Video Cadence Modification for Audio-Visual Synchronization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems face challenges in synchronizing video presentations with audio presentations due to drift between audio clocks and video frame boundaries, leading to visual artifacts like judder, and require complex processing to maintain synchronization.
Innovation Solution
A system that modifies the video cadence by inserting or removing frames to synchronize video presentations with a master time reference, using a programmable level detection mechanism to minimize synchronization errors without affecting the audio clock.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the audio clock is used as the master time reference to synchronize video presentation, then the video timing can be regulated to coincide with the audio timing, but the audio clock may not be in synchronization with the video frame boundaries, causing visual judder
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a cadence controller as an intermediary component that mediates between the audio clock (master time reference) and the video frame boundaries. The controller adjusts the video cadence pattern dynamically to compensate for timing drift, ensuring that video frames are displayed at the correct moments relative to the audio clock without causing visual judder. This intermediary mechanism resolves the synchronization conflict by providing a control layer that adapts to timing variations.
2Reliability
If the vertical sync interval is used as the master time reference to synchronize audio presentation, then the audio clock can be adjusted to coincide with video frame boundaries, but complex computing-intensive processes are required that may render audio artifacts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the timing adjustment function from the audio processing chain and places it in the video cadence control domain. Instead of modifying the audio clock or stretching/compressing audio samples (which causes artifacts), the system adjusts only the video frame display timing through cadence modification. This separation preserves audio quality while achieving synchronization.
3Reliability
If complex computing-intensive processes are used to stretch or compress audio frames for synchronization, then synchronization accuracy can be maintained, but processing complexity increases and audio artifacts are introduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/audio processing approach (stretching or compressing audio samples) with a video timing control approach (modifying cadence patterns). Instead of physically altering the audio data stream through complex computational processes, the system uses a simpler cadence controller that adjusts video frame display timing based on predefined patterns, significantly reducing processing complexity while maintaining synchronization accuracy.
Data Source
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AI summary
A system synchronizes a video presentation to a master time reference (e.g., a corresponding audio presentation) by modifying a video cadence. The system detects when a displayed video leads or lags a master time reference by a programmable level or more. The system minimizes the synchronization error by inserting or removing source video frames to or from a frame cadence pattern.