Content Data Delivery System Clock Synchronization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing content data delivery systems face issues with out-of-sync sound between devices due to differences in clock absolute values and clock rates, leading to synchronization problems over time.
Innovation Solution
A content data delivery system that includes a server and client, where the server transmits and receives test data with time information to calculate a reference time difference, allowing for correction of reproduction timing to synchronize audio playback across devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If content data is delivered to multiple clients without considering reproduction timing, then the system is simple to operate, but out-of-sync sound occurs between devices
Solution Approach 1:
The server performs preliminary actions by transmitting test data before actual content delivery to measure network delays and clock offsets. This preliminary measurement allows the server to calculate compensation values that will be applied during actual content delivery, ensuring synchronous playback without requiring complex real-time adjustments.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by having clients transmit test data back to the server, allowing the server to measure actual network conditions and clock differences. This feedback loop enables the server to dynamically calculate and adjust reproduction timing information, ensuring that audio plays synchronously across all clients despite varying network conditions and clock rates.
2Reliability
If reproduction timing information is delivered to each client, then synchronization can be maintained, but device complexity increases due to different clock absolute values and rates
Solution Approach 1:
The server acts as an intermediary that centralizes the complexity of clock synchronization. Instead of each client managing its own timing adjustments, the server performs all measurements and calculations using test data, then delivers simplified reproduction timing information to clients. This intermediary approach maintains synchronization reliability while keeping client devices simple.
3Device complexity
If each device continues reproduction for a long time without synchronization adjustment, then the system is simple to implement, but out-of-sync sound occurs due to different clock rates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary measurement of network delays and clock offsets using test data transmission before actual content delivery. This preliminary action allows the server to pre-calculate compensation values that will be embedded in the reproduction timing information, ensuring long-term synchronization without requiring complex continuous adjustments during playback.
Data Source
AI summary
A content data delivery system includes a server and a client. The server includes at least one processor configured to implement stored instructions and execute a plurality of tasks. The plurality of tasks include a server side communication task that transmits and receives test data including time information to and from the client, a calculating task that obtains a reference time difference with the client based on the time information of the test data that has been transmitted and received by the server side communication task, and a delivering task that delivers content data including information that indicates reproduction timing to the client. The server or the client includes a correcting task that corrects the reproduction timing of the content data by use of the reference time difference.