments, improving response accuracy and reducing reliance on continuous signal detection during playback
Solution Approach 2:
The system measures current elapsed time from the time instant of the reference point and uses this measurement to determine whether to trigger the expected action. This feedback mechanism allows the system to adjust for timing drift and maintain synchronization accuracy even when signals are sporadic or lost
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed is a computer-implemented method of triggering an instance of companion software to perform an expected action related to a piece of media content during a delivery of that media content by a media device to a content consuming user, the method comprising: the instance of the companion software receiving a synchronization signal transmitted when, in delivering the media content, the media device reaches a reference point in the media content, wherein the synchronisation signal conveys a time instant of that reference point; measuring a current elapsed time from the time instant of the reference point; accessing computer storage holding an association of the expected action with a time instant of a trigger point in the media content; and triggering the expected action when the current elapsed time substantially matches the time instant of the trigger point.