Media Playback Synchronization Using Dual Processing Threads
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional media playback systems struggle to maintain synchronization of supplemental media with primary content, especially during trick play modes, leading to out-of-sync issues between secondary and primary playback systems.
Innovation Solution
A media playback environment with a primary and secondary system where the secondary system monitors and synchronizes supplemental media with the primary system using a manifest file and processing threads, adjusting playback locations as needed to maintain synchronization within a threshold time value.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If conventional systems use single initial synchronization for supplemental media playback, then device complexity is reduced, but synchronization reliability deteriorates during trick play modes
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by establishing initial synchronization between the primary and secondary playback systems before trick play modes are activated. This preliminary synchronization includes setting reference time values and establishing the relationship between content playback location and supplemental media playback location, which enables the systems to maintain synchronization even when trick play operations occur later
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the secondary playback system continuously monitors the primary playback system's trick play operations and adjusts supplemental media playback accordingly. The system detects changes in playback location, determines corresponding supplemental media segments, and modifies playback timing to maintain synchronization, creating a closed-loop control system that responds to real-time playback conditions
2Reliability
If the secondary system continuously monitors and re-synchronizes supplemental media playback, then synchronization reliability is improved, but use of energy and computational resources increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies partial action by selectively re-synchronizing supplemental media playback only when trick play operations are detected or when synchronization deviations occur, rather than continuously adjusting playback. This approach maintains sufficient synchronization reliability while reducing unnecessary processing and energy consumption during normal playback conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes parameters by adjusting supplemental media playback timing and location based on detected trick play operations. When a trick play event is detected, the system modifies the playback parameters (time location, segment selection) of supplemental media to match the new content playback state, enabling adaptive synchronization that responds to playback condition changes without constant intervention
3Measurement precision
If the system adjusts playback location frequently to maintain synchronization, then synchronization precision is improved, but loss of time due to repeated adjustments increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary calculations to determine the appropriate supplemental media playback location based on detected trick play operations in the primary system. By pre-determining the target playback location and preparing the corresponding supplemental media segments before actual playback adjustment is needed, the system minimizes the time required for synchronization corrections while maintaining precision
Data Source
AI summary
A system includes a primary playback system and a secondary playback system. The primary playback system plays back selected content. The secondary playback system plays back supplemental media associated with the content played back on the primary playback system. A media playback function (such as associated with the secondary playback system) monitors playback of the content on the primary playback system. For example, a first processing thread of the media playback function initially synchronizes playback of supplemental media on the secondary playback system with respect to playback of the content on the primary playback system. Based on further monitoring of playing back the content on the secondary playback system, a second processing thread of the media playback function verifies synchronization (and, when needed, initiates re-synchronization) of playback of the supplemental media on the secondary playback system with respect to playback of the content on the primary playback system.