Synchronization Watermarking for Audio Video Stream Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current multimedia data synchronization methods, particularly in IP networks, fail to effectively synchronize audio and video streams due to lack of adequate timestamp mapping and frequent enough RTCP sender reports, leading to noticeable desynchronization issues, especially over long distances.
Innovation Solution
Inserting synchronization packets with a synchronization flag and optional timing/identifier information into audio and video data streams at sending or network nodes, allowing for detection and alignment at receiving endpoints or nodes, facilitating real-time synchronization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If RTP/RTCP timestamp mapping is used for synchronization, then timestamp information is available, but the information is not available at the right time to compensate for drift between audio and video streams
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inserts synchronization packets with timing information at predetermined intervals into the data stream in advance. These packets contain pre-calculated synchronization data that allows the receiving end to proactively adjust timing offsets before drift becomes noticeable, rather than reacting to drift after it occurs. This preliminary insertion of sync markers enables timely compensation without waiting for RTCP reports.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces synchronization packets as an intermediary element between the audio and video streams. These packets carry timing reference information that mediates the synchronization process, allowing the receiving end to align streams based on the embedded timing data rather than relying solely on RTCP timestamp mapping, which has delayed feedback.
2Measurement precision
If RTCP sender reports are used for synchronization, then timestamp mapping is possible, but the reports are not frequent enough and not available at the necessary time for delay compensation
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of relying on periodic RTCP reports that occur at intervals, the patent implements continuous periodic insertion of synchronization packets at fixed intervals within the data stream itself. This ensures synchronization information is available at every interval rather than waiting for RTCP report cycles, dramatically increasing the frequency and availability of sync data.
Solution Approach 2:
The synchronization mechanism becomes self-service by embedding timing information directly within the data stream through synchronization packets. The stream carries its own synchronization markers, eliminating dependence on external RTCP reporting mechanisms. Each synchronization packet independently provides the timing information needed for immediate compensation without waiting for network feedback.
3Reliability
If professional broadcast video solutions with phonetics and pattern recognition are used for lipsync, then synchronization can be achieved, but the systems are relatively complex to implement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses simple, lightweight synchronization packets that are easily inserted and processed, replacing complex phonetics and pattern recognition systems. These packets contain essential timing information in a compact format that can be handled by standard network equipment without requiring sophisticated audio analysis algorithms or specialized processing hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts only the essential synchronization timing information from the complex phonetics and pattern recognition approach, discarding the unnecessary complexity. By taking out just the timing markers and reference data needed for synchronization, the system achieves lipsync functionality with minimal processing requirements while eliminating the need for complex audio event detection and pattern matching.
4Reliability
If MPEG4 sync and multiplexing layers are implemented, then common reference count and timestamp can be established, but implementing all layers in embedded endpoints is not cost effective
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements only the essential synchronization packet insertion function without requiring full MPEG4 sync and multiplexing layer implementation. By performing just the critical action of inserting timing markers into the stream, the system achieves timestamp reference functionality without the overhead of implementing all MPEG4 layers in embedded endpoints, making it cost-effective while maintaining reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
Synchronization of related packet data network streams is provided. Synchronization is achieved by inserting synchronization packets into data streams that are to be aligned with one another after transmission of those data streams across a network. More particularly, corresponding synchronization packets are inserted into the corresponding data streams at the same time, to serve as markers for performing synchronization of the data at the receiving end. The corresponding data streams may comprise an audio data stream and a corresponding video data stream.