Multimedia dynamic synchronization system

• US 5,777,612 A
• Filed: 11/22/1995
• Issued: 07/07/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 03/20/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
• Original Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
• Inventors: Kataoka, Hiroshi
• Primary Examiner(s): Jankus, Almis R.
• Application Number:
  US08/562,179
• Time in Patent Office: 958 Days
• Field of Search: 395/806, 395/807, 395/327, 345/302, 345/326, 345/327, 345/328
• US Class Current: 715/203
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/40 of multimedia data, e.g. slideshows comprising image and additional audio data retrieval of still image data G06F16/50; retrieval of audio data G06F16/60; retrieval of video data G06F16/70
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/489 using time information
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/43072 of multiple content streams on the same device
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/432 Content retrieval operation from a local storage medium, e.g. hard-disk details of retrieval of video data and associated meta data in video databases G06F16/739

Abstract

A multimedia dynamic synchronization system which flexibly adapts to a change of conditions for synchronization of multimedia elements with each other according to the passage of time. The system stores the multimedia data in classified media management means, and synchronization control data in a control table for synchronizing the media elements with each other. The control table stores the synchronization control data in a form of intermediate synchronization control parameters, which are preparatory values to calculate final variables. While the multimedia presentation is performed, data transition calculation means calculates the synchronization control data for final use based on the intermediate synchronization control parameters. Since the system calculates final synchronization control data each time it performs presentation, the system would not be so much affected by any modification of the control table.

Claims

1. A multimedia dynamic synchronization system which represents a plurality of multimedia data objects in synchronization with transition of time, location and frame number, the system comprising:

classified media management means for storing a plurality of data being classified by the types of the media, which data are specific to respective types of media;

sequence data memory means for separately storing in control table form a frame sequence count that represents a sequential data length in a count of frames after starting of a data presentation, and a frame unit time that represents a unit time length for one frame during which the data presentation is continuously performed; and

data transition calculation means for dynamically calculating a sequence length indicative of a data length measured from a starting time of the data presentation each time a presentation of the media is performed, the sequence length being obtained by calculating a product of the frame sequence count and the frame unit time stored in said sequence data memory means.

2. A multimedia dynamic synchronization system according to claim 1, wherein said sequence data storage means is provided for each of the multimedia data objects.

3. A multimedia dynamic synchronization system according to claim 1, wherein said data transition calculation means accumulates the sequence lengths calculated, each time a transition of the frame unit time occurs after the data presentation has started.

4. A method of representing a plurality of multimedia data objects in synchronization, comprising the steps of:

storing a plurality of data which are specific to respective media types while being respectively classified by the media types;

storing a frame sequence count that represents a sequential data length in a count of frames after starting of a data presentation;

storing a frame unit time that represents a unit time length for one frame during the data presentation separate from the stored frame sequence count; and

calculating synchronization control data for each respective media type in reference to information common to the frame sequence count and the frame unit time each time a presentation of the media is performed.