Multimedia Synchronization via Watermark Markers Across DVB and IP Channels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for transmitting and receiving multimedia contents, such as 3D video, lack effective synchronization and signaling mechanisms, particularly when using multiple transmission channels like DVB and IP, leading to potential desynchronization and complexity in receiver compatibility.
Innovation Solution
The use of watermarking techniques to add synchronization and signaling information to multimedia content, allowing receivers to re-synchronize components transmitted over different media by detecting and decoding predetermined sequences, ensuring accurate alignment and enabling flexible reception across various transmission paths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multimedia content is transmitted through multiple delivery channels (DVB and IP), then the content can be enhanced with additional features (e.g., 3D video), but synchronization between the channels becomes difficult to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by embedding synchronization markers and timestamps into the content streams before transmission through different delivery channels. These markers are inserted in advance at known positions in the content, allowing the receiver to predict and compensate for timing differences without requiring complex real-time synchronization protocols.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary synchronization mechanism using reference timestamps and synchronization markers that act as mediators between the DVB and IP channels. These markers serve as common reference points that both channels can use to align their content delivery, effectively decoupling the synchronization problem from the specific channel characteristics.
2Ease of manufacture
If content streams undergo multiplexing and re-coding operations in different channels, then the streams can be optimized for each channel's characteristics, but the streams lose track of their common time reference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the synchronization information (timestamps and markers) from the original content stream before multiplexing and re-coding operations. These extracted synchronization elements are then re-inserted into the processed streams, ensuring that the time reference information is preserved through the various channel-specific processing operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The synchronization markers are embedded into the content streams in advance, before the streams undergo multiplexing and re-coding. This preliminary embedding ensures that the time reference information survives the processing operations and remains available for synchronization at the receiver.
3Productivity
If receivers are updated to support new multimedia components, then improved content can be delivered, but users who do not want improved content cannot continue to view standard content
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the multimedia content into core components and enhanced components, where the core content (standard definition video, basic audio) can be received and decoded by legacy receivers, while enhanced components (3D video, additional audio tracks) are optional. The synchronization mechanism works independently of which components are present, allowing receivers to selectively process only the components they support.
Solution Approach 2:
The synchronization mechanism designed in the patent is universal and works regardless of which specific content components are present or which delivery channel is used. The same timestamp and marker-based approach applies whether the receiver is processing standard 2D video or enhanced 3D content, making the system compatible across different receiver capabilities.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to methods and apparatuses for transmitting and receiving multimedia contents comprising at least two components (C1, C2); the reception method entails the reception of a first component (C1) from a first transmission medium (DVB) and the reception of a second component (C2) from a second transmission medium (IP), as well as the steps of: detecting (A4) a first "watermark" sequence from said first component (C1), detecting (A4) a second "watermark" sequence from said second component (C2), synchronizing (A5) said first and second components (C1, C2) on the basis of said first and second "watermark" sequences, and combining (A6) said synchronized first and second components (C1, C2) to form said multimedia content (MM); of course, said reception method provides the desired results if both components have been suitably and repeatedly marked prior to transmission.