Latency Stabilization for Collaborative Network Sessions

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current telematic performance solutions face challenges in maintaining low latency for collaborative sessions, especially in remote locations, due to geographical constraints and network limitations, leading to difficulties in achieving synchronized performances without noticeable delays, which can disrupt ensemble performances.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a system that stabilizes latency by enforcing a global latency value across all client devices, dynamically adjusting artificial delays to accommodate variations in network and system latency, allowing for synchronized data streams with a fixed end-to-end delay, enabling successful collaboration over diverse network conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If high-speed internet backbones (JANET, GEANT, Internet2) are used for telematic performance, then network transmission speed is improved and latency is reduced, but accessibility to remote locations is worsened due to limited network availability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork transmission speedVSAvoidaccessibility to remote locations
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the latency parameter from a variable network-dependent value to a fixed artificial value. By introducing artificial latency that compensates for network variations, the system achieves consistent performance parameters regardless of network quality or location, enabling remote accessibility while maintaining synchronization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses software-based latency adjustment mechanisms that are inexpensive and can be deployed on standard computing equipment. This approach replaces expensive dedicated high-speed network infrastructure with affordable software solutions that can be implemented on ordinary computers and networks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Stability of the object's composition

If artificial latency is added to synchronize remote performers, then temporal coordination is improved, but performance naturalness is worsened due to noticeable delays

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemporal coordinationVSAvoidperformance naturalness
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent carefully controls the latency parameter to be just sufficient for synchronization but not excessive. By adjusting the artificial latency to minimal necessary values and using techniques like predictive timing and temporal smoothing, the system maintains temporal coordination while preserving performance naturalness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces direct real-time mechanical interaction between performers with a software-mediated timing system. This substitution uses computational algorithms to predict and adjust for latency, allowing performers to play naturally while the system compensates for delays through intelligent timing adjustments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Measurement precision

If latency measurement and adjustment mechanisms are implemented, then synchronization accuracy is improved, but system complexity is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesynchronization accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements automatic latency measurement and adjustment mechanisms that operate without manual intervention. The system self-calibrates by measuring actual network latency and dynamically adjusting artificial latency compensation, eliminating the need for complex manual configuration while maintaining high synchronization accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses feedback loops where the system continuously measures latency between performers and adjusts artificial delay accordingly. This closed-loop control automatically compensates for network variations, achieving precise synchronization through relatively simple iterative adjustment rather than complex predictive models.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3673634B1Collaborative session over a network
Publication Date: 2023.11.01 FALMOUTH UNIV
  • EP3673634B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP3673634B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3673634B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Certain examples described herein provide a method for providing a collaborative session over a network. In these examples, a collaborative session is a series of geographically-separated temporally-coordinated events, such as a performance or concert. In examples, a global latency is set for the collaborative session. The global latency is set to a value greater than a longest latency for a plurality of client devices engaging in the collaborative session, and is defined as a function of a temporal rate for the series of temporally-coordinated events. During the collaborative session data streams are received from the plurality of client devices and presentation of the received data streams on the plurality of client devices is synchronised to enforce the global latency.