IP Library Granted Patent US 9,742,965
Granted Patent B2
US 9,742,965 · App. 14/689,858 · Granted Aug 22, 2017

Apparatus, systems and methods for user controlled synchronization of presented video and audio streams

Inventor: Kevin Yao (Cheyenne, WY)
Assignee: EchoStar Broadcasting Holding Corporation
H04N5/06H04L65/60H04N21/431H04N21/4307H04N21/4341H04N21/44222H04N5/04
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,742,965
App. No.
14/689,858
Granted
Aug 22, 2017
Kind
B2
Abstract

Systems and methods are operable to correct synchronization between a video stream and an audio stream presented to a user. An exemplary embodiment receives a synchronization correction instruction, wherein the synchronization correction is configured to be initiated by the user; and incrementally adjusts one of the video stream and the audio stream by a synchronization correction, wherein the synchronization correction advances or retards presentation of at least one of the video stream and the audio stream by a predefined duration.

Claims (47)

1. A method comprising:

storing synchronization correction information in a memory of a media device, wherein the synchronization correction information specifies a predefined duration;

receiving a media content stream at the media device, the media content stream comprising a video stream and an audio stream;

communicating the video stream to a display for presentation to a user of the media device;

communicating the audio stream to one or more speakers for presentation to the user of the media device;

receiving a user initiated synchronization correction instruction;

retrieving the synchronization correction information from the memory of the media device in response to receiving the user initiated synchronization correction instruction; and

incrementally adjusting one of the video stream and the audio stream by a synchronization correction, wherein the synchronization correction adjusts presentation of the video stream with respect to the audio stream by the predefined duration that is retrieved in response to receiving the synchronization correction instruction.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein incrementally adjusting one of the video stream and the audio stream by the synchronization correction comprises:

retarding presentation of the video stream by the predefined duration.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein retarding presentation of the video stream by the predefined duration comprises:

selecting at least one image frame from a plurality of image frames of the video stream;

duplicating the selected image frame into a plurality of duplicated image frames, wherein a sum of presentation times of the selected plurality of duplicated image frames corresponds to the predefined duration of the synchronization correction;

inserting the plurality of duplicated image frames into the video stream; and

communicating subsequent image frames of the video stream to the display.

4. The method of claim 2 , wherein retarding presentation of the video stream by the predefined duration comprises:

selecting a plurality of non-adjacent image frames from a plurality of image frames of the video stream;

duplicating the selected plurality of non-adjacent image frames, wherein a sum of presentation times of the duplicated non-adjacent image frames corresponds to the predefined duration of the synchronization correction;

inserting the plurality of duplicated non-adjacent image frames into the video stream, wherein each non-adjacent duplicated image frame is inserted adjacent to its respective image frame; and

communicating subsequent image frames of the video stream to the display.

5. The method of claim 4 , wherein duplicating the selected plurality of non-adjacent image frames comprises:

duplicating each of the selected plurality of non-adjacent image frames two times; and

inserting the two duplicated non-adjacent image frames adjacent to their respective image frame.

6. A method comprising:

receiving a media content stream at a media device, the media content stream comprising a video stream and an audio stream;

communicating the video stream to a display for presentation to a user of the media device;

communicating the audio stream to one or more speakers for presentation to the user of the media device;

receiving a user initiated synchronization correction instruction; and

incrementally adjusting one of the video stream and the audio stream by a synchronization correction, wherein the synchronization correction adjusts presentation of the video stream with respect to the audio stream by retarding presentation of the video stream by a predefined duration associated with the synchronization correction instruction,

wherein incrementally adjusting one of the video stream and the audio stream by the synchronization correction comprises:

adding a predefined time delay between communication of each one of a plurality of image frames, wherein a sum of the time delays corresponds to the predefined duration of the synchronization correction; and

communicating subsequent image frames of the video stream to the display.

7. The method of claim 6 , wherein adding the predefined time delay between the communication of the plurality of image frames comprises:

adding the predefined time delay between adjacent ones of the plurality of image frames.

8. The method of claim 2 , wherein retarding presentation of the video stream by the predefined duration comprises:

generating a plurality of image frames, wherein a sum of presentation times of the generated image frames corresponds to the predefined duration of the synchronization correction;

inserting the plurality of generated image frames into the video stream; and

communicating subsequent image frames of the video stream to the display.

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the generated image frame is defined by a color.

10. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

receiving a user input that includes a duration that is associated with the synchronization correction;

generating the synchronization correction information in response to receiving the user input, wherein the synchronization correction information is based on the duration of the received user input; and

storing the generated synchronization correction information in the memory of the media device.

11. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

receiving an input that includes a duration that is associated with the synchronization correction;

generating the synchronization correction information in response to receiving the input, wherein the synchronization correction information is based on the duration of the received input; and

storing the synchronization correction information in the memory of the media device, wherein the stored synchronization correction information specifies the predefined duration of the synchronization correction.

Assignments (6)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 30, 2021
From: DISH BROADCASTING CORPORATION; DISH NETWORK L.L.C.; DISH TECHNOLOGIES L.L.C.
To: U.S. BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 058295/0293 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Nov 19, 2021
From: ECHOSTAR BROADCASTING HOLDING CORP.
To: DISH BROADCASTING CORP.
Reel/Frame 058169/0860 →
CONVERSION Recorded Aug 7, 2018
From: ECHOSTAR TECHNOLOGIES L.L.C.
To: DISH TECHNOLOGIES L.L.C.
Reel/Frame 046737/0610 →
MERGER Recorded May 3, 2017
From: ECHOSTAR BROADCASTING CORPORATION
To: ECHOSTAR BROADCASTING HOLDING PARENT L.L.C.
Reel/Frame 042226/0917 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 3, 2017
From: ECHOSTAR BROADCASTING HOLDING PARENT L.L.C.
To: ECHOSTAR BROADCASTING HOLDING CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 042226/0973 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 6, 2015
From: YAO, KEVIN
To: ECHOSTAR BROADCASTING CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 036977/0139 →
Continuity (3)
Division 13179359 · Jul 8, 2011
Provisional Application 61362498 · Jul 8, 2010
Related Publication 20150222791A1 · Aug 6, 2015