Digital Radio Broadcast 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 at the receiver side and do not account for the different latencies in audio and data content processing.

Innovation Solution

A computer-implemented method for encoding and transmitting media content and triggering instructions to a digital radio broadcast receiver, determining transmission times based on estimated latencies through different signal paths to ensure immediate rendering of secondary content in synchronization with primary content, using a processing system to calculate and communicate the necessary timing for synchronized rendering.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional synchronization techniques are used in digital radio broadcast systems, then the system can maintain backward compatibility with existing receivers, but the synchronization of content across multiple signal processing paths fails due to varying latencies

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebackward compatibilityVSAvoidsynchronization accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by calculating and compensating for signal path latencies before transmission. The system determines the latency of each signal path in advance and adjusts the transmission timing of content accordingly, so that all content arrives at the receiver synchronized despite different processing paths. This prevents synchronization issues rather than correcting them at the receiver.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary synchronization mechanism at the transmitter side that mediates between multiple signal processing paths. This intermediary system calculates latencies, determines appropriate transmission times for different content types, and ensures synchronized delivery without requiring modifications to the receiver architecture, thus maintaining backward compatibility while achieving precise synchronization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If synchronization processing is performed at the receiver side, then content can be synchronized across different signal paths, but the receiver processing complexity and resource requirements increase undesirably

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesynchronization accuracyVSAvoidreceiver processing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional approach by moving synchronization processing from the receiver side to the transmitter side. Instead of having the receiver analyze and correct timing differences, the transmitter pre-calculates latencies and schedules content transmission to arrive synchronized. This inversion eliminates complex receiver processing while achieving the same synchronization goal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies self-service by having the transmitter autonomously handle synchronization without requiring sophisticated receiver processing. The transmitter measures its own signal path latencies and independently determines transmission timing, making the system self-sufficient and avoiding the need for complex receiver-side synchronization mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Device complexity

If different latencies in audio and data content processing are not accounted for, then the transmission system remains simple, but the rendered content becomes desynchronized

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransmission system simplicityVSAvoidcontent rendering synchronization

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting transmission timing parameters based on measured signal path latencies. The system determines specific latency values for different content types (audio, data, video) and modifies their transmission schedules accordingly. This maintains relative system simplicity while achieving precise synchronization through parameter adjustment rather than complex architectural changes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS8451868B2Systems and methods for transmitting media content via digital radio broadcast transmission for synchronized rendering by a receiver

Publication Date: 2013.05.28 IBIQUITY DIGITAL CORP

AI summary

Systems, methods, and processor readable media are disclosed for encoding and transmitting first media content, second media content and triggering instructions to a digital radio broadcast receiver such that the triggering instructions arrive for immediate execution to trigger immediate rendering of the second media content in synchronization with the first media content.