Decoder Synchronizing Broadcast and Broadband Content
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Solution Overview
Problem
In hybrid broadcast and broadband delivery systems, synchronizing the rendering of personalized components from broadband networks with main components from broadcast networks is challenging due to latency and jitter issues, leading to delayed content delivery and inefficient synchronization.
Innovation Solution
A method that decodes and renders broadband program content in synchronization with broadcast content by using a decoder with a broadband input interface, where frames are decoded ahead of time and stored for rendering when their presentation time information matches the program clock reference, even if they arrive late, and discarding frames that are not rendered to minimize latency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If broadband content is delivered on-demand with higher delivery rate, then access latency is reduced, but synchronization with broadcast content becomes difficult due to network jitter and timing reference differences
Solution Approach 1:
The decoder performs preliminary decoding of broadband frames ahead of their presentation time and stores them in a buffer. This allows the decoded frames to be ready for immediate rendering once synchronized with the broadcast program clock reference, reducing access latency while maintaining synchronization reliability through the buffering mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces an intermediary buffer between the broadband decoder and the rendering stage. This buffer decouples the variable-rate broadband delivery from the constant-rate broadcast synchronization timeline, allowing frames to be decoded at high speed and then rendered at the appropriate synchronized moment, resolving both latency and synchronization issues
2Speed
If frames are decoded ahead of time to reduce latency, then rendering speed improves, but memory buffer requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The decoder applies partial preliminary action by decoding only the necessary number of frames ahead that can fit in the buffer, rather than decoding all frames in advance. This balances rendering speed improvement with acceptable buffer memory usage, decoding frames at a rate that fills the buffer without excessive accumulation
3Loss of information
If all received frames are decoded and rendered, then content completeness is maintained, but synchronization with broadcast timeline becomes difficult when frames arrive late
Solution Approach 1:
Frames are decoded in advance and stored in a buffer with their presentation timestamps preserved. When the buffer is ready and synchronized with the broadcast timeline, these pre-decoded frames are rendered at the correct synchronized moment rather than immediately, maintaining both content completeness and timing synchronization
Solution Approach 2:
The system discards the timing advantage of early decoding by deliberately delaying frame rendering until synchronization conditions are met. Frames that arrive early are held in buffer and rendered later at the appropriate broadcast-synchronized time, effectively discarding the premature timing information and recovering proper synchronization
Data Source
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AI summary
A method of decoding an audio / video content transmitted over a broadband network. The method being based on the quick decoding of the first frames of a group of pictures without rendering them if the group of pictures arrives too late to be rendered synchronously with another audio / video content received through a broadcast network. The method allowing the synchronized rendering of contents respectively received over broadcast and broadband networks as soon as possible for the viewer.