Video distribution synchronization

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11758209-B2
Application number	US-202117381535-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 21, 2021
Priority date	Nov 17, 2015
Publication date	Sep 12, 2023
Grant date	Sep 12, 2023

Abstract

Systems and methods for video distribution synchronization are described herein. An example method to distribute a media stream over a distribution network to a number of devices may include determining, by one or more computer processors coupled to memory, a common master-client shared time reference T ref . Example methods may include determining a mean intermediate arrival time for first packets of a first type of the media stream, determining respective first playout times for the first packets based on the mean intermediate arrival time and the time reference T ref , associating the first packets with the respective first playout times, and distributing the media stream to the plurality of devices.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A method to receive a media stream over a distribution network from a central node connected to a plurality of devices, the method comprising:
receiving, by a device of the plurality of devices, first packets of a first type of the media stream, wherein the media stream further comprises second packets of a second type;
determining respective first playout times for the first packets, wherein the respective first playout times are based on a mean intermediate arrival time for the first packets and a time reference T ref ;
receiving timestamps for the first packets corresponding to the respective first playout times;
receiving timestamps for the second packets corresponding to respective second playout times based on a predetermined ratio between a first number of the first packets and a second number of the second packets; and
causing the media stream to be rendered.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the time reference T ref is a common master-client shared time reference T ref .

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the respective first playout times are associated with the first packets.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first type is associated with full picture video data, and the second type is associated with delta picture video data.

5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
the central node, wherein the central node is configured to associate the first packets with the respective first playout times.

6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
receiving timestamps of the time reference T ref in the media stream and in a back reporting stream; and
extracting the timestamps of the time reference T ref for providing a coordinated local time of device.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein each respective first playout time includes a predetermined playout delay.

8. A device configured to receive a media stream over a distribution network from a central node connected to a plurality of devices, the device comprising:
memory configured to store computer-executable instructions; and
at least one computer processor configured to access the memory and execute the computer-executable instructions to:
receive first packets of a first type of the media stream, wherein the media stream further comprises second packets of a second type;
determine respective first playout times for the first packets, wherein the respective first playout times are based on a mean intermediate arrival time for the first packets and a time reference T ref ;
receive timestamps for the first packets corresponding to the respective first playout times;
receive timestamps for the second packets corresponding to respective second playout times based on a predetermined ratio between a first number of the first packets and a second number of the second packets; and
cause the media stream to be presented.

9. The device of claim 8 , wherein the time reference T ref is a common master-client shared time reference T ref .

10. The device of claim 8 , wherein the respective first playout times are associated with the first packets.

11. The device of claim 8 , wherein the first type is associated with full picture video data, and the second type is associated with delta picture video data.

12. The device of claim 8 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to access the memory and execute the computer-executable instructions to:
receive timestamps of the time reference T ref in the media stream and in a back reporting stream; and
extract the timestamps of the time reference T ref for providing a coordinated local time of device.

13. The device of claim 8 , wherein each respective first playout time includes a predetermined playout delay.

14. A system comprising:
a central node configured to distribute a media stream to a plurality of devices; and
a device of the plurality of devices, the device configured to:
receive first packets of a first type of the media stream, wherein the media stream further comprises second packets of a second type;
determine respective first playout times for the first packets, wherein the respective first playout times are based on a mean intermediate arrival time for the first packets and a time reference T ref ;
receive timestamps for the first packets corresponding to the respective first playout times; and
receive timestamps for the second packets corresponding to respective second playout times based on a predetermined ratio between a first number of the first packets and a second number of the second packets; and
cause the media stream to be presented.

15. The system of claim 14 , wherein the time reference T ref is a common master-client shared time reference T ref , and wherein the respective first playout times are associated with the first packets.

Assignees

• Amazon Tech Inc

Inventors

• Lindgren Per
• Olsson Ted
• Cedronius Anders
• Insulander Hans
• Bohm Christer
• Danielson Magnus

Classifications

• H04N21/242 Primary

  Synchronisation processes, e.g. processing of PCR [Programme Clock References] {(arrangements for synchronising broadcast or distribution via plural systems in broadcast distribution systems H04H20/18)} · CPC title

• H04N21/4302

  Content synchronisation processes, e.g. decoder synchronisation · CPC title

• H04N21/4305

  Synchronising client clock from received content stream, e.g. locking decoder clock with encoder clock, extraction of the PCR packets (arrangements for synchronising receiver with transmitter by comparing receiver clock with transmitter clock H04L7/0012; arrangements for synchronising receiver with transmitter wherein the receiver takes measures against momentary loss of synchronisation H04L7/0083) · CPC title

• H04N21/6125

  involving transmission via Internet (transmission by internet of broadcast information H04H60/82) · CPC title

• H04N21/43076

  of the same content streams on multiple devices, e.g. when family members are watching the same movie on different devices · CPC title