Timestamp Approximation Adjustment for Clock Synchronization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Network operators face data impairment issues due to clock synchronization loss in distributed systems, leading to errors such as skipped or repeated frames during content playback for clients.
Innovation Solution
The use of timestamp approximations derived from a universal time source to synchronize content output at clients, where ordered pairs of timestamps are computed and adjusted to smooth transitions, minimizing the effects of communication delays and jitter.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a distributed system is used to provide content, then device flexibility and system scalability are improved, but clock synchronization is lost leading to data impairment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces timestamps as an intermediary mechanism to bridge the clock synchronization gap in distributed systems. These timestamps act as mediators that carry time information from the source clock through the distributed network to the client, enabling synchronization without requiring direct clock coordination between all devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where clients send feedback information about their received timestamps and playback status back to the network operator. This feedback loop enables continuous adjustment and refinement of timing information to maintain synchronization despite the distributed nature of the system.
2Productivity
If content is communicated through distributed devices, then system scalability is improved, but jitter and loss occur causing playback errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-calculating and attaching timestamps to content packets before they enter the distributed network. This advance preparation ensures that timing information is already in place to compensate for potential jitter and loss that may occur during transmission, allowing clients to maintain precise playback without waiting for real-time adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter approach by transforming raw clock signals into timestamped data packets that encode time information in a standardized format. This parameter transformation allows the timing information to survive the distributed network environment and be accurately interpreted by clients for synchronized playback.
3Reliability
If timestamps are allocated to synchronize content, then playback synchronization is improved, but calculation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses copying by creating timestamp objects that replicate and transport time information through the distributed system. These timestamp copies carry the essential timing data from the source to the client without requiring complex real-time calculations at each node, simplifying the overall system architecture while maintaining synchronization reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques to adjust clock approximations are described, which may be used to synchronize content output at a client. In an implementation, timestamps derived from a universal time source are allocated to respective program clock reference (PCR) timestamps in content received by a network operator during an interval of time to form ordered pairs of timestamps. An approximation is computed of a plurality of the ordered pairs of timestamps for the interval and the approximation is adjusted using an ordered pair of timestamps taken from a previous approximation.