Program Communication Synchronizer for Audio Video Propagation Timing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems fail to synchronize audio/video content delivery between presentation devices and mobile devices accurately, as they do not account for differences in propagation times between these devices, leading to potential delays or mismatches in content presentation.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that utilize a program communication synchronizer to calculate and adjust the timing of audio/video content delivery based on propagation time differences between presentation devices and mobile devices, ensuring that the content is presented simultaneously on both types of devices by coordinating the communication of audio/video portions through separate transmitters.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If audio/video content is communicated to presentation device and mobile device simultaneously without timing adjustment, then communication simplicity is maintained, but propagation time differences cause content presentation desynchronization

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontent synchronization accuracyVSAvoidcommunication coordination complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary timing calculations and adjustments before content communication. The synchronizer device calculates propagation times to both the presentation device and mobile device in advance, determines the time difference, and pre-adjusts the communication timing. This preliminary action ensures that content arrives at both devices simultaneously without requiring complex real-time coordination during content delivery.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Manufacturing precision

If propagation time differences are not accounted for, then system simplicity is maintained, but content delivery timing accuracy deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontent delivery timing precisionVSAvoidcontent presentation delay
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The synchronizer device implements a feedback mechanism by calculating the actual propagation times for content to reach both the presentation device and mobile device, comparing these times to determine the time difference, and using this feedback information to adjust the communication timing. This closed-loop approach ensures precise content delivery timing while minimizing presentation delays.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP2186297B1Apparatus, systems and methods to synchronize communication of content to a presentation device and a mobile device
Publication Date: 2018.01.10 ECHOSTAR TECH LLC
  • EP2186297B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2186297B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2186297B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A programming communication synchronizer (100) embodiment communicates a portion of a program to a receiving device (118) during a first time period, communicates a corresponding portion of the program to a mobile device (140) during a second time period, and coordinates the first time period with the second time period so that the portion of the program is deliverable to a presentation device (120) coupleable to the receiving device at approximately the same time the corresponding portion of the program is deliverable to the mobile device (140).