Media Stream Synchronization via Content-Based Identifiers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing adaptive bitrate streaming systems face challenges in synchronizing video and audio chunk boundaries across multiple encoders or transcoders, especially when timing signals like LTC or VITC are missing or corrupted, requiring expensive equipment for synchronization.
Innovation Solution
A method and system where each node in a media delivery system computes a unique identifier for each block of the media stream, allowing nodes to determine an offset and synchronize media content without relying on timing signals, using an identifier generator and correlator to align chunk boundaries across nodes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If timing signals (LTC or VITC) are used to synchronize encoders, then synchronization accuracy is improved, but equipment cost and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the synchronization function from external timing signals (LTC/VITC) and implements it through content-based identifiers embedded within the media stream itself. Each encoder independently generates identifiers from the media content, eliminating the need for separate timing signal equipment while maintaining synchronization accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces content-based identifiers as an intermediary mechanism between encoders. Instead of using external timing signals, encoders use these identifiers (derived from media content) to correlate and synchronize their outputs. The identifiers act as a mediator that enables synchronization without requiring complex external timing equipment.
2Reliability
If timing signals are used to ensure chunk boundary alignment, then synchronization reliability is improved, but the system becomes more vulnerable to signal loss and requires expensive equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the system's dependency on external timing signals by embedding synchronization information directly within the media content through content-based identifiers. This extraction of the synchronization function from external signals eliminates vulnerability to signal loss while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates copies of synchronization information within the media content itself through content-based identifiers. Instead of relying on a single external timing signal that can be lost, the synchronization information is replicated within each media block, ensuring reliability even if external signals are unavailable.
3Productivity
If multiple encoders process the same media source independently, then processing speed and productivity are improved, but synchronization difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the synchronization problem into independent content-based identifier generation at each encoder. Each encoder independently processes media blocks and generates identifiers from the content, allowing parallel processing while simplifying synchronization through straightforward identifier correlation without complex coordination mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
A method can include receiving, at a given node, a continuous stream of input media from a media source. A value can be computed as a function of each of a plurality of data blocks of the continuous stream of input media received by the given node. The method can also include receiving, at the given node, values computed for a plurality of data blocks of the continuous stream received by another node. A set of the received values from the other node can be correlated with a set of the computed values for the given node to determine an offset between the blocks of the continuous stream of input media that are received by the given node and the blocks of the continuous stream of input media that are received by the other node.