Synchronized Shelf-Rail Video Playback With Distributed Frame Sync
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing video playback systems require high bandwidth and expensive hardware to achieve synchronized playback across multiple devices, which is economically impractical for large-scale applications like electronic shelf labels.
Innovation Solution
A system where playback devices independently detect asynchronous playback progress using frame number comparisons and adjust playback accordingly, utilizing inexpensive hardware and minimal communication protocols like UDP multicast.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a central server distributes video streams with highly precise timing signals to multiple playback devices, then synchronized playback is achieved, but high bandwidth and expensive hardware are required
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the synchronization function by having each playback device independently determine its own playback progress and compare it with others, rather than relying on a centralized timing signal distribution system. This divides the synchronization task from central control to distributed autonomous operation.
Solution Approach 2:
Each playback device serves itself by autonomously determining playback progress based on local timing signals and comparing it with progress data from other devices. The devices self-regulate their synchronization status without requiring continuous external timing control.
2Reliability
If fast hardware is used to receive, buffer, and synchronously playback video content according to precise timing signals, then synchronized playback is achieved, but expensive hardware is required
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements dynamic synchronization where playback devices continuously exchange progress data and autonomously adjust their playback status. This dynamic peer-to-peer comparison mechanism replaces static reliance on expensive centralized timing hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/physical centralized timing signal distribution system with a software-based distributed progress comparison mechanism. Instead of precise hardware timing signals flowing from server to devices, the system uses software exchanges of progress data between devices.
3Reliability
If just in time distribution of video content is implemented to multiple playback devices, then synchronized playback is achieved, but high bandwidth is required
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary distribution of complete video content to each playback device before playback begins. This advance distribution eliminates the need for continuous high-bandwidth just-in-time streaming during playback, reducing communication overhead to only progress data exchanges.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
A use of a video playback system (1), comprising a number of playback devices (6A, 6B, 6C) to playback a video on their screens (5), as video playback enabled electronic shelf label system for the playback of synchronized video content for a number of shelf rails (4); wherein each of said shelfs rails (4) is realized by a screen (5) or carries a screen (5); wherein each playback device (6A, 6B, 6C) comprises a memory to store video data (9) representing said video, and a communication stage to communicate data with each other; and wherein each of the playback devices (6A, 6B, 6C) is designed to transmit video playback progress-data via the communication stage to the other playback devices (6A, 6B, 6C), and to determine, based on the received progress-data, whether it is in a synchronous or asynchronous playback progress with the other playback devices (6A, 6B, 6C).