Synchronized audio/video decoding for network devices
First Claim
1. A method of synchronizing a decoder within a network to a server, comprising:
- receiving a set of timestamp signals, each timestamp signal within the set of timestamp signals having a value corresponding to a timestamped beacon transmitted by a network server, the network server adapted to stream encoded data over a network;
receiving a set of local clock signals, each local clock signal within the set of local clock signals having a value generated by a local system time clock associated with a decoder of a network client, the decoder adapted to decode the encoded data;
computing a differential timestamp value based on values of timestamp signals within the set of timestamp signals;
computing a differential local clock value based on values of local clock signals within the set of local clock signals;
determining whether the differential local clock value has a predetermined relationship with respect to the differential timestamp value; and
transmitting a clock rate adjustment command signal to the decoder when it is determined that the differential local clock value does not have the predetermined relationship with the differential timestamp value, the clock rate adjustment command signal adapted to adjust the local system time clock such that a subsequent differential local clock value will have the predetermined relationship with the differential timestamp value.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method of synchronizing decoders within a network to a server includes receiving a set of timestamps and local clock signals upon receiving the beacon interrupt signal, computing differential timestamp and local clock values based on values of timestamp and local clock signals, respectively, within the sets of timestamp and local clock signals, determining whether the differential local clock value has a predetermined relationship with the differential timestamp value, and transmitting a clock rate adjustment command signal to the decoder when differential local clock value does not have the predetermined relationship with the differential timestamp value. The clock rate adjustment command signal adjusts the local system time clock of the decoder such that a subsequent differential clock value will have the predetermined relationship with the differential timestamp value. When this method is performed for each decoder within the network, the decoders are substantially synchronized and the decoding delay can be kept below humanly perceptible levels.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A method of synchronizing a decoder within a network to a server, comprising:
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receiving a set of timestamp signals, each timestamp signal within the set of timestamp signals having a value corresponding to a timestamped beacon transmitted by a network server, the network server adapted to stream encoded data over a network;
receiving a set of local clock signals, each local clock signal within the set of local clock signals having a value generated by a local system time clock associated with a decoder of a network client, the decoder adapted to decode the encoded data;
computing a differential timestamp value based on values of timestamp signals within the set of timestamp signals;
computing a differential local clock value based on values of local clock signals within the set of local clock signals;
determining whether the differential local clock value has a predetermined relationship with respect to the differential timestamp value; and
transmitting a clock rate adjustment command signal to the decoder when it is determined that the differential local clock value does not have the predetermined relationship with the differential timestamp value, the clock rate adjustment command signal adapted to adjust the local system time clock such that a subsequent differential local clock value will have the predetermined relationship with the differential timestamp value. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A network device, comprising:
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a network interface adapted to receive encoded data transmitted over a network;
a decoder coupled to the network interface adapted to decode the received encoded data; and
a processor coupled to the network interface and decoder, the processor containing circuitry adapted to;
receive a set of timestamp signals via the network interface, wherein each timestamp signal within the set of timestamp signals has a value corresponding to a timestamped beacon transmitted by a network server;
receive a set of local clock signals, wherein each local clock signal within the set of local clock signals has a value generated by a local system time clock associated with the decoder;
compute a differential timestamp value based on values of timestamp signals within the set of timestamp signals;
compute a differential local clock value based on values of local clock signals within the set of local clock signals;
determine whether the differential local clock value has a predetermined relationship with respect to the differential timestamp value; and
transmit a clock rate adjustment command signal to the decoder when it is determined that the differential local clock value does not have the predetermined relationship with the differential timestamp value, wherein the clock rate adjustment command signal is adapted to adjust the local system time clock such that a subsequent differential local clock value will have the predetermined relationship with the differential timestamp value. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18)
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Specification