Video-Audio Synchronization Using Embedded Reference Signals

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing video-audio processing techniques require complex and time-consuming timing adjustments to synchronize video and audio data, and are prone to desynchronization due to noise interference, especially in noisy environments.

Innovation Solution

A video-audio processing apparatus and method that includes a stream acquisition unit, data decoder, audio controller, video-image capture unit, data encoder, recording controller, and multiplexer to easily synchronize video and audio data without user intervention, even in noisy conditions, by capturing and encoding video images in synchronization with audio output and multiplexing the encoded streams.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual timing adjustment operations are performed to synchronize video data, then synchronization can be achieved, but the operation becomes complicated and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevideo-audio synchronization accuracyVSAvoidtiming adjustment complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by embedding a synchronization sound at the beginning of the audio data before the main content. This synchronization sound serves as a reference marker that enables automatic timing alignment between video and audio streams without requiring manual intervention. The system pre-processes the audio data to include this reference signal, which is then used during playback to automatically synchronize the video stream with the audio stream.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements self-service by enabling the video playback system to automatically detect and utilize the embedded synchronization sound to align video and audio timing. The system uses correlation calculations between the synchronization sound in the audio stream and a reference sound to automatically determine the correct time offset, eliminating the need for user-performed timing adjustments while maintaining reliable synchronization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If correlation calculation with time shift is used to synchronize video data, then synchronization can be achieved, but the user must perform troublesome sound generation and timing adjustment operations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevideo-audio synchronization accuracyVSAvoidoperation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-generating and embedding a known synchronization sound at the start of the audio data. This eliminates the need for users to generate sounds manually. The synchronization sound contains identifiable characteristics that facilitate automatic correlation calculation, allowing the system to determine timing offsets programmatically without user intervention in sound generation or timing adjustment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs self-service by automatically executing the correlation calculation process between the embedded synchronization sound and reference sounds. The playback apparatus independently determines the optimal time shift value through automated correlation analysis, eliminating the need for users to manually adjust timing parameters while maintaining accurate synchronization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If existing synchronization techniques are used, then video images can be synchronized, but they may fail in noisy environments due to incorrect recognition

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesynchronization efficiencyVSAvoidsynchronization accuracy in noisy conditions
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating a controlled, noise-free segment at the beginning of the audio data through the embedded synchronization sound. This localized reference signal has distinct acoustic characteristics that are deliberately designed to be easily distinguishable from ambient noise. By confining the synchronization reference to this specific local segment rather than relying on the entire audio stream, the system maintains high recognition accuracy even when the overall environment is noisy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses preliminary action by pre-embedding a known synchronization sound with identifiable characteristics before the main audio content. This reference signal serves as a reliable anchor point that enables the system to establish timing synchronization independently of subsequent noisy audio segments. The synchronization sound is designed with properties that facilitate robust detection and correlation calculation even in the presence of ambient noise during video playback.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS8615154B2Video-audio processing apparatus and video-audio processing method
Publication Date: 2013.12.24 ADVANCED CODING TECHNOLOGIES LLC
  • US8615154B2 patent drawing
  • US8615154B2 patent drawing
  • US8615154B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A video-audio processing method includes acquiring encoded audio data, decoding the acquired encoded audio data and thereby creating audio data; causing an audio output unit to output the created audio data, capturing a video image of an object in synchronization with an output of the audio data by the audio output unit and thereby creating first video data, encoding the created first video data and thereby creating first encoded video data, holding the first encoded video data, and multiplexing the encoded audio data and the first encoded video data and thereby creating a first stream.