Live Content Stream Synchronization via Manifest Timeline Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users face challenges in consuming multiple live streaming content streams for the same event, as existing technologies fail to synchronize them effectively, leading to reduced screen real-estate and potential missed key moments, and lack the ability to identify relevance and combine audio and chat streams.
Innovation Solution
A synchronization feature that generates and maintains time reference information for content streams, modifies manifest files to synchronize playback, and determines relevance values based on user interaction and event metrics, allowing for synchronized presentation and prioritization of content streams, as well as merging and interleaving audio and chat streams.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple live streaming content streams are presented in separate web browser windows or tabs, then users can access multiple content streams, but screen real-estate is reduced and user experience is negatively impacted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple live streaming content streams into a single unified player interface, allowing users to view multiple streams simultaneously without opening separate browser windows or tabs. This consolidation maintains the ability to access multiple content streams while preserving screen real-estate by presenting all streams in one coordinated view.
2Adaptability or versatility
If users switch between live content streams of an event, then they can view different perspectives, but they may miss key moments in the live event without indication
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides feedback mechanisms that indicate when key moments are occurring in parallel content streams. Visual indicators, notifications, or synchronized highlights alert users to significant events in other streams, allowing them to switch perspectives without missing important moments. This feedback loop ensures users remain aware of key events across all streams.
Solution Approach 2:
The system prepares and pre-loads content from multiple streams simultaneously, maintaining synchronized playback positions and pre-positioning indicators for key moments. This preliminary action ensures that when users switch between streams, the content is already prepared and key moments are anticipated, preventing any loss of time or missed events.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple live streaming content streams are presented without synchronization, then users can view multiple streams, but the user experience is impacted due to lack of synchronization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a synchronization mechanism that acts as an intermediary between multiple content streams. This mediator coordinates playback positions, timing, and playback speed across all streams, ensuring they remain synchronized. The synchronization layer manages timing adjustments and coordinate changes without affecting the user's ability to view multiple streams simultaneously.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques described herein include systems and methods for synchronizing multiple content streams for an event. A reference time point for an event being live-streamed by a plurality of streaming devices may be maintained. A plurality of content streams and manifest files may be received from streaming devices for the event where a manifest file includes a segment template and a timeline for a segment of content included in a content stream. The timeline may identify a capture time for the content generated by an associated streaming device of the streaming devices. The plurality of content streams may be synchronized by modifying the manifest files based on the capture times included in the manifest files and the reference time point. The plurality of content streams and the modified manifest files may be transmitted to a content viewing computer with instructions for synchronizing playback.