Media Playback Modules for Low-Latency Audio-Video Synchronization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Media playback devices experience delays in responding to user operations due to the time required for audio-to-video synchronization, particularly when switching channels or programs.

Innovation Solution

Implementing independent audio-to-video synchronization control architecture with dedicated playback processing modules for each media source, each module having its own timing information, allowing for background synchronization and reduced hardware resource usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If a single shared audio-to-video synchronization control architecture is used, then hardware resource usage is reduced, but response delay increases when switching channels or programs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresponse delayVSAvoidhardware resource usage
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the single shared synchronization control architecture into multiple independent playback processing modules, each dedicated to a specific media source. Each module has its own audio-to-video synchronization control unit and timing information, allowing parallel processing of multiple media sources without mutual interference. This segmentation enables immediate response to channel switching operations while maintaining audio-video synchronization for each source independently.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If dedicated playback processing modules are established for each media source, then synchronization efficiency improves and response delay reduces, but hardware resource consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesynchronization efficiencyVSAvoidhardware resources
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs each playback processing module with a universal architecture that can handle multiple media sources through dynamic configuration. The modules share common functional components and can be activated/deactivated based on the number of active media sources, allowing the system to scale hardware resource usage according to actual needs while maintaining high synchronization efficiency when multiple sources are simultaneously processed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Measurement precision

If independent timing information is maintained for each playback processing module, then audio-to-video synchronization accuracy improves, but system complexity increases

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

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates independent copies of timing information structures for each playback processing module, allowing each module to maintain its own precise timing state without interference from other modules. This copying approach ensures that each media source has dedicated timing resources for accurate audio-video synchronization, while the modular design keeps system complexity manageable through standardized interfaces and independent operation of each copied timing subsystem.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentUS20250267327A1Media playback device and media playback method
Publication Date: 2025.08.21 REALTEK SEMICON CORP
  • US20250267327A1 patent drawing
  • US20250267327A1 patent drawing
  • US20250267327A1 patent drawing

AI summary

A media playback method includes: establishing one or more playback processing modules respectively corresponding to one or more media sources; utilizing an audio and video control sub-module of at least one playback processing module in the one or more playback processing modules to provide and update timing information; and controlling timing synchronization of the at least one playback processing module when processing a plurality of audio data units and a plurality of video data units according to the timing information.