Multimedia Stream Synchronization via Digital Fingerprint Timestamps
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems fail to synchronize additional content with the broadcast program effectively, leading to user annoyance as the content is often displayed ahead of or behind the relevant event, requiring effort to link local terminal content with the program being watched.
Innovation Solution
A method and device for triggering actions related to a multimedia stream by determining a time offset between the playback device and a remote server, allowing precise synchronization of additional content with the broadcast stream, using digital fingerprints and ordered sequences of dated signatures to ensure accurate timing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If additional content is displayed on a local terminal during program playback, then users can access complementary content, but the content is not synchronized with the broadcast program events
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses timestamp feedback from both the broadcast stream and the local terminal to calculate time offsets. The terminal sends timestamps of displayed content to the server, which compares them with server-side timestamps to determine synchronization accuracy and adjust future content delivery accordingly.
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-calculates time offsets by comparing timestamps from the broadcast stream and local terminal before displaying additional content. This preliminary synchronization calculation ensures that complementary content is triggered at the correct moment relative to program events.
2Measurement precision
If content is displayed ahead of or behind program events, then synchronization is achieved, but user effort increases to link local content with program events
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically performs synchronization calculations and content triggering without requiring user intervention. The terminal autonomously compares timestamps, calculates time offsets, and triggers complementary content at the appropriate moments, eliminating the need for users to manually link local content with program events.
3Measurement precision
If digital fingerprints and ordered sequences of dated signatures are used, then synchronization precision is improved, but computational resources are consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the broadcast content into discrete events with associated timestamps. By processing content in segmented units rather than continuously, the computational load is reduced while maintaining precise synchronization at each event point using digital fingerprints and dated signatures.
4Measurement precision
If continuous server connection is maintained for synchronization, then synchronization accuracy is preserved, but system complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary synchronization calculations by storing time offsets calculated from timestamp comparisons. These pre-calculated offsets are then used to trigger complementary content without requiring continuous real-time server connection, reducing system complexity while maintaining synchronization accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for triggering an action related to a first stream of multimedia content being broadcast and displayed by a playback device (TV). According to the invention, the triggering method comprises a step of obtaining initial data representing an excerpt of the stream and an associated first timestamp; a step of obtaining a triggering instant determined based on the first timestamp and a second timestamp associated with second data representing said excerpt, said second data being obtained from a second stream representing said content; and a step of triggering an action at the triggering instant. The invention also relates to a device implementing the triggering method.