Composite Stream Synchronization for Prioritized Audio
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multimedia content broadcasting systems often result in out-of-sync audio and video streams when multiple sources are used, such as television and radio broadcasts, which decreases user enjoyment and requires operation of multiple devices.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for transmitting a prioritized audio stream alongside multimedia content, where a user designates the audio stream to be transmitted with the multimedia content, retrieved from separate sources, and combined to form a composite content stream, allowing synchronized playback from a single device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate devices (television and radio receiver) are used to broadcast multimedia content from different sources, then content variety and user choice are improved, but device complexity and synchronization difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple content sources (television broadcast and radio broadcast) into a single composite content stream that is transmitted through one channel. The system multiplexes audio and video streams from different sources together with prioritization information, allowing a single receiving device to access and synchronize multiple content sources without requiring separate television and radio receivers.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate devices are used to broadcast multimedia content, then content variety is improved, but synchronization between streams deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms where the receiving device transmits synchronization information back to the transmitting device. The system uses timing information and synchronization signals embedded in the composite stream to adjust and coordinate audio and video streams from different sources, ensuring they play back synchronously despite coming from separate original sources.
3Ease of operation
If standard audio streams are transmitted with multimedia content, then content accessibility is improved, but user experience deteriorates due to out-of-sync playback
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different quality treatments to different audio streams within the composite content stream. Prioritized audio streams receive enhanced processing and synchronization treatment compared to standard audio streams. The system identifies which audio streams should have priority status and applies localized quality enhancement only to those specific streams, improving user experience without affecting all audio content uniformly.
Data Source
AI summary
A method includes receiving, at a server from a first content source, a media content stream. The media content stream includes native video content and native audio content. The method includes receiving, at the server from a second content source distinct from the first content source, an audio content stream associated with media content of the media content stream. The method includes generating, at the server, a composite stream that includes first packets and second packets. The first packets include first data corresponding to the native video content, and the second packets include second data corresponding to audio content from the audio content stream. The composite stream does not include the native audio content. The method also includes initiating, from the server, a transmission of the composite stream to a media device responsive to a request for the media content with the audio content.