Networked Media Synchronization via Global Clock Mediator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing synchronization methods fail to accurately synchronize media devices across different communication media, such as IEEE 802.3 wired and IEEE 802.11 wireless networks, due to the absence of a global clock in wired networks, leading to poor user experience from unwanted playback effects.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a networked slave device that sends probe frames to a master device, filters responses based on round-trip time (RTT) values, and adjusts its local clock to minimize relative clock offset drift, ensuring synchronization across diverse network media.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If frequency synchronization techniques are used for devices connected to a shared medium, then synchronization accuracy can be achieved, but these techniques cannot be applied to wired networks where switch devices isolate individual carriers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a global clock as an intermediary reference that both wireless and wired devices can observe and synchronize to. This mediator enables synchronization across different network types (IEEE 802.11 wireless and IEEE 802.3 wired) that would otherwise be incompatible, allowing devices behind network address translators or in hybrid network configurations to achieve synchronized operation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If devices are connected through different communication media (wired Ethernet and wireless LAN), then network flexibility is improved, but distinct transmission properties and link capacities cause synchronization difficulties
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the reference parameter from local device clocks to a global clock observable by all devices. This parameter change allows devices with different transmission properties (wired vs wireless) to synchronize their local clocks to the same external reference, compensating for the distinct characteristics of different communication media and achieving consistent synchronization across heterogeneous networks.
3Stability of the object's composition
If wired networks use switch devices to isolate individual carriers, then network stability is improved, but no global clock is observable leading to synchronization isolation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the synchronization system universal by introducing a global clock that serves as a common reference for both wired and wireless devices. This universal reference enables the wired network portion (with its stable switch-based architecture) to participate in synchronization alongside wireless devices, allowing the system to function across multiple network types and configurations.
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AI summary
Described herein are systems and methods for synchronization in a networked environment. For example, some embodiments provide methods for synchronizing a client device having a client media time reference with a server device having a server media time reference. In some cases such methods are embodied in computer readable code that is executable on one or more processors. Furthermore, some embodiments provide hardware, such as networked media devices that are configured to perform such methods. In overview, in some embodiments a client obtains timing information from a server and, on the basis of this timing information, applies an adjustment to a client control time reference, thereby to synchronize the client media time reference with the server media time reference. Some embodiments are particularly directed to the situation where there is a desire to synchronize networked media devices across a combination of wired and wireless networks.