Apparatus and method for synchronizing a secondary audio track to the audio track of a video source

• US 8,179,475 B2
• Filed: 03/09/2007
• Issued: 05/15/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 03/09/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Legend3D, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Legend3D, Inc.
• Inventors: Sandrew, Barry B.
• Primary Examiner(s): HARVEY, DAVID E
• Application Number:
  US11/684,460
• Publication Number:
  US 20080219637A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,894 Days
• Field of Search: 386/285, 386201-204, 386/207, 348/512, 348/515, 348/510
• US Class Current: 348/515
• CPC Class Codes: G10L 2021/105 Synthesis of the lips movements from speech, e.g. for talking heads
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/10 Indexing; Addressing; Timing or synchronising; Measuring tape travel
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/105 of operating discs
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/28 by using information signals recorded by the same method as the main recording G11B27/22 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/85 on discs or drums
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/8715 involving the mixing of the reproduced video signal with a non-recorded signal, e.g. a text signal

Abstract

Synchronizes a secondary audio track to a video. Analyzes the audio track of a video using audio frequency analysis or spectrograms to find distinct audio events from which to ensure synchronization of a secondary audio track. For example, commentary that mocks a character may be played immediately after a particular noise in the audio track of a video occurs such as a door slam. Keeping the secondary audio track in synch with the audio track of a video is performed by periodically searching for distinct audio events in the audio track of a video and adjusting the timing of the secondary audio track. May utilize a sound card on a computer to both analyze a DVD sound track and play and adjust timing of the secondary audio track to maintain synchronization. Secondary audio tracks may be purchased and/or downloaded and utilized to add humorous external commentary to a DVD for example.

Claims

1. A secondary audio track synchronization apparatus for synchronizing a secondary audio track to an audio track of a video source comprising:

a detection module searching for distinct audio events that are to be found in a first audio track wherein said distinct audio events are not found in said secondary audio track;

a timing module;

a first audio event time of first audio event detected via said detection module wherein said first audio event occurs in an audio track of a video;

a desired audio event time for said first audio event;

said timing module altering a timing of a secondary audio track based on a difference between said first audio event time and said desired audio event time wherein said timing of said secondary audio track is adjusted to remain in synchronization with said audio track of said video.

2. The secondary audio track synchronization apparatus of claim 1 wherein said audio event is detected through frequency analysis of said audio track of said video.

3. The secondary audio track synchronization apparatus of claim 1 wherein said video is a DVD.

4. The secondary audio track synchronization apparatus of claim 1 wherein said video is a high definition DVD.

5. The secondary audio track synchronization apparatus of claim 1 wherein said secondary audio track is an MP3.

6. The secondary audio track synchronization apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:

an audio event list comprising at least one audio event time offset and at least one audio event parameter wherein said at least one audio event parameter is utilized by said detection module to search for said first audio event in said first audio track having said at least one audio event parameter and wherein said timing module utilizing said at least one audio event time offset as said desired audio event time.

7. The secondary audio track synchronization apparatus of claim 1 further comprising an audio card utilized to play said audio track of said video and said secondary audio track simultaneously.

8. A secondary audio track synchronization method for synchronizing a secondary audio track to an audio track of a video source comprising:

detecting a first audio event time for a first audio event in an audio track of a video by searching for distinct audio events that are to be found in a first audio track wherein said distinct audio events are not found in said secondary audio track;

obtaining a desired event time for said first audio event;

altering a timing of a secondary audio track based on a difference between said first audio event time and said desired event time wherein said timing of said secondary audio track is adjusted to remain in synchronization with said audio track of said video.

9. The secondary audio track synchronization method of claim 8 wherein said detecting said audio event occurs through frequency analysis of said audio track of said video.

10. The secondary audio track synchronization method of claim 8 wherein said detecting occurs using an audio track of a video from a DVD.

11. The secondary audio track synchronization method of claim 8 wherein said detecting occurs using an audio track of a video which is playing from a high definition DVD.

12. The secondary audio track synchronization method of claim 8 wherein said altering said secondary audio track occurs using an MP3.

13. The secondary audio track synchronization method of claim 8 further comprising:

utilizing an audio event list comprising at least one audio event time offset and at least one audio event parameter in searching for said first audio event in said first audio track having said at least one audio event parameter and to utilizing said at least one audio event time as said desired audio event time.

14. The secondary audio track synchronization method of claim 8 further comprising utilizing an audio card to play said audio track of said video and said secondary audio track simultaneously.