Streaming Synchronization via Server-Mediated Latency Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current multimedia streaming technologies, such as HTTP Live Streaming and Dynamic Adaptive Streaming over HTTP, struggle to synchronize video streams across client devices, especially in video conferencing scenarios, and fail to provide frame-level synchronization and dynamic content insertion while supporting studio-approved digital rights management.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a client-side or server-side synchronization method that adjusts playback latency to ensure all client devices display content at an identical or nearly identical time, using a synchronized global time source and a video synchronization module to compute and maintain a fixed latency behind the current time, allowing for true cross-platform synchronization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If P2P protocols are used for synchronization, then rough synchronization is achieved, but frame-level synchronization cannot be provided
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a server as an intermediary that receives timing information from multiple client devices and computes a target synchronization time. This server-mediated approach replaces direct P2P timing negotiations, enabling frame-level precision while maintaining manageable system complexity through centralized coordination.
2Reliability
If traditional streaming technologies are used, then independent streaming is achieved, but synchronization across client devices cannot be provided
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where client devices send their current playback timing information to a server, which then computes and returns a target synchronization time. This closed-loop feedback enables synchronized playback across independent streaming sessions while preserving the reliability of individual device operation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If P2P protocols are used, then video conferencing synchronization is achieved, but dynamic advertising insertions cannot be accommodated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic target time computation where the server recalculates synchronization targets based on real-time conditions including dynamic content insertions. This allows the system to adapt to changing stream content while maintaining precise timing coordination across all client devices through updated target time distributions.
Data Source
AI summary
In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a method including: receiving a request from a client device to join a room, the room associate with a plurality of other client devices streaming multimedia content; adding the client device to the room in response to the request; computing a synchronization time for the client based on time values associated with the client device and the other client devices; and transmitting the synchronization time to the client device, causing the client device to adjust playback of the multimedia content based on the synchronization time.