Time Synchronization for Multi-Feed Mobile IP Streaming
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Solution Overview
Problem
Multi-feed streaming on mobile devices faces challenges such as high network bandwidth demand and poor user experience due to unsynchronized and delayed data feeds, which complicates the coherent display of multiple related feeds.
Innovation Solution
The system synchronizes multiple video/audio feeds into a single stream, allowing users to select audio or video feeds within a mosaic view, using time synchronization and metadata to ensure feeds are aligned and presented coherently, reducing bandwidth demand by combining feeds into a single stream.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple video/audio feeds are delivered as separate streams to mobile devices, then each feed can be transmitted independently, but network bandwidth demand increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate video and audio feeds into a single multiplexed stream for delivery over the network. This merging approach reduces network bandwidth demand by transmitting all feeds through one channel rather than multiple separate channels, while still maintaining the ability to deliver each feed independently to the mobile device for processing and display.
2Quantity of substance
If multiple feeds are delivered in a single stream, then bandwidth demand is reduced, but synchronization difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary synchronization actions by embedding timing metadata and synchronization markers within the multiplexed stream during the encoding phase. This preliminary preparation ensures that when feeds are extracted and played back on mobile devices, they are automatically synchronized without requiring complex real-time coordination, thus maintaining precision while benefiting from bandwidth reduction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms through synchronization metadata that provides timing information and synchronization status back to the playback system. This feedback enables the mobile device to adjust feed timing dynamically, ensuring coherent display even when feeds experience slight variations in transmission or processing delays.
3Manufacturing precision
If feeds are synchronized with precise timing metadata, then coherent display is achieved, but processing load on mobile devices increases
Solution Approach 1:
The synchronization metadata is designed to enable self-service synchronization at the mobile device level. The timing information and synchronization markers embedded in the stream allow the device's media player to automatically align feeds without requiring intensive external processing or coordination. This reduces the processing load on mobile devices while maintaining coherent display through automated, lightweight synchronization operations.
4Adaptability or versatility
If users can select individual feeds within mosaic view, then user interaction capability improves, but interface complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The interface is segmented into distinct interactive regions corresponding to individual feeds within the mosaic view. Each feed occupies a specific zone that users can independently select, pause, or control. This segmentation allows complex functionality to be presented through simple, localized interactions rather than requiring users to navigate a complex global interface, thus improving adaptability while managing interface complexity through spatial organization.
Data Source
AI summary
Multiple video and/or content feeds are combined and synchronized in real-time into a single mobile IP data network compatible stream for presenting as a coherent display on a mobile device.