Media Content Delivery Subsystem Synchronization
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Solution Overview
Problem
The mismatch in resolution between media content channels and advertisement channels causes undesirable transition delays in display devices when switching between channels, requiring separate advertisement channels for each resolution, leading to increased bandwidth usage and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A media content delivery subsystem processes dual program streams in different resolutions and generates a single advertisement stream, dynamically synchronizing the streams to remove transmission lag, allowing for seamless switching and reducing bandwidth requirements by using a single advertisement channel for multiple resolutions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If separate advertisement channels are maintained for each resolution (SD and HD), then transition delays between content and advertisement channels are avoided, but bandwidth usage increases and system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple resolution-specific advertisement channels into a single advertisement channel that carries synchronized SD and HD content streams. This combining of previously separate channels eliminates the need for separate SD and HD advertisement channels, reducing bandwidth usage while maintaining seamless transition capability through synchronization.
Solution Approach 2:
The single advertisement channel is designed to serve multiple resolution requirements simultaneously by carrying both SD and HD content streams in a synchronized manner. This multi-functional channel can serve both SD and HD content channels, eliminating the need for dedicated advertisement channels for each resolution type.
2Loss of time
If separate advertisement channels are maintained for each resolution (SD and HD), then seamless switching between content and advertisement channels is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple resolution-specific advertisement channels into a single unified advertisement channel infrastructure. This merging reduces the number of channels that need to be managed and configured, thereby reducing system complexity while maintaining the capability to serve both SD and HD content simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The single advertisement channel is designed with universal functionality to serve both SD and HD content channels through synchronized stream delivery. This universal channel replaces multiple specialized channels, simplifying the overall system architecture and reducing device complexity.
3Quantity of substance
If a single advertisement channel is used for multiple resolutions, then bandwidth usage is reduced, but transmission lag synchronization becomes challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary synchronization actions by pre-coordinating the transmission timing of SD and HD advertisement streams before they are delivered through the single advertisement channel. This advance synchronization planning ensures that both resolution streams remain aligned, maintaining precision despite the challenges of single-channel delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs feedback mechanisms to monitor and adjust the synchronization status of SD and HD streams in real-time. By continuously monitoring transmission lag and applying corrective adjustments, the system maintains high synchronization accuracy while delivering content through a single advertisement channel.
4Ease of operation
If resolution-matched advertisement channels are used, then user experience during channel switching is improved, but the number of required channels increases
Solution Approach 1:
The single advertisement channel is designed with universal functionality to serve both SD and HD content channels simultaneously through synchronized stream delivery. This universal channel replaces multiple specialized channels, simplifying the overall system architecture while maintaining seamless transition capability for different resolutions.
Data Source
AI summary
An exemplary method includes processing a first program stream representative of media content having a first resolution and a second program stream representative of the media content having a second resolution, generating a single advertisement stream representative of advertisement content having a third resolution, detecting a transmission lag between the first and second program streams, dynamically synchronizing the first and second program streams to substantially remove the detected transmission lag, transmitting the synchronized first program stream by way of a first content channel, the synchronized second program stream by way of a second content channel, and the advertisement stream by way of an advertisement channel, and directing a media content access device to switch from being tuned to the second content channel to being tuned to the advertisement channel during an advertising break in the media content. Corresponding methods and systems are also disclosed.