Content Stream Synchronization via Algorithm Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies face challenges in synchronizing media content streams from different sources, particularly when these streams have distinct content pipelines and delivery protocols, leading to timeline differences that hinder synchronized consumption by multiple users.
Innovation Solution
A computerized content synchronization system that obtains information from content delivery systems about multiple content streams, selects appropriate algorithms based on defined criteria, and runs these algorithms to identify synchronization points and calculate timeline differences, thereby facilitating synchronized consumption of shared content across multiple user devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple distinct content streams with different content pipelines and delivery protocols are used to provide the same content, then content delivery flexibility and adaptability are improved, but timeline synchronization between streams deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a synchronization server as an intermediary component that receives content streams from multiple content delivery systems, analyzes their timelines, calculates time offsets, and provides synchronization information to client devices. This mediator resolves the timeline conflicts between different content pipelines and delivery protocols while preserving the flexibility of having multiple distinct stream sources.
2Measurement precision
If algorithms are provided to identify synchronization points and calculate timeline differences between content streams, then synchronization precision is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the synchronization function into distinct modular algorithms: (1) synchronization point identification algorithms that detect common temporal references in content streams, (2) timeline difference calculation algorithms that compute time offsets between streams, and (3) synchronization information generation algorithms that format results for client devices. This modular segmentation achieves precise synchronization while managing system complexity through organized, reusable algorithmic components.
3Reliability
If automated algorithm selection based on defined criterion parameters is implemented, then synchronization quality is improved, but computational overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-defining multiple synchronization algorithms with different characteristics and establishing criterion parameters that evaluate their suitability for specific content stream scenarios. The synchronization server assesses content stream characteristics (such as protocol type, pipeline architecture, and temporal patterns) and selects the most appropriate algorithm beforehand, avoiding the need to test multiple algorithms in real-time and reducing computational overhead while maintaining high synchronization quality.
Data Source
AI summary
A computerized content synchronization system is configured to perform the following method: (a) obtain information indicative of multiple content streams, associated with a shared content; (b) provide algorithms, each algorithm configured to perform at least one of: identify, within the information, synchronization point(s) between the streams; calculate a timeline difference between the streams; and (c) responsive to a determination that the system does not possess, external to the information indicative of the streams, information concerning characteristics of a content pipeline architecture of each stream, which is capable of relating timelines of streams, perform the following: (i) choose an algorithm, based on defined criterion parameter(s) associated with algorithm characteristics, and on an analysis of the information; and (ii) run the chosen algorithm. This facilitates a synchronized consumption of the content by consumer(s), The consumer(s) is configured to consume the multiple content streams.