Abstract: In an arrangement where a physical phenomenon affects a digital video camera and is measured or sensed by a sensor, a delay of a digital video stream from the digital video camera is estimated. The digital video stream is processed by a video processor for producing a signal that represents the changing over time of the effect of the physical phenomenon on the digital video camera. The signal is then compared with the sensor output signal, such as by using cross-correlation or cross-convolution, for estimating the time delay between the compared signals. The estimated time delay may be used for synchronizing when combining additional varied data to the digital video stream for low-error time alignment. The physical phenomenon may be based on mechanical position or motion, such as pitch, yaw, or roll. The time delay estimating may be performed once, upon user control, periodically, or continuously.

Abstract: A computing system includes an interface, a memory, and processing circuitry. The interface is configured to receive, from a production system, a first test stream and a second test stream. The memory is in communication with the interface and is configured to store at least a portion of the first test stream and at least a portion of the second test stream. The processing circuitry is in communication with the memory and is configured to: detect first embedded information in the first test stream representative of a first timestamp and second embedded information in the second test stream representative of a second timestamp; determine, based on the first timestamp and the second timestamp, an offset between the first test stream and the second test stream; output the offset.

Abstract: In an arrangement where a physical phenomenon affects a digital video camera and is measured or sensed by a sensor, a delay of a digital video stream from the digital video camera is estimated. The digital video stream is processed by a video processor for producing a signal that represents the changing over time of the effect of the physical phenomenon on the digital video camera. The signal is then compared with the sensor output signal, such as by using cross-correlation or cross-convolution, for estimating the time delay between the compared signals. The estimated time delay may be used for synchronizing when combining additional varied data to the digital video stream for low-error time alignment. The physical phenomenon may be based on mechanical position or motion, such as pitch, yaw, or roll. The time delay estimating may be performed once, upon user control, periodically, or continuously.

Abstract: Techniques for intelligent coalescing of media streams are described. A coalesce engine receives multiple media streams, such as audio or video streams, that are misaligned. The coalesce engine can analyze the media streams by comparing representations of elements of the media streams to detect the misalignment. The coalesce engine may determine an offset amount representing the misalignment, and if the offset amount meets or exceeds a threshold the coalesce engine can work to eliminate the misalignment by introducing one or more artificial delays before sending elements of ones of the media streams that are “ahead” of others of the streams. The coalese engine can additionally or alternatively send feedback to sources of the media streams, causing the source(s) to attempt to mitigate the misalignment.

Abstract: A device, method, and program for data stream reproduction are disclosed. In one example, a transmission device includes a multiplexer that generates a data stream by multiplexing a data packet and a control information packet separately from each other, the data packet being a packet including reproduction data as the current data to be reproduced, the control information packet being a packet including control information to be used in reproducing the reproduction data. The multiplexer multiplexes a first packet in a position behind the position located a predetermined first number of packets before a second packet among multiplexing-enabled positions in which the control information packet can be multiplexed in the data stream, the first packet being the control information packet including the control information corresponding to a predetermined processing unit of the reproduction data, the second packet being the data packet including the processing unit.

Abstract: A terminal device and a method for a terminal device to synchronize audio and video for playback provides a video module in the terminal device. From first and second video segments, the video module generates a video segment including a plurality of cycles, each cycle of the video segment comprises a first video content and a second video content. Time lengths of the first and second video contents change according to a preset rule to take account of time differences.

Abstract: A display timing control circuit is capable of rapidly adjusting display timing to achieve frame synchronization. The display timing control circuit includes an output pixel clock generator, a display timing generator, and a clock adjusting unit. The output pixel clock generator generates an output pixel clock signal according to a reference clock signal and a clock divisor. The display timing generator generates a display timing signal and an output vertical reference signal having an output frame rate according to the output pixel clock signal. The clock adjusting unit adjusts the clock divisor according to the output pixel clock signal, the output vertical reference signal, and an input vertical reference signal having an input frame rate.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for synchronizing multiple transmitters is disclosed. A global time reference is used to synchronize the arrival of data from a plurality of transmitters in a receiver station.

Abstract: A mechanism for facilitating dynamic phase detection with high jitter tolerance for images of media streams is described. In one embodiment, a method includes calculating stability optimization of an image of a media stream based on a plurality of pixels of two or more consecutive frames relating to a plurality of phases of the image, calculating sharpness optimization of the image, and selecting a best phase of the plurality of phases based on the stability and sharpness optimization of the image. The best phase may represent the image such that the image is displayed in a manner in accordance with human vision perceptions.

Abstract: Techniques are described for inserting encoded markers into encoded audio-video content. For example, encoded audio-video content can be received and corresponding encoded audio and video markers can be inserted. The encoded audio and video markers can be inserted without changing the overall duration of the encoded audio and video streams and without changing most or all of the properties of the encoded audio and video streams. Corresponding encoded audio and video markers can be inserted at multiple locations (e.g., sync locations) in the encoded audio and video streams. Audio-video synchronization testing can be performed using encoded audio-video content with inserted encoded audio-video markers.

Abstract: A DTV pilot tone is detected in a noisy environment by computing a power average of Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) output spectra of a received signal, finding a power peak in the averaged outputs, computing an adjustment parameter to center the power peak in a Discrete Fourier Transform bin of the averaged output spectra, applying the adjustment parameter to adjust the received signal, computing a coherent average of FFT output spectra of the adjusted signal, and, testing a power spectrum of the coherent average for the presence of the DTV pilot tone.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for synchronizing multiple transmitters is disclosed. A global time reference is used to synchronize the arrival of data from a plurality of secondary transmitters in a receiver station. In one embodiment, the global time reference is provided by a GPS satellite, and may also be used to synchronize the carriers of the signals received at the receiver station from each of the plurality of transmitters. In one embodiment, a pilot signal used for ATSC applications is added by the secondary transmitters.

Abstract: Method and system for measuring audio video synchronization. This is done by having a remote sensing station to measure and process the audio and images from a multimedia terminal that display a television program. The remote sensing station uses an audio sensor to sense the audio signal from the multimedia station and an image sensor to sense the images displayed on the multimedia station. An AV processing circuit in the remote sensing terminal processes the signals from the audio sensor and the image sensor to determine the relative delay between the sensed audio signal and the sensed images. The delay information is then communicated to the multimedia station to adjust the AV synchronization.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and tool that performs glass-to-glass testing of a test AV system. The test AV system may be a transmitter device that senses AV stimuli and transmits an AV signal to a receiver device that displays video and provides an audio out/speaker of the audio. A light source and a sound source may be placed at the transmitter device. A light sensor and microphone/direct audio out connection may be placed at the receiver device. The automatic test tool may cycle synchronized light/sound stimuli to the transmitter device and measure the delay/latency times for audio, video, and AV synchronization at the receiver device. The automatic test tool may be comprised of a computer running user interface/test management software connected to a low cost FPGA that controls the video/sound sources and sensors to accurately measure both video and audio glass-to-glass latency/synchronization in a continuous, automatic, and self-calibrating manner.

Abstract: A measuring device for measuring a response speed of a display panel is provided. The measuring device includes a microcontroller and at least one photo sensor. The microcontroller provides a control command, according to which a display controller of the display panel provides test pattern to the display panel. The photo sensor senses a test frame displayed corresponding to the test pattern by the display panel, and provides a corresponding sensing signal associated with brightness and a response signal. According to the response signal, the response speed of the display panel is calculated.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus for determining polarity of a vertical synchronizing signal, in an effective state, included in a video signal measures a duration in which the vertical synchronizing signal maintains the same polarity, obtains the polarity of the vertical synchronizing signal when the measured duration exceeds a predetermined duration, and determines the polarity of the vertical synchronizing signal in the effective state based on the obtained polarity.

Abstract: An audio-video synchronization detection device and a method thereof are provided. The audio-video synchronization detection device detects an object under test which is capable of generating an image signal and an audio signal. The audio-video synchronization detection device includes a delay circuit, an optical sensor, and a signal processor. The delay circuit delays the audio signal for a predetermined time and generates an audio correction signal accordingly. The optical sensor senses a light emitted by a display panel when the display panel displays the image signal and generates an image sensing signal accordingly. The signal processor calculates a delay time between the audio correction signal and the image sensing signal to obtain a synchronization state between the image signal and the audio signal.

Abstract: There is provided a method of measuring audiovisual synchronization between at least one encoded audio stream and at least one encoded video stream, comprising measuring the time of input into an audio encoder of source audio data to be encoded into said encoded audio stream, measuring the time of input into a video encoder of source video data to be encoded into said encoded video stream, determining a Presentation Time Stamp value, indicative of a time of presentation, for each of the respective at least one encoded audio stream and at least one encoded video stream, and transmitting a measured audio input time, a measured video input time and presentation time stamp values to a downstream component. There is also provided an apparatus and system for measuring audiovisual synchronization between at least one encoded audio stream and at least one encoded video stream.

Abstract: A hardware-implemented function evaluator performs mathematical calculations at high speeds to generate data values in place of an LUT. The disclosed embodiments can generate a small number of output values from a large number of input values. The calculations can use functions that are monotonically increasing such as, for example, square root, power curves, and trigonometric functions.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an electronic device includes a reproduction controller and a transmitter. The reproduction controller is configured to reproduce a first type of information of a first content. The first content includes a plurality of types of information. The transmitter is configured to transmit an instruction to reproduce a second type of information of the first content to other electronic device.

Abstract: A system for forwarding a sample rate clock along with data. In one embodiment, a sample rate clock is sent by a transmitter, along with data, to one or more receivers. The receivers sample the received data using the received sampling clock. Delay adjust circuits in the transmitter adjust the delay of each transmitted data stream using delay error sensing and correction implemented in a back channel between the receivers and the transmitter.

Abstract: A screen time control device includes a source interface for receiving a video signal, a processor connected to the video source interface for overlaying the video signal with a translucent signal to produce an overlaid video signal, and a device interface connected to the processor for receiving the overlaid video signal and providing the overlaid video signal to the display device. The processor substitutes the translucent signal in the overlaid video signal with a parental signal, where the parental signal can be a substantially opaque overlay signal that masks an image on the screen of the display device to prohibit viewing of the screen, a textual message, or a combination of both.

Abstract: A mechanism for facilitating dynamic phase detection with high jitter tolerance for images of media streams is described. In one embodiment, a method includes calculating stability optimization of an image of a media stream based on a plurality of pixels of two or more consecutive frames relating to a plurality of phases of the image, calculating sharpness optimization of the image, and selecting a best phase of the plurality of phases based on the stability and sharpness optimization of the image. The best phase may represent the image such that the image is displayed in a manner in accordance with human vision perceptions.

Abstract: Multiple media devices are synchronized in a multi-media system having a computer system, a plurality of media devices, and a display system. Each media device to be synchronized receives a front-end synchronization signal that periodically increments a front-end counter. The front-end counter represents an unadjusted system time (UST). The media device obtains a frame of data to be displayed from a computer system. The media device also receives a back-end synchronization signal that periodically increments a back-end counter each time a frame of data is to he displayed. The back-end counter represents a media stream count (MSC). UST and MSC data are periodically transmitted to the computer system for analysis and use by a synchronization algorithm. Specifically, UST is transmitted to the computer system each time a frame of data is obtained, and a UST/MSC pair is transmitted to the computer system each time a frame of data is displayed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for concurrently displaying on a display device, a selected main presentation and graphical shapes representative of button presses on a remote control. In one embodiment, the graphical shapes and the selected main presentation are displayed in two separate regions on the display screen. In another embodiment, the graphical shapes are overlaid on the selected main presentation. In yet another embodiment, the graphical shapes and the selected main presentation are displayed in a picture-in-picture format.

Abstract: There is provided a method of measuring audiovisual synchronization between at least one encoded audio stream and at least one encoded video stream, comprising measuring the time of input into an audio encoder of source audio data to be encoded into said encoded audio stream, measuring the time of input into a video encoder of source video data to be encoded into said encoded video stream, determining a Presentation Time Stamp value, indicative of a time of presentation, for each of the respective at least one encoded audio stream and at least one encoded video stream, and transmitting a measured audio input time, a measured video input time and presentation time stamp values to a downstream component. There is also provided an apparatus and system for measuring audiovisual synchronization between at least one encoded audio stream and at least one encoded video stream.

Abstract: A broadcast receiving device includes a receiving component, a comparison component and a drive signal generating component. The receiving component is configured to receive broadcast waves and extract a video signal from the broadcast waves. The comparison component is configured to compare quality of the video signal with a first level. The drive signal generating component is configured to generate a drive signal for displaying video on a display based on the video signal such that at least one of brightness and contrast of the video is reduced by a certain amount when the quality of the video signal is lower than the first level.

Abstract: There is provided a method of measuring audiovisual synchronization between at least one encoded audio stream and at least one encoded video stream, comprising measuring the time of input into an audio encoder of source audio data to be encoded into said encoded audio stream, measuring the time of input into a video encoder of source video data to be encoded into said encoded video stream, determining a Presentation Time Stamp value, indicative of a time of presentation, for each of the respective at least one encoded audio stream and at least one encoded video stream, and transmitting a measured audio input time, a measured video input time and presentation time stamp values to a downstream component. There is also provided an apparatus and system for measuring audiovisual synchronization between at least one encoded audio stream and at least one encoded video stream.

Abstract: A system and method transmits graphic data received at varying frequencies at a fixed data rate. The frequency dependent data and associated data clock signal are received and the frequency dependent data is converted to frequency independent data. A ratio of a number of data clock cycles to a number of reference clock cycles is determined and transmitted. The frequency independent data and header data are transmitted, at a fixed rate, to a receiver, the fixed rate being a frequency greater than the frequency of the associated data clock signal. The received the frequency independent data is converted to frequency dependent data based upon the received determined ratio. The communication channel may include an optical fiber and a tension member wherein control data is transmitted along the tension member and graphic data is transmitted along the optical fiber.

Abstract: A video timing display for multi-rate systems allows a user to quickly, easily and precisely measure the timing difference between video signals of different rates. A graphic display area within a raster display region provides a display of vertical and horizontal timing offsets of one video signal with respect to another video signal as a reference having a different frame rate. The graphic display area includes a reference indicator associated with the reference and timing indicators indicating the timing phases between the video signals, with one of the timing indicators being emphasized. A numeric display area may be provided adjacent the graphic display area to display the actual vertical and horizontal timing differences in appropriate units for the emphasized timing indicator relative to the reference indicator with a precision to one video clock cycle.

Abstract: Features are extracted from video and audio content that have a known temporal relationship with one another. The extracted features are used to generate video and audio signatures, which are assembled with an indication of the temporal relationship into a synchronization signature construct. the construct may be used to calculate synchronization errors between video and audio content received at a remote destination. Measures of confidence are generated at the remote destination to optimize processing and to provide an indication of reliability of the calculated synchronization error.

Abstract: A method and device for monitoring video signal transmission includes a signal encoding and transmitting module and the signal receiving module. The signal encoding and transmitting module receives a composite video signal from a video signal source to cut off a horizontal video data series following a predetermined horizontal synchronization signal following a predetermined vertical synchronization signal and add an identification code. The signal receiving module receives the composite video signal carrying the identification code and compares the identification code to transmit the composite video signal out when the identification code is correct.

Abstract: A multi-camera system and method of calibrating the multi-camera system uses at least one timer to synchronize cameras of the multi-camera system with respect to time. The cameras are used to capture images of the at least one timer. The images are then analyzed to adjust an image-capture timing parameter of at least one of the cameras to time synchronize the cameras.

Abstract: A system includes at least two IEEE 1588 nodes. The nodes are connected by two paths: a low latency communication path and a high bandwidth path. The clocks within the nodes are synchronized to one another at a network interface. Data and timing are transmitted on the high bandwidth path while critical timing signals are passed on the low latency communication path thereby improving timing synchronization.

Abstract: In some embodiments, techniques for synchronization comprise connecting to a second data device; determining that a first item of multimedia content is more desired than a second item of multimedia content, based at least in part by determining that the first and second items of multimedia content are similar to a third item of multimedia content, and an explicit rating of the third item of multimedia content; determining a set of multimedia data to be synchronized from the second data device to a first data device, wherein the first item of multimedia content is included in the set of multimedia data and the second item of multimedia content is not included in the set of multimedia data; and synchronizing the set of multimedia data from the second data device to a first data device.

Abstract: A method is provided for determining a modulation of a CATV channel, the modulation being one of a digital modulation and an analog modulation. The method includes passing at least a portion of a tuner output from a tuner to a RF detector, and passing a RF detector output from the RF detector to a sync detector. The method further includes attenuating at least a portion of a sync detector output to create a remaining portion of the sync detector output, and passing the remaining portion of the sync detector output to a peak detector. The method further includes passing an output of the peak detector to a subsequent device, the output of the peak detector indicating whether the modulation of the CATV channel.

Abstract: An asynchronous timing detector 3 detects and measures a specific pattern (sync pattern) of audio and video reproduced signals having a digital value form an A/D converter 2 and its appearance interval based on an asynchronous clock generated by an asynchronous clock generator 4, and calculates a cycle ratio of the measured sync pattern appearance interval (the number of clock pulses of the asynchronous clock) to a normal value (the number of clock pulses of a synchronous clock obtained by measuring a sync pattern appearance interval using the synchronous clock). A pseudo-synchronous clock generator 7 thins the asynchronous clock based on the cycle ratio to generate a pseudo-synchronous clock which is pseudo-synchronous with channel data. Therefore, even when an initial frequency error is large, frequency and phase pull-in is relatively quickly performed until a timing recovery operation becomes stable.

Abstract: Pulse detection portion detects pulses in a horizontal synchronization signal and acquires the occurrence period and the pulse width of the detected pulses. Synchronization pulse decision portion determines pulses, for which the differences between the occurrence period and the reference period and between the pulse width and the reference pulse width are within their respective error tolerance ranges, as synchronization pulses. Mean period acquisition portion obtains the mean period by averaging occurrence periods of the synchronization pulses. Reference period correction portion carries out either or both of correcting the reference period so as to get closer to the mean period and correcting the error tolerance range of the reference period so as to get narrower, under the condition that the occurrence frequency of the synchronization pulses for which the difference between the occurrence period and the mean period is outside of a predetermined tolerance range exceeds a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: The disclosed subject matter is directed to solid state cameras and sensor systems that include a pickup surface thereof with both a distance detecting area for measuring a distance from a moving object and a movement detecting area for detecting the object's movement. The device can also include an optical communication area for communicating with an outside communication device. Therefore, the device enables a single pickup surface to include at least the following three functions: distance measurement; movement detection; and optical communication. The above-described sensor systems can output a control signal for collision avoidance with stationary or moving obstacle(s) by using the solid state camera. Because the sensor system can be integrated as a single chip IC with a small size, the system is useful as a sensor device in a vehicle, a robot, and the like.

Abstract: A method for determining the aspect ratio of an image signal and an image apparatus using the same is provided. The image apparatus includes a sync signal separation unit which separates a sync signal from an image signal, an aspect ratio determination unit which determines an aspect ratio of the image signal using a voltage level of the separated sync signal, and a signal processing unit which processes the image signal according to the aspect ratio.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer programs for monitoring quality of audio delivered over a communications channel are presented. One method includes an operation for defining timestamps. The timestamps are associated with a measure of time while delivering audio to a client computer, where each timestamp includes a plurality of timestamp bits. Further, the method includes an operation for modulating an audio signal with pseudo noise (PN) codes when a timestamp bit has a first logical value, and modulating the audio signal with a negative of the PN codes when the timestamp bit has a second logical value. After transmitting the modulated audio signal to the client computer, the timestamp bits are extracted from a received modulated audio signal to obtain received timestamps. The quality of the audio is assessed based on the received timestamps, and the quality of the audio is stored in computer memory.

Abstract: There is provided a method of measuring audiovisual synchronisation between at least one encoded audio stream and at least one encoded video stream, comprising measuring the time of input into an audio encoder of source audio data to be encoded into said encoded audio stream, measuring the time of input into a video encoder of source video data to be encoded into said encoded video stream, determining a Presentation Time Stamp value, indicative of a time of presentation, for each of the respective at least one encoded audio stream and at least one encoded video stream, and transmitting a measured audio input time, a measured video input time and presentation time stamp values to a downstream component. There is also provided an apparatus and system for measuring audiovisual synchronisation between at least one encoded audio stream and at least one encoded video stream.

Abstract: A system and method operable to automatically disable input/output signal processing based on the required data format is provided. The need for an input/output module, such as an encoder, required to process input signal having a first data format (i.e. multimedia format) and produce an output signal having a second format (i.e. multimedia format) is determined. When the input/output module is not required to produce the output signal in the second format, the input/output module is disabled.

Abstract: A method and device for monitoring video signal transmission includes a signal encoding and transmitting module and the signal receiving module. The signal encoding and transmitting module receives a composite video signal from a video signal source to cut off a horizontal video data series following a predetermined horizontal synchronization signal following a predetermined vertical synchronization signal and add an identification code. The signal receiving module receives the composite video signal carrying the identification code and compares the identification code to transmit the composite video signal out when the identification code is correct.

Abstract: In a communication system in which a transmitting device transmits a video signal to a receiving device, one or both of these devices includes a beacon analyzer that analyzes beacon signals transmitted by other wireless systems operating in the same frequency band and predicts periods during which beacon transmission is expected. During these predicted periods, video transmission is suspended and the video signal is stored in a buffer in the transmitting device. At the end of each predicted period, the stored video signal is read from the buffer and transmitted without horizontal and vertical blanking periods until the buffering delay is made up. The receiving device displays the received video signal with standard video timing. A normal unbroken video picture is thereby obtained despite beacon interference.

Abstract: The invention relates to an image processing device (1, 48, 51) including: several image signal inputs (2-9) for receiving a respective image input signal, the signals being unsynchronized; at least one image signal output (23-26) for emitting at least one image output signal; a combiner (22) for combining the different image input signals to form the image output signal; several synchronizers (14-21), which are respectively connected downstream of the image signal inputs (2-9) and which synchronize the unsynchronized image input signals; and several distorters or rectifiers for distorting or rectifying the individual image input signals before they are combined to form the image output signal. According to the invention, the distorters or rectifiers are formed by the individual synchronizers (14-21) and the image input signals are distorted or rectified independently of one another by one or more synchronizers (14-21). The invention also relates to an associated operating method.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a test and measurement device, system, and method for synchronizing measurement views and configuration parameters across multiple input channels or devices. A method includes receiving signals under test associated with multiple input channels of the test and measurement instrument or with multiple devices, selecting a measurement view of one input signal or device, receiving a synchronized view enable preference from a user control interface, and synchronizing the measurement view or configuration parameters of the other signals or devices with what was chosen on the first signal or device. A test and measurement instrument includes input terminals to receive the input signals, a user control interface to receive input from an operator, a display to provide measurement information about the input signals, and a synchronization control unit to synchronize measurement views and/or configuration parameters between the inputs or devices.

Abstract: There is provided a method of measuring delay variation between first and second elementary streams in a digital audiovisual data stream, comprising detecting and storing digital audiovisual data stream timestamp values, detecting and storing elementary stream timestamp values for the first and second elementary streams, interpolating the digital audiovisual data stream timestamp values and elementary stream timestamp values to form data sets having mutual sampling points, and subtracting the interpolated data set for the first elementary data stream from the interpolated data set for the second elementary data stream to form elementary stream difference values indicative of changes in delay over time between first and second elementary streams.

Abstract: A circuit for calibrating a sync-on-green (SOG) signal includes a switching device for controlling whether to output an image signal; a reference voltage generator for providing a clamp reference voltage and a comparison reference voltage; a clamp circuit for receiving the clamp reference voltage to generate a clamp output; and a comparing device for comparing the reference voltage with the clamp output to generate the SOG signal.

Abstract: In a recording and reproducing apparatus for recording and reproducing video data, includes: a shuffling memory (6); a writing means for writing video data into the shuffling memory in accordance with the synchronizing signal and a write reference clock signal in synchronization with the video data; and a reading means for reading out the video data from the shuffling memory in accordance with a synchronizing signal and a stabilized read reference clock which is asynchronous with the write clock signal.