Media Stream Synchronization via Segmented Physical Channels

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Solution Overview

Problem

In multimedia communication systems, transmitting audio or video data over a high-speed uni-directional bus requires significant bandwidth, especially when control parameters are large, leading to synchronization challenges due to the combined transmission of media streams and control parameters.

Innovation Solution

A transmitter sends a media stream over a first physical channel and associated control and time parameters over a separate second physical channel, allowing for earlier transmission and processing of control parameters before the media stream, using a delay module and time adjuster to ensure synchronization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If media stream and control parameters are transmitted over the same uni-directional bus, then synchronization is maintained, but bandwidth consumption increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesynchronizationVSAvoidbandwidth

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the transmission by separating the media stream and control parameters into different physical channels. The media stream is transmitted over a first physical channel while control parameters are transmitted over a second physical channel, allowing independent optimization of each channel's bandwidth usage while maintaining synchronization through separate timing mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a timing side channel as an intermediary mechanism that carries timing information separately from both the media stream and control parameters. This intermediary timing channel enables synchronization without requiring the media stream and control parameters to share the same transmission bus, thus reducing bandwidth consumption while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If control parameters are transmitted with the media stream, then complete data delivery is ensured, but processing efficiency decreases due to simultaneous transmission

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata deliveryVSAvoidprocessing efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by transmitting control parameters over the second physical channel ahead of or independently from the media stream. The receiver can extract and process control parameters before the corresponding media stream data arrives, enabling preparatory operations such as buffer allocation, parameter validation, and processing pipeline initialization, thus improving overall processing efficiency while ensuring complete data delivery.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Loss of information

If control parameters of significant size are transmitted, then comprehensive control information is provided, but bandwidth requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol informationVSAvoidbandwidth

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments control information transmission by dedicating a separate second physical channel for control parameters. This segmentation allows comprehensive control information to be transmitted without competing for bandwidth with the media stream, as each channel can be optimized for its specific data type. The timing side channel further segments the synchronization function, allowing efficient bandwidth utilization across all channels.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Speed

If media stream and control parameters are transmitted simultaneously, then real-time transmission is achieved, but synchronization challenges arise

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransmission speedVSAvoidsynchronization

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a timing side channel as an intermediary that carries precise timing information separately from the data streams. This timing intermediary enables the receiver to accurately synchronize the reconstruction of media stream and control parameters even though they are transmitted simultaneously over different physical channels, eliminating synchronization challenges while maintaining real-time transmission speed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS10129318B2Media stream data and control parameter synchronization

Publication Date: 2018.11.13 UNIVERSAL CONNECTIVITY TECH INC

AI summary

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to transmitting or receiving a media stream and associated control parameter over different physical channels. The transmitter transmits a media stream over a first physical channel and at least one associated control parameter along with a time parameter associated with a part of the media stream over a second physical channel. The associated control parameter along with the time parameter is sent before the media stream to the receiver. The receiver processes the media stream, by extracting the control parameter and time parameter associated with a part of the media stream, and at least applying the extracted control parameter to the part of the media stream.