Digital Radio Media Synchronization via Transmitter Latency Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional synchronization techniques for digital radio broadcast systems, such as HD Radio, are inadequate for synchronizing content in systems with multiple and varying signal processing paths, as they require undesirable modifications to the receiver side and lack effective methods for handling different latencies in audio and data processing.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method and system for encoding and transmitting media content, where the processing system determines transmission and rendering times based on estimated latencies through different signal paths to synchronize secondary media content with primary media content at a digital radio broadcast receiver, without requiring significant modifications to the receiver.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional synchronization techniques are used in digital radio broadcast systems with multiple signal processing paths, then the system can maintain existing receiver architecture, but the synchronization of media content across different signal paths deteriorates due to varying latencies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by calculating and determining the rendering time of secondary media content before transmission, based on estimated latencies through different signal paths. The processing system determines a first latency for a first signal path and a second latency for a second signal path, then uses these values to pre-calculate when the secondary content should be rendered to synchronize with primary content. This advance calculation compensates for the varying latencies in multiple signal paths without requiring complex receiver modifications.
2Measurement precision
If additional clock references are added to synchronize media content across different signal paths, then synchronization precision improves, but device complexity and bandwidth requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the synchronization function from the receiver side and moves it to the transmitter side. Instead of requiring the receiver to use additional clock references or make determinations about relative rendering timing, the processing system at the transmitter determines the rendering time of secondary media content based on estimated latencies. This extraction eliminates the need for additional clock references or complex receiver modifications while maintaining synchronization precision.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the receiver makes determinations about relative rendering timing of media content, then synchronization adaptability improves, but processing requirements and complexity at the receiver increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies inversion by reversing the traditional synchronization approach. Instead of having the receiver determine relative rendering timing based on received clock references, the processing system at the transmitter determines the rendering time in advance and embeds this information in the transmitted data. The receiver simply follows the predetermined timing instructions without making complex determinations, thereby maintaining adaptability while reducing receiver processing complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods, and processor readable media are disclosed for encoding and transmitting first media content and second media content using a digital radio broadcast system, such that the second media content can be rendered in synchronization with the first media content by a digital radio broadcast receiver. The disclosed systems, methods, and processor-readable media determine when a receiver will render audio and data content that is transmitted at a given time by the digital radio broadcast transmitter, and adjust the media content accordingly to provide synchronized rendering. In exemplary embodiments, these adjustments can be provided by: 1) inserting timing instructions specifying playback time in the secondary content based on calculated delays; or 2) controlling the timing of sending the primary or secondary content to the transmitter so that it will be rendered in synchronization by the receiver.