Method and apparatus for adaptive synchronization of digital video and audio playback in a multimedia playback system
First Claim
1. A method, for use in a multimedia playback system that decodes and renders a combined sequence of encoded audio and video information, for reducing playback disruptions, said method comprising the steps of:
- granting priority to decoding and rendering said audio information;
monitoring the rendering of decoded audio and video information to determine whether it is backlogged relative to the rendering of said audio information; and
when said video information is backlogged, reducing said video backlog bydecoding only the backlogged video information that must be decoded to render the most current video image in the sequence of said backlogged video information,rendering only said most current video image from said backlog, anddiscarding all other video information not necessary to produce said most current video image.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Synchronization among digital video and digital audio signals is maintained in a multimedia player with limited or highly varying processing power. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a processor with stored program memory controls the decoding and playback of audio blocks and video frames, each stream independently stored in an order of intended playback time. The processor gives priority to the decoding and playback of audio blocks, and periodically determines whether a backlog of encoded video frames exists. Under video backlog conditions, the processor reduces the backlog by decoding only those backlogged video frames that must be decoded in order to decode and play the frame in the sequence of backlogged video frames with the latest intended playback time. After decoding this latest backlogged frame, the processor directs it to be played. Normal video decoding and playback then resumes for video frames following this latest backlogged video frame in sequence and in intended playback time.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. A method, for use in a multimedia playback system that decodes and renders a combined sequence of encoded audio and video information, for reducing playback disruptions, said method comprising the steps of:
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granting priority to decoding and rendering said audio information; monitoring the rendering of decoded audio and video information to determine whether it is backlogged relative to the rendering of said audio information; and when said video information is backlogged, reducing said video backlog by decoding only the backlogged video information that must be decoded to render the most current video image in the sequence of said backlogged video information, rendering only said most current video image from said backlog, and discarding all other video information not necessary to produce said most current video image.
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2. A method, for use in a multimedia playback system, for rendering a sequence of encoded video frames and audio blocks, said method comprising the steps of:
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decoding a selectable number of said audio blocks from said audio and video sequence; monitoring the rendering by said system of each audio block; determining a number representing the number of backlogged video frames stored by said system at a time immediately after the rendering of each audio block; and when said number of backlogged video frames exceeds a specified number, eliminating said backlog by determining whether said backlogged video frames include any key frames, identifying a smallest set of said backlogged video frames that must be decoded in order to render a most current video frame in the sequence of said backlogged video frames, decoding said smallest set of backlogged video frames, and rendering said most current video frame in said backlogged sequence from said smallest set of backlogged video frames. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A multimedia system for sequentially rendering digital video and audio information with high user-perceived fidelity, said system comprising:
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an audio decoding and playback section; a video decoding and playback section; and a processor with stored program memory, where said processor supports video and audio playback by; decoding a selectable number of audio blocks from said audio and video sequence; monitoring the completed rendering by said system of each audio block; determining the number of backlogged video frames stored by said system at the time immediately after the rendering of each audio block; determining whether said backlogged video frames include any key frames; and when said number of backlogged video frames exceeds a specified number, eliminating said backlog by identifying a fewest number of said backlogged video frames that must be decoded in order to render a most current video frame in the sequence of said backlogged video frames, decoding said fewest number of backlogged video frames, and rendering said most current video frame in said backlogged sequence. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification