Video Network Synchronization Status Indicator

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Solution Overview

Problem

In packet-switched video networks, the lack of synchronization between video sources and receivers can lead to unnoticed unlocked video signals, resulting in visual artifacts like image movement and frame rolls, as the receiver node synchronizes with a local clock without indicating the source's unlock status, masking potential issues.

Innovation Solution

A device at the network source detects synchronization with the reference signal and launches data indicating lock status, while the receiver synchronizes video data with a local signal and associates an indicator with the video data to notify users of potential synchronization problems.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the receiver node synchronizes video data with a local clock, then the video output is stable and continuous, but the receiver may mask unlocked video signals from the source, making synchronization problems undetectable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevideo output stabilityVSAvoidsynchronization status information

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The source device generates and transmits synchronization status indicators (locked/unlocked flags) that provide feedback about the video signal state to the receiver and monitoring systems, enabling detection of unlocked signals while maintaining stable output

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

A synchronization status indicator acts as an intermediary information element that carries synchronization state data alongside video data, allowing the receiver to maintain stable output while preserving information about source synchronization status through separate indicator channels

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the receiver node attempts to reconstruct video packets using its local clock, then visual artifacts are reduced, but the underlying synchronization problem remains hidden

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevisual artifactsVSAvoidsynchronization problem detection

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

Synchronization status indicators provide continuous feedback about the source signal state, enabling operators to detect unlocked conditions even when the receiver's local clock compensation reduces visible artifacts

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The synchronization status can be indicated through visual indicators (such as color-coded flags or on-screen displays) that change to alert operators to unlocked conditions, making hidden problems visible without affecting the video reconstruction process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

3Device complexity

If no synchronization indication is transmitted over the packet-based network, then the network protocol remains simple, but operators cannot detect unlocked video signals

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork protocol complexityVSAvoidlock status information

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

Synchronization status information is segmented into separate indicator flags or metadata fields that are transmitted alongside video data packets, adding minimal complexity to the protocol while preserving essential synchronization state information

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The protocol incorporates synchronization status as an additional parameter or flag within existing packet structures, enabling detection of unlocked signals without fundamentally changing the core network protocol architecture

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS8050252B2Packet-based video network indicating video signal synchronization and methodology thereof

Publication Date: 2011.11.01 SONY EUROPE BV

AI summary

A video data network device arranged to receive a video signal and an associated synchronisation signal and to launch video data packets representing the video signal onto a packet-based data network comprises means for detecting whether the video signal is synchronised with the synchronisation signal; and means for launching data onto the network indicating whether the video signal is synchronised with the synchronisation signal.