Patent ID: 8238376
Filing Date: 2012-08-07
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
1. A method of synchronizing a plurality of decoders within a network to a server by way of a processor coupled to a network interface and to the plurality of decoders, comprising: providing the processor coupled to the network interface and to the plurality of decoders; receiving a set of timestamp signals, each timestamp signal within the set of timestamp signals having a value corresponding to a timestamped beacon transmitted by a network server, the network server for streaming encoded data over a network through the network interface; receiving a set of local clock signals, each local clock signal within the set of local clock signals having a value generated by a local system time clock associated with a plurality of decoders of a network client, the plurality of decoders for decoding the encoded data; computing a differential timestamp value based on values of timestamp signals within the set of timestamp signals by the processor; computing a differential local clock value based on values of local clock signals within the set of local clock signals; determining whether the differential local clock value has a predetermined relationship with respect to the differential timestamp value, wherein the predetermined relationship exists when the differential local clock value and the differential timestamp value are equal or within a predefined tolerance; transmitting a clock rate adjustment command signal to the plurality of decoders when it is determined that the differential local clock value does not have the predetermined relationship with the differential timestamp value, the clock rate adjustment command signal for adjusting the local system time clock such that a subsequent differential local clock value will have the predetermined relationship with the differential timestamp value; when the predetermined relationship exists, preventing sending unneeded clock rate adjustment command signals to the plurality of decoders; and adjusting a buffer occupancy of the plurality of decoders, wherein adjusting the buffer occupancy comprises: comparing a current buffer occupancy at each of the plurality of decoders to a predefined threshold to determine whether a relationship exists between the current buffer occupancy and the predefined threshold; and adjusting the buffer occupancy when it is determined that the relationship exists; thereby contemporaneously performing a clock rate adjustment while the plurality of decoders is decoding encoded data, and wherein a decoding delay between any two decoders of the plurality of decoders is maintained in a range of less than 10 milliseconds.