Mobile Audio Synchronization via Timecode Adjustment Server
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing audio-visual systems in public settings often suffer from poor sound quality due to bad acoustics, under-powered amplifiers, noise pollution, and synchronization issues between audio and visual content, particularly when using mobile devices, which can lead to a diminished audience experience.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for synchronizing audio content on mobile devices with visual content on a separate display system by using a processing server to transmit synchronization messages based on true time and timecode, ensuring accurate and consistent playback alignment, even across different devices and networks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If streaming technology is used to synchronize audio content on mobile devices to visual content on a separate display system, then audio-visual synchronization is attempted, but network latency and WIFI interference cause desynchronization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a processing server as an intermediary between the visual display system and mobile devices. The server receives synchronization requests, calculates appropriate audio content timecodes based on visual content timecodes and network latency measurements, and sends adjusted audio content to mobile devices. This intermediary layer compensates for network latency and maintains synchronization accuracy despite WIFI interference.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the processing server continuously monitors network latency by measuring the time for requests to travel between devices and the server. Based on this feedback, the server dynamically adjusts audio content timing to compensate for varying network conditions, maintaining synchronization between audio and visual content despite changing network latency.
2Ease of operation
If mobile devices are used for audio playback, then portability and personal audio experience are improved, but device time drift causes desynchronization over time
Solution Approach 1:
The processing server sends synchronization messages to mobile devices at periodic time intervals during audio playback. These periodic messages contain updated audio content timecodes that account for drift that has accumulated since the previous synchronization point, allowing the system to maintain synchronization over extended playback periods despite mobile device time drift.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts audio content timing based on the specific timecode and playback position received from the visual display system. Rather than using a fixed synchronization approach, the processing server calculates and sends customized timecode adjustments for each audio segment, adapting to the actual playback state and compensating for drift that occurs over time.
3Adaptability or versatility
If audio content is streamed over the internet or local network, then remote audio playback is enabled, but resource intensity consumes large amounts of data and battery
Solution Approach 1:
The system determines audio content timecodes in advance based on the visual content timecode and expected network latency before actual playback occurs. By pre-calculating the appropriate audio timing and preparing synchronization messages ahead of time, the processing server reduces the computational resources and energy required on mobile devices during actual playback, as they receive ready-to-play audio content rather than needing to process and synchronize in real-time.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method of synchronizing a slave audio content configured for playback on a mobile device to a master audio content or master visual content configured for playing on a separate visual display system are provided for the purpose of enhancing an audience member's audio and visual experience in a public audio-visual show.