Patent Document

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/479,276 filed Sep. 6, 2014 and since issued as U.S. Pat. No. ______, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/587,962 filed Aug. 17, 2012 and since issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,856,824, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/712,249 filed Feb. 28, 2007 and since issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,272,008, with all applications incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Exemplary embodiments generally relate to communications, to interactive video, and to television and, more generally, to selection of multiple sources for audio inputs. 
         [0003]    Alternate audio content is desirable. When a user receives audio-visual content (such as a movie, for example), the user may not be satisfied with the audio portion of that content. The audio portion may contain offensive language, undesirable dialog, or an unknown language. A common situation involves televised sporting events. When televised football and baseball are watched, some people prefer to listen to different announcers for the play-by-play action. For whatever reasons, then, a user may prefer to receive and experience an alternate audio source that provides a different language track, sanitized dialog, and/or alternate commentary. What is needed, then, are methods, systems, and products that search and retrieve alternate audio sources for video signals. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    Exemplary embodiments provide methods, systems, and products for searching, retrieving, and synchronizing alternate audio sources. Exemplary embodiments identify alternate audio content that may be separately available from video content. When a user receives and watches a movie, for example, exemplary embodiments permit the user to seek out and retrieve alternate audio content from the Internet, from an AM/FM radio broadcast, or from any other source. When the video content is received, the video content may self-identify one or more alternate audio sources that correspond to the video content. The video content, for example, may be tagged or embedded with websites, server addresses, frequencies, or other information that describe the alternate audio sources. Exemplary embodiments may even automatically query database servers (such as GOOGLE® and YAHOO®) for alternate audio sources that correspond to the video content. Once the user selects an alternate audio source, exemplary embodiments may then synchronize the video content and the separately-available alternate audio content. Because the video content and the alternate audio content may be received as separate streams of data, either of the streams may lead or lag. Exemplary embodiments, then, may also synchronize the separately-received streams of data to ensure a pleasing entertainment experience. 
         [0005]    Exemplary embodiments include a method for retrieving an audio signal. A video signal is received that comprises a content identifier and an alternate audio tag. In response to the alternate audio tag, a query is sent for an alternate audio source that corresponds to the content identifier. This query may be automatically generated and sent, or the query may be specifically requested by the viewer. A query result is received that identifies an audio signal that corresponds to the content identifier and that is separately received from the video signal. 
         [0006]    More exemplary embodiments include a system for retrieving an audio signal. A video signal is received that comprises a content identifier and an alternate audio tag. In response to the alternate audio tag, a query is sent for an alternate audio source that corresponds to the content identifier. A query result is received that identifies an audio signal that corresponds to the content identifier and that is separately received from the video signal. 
         [0007]    Other exemplary embodiments describe a computer program product for retrieving an audio signal. The computer program product has processor-readable instructions for receiving a video signal that comprises a content identifier and an alternate audio tag. In response to the alternate audio tag, a query is sent for an alternate audio source that corresponds to the content identifier. A query result is received that identifies an audio signal that corresponds to the content identifier and that is separately received from the video signal. 
         [0008]    Other systems, methods, and/or computer program products according to the exemplary embodiments will be or become apparent to one with ordinary skill in the art upon review of the following drawings and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, and/or computer program products be included within this description, be within the scope of the claims, and be protected by the accompanying claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]    These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the exemplary embodiments are better understood when the following Detailed Description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
           [0010]      FIG. 1  is a schematic illustrating an operating environment in which exemplary embodiments may be implemented; 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is a schematic illustrating a process for retrieving alternate audio sources, according to more exemplary embodiments; 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is a schematic further illustrating a process for retrieving alternate audio, according to more exemplary embodiments; 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is a schematic illustrating additional queries for alternate audio sources, according to more exemplary embodiments; 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  is a schematic illustrating a user interface for retrieving alternate audio sources, according to more exemplary embodiments; 
           [0015]      FIGS. 6 and 7  are schematics illustrating synchronization of signals, according to more exemplary embodiments; 
           [0016]      FIG. 8  is a schematic illustrating an electronic device, according to more exemplary embodiments; 
           [0017]      FIGS. 9-14  are schematics illustrating additional operating environments in which exemplary embodiments may be implemented; and 
           [0018]      FIG. 15  is a flowchart illustrating a method of retrieving audio signals, according to more exemplary embodiments. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0019]    The exemplary embodiments will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. The exemplary embodiments may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. These embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete and will fully convey the exemplary embodiments to those of ordinary skill in the art. Moreover, all statements herein reciting embodiments, as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to encompass both structural and functional equivalents thereof. Additionally, it is intended that such equivalents include both currently known equivalents as well as equivalents developed in the future (i.e., any elements developed that perform the same function, regardless of structure). 
         [0020]    Thus, for example, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the diagrams, schematics, illustrations, and the like represent conceptual views or processes illustrating the exemplary embodiments. The functions of the various elements shown in the figures may be provided through the use of dedicated hardware as well as hardware capable of executing associated software. Those of ordinary skill in the art further understand that the exemplary hardware, software, processes, methods, and/or operating systems described herein are for illustrative purposes and, thus, are not intended to be limited to any particular named manufacturer. 
         [0021]    As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless expressly stated otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “includes,” “comprises,” “including,” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being “connected” or “coupled” to another element, it can be directly connected or coupled to the other element or intervening elements may be present. Furthermore, “connected” or “coupled” as used herein may include wirelessly connected or coupled. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. 
         [0022]    It will also be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. For example, a first device could be termed a second device, and, similarly, a second device could be termed a first device without departing from the teachings of the disclosure. 
         [0023]      FIG. 1  is a schematic illustrating an environment in which exemplary embodiments may be implemented. A user&#39;s electronic device  20  receives a video signal  22  from a communications network  24 . The video signal  22  may be a movie, sporting event, or any other content. The video signal  22  may originate, or be received from, any source, such as a video server  26 . The video signal  22  may have any formatting, and the video signal  22  may be unicast, multicast, or broadcast to the electronic device  20 . The video signal  22  may also originate from a local source, such as a DVD player, a digital or analog recorder, local memory, or other local source that may be accessible without the communications network  24 . Although the electronic device  20  is generically shown, the electronic device  20 , as will be later explained, may be a computer, a radio, a set-top receiver, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a cordless/cellular/IP phone, digital music player, or any other processor-controlled device. 
         [0024]    The video signal  22  may include an alternate audio tag  28 . According to exemplary embodiments, the alternate audio tag  28  may be any information that identifies alternate audio sources for the video signal  22 . The video signal  22  may include, or be received with, audio content or portions (such as an audio track to a movie). The user, however, may wish to experience an alternate audio source that is not sent with the video signal  22 . The alternate audio source, for example, may be a different language track, sanitized dialog, an AM or FM radio broadcast, and/or alternate commentary. These alternate audio sources, in general, may be any audio signal that is separately received from the video signal  22 . As  FIG. 1  illustrates, the video signal  22 , and/or alternate audio tag  28 , may include a video content identifier  30 . The video content identifier  30  may be any identification number, title, code, or other data that uniquely describes the content associated with the video signal  22 . The alternate audio tag  28  may be embedded within the video signal  22  (or otherwise associated with the video signal  22 ) to alert or notify users of these alternate audio sources. 
         [0025]    The user&#39;s electronic device  20  receives the video signal  22 . The user&#39;s electronic device  20  also receives the alternate audio tag  28  and/or the video content identifier  30 . The user&#39;s electronic device  20  comprises a processor  32  (e.g., “μP”), application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or other similar device that may execute an alternate audio application  34  stored in memory  36 . According to exemplary embodiments, the alternate audio application  34  comprises processor-executable instructions that may inspect the video signal  22  for the alternate audio tag  28  or otherwise identify the associated alternate audio tag  28 . The presence of the alternate audio tag  28  notifies the alternate audio application  34  that alternate audio sources may exist for the video signal  22 . When the alternate audio tag  28  is detected, the alternate audio application  34  may alert the user that alternate audio sources may exist for the video signal  22 . The alternate audio application  34 , for example, may cause the visual and/or audible presentation of a prompt  38  on a display device  40 . The prompt  38  notifies the user that alternate audio sources may exist. When the user wishes to retrieve an alternate audio source, the user may affirmatively select a control  42 , thus authorizing the alternate audio application  34  to query for the alternate audio sources. 
         [0026]      FIG. 2  is a schematic illustrating a process for retrieving alternate audio sources, according to more exemplary embodiments. When the user wishes to retrieve an alternate audio source, the user affirmatively responds to the prompt (shown as reference numeral  38  in  FIG. 1 ). The alternate audio application  34  may call or invoke a search application  50  to issue or send a query for any alternate audio sources associated with the video content identifier (Step  52 ). The query may communicate (via the communications network  24  illustrated in  FIG. 1 ) to a database server  54  (such as a YAHOO® or GOOGLE® server). The query may additionally or alternatively communicate to other devices in the vicinity of the user&#39;s electronic device  20 . The query, for example, may be sent via an infrared, BLUETOOTH®, WI-FI®, or other coupling to other devices within the user&#39;s social network. 
         [0027]    A response is then received (Step  56 ). The response includes a query result that may include or describe a listing  58  of one or more alternate audio sources that may correspond to the video signal  22 . The listing  58 , for example, may describe one or more websites or network addresses that provide an alternate, simulcast or archived audio signal to accompany the video signal  22 . The listing  58  may describe one or more radio stations that broadcast an alternate audio signal (such as alternate announcers for a sporting event). The listing  58  may include real-time or archived podcasts from a member of an audience. The listing  58  may also include alternate audio sources obtainable from members of the user&#39;s social network. 
         [0028]    The listing  58  is presented to the user (Step  60 ). The search application  50  and/or the alternate audio application  34  may cause the listing  58  to be displayed on the display device (illustrated as reference numeral  40  in  FIG. 1 ). The user may then select an alternate audio source from the listing  58 , and that selection is received (Step  62 ). According to exemplary embodiments, the alternate audio application  34  causes an audio query to be sent for the selected alternate audio source (Step  64 ). The audio query communicates (via the communications network  24  illustrated in  FIG. 1 ) to a communications address associated with a source of the selected alternate audio source. The audio query, for example, may communicate to an audio server. An audio signal is then received at the user&#39;s electronic device  20  (Step  66 ). If the alternate audio source is a terrestrial AM or FM radio station signal, then the user&#39;s electronic device  20  may be tuned to the corresponding frequency (as later paragraphs will explain). 
         [0029]    The user&#39;s electronic device  20  then processes signals. The user&#39;s electronic device  20  thus receives the video signal (illustrated as reference numeral  22  in  FIG. 1 ) and also receives the separate, audio signal. The video signal and the audio signal may thus be separately received as separate streams of data. The user&#39;s electronic device  20  then processes the video signal and the audio signal for visual and audible presentation (Step  68 ). 
         [0030]    Exemplary embodiments may be applied regardless of networking environment. The communications network  24  may be a cable network operating in the radio-frequency domain and/or the Internet Protocol (IP) domain. The communications network  24 , however, may also include a distributed computing network, such as the Internet (sometimes alternatively known as the “World Wide Web”), an intranet, a local-area network (LAN), and/or a wide-area network (WAN). The communications network  24  may include coaxial cables, copper wires, fiber optic lines, and/or hybrid-coaxial lines. The communications network  24  may even include wireless portions utilizing any portion of the electromagnetic spectrum, any modulation technique, and/or any signaling standard (such as the I.E.E.E. 802 family of standards, GSM/CDMA/TDMA or any cellular standard, and/or the ISM band). The concepts described herein may be applied to any wireless/wireline communications network, regardless of physical componentry, physical configuration, or communications standard(s). 
         [0031]      FIG. 3  is a schematic further illustrating a process for retrieving alternate audio, according to more exemplary embodiments. Here, when the video signal (illustrated as reference numeral  22  in  FIG. 1 ) is received (Step  80 ), the video signal may also identify the alternate audio sources. That is, when the alternate audio tag  28  is received, the listing  58  of one or more alternate audio sources may also be embedded or encoded within the video signal and/or the alternate audio tag  28 . Alternatively, the listing  58  may be separately retrieved via a database query using the video content identifier  30 . A content provider of the video signal, for example, may configure the video signal to self-identify the alternate audio sources. The video signal may include information that identifies a website or server address that provides an alternate language track or a different dialog. The content provider may identify radio stations providing different announcers for a football game, political convention, or background music. Again, whatever the alternate audio sources, the listing  58  may be embedded or encoded within the video signal and/or the alternate audio tag  28 . 
         [0032]    The user&#39;s electronic device  20  receives the alternate audio tag  28 . The presence of the alternate audio tag  28  again notifies the alternate audio application  34  that alternate audio sources may exist for the video signal. The alternate audio application  34  may visually and/or audibly present the listing  58  already received from the video signal (Step  82 ). The user may select an alternate audio source from the listing  58 , and the alternate audio application  34  receives that selection (Step  84 ). The alternate audio application  34  sends the audio query to the source of the selected alternate audio source (e.g., an audio server  86 ) (Step  88 ). The audio server  86  sends the separate audio signal (Step  90 ). The user&#39;s electronic device  20  thus receives the video signal and also receives the separate, audio signal. The user&#39;s electronic device  20  then processes the video signal and the audio signal for visual and audible presentation (Step  92 ). 
         [0033]      FIG. 4  is a schematic illustrating additional queries for alternate audio sources, according to more exemplary embodiments. Because  FIG. 4  is similar to  FIGS. 2 and 3 ,  FIG. 4  is only briefly described. When the video signal is received (Step  100 ), the video signal may also include the alternate audio tag and the listing of alternate audio sources. The listing of alternate audio sources is presented to the user (Step  102 ). Here, even though the content provider may embed or provide the listing of alternate audio sources, the user may still wish to query for other alternate audio sources. The alternate audio sources identified in the listing, for example, may not appeal to the user. The user may, instead, wish to conduct a search for additional alternate audio sources not identified in the listing. The alternate audio application  34 , then, may prompt to search for alternate audio sources, despite the listing (Step  104 ). When the user affirmatively responds to the prompt, the alternate audio application  34  is authorized to query for additional alternate audio sources. The alternate audio application  34  calls or invokes the search application  50  and sends the query for any alternate audio sources associated with the video content identifier (Step  106 ). A response to the query is received (Step  108 ), and the query result describes more alternate audio sources that may correspond to the same video content identifier. 
         [0034]    The alternate audio sources are then presented (Step  110 ). The user may select any alternate audio source from the listing or from the query result. The user&#39;s selection is received (Step  112 ) and the audio query is sent to the source (e.g., the audio server  86 ) (Step  114 ). The separate audio signal is received (Step  116 ) and processed along with the video signal (Step  118 ). 
         [0035]      FIG. 5  is a schematic illustrating a user interface for retrieving alternate audio sources, according to more exemplary embodiments. According to exemplary embodiments, the alternate audio application  34  causes the processor  32  to graphically present a user interface  130  on the display device  40 . When the video signal  22  includes the listing  58 , the user interface  130  may present the listing  58  to the user. The user is thus informed of alternate audio sources embedded or encoded within the video signal  22 . The user, however, may wish to search for additional alternate audio sources not identified in the listing  58 . The user interface  130 , then, may include the control  42  to search for additional audio sources. When the user selects the control  42 , the alternate audio application  34  may invoke the search application (illustrated as reference numeral  50  in  FIGS. 2-4 ) and query for alternate audio sources associated with the video content identifier  30 . When the search results are received, the user interface  130  may visually present those additional audio sources  134 . The user may then select a desired alternate audio source from the alternate audio sources provided by the listing  58  and/or from the additional alternate audio sources found by invoking the search application  50 . The desired alternate audio source is retrieved and processed. 
         [0036]      FIG. 6  is a schematic illustrating synchronization of signals, according to more exemplary embodiments. Now that the user has selected an alternate audio source, the user&#39;s electronic device  20  may receive the video signal  22  and the separate audio signal  140 . The video signal  22  may communicate from the video server  26  via the communications network  24 . According to exemplary embodiments, the separate audio signal  140  communicates from a separate source, such as the audio server  86 . The video signal  22  and/or the audio signal  140  may be unicast, multicast, or broadcast to the electronic device  20 . The video signal  22  and the audio signal  140  may thus be separately received as separate streams of data. 
         [0037]    The audio signal  140  and the video signal  22  may need synchronization. When the audio signal  140  and the video signal  22  correspond to the same content, propagation delays in the communications network  24  may cause the video signal  22  and/or the audio signal  140  to lead or lag. The video signal  22 , for example, may contain more bits or information than the audio signal  140 , so the video signal  22  may propagate more slowly through the communications network  24 . Whatever the causes, though, the audio signal  140  and the video signal  22  may be unsynchronized. When the audio signal  140  and the video signal  22  correspond to the same content, then the audio portion of the content may be out-of-synchronization with the video portion. The electronic device  20 , then, may synchronize the audio signal  140  and the video signal  22  to help ensure the content is enjoyed as intended. 
         [0038]    A synchronizer  142  may be invoked. The synchronizer  142  may be a component of the electronic device  20  that causes synchronization of the audio signal  140  and the video signal  22 . As later paragraphs will explain, the synchronizer  142  may be circuitry, programming, or both. The synchronizer  142 , for example, may compare time stamps and/or markers. As  FIG. 6  illustrates, the video signal  22  may include one or more video time stamps  144 . The video time stamps  144  mark or measure an amount of time from a reference point or time. The video time stamps  144 , for example, may signify an offset time from the start of a file, program, or the video signal  22 . Some or all frames in the video signal  22  may have corresponding time stamps that measure when a frame occurs with reference to the start of the file, program, or the video signal  22 . 
         [0039]    The electronic device  20  may also receive audio time stamps  146 . When the audio signal  140  is received, the audio time stamps  146  may be encoded within the audio signal  140 . The audio time stamps  146  mark or measure an amount of time from a reference point or time. The audio time stamps  146  may signify an offset time from the start of a file, program, or the audio signal  140 . The audio time stamps  146  mark or measure when portions of the audio signal  140  occur with reference to the start of the file, program, or the audio signal  140 . 
         [0040]    The synchronizer  142  may compare the audio time stamps  146  to the video time stamps  144 . When a currently-received audio time stamp  148  exceeds a currently-received video time stamp  150 , then the synchronizer  142  may delay the audio signal  140 . The synchronizer  142  may subtract the currently-received video time stamp  150  from the currently-received audio time stamp  148 . That difference is compared to a threshold time  152 . The threshold time  152  is any configurable time at which timing lag (or lead) in the video signal  22  is unacceptable. When the difference between the currently-received audio time stamp  148  and the currently-received video time stamp  150  equals and/or exceeds the threshold time  152 , then the synchronizer  142  may delay the audio signal  140 . The synchronizer  142  may even compare the absolute value of the difference to the threshold time  152 . The synchronizer  142  continues to compare the successively-received audio time stamps  146  to the successively-received video time stamps  144  until the difference is within the threshold time  152 . The synchronizer  142  then releases a delayed audio signal  154  for subsequent processing. The delayed audio signal  154 , for example, may be processed by processing circuitry  156  for audible presentation. The video signal  22  may also be processed by the processing circuitry  156  for visual presentation. Because the audio signal  140  has been delayed, though, exemplary embodiments synchronize the delayed audio signal  154  and the video signal  22  to help ensure the content is enjoyed. 
         [0041]    The synchronizer  142  may additionally or alternatively utilize markers. The video signal  22  and/or the audio signal  140  may include or be associated with markers. These markers may or may not be based on time stamps. These markers represent and/or identify an event within the video signal  22  and/or the audio signal  140 . A marker, for example, may identify a scene, a transition, a beginning of a new segment, and/or some other occurrence in the video signal  22  and/or the audio signal  140 . For example, a marker may identify a kick-off of a football game, a transition from one scene to another in a movie, or some other occurrence. The synchronizer  142  may compare the video signal  22  and/or the audio signal  140  for similar markers. When a lead condition is detected, the leading signal may be delayed for synchronization. 
         [0042]    Some aspects of synchronization are known, so this disclosure will not greatly explain the known details. If the reader desires more details, the reader is invited to consult the following sources, all incorporated herein by reference in their entirety: U.S. Pat. No. 4,313,135 to Cooper; U.S. Pat. No. 4,839,733 to Karamon, et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,055,939 to Karamon, et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,202,761 to Cooper; U.S. Pat. No. 5,387,943 to Silver; U.S. Pat. No. 5,440,351 to Ichino; U.S. Pat. No. 5,577,042 to McGraw, Sr., et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,917,557 to Toyoda; U.S. Pat. No. 6,263,505 to Walker, et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 6,502,142 to Rapaich; U.S. Pat. No. 6,630,963 to Billmaier; U.S. Pat. No. 6,710,815 to Billmaier; U.S. Patent Application Publication 2002/0101442 to Costanzo, et al.; U.S. Patent Application Publication 2003/0086015 to Korhonen, et al.; U.S. Patent Application Publication 2004/0117825 to Watkins; and U.S. Patent Application Publication 2005/0027715 to Casey, et al. 
         [0043]      FIG. 7  is a schematic illustrating a delay of the video signal  22 , according to more exemplary embodiments. Here, for whatever reason, the video signal  22  may lead the audio signal  140 . That is, when the audio signal  140  lags the video signal  22 , exemplary embodiments may delay the video signal  22 . The synchronizer  142  may again compare the audio time stamps  146  to the video time stamps  144 . When the currently-received video time stamp  150  exceeds the currently-received audio time stamp  148 , then the synchronizer  142  may delay the video signal  22 . The synchronizer  142  may subtract the currently-received audio time stamp  148  from the currently-received video time stamp  150  and compare that difference to the threshold time  152 . When the difference equals and/or exceeds the threshold time  152 , then the synchronizer  142  may delay the video signal  22 . The synchronizer  142  continues to compare the successively-received video time stamps  144  to the successively-received audio time stamps  146  until the difference is within the threshold time  152 . The synchronizer  142  then releases a delayed video signal  160  for subsequent processing. The processing circuitry  156  processes the audio signal  140  and/or the delayed video signal  160  for audible/visual presentation. The audio signal  140  and the delayed video signal  160  are thus synchronized to help ensure the content is enjoyed. 
         [0044]      FIG. 8  is a schematic further illustrating the electronic device  20 , according to more exemplary embodiments. Here the synchronizer  142  comprises the processor  32 , and the processor  32  executes a synchronization application  170 . The synchronization application  170  is illustrated as a module or sub-component of the alternate audio application  34 . The synchronization application  170 , however, may be a separate application that stores in the memory  36  and cooperates with the alternate audio application  34 . The synchronization application  170  may even be remotely stored and accessed at some location within the communications network (illustrated as reference numeral  24  in  FIG. 1 ). Regardless, the synchronization application  170  comprises processor-executable instructions that determine when synchronization is needed between the received audio signal  140  and the received video signal  22 , according to exemplary embodiments. When synchronization is needed, the synchronization application  170  synchronizes the video signal  22  and the separately-received audio signal  140 . 
         [0045]    The synchronization application  170  may first determine when synchronization is desired. When the audio signal  140  and the video signal  22  correspond to the same content, synchronization may be desired. If, however, the audio signal  140  and the video signal  22  are unrelated, then perhaps synchronization is unnecessary. The synchronization application  170 , then, may inspect for content identifiers. As  FIG. 8  illustrates, when the audio signal  140  is received, the audio signal  140  may include an audio content identifier  172 . The audio content identifier  172  may be any information that describes the audio signal  140 . The audio content identifier  172 , for example, may be any identification number, title, code, or other alphanumeric string that uniquely describes the audio signal  140 . Likewise, when the video signal  22  is received, the synchronization application  170  may inspect the video signal  22  for the video content identifier  30 . The video content identifier  30  may be any identification number, title, code, information, or alphanumeric string that uniquely describes the video signal  22 . 
         [0046]    The synchronization application  170  may then compare the audio content identifier  172  to the video content identifier  30 . If the audio content identifier  172  matches the video content identifier  30 , then the audio signal  140  and the video signal  22  likely correspond to the same content. If even some portion of the audio content identifier  172  matches the video content identifier  30  (or vice versa), then the audio signal  140  and the video signal  22  may still correspond to the same content. The synchronization application  170  may thus confirm that the audio signal  140  and the video signal  22  should be synchronized. If the synchronization application  170  observes no similarity, or an insubstantial amount of similarity, in the audio content identifier  172  and the video content identifier  30 , then synchronization application  170  may decline to synchronize. Regardless, a user may configure the synchronization application  170  to start, or to stop, synchronization as needed, despite dissimilar content identifiers. 
         [0047]    Once synchronization is determined to be needed and/or desired, the synchronization application  170  may ensure the content remains pleasing and enjoyable. The synchronization application  170  reads, extracts, or otherwise obtains the audio time stamps  146  and the video time stamps  144  and makes a comparison. Whenever a lead or a lag condition is detected, the synchronization application  170  may instruct the processor  32  to divert the leading signal to a buffer memory  174 . The buffer memory  174  may store the leading signal in a first in, first out (FIFO) fashion. As the leading signal accumulates in the buffer memory  174 , the leading signal is delayed in comparison to a lagging signal  176 . A delayed signal  178  may then be retrieved from the buffer memory  174  and processed by the processing circuitry  156 . So, regardless of whether the video signal  22  or the audio signal  140  leads, the buffer memory  174  may cause a delay, thus synchronizing the audio and video portions. 
         [0048]      FIG. 8  also illustrates user-configuration of the threshold time  152 , according to more exemplary embodiments. Because the threshold time  152  is configurable, the threshold time  152  may be specified by a user of the electronic device  20 , according to exemplary embodiments. The user interface  130 , for example, may permit changing or entering the threshold time  152 . The user interface  130  allows the user to alter the threshold time  152  and, thus, manually set or establish any delay caused by the synchronizer  142 . The user interface  130 , for example, may have a data field  180  into which the user enters the threshold time  152 . The threshold time  152  may be expressed in any measurement and/or in any increment of time, from zero delay to seconds, minutes, or even hours of delay. The user interface  130  may additionally or alternatively include a first timing control  182  for increasing the threshold time  152 . A second timing control  184  may be used to decrease the threshold time  152 . The user interface  130  may additionally or alternatively include a graphical or physical rotary knob, slider, button, or any other means of changing the threshold time  152 . 
         [0049]    The threshold time  152  may be specified by a content provider. A provider of the video signal  22 , for example, may include threshold information  186  within the video signal  22 . The threshold information  186  is then used to define, derive, or specify the threshold time  152 . The threshold information  186 , for example, may be embedded or encoded within the video signal  22 . When the video signal  22  is received, exemplary embodiments may then obtain, read, and/or extract the threshold information  186 . The provider of the video signal  22  may thus specify the threshold time  152  and determine how much asynchronism is tolerable between the video signal  22  and the corresponding (but separately received) audio signal  140 . A content provider, for example, may encode 500 millisecond as the threshold information  186  within the video signal  22 . When a lead or lag condition exceeds 500 milliseconds, then the synchronization application  170  instructs the processor  32  to delay the audio signal  140 , the video signal  22 , or both. Similarly, the threshold information  186  may be embedded or encoded within, or modulated onto, the audio signal  140 , and the synchronization application  170  causes a delay when needed. If the audio signal  140  and the video signal  22  both include the threshold information  186 , then the synchronization application  170  may have authority to choose one or the other. When the audio signal  140  specifies a first threshold information, while the video signal  22  specifies another, second threshold information, then the synchronization application  170  may choose the smaller value to minimize asynchronous conditions. 
         [0050]      FIG. 9  is a schematic illustrating another operating environment in which exemplary embodiments may be implemented. The electronic device  20  again receives the video signal  22  and the separate audio signal  140 . Here, however, the video signal  22  and/or the audio signal  140  are terrestrially broadcast at some frequency of any portion of the electromagnetic spectrum. The audio signal  140 , for example, may be wirelessly broadcast from an antenna coupled to the communications network  24 . The audio signal  140  may be wirelessly transmitted using any signaling standard (such as the I.E.E.E. 802 family of standards, GSM/CDMA/TDMA or any cellular standard, WI-FI®, and/or the ISM band). The video signal  22 , too, may be received via wireless or wired communication. Regardless, the video signal  22  and the audio signal  140  may be separately received as separate streams of data. 
         [0051]    According to exemplary embodiments, the electronic device  20  includes at least one wireless receiver. A wireless video receiver  200 , for example, couples to an antenna  202  and wirelessly receives the video signal  22  at some frequency of any portion of the electromagnetic spectrum. A wireless audio receiver  204  may couple to another antenna  206  and wirelessly receives the audio signal  140  at some frequency of any portion of the electromagnetic spectrum. If the audio signal  140  and/or the video signal  22  is/are modulated, the electronic device  20  may include one or more demodulators  208 . If analog or digital conversion is needed, the electronic device  20  may include an A/D or D/A converter  210 . If synchronization is needed, the synchronizer  142  delays the leading video signal  22  and/or the audio signal  140 . Analog and/or digital broadcasting techniques and circuitry are well known, so no further discussion is made. If, however, the reader desires a further explanation, the reader is invited to consult the following sources, with each incorporated herein by reference in its entirety: F ERRILL  L OSEE,  RF S YSTEMS,  C OMPONENTS, AND  C IRCUITS  H ANDBOOK  (1997); L EENAERTS ET AL.,  C IRCUIT  D ESIGN FOR  RF T RANSCEIVERS  (2001); J OE  C ARR, RF  C OMPONENTS AND  C IRCUITS  (2002); W OLFGANG  H OEG  AND T HOMAS  L AUTERBACH,  D IGITAL  A UDIO  B ROADCASTING  (2003); and A NNA  R UDIAKOVA AND  V LADIMIR  K RIZHANOVSKI,  A DVANCED  D ESIGN  T ECHNIQUES FOR  RF P OWER  A MPLIFIERS  (2006). 
         [0052]    Exemplary embodiments, as earlier explained, may determine whether synchronization is desired. For example, the audio content identifier  172  is compared to the video content identifier  30 . If a partial or full match is found, then a determination may be made that the audio signal  140  and the separately-received video signal  22  likely correspond to the same content. Exemplary embodiments thus confirm that the audio signal  140  and the video signal  22  should be synchronized. 
         [0053]    Once synchronization is desired, exemplary embodiments may compare time stamps. The audio time stamps  146  are compared to the video time stamps  144 , as explained above. Whenever a lead or a lag condition is detected, exemplary embodiments implement a delay in the audio signal  140 , the video signal  22 , or both. When, for example, the audio signal  140  is digital, exemplary embodiments may divert the audio signal  140  to the buffer memory (shown as reference numeral  174  in  FIG. 8 ). As the digital audio signal  140  accumulates in the buffer memory, the audio signal  140  is delayed in comparison to the video signal  22 . The video signal  22 , alternatively or additionally, may similarly be stored in the buffer memory when the video content leads the audio content. Exemplary embodiments then release the buffered audio signal  140  and/or video signal  22  when synchronization is achieved. 
         [0054]      FIG. 10  is a schematic illustrating yet another operating environment in which exemplary embodiments may be implemented. Here the electronic device  20  is illustrated as a television or set-top receiver  220  that receives the video signal  22  and the separate audio signal  140 . The video signal may be broadcast along a wireline, cable, and/or satellite portion of the communications network  24 , while the audio signal  140  is separately and wirelessly received at an RF receiver  222  as a terrestrial broadcast. While the television or set-top receiver  220  may receive the audio signal  140  at any frequency of any portion of the electromagnetic spectrum, here the audio signal  140  is wirelessly received at the radio-frequency portion of the spectrum. The audio signal  140  may or may not be modulated onto a carrier signal  224 . The audio signal  140 , for example, may be amplitude modulated or frequency modulated (e.g., AM or FM) onto the carrier signal  224 . The audio signal  140  may additionally or alternatively be broadcast from a satellite using any frequency of any portion of the electromagnetic spectrum, and the satellite broadcast may or may not be modulated onto the carrier signal  224 . Here, then, the electronic device  20  may be an AM-FM real time television-capable device with broadband capability to wirelessly receive television signals and/or RF audio signals. Regardless, the electronic device  20  may also receive time stamps and content identifiers. The electronic device  20  may receive the video time stamps  144  and the video content identifier  30  encoded within the video signal  22 . The electronic device  20  may also receive the audio time stamps  146  and the audio content identifier  172 . The audio time stamps  146  and the audio content identifier  172  may be encoded within the audio signal  140  and, if desired, modulated onto the carrier signal  224 . 
         [0055]    Exemplary embodiments may then proceed as discussed above. The demodulator  208  may demodulate the audio signal  140 , the audio time stamps  146 , and/or the audio content identifier  172 , from the carrier signal  224 . Exemplary embodiments may compare the audio content identifier  172  to the video content identifier  30 . If a partial or full match is found, then the audio signal  140  and the separately-received video signal  22  may correspond to the same content and may be synchronized. The audio time stamps  146  may be compared to the video time stamps  144 , as explained above. When a lead or a lag condition is detected, exemplary embodiments may implement a delay in the audio signal  140 , the video signal  22 , or both to synchronize the audio signal  140  and the separately-received video signal  22 . 
         [0056]      FIG. 11  is a schematic illustrating still another operating environment in which exemplary embodiments may be implemented. Here the video signal  22  is received, processed, and presented by a television or computer  240 , while the audio signal  140  is separately received by an AM/FM radio  242 . The AM/FM radio  242  includes the RF receiver  222  that wirelessly receives the audio signal  140  as a terrestrial broadcast. The user, for example, may be watching a football game on the television or computer  240 , yet the user prefers to listen to play-by-play action from radio announcers. Unfortunately, though, the separately-received audio signal  140  may lead the video signal  22  by several seconds. The radio announcer&#39;s commentary, then, is out-of-synchronization with the television video signal  22 . 
         [0057]    Exemplary embodiments, then, may delay the audio signal  140 . The user interface  130  may be used to establish an amount of delay introduced by the synchronizer  142 . The user interface  130 , for example, may be graphical (as illustrated and explained with reference to  FIGS. 1 ,  5 , and  8 ), or the user interface  130  may be a physical knob, slider, or other means for adjusting delay. When the user notices that the audio signal  140  leads the video signal  22 , the user may adjust the user interface  130  to introduce a delay into the leading audio signal  140 . The user refines the delay until the audio signal  140  is synchronized to the video signal  22 . 
         [0058]      FIG. 12  is a schematic illustrating another operating environment in which exemplary embodiments may be implemented. Here the user has multiple electronic devices  20  operating in the user&#39;s residence, business, building, or other premise. Some of the electronic devices  20  may receive analog signals and some of the electronic devices  20  may receive digital signals. Some of the electronic devices  20  may receive audio signals and some of the electronic devises  20  may receive video signals. When all the electronic devices  20  receive signals that correspond to the same content, the user may need to synchronize one or more of the electronic devices  20 . When, for example, all the electronic devices  20  receive the same football game, any leading or lagging audio/video signal may be annoying. Exemplary embodiments, then, allow the user to individually synchronize any of the electronic devices  20  for an enjoyable entertainment experience. 
         [0059]    As  FIG. 12  illustrates, exemplary embodiments may operate in one or more of the electronic devices  20 . An instance of the alternate audio application  34 , for example, may operate in a computer  260 . The computer  260  may receive the video signal  22  and the separate audio signal  140  from the communications network  24 . Another instance of the alternate audio application  34  may operate in a set-top receiver  262  that also receives the video signal  22  and the separate audio signal  140  from the communications network  24 . Yet another instance of the alternate audio application  34  may operate in an analog television  264  that receives a terrestrially-broadcast analog version  266  of the video signal  22 . Another instance of the alternate audio application  34  may operate in a digital television  268  that receives a terrestrially-broadcast standard definition or high-definition digital version  270  of the video signal  22 . More instances of the alternate audio application  34  may even operate in a wireless phone  272  and an AM/FM radio  274 . 
         [0060]    Exemplary embodiments permit synchronization of all these electronic devices  20 . When all the electronic devices  20  receive signals that correspond to the same content, some of the electronic devices  20  may lead or lag, thus producing an unpleasant entertainment experience. Exemplary embodiments, however, allow the user to delay the audio and/or video signals received at any of the electronic devices  20 . The user may thus synchronize audio and video outputs to ensure the content remains pleasing. 
         [0061]      FIG. 13  is a block diagram further illustrating the electronic device  20 , according to even more exemplary embodiments. When either the audio signal  140  or the video signal  22  lags, here the synchronizer  142  may divert a leading signal  300  to a first delay circuit  302 . The first delay circuit  302  may comprise clocked and/or unclocked circuits or components. If clocked, a reference or clock signal  304  may be received at the first delay circuit  302 . The leading signal  300  propagates through the first delay circuit  302 . As the leading signal  300  propagates, delays may be introduced by the first delay circuit  302 . The amount of delay may be determined according to the complexity and/or the number of components within the first delay circuit  302 . When a delayed signal  306  emerges from the first delay circuit  302 , the delayed signal  306  may be synchronized with a lagging signal  308 . The delayed signal  306  may then be diverted through, or “peeled off” by, a first gate circuit  310  and sent to the processing circuitry  156  for audible presentation. 
         [0062]    More delay may be needed. The first delay circuit  302  may introduce a predetermined amount of delay. Suppose, for example, that the first circuit introduces twenty milliseconds (20 msec.) of delay in the audio signal  140 . If twenty milliseconds of delay does not satisfy the threshold time  152 , then more delay may be needed. The first gate circuit  310 , then, may feed, or cascade, the delayed signal  306  to a second delay circuit  312 . The second delay circuit  312  introduces additional delay, depending on its complexity and/or number of components. If this additional delay is sufficient, then a second gate circuit  314  diverts an additionally delayed signal  316  to the processing circuitry  156 . If more delay is again needed, the second gate circuit  314  may feed or cascade the additionally delayed signal  316  back to the first delay circuit  302  for additional delay. According to exemplary embodiments, the leading signal  300 , then, may cascade or race through the first delay circuit  302  and through the second delay circuit  312  until synchronization is achieved. 
         [0063]      FIG. 14  depicts other possible operating environments for additional aspects of the exemplary embodiments.  FIG. 14  illustrates that the alternate audio application  34  and/or the synchronizer  142  may alternatively or additionally operate within various other devices  400 .  FIG. 14 , for example, illustrates that the alternate audio application  34  and/or the synchronizer  142  may entirely or partially operate within a personal/digital video recorder (PVR/DVR)  402 , personal digital assistant (PDA)  404 , a Global Positioning System (GPS) device  406 , an interactive television  408 , an Internet Protocol (IP) phone  410 , a pager  412 , or any computer system and/or communications device utilizing a digital processor and/or digital signal processor (DP/DSP)  414 . The device  400  may also include watches, radios, vehicle electronics, clocks, printers, gateways, and other apparatuses and systems. Because the architecture and operating principles of the various devices  400  are well known, the hardware and software componentry of the various devices  400  are not further shown and described. If, however, the reader desires more details, the reader is invited to consult the following sources, all incorporated herein by reference in their entirety: A NDREW  T ANENBAUM,  C OMPUTER  N ETWORKS  (4 th  edition 2003); W ILLIAM  S TALLINGS,  C OMPUTER  O RGANIZATION AND  A RCHITECTURE:  D ESIGNING FOR  P ERFORMANCE  (7 th  Ed., 2005); and D AVID  A. P ATTERSON  &amp; J OHN  L. H ENNESSY,  C OMPUTER  O RGANIZATION AND  D ESIGN:  T HE  H ARDWARE/ S OFTWARE  I NTERFACE  (3 rd . Edition 2004); L AWRENCE  H ARTE  et al., GSM S UPERPHONES  (1999); S IEGMUND  R EDL  et al., GSM  AND  P ERSONAL  C OMMUNICATIONS  H ANDBOOK  (1998); and J OACHIM  T ISAL,  GSM C ELLULAR  R ADIO  T ELEPHONY  (1997); the GSM Standard 2.17, formally known  Subscriber Identity Modules, Functional Characteristics  (GSM 02.17 V3.2.0 (1995-01))”; the GSM Standard 11.11, formally known as  Specification of the Subscriber Identity Module—Mobile Equipment  ( Subscriber Identity Module—ME )  interface  (GSM 11.11 V5.3.0 (1996-07))”; M ICHEAL  R OBIN  &amp; M ICHEL  P OULIN,  D IGITAL  T ELEVISION  F UNDAMENTALS  (2000); J ERRY  W HITAKER AND  B LAIR  B ENSON,  V IDEO AND  T ELEVISION  E NGINEERING  (2003); J ERRY  W HITAKER,  DTV H ANDBOOK  (2001); J ERRY  W HITAKER,  DTV: T HE  R EVOLUTION IN  E LECTRONIC  I MAGING  (1998); and E DWARD  M. S CHWALB, I TV H ANDBOOK:  T ECHNOLOGIES AND  S TANDARDS  (2004). 
         [0064]      FIG. 15  is a flowchart illustrating a method of retrieving audio signals, according to more exemplary embodiments. A video signal is received (Block  500 ). The video signal may comprise the alternate audio tag  28 , the video content identifier  30 , the video time stamps  144 , the threshold information  186 , and/or the listing  58  of alternate audio sources that correspond to the video signal. In response to the alternate audio tag  28 , a query is sent for an alternate audio source that corresponds to the video content identifier (Block  502 ). A query result is received that identifies an audio signal that corresponds to the video content identifier and that is separately received from the video signal (Block  504 ). A selection is received that selects an alternate audio source from the listing and/or from the query result (Block  506 ). Another query is sent for the alternate audio source (Block  508 ), and a separate audio signal is received (Block  510 ). The separate audio signal may comprise the audio content identifier  172 , the audio time stamps  146 , and the threshold information  186 . The audio time stamps are compared to the video time stamps (Block  512 ). When an audio time stamp exceeds a corresponding video time stamp by a threshold time, then the audio signal is delayed until the audio time stamps are within the threshold time of the video time stamps (Block  514 ). When a video time stamp exceeds a corresponding audio time stamp by the threshold time, then the video signal is delayed until the video time stamps are within the threshold time of the audio time stamps (Block  516 ). 
         [0065]    Exemplary embodiments may be physically embodied on or in a computer-readable medium. This computer-readable medium may include CD-ROM, DVD, tape, cassette, floppy disk, memory card, and large-capacity disk (such as IOMEGA®, ZIP®, JAZZ®, and other large-capacity memory products (IOMEGA®, ZIP®, and JAZZ® are registered trademarks of Iomega Corporation, 1821 W. Iomega Way, Roy, Utah 84067, www.iomega.com). This computer-readable medium, or media, could be distributed to end-subscribers, licensees, and assignees. These types of computer-readable media, and other types not mention here but considered within the scope of the exemplary embodiments. A computer program product comprises processor-executable instructions for synchronizing audio and video content. 
         [0066]    While the exemplary embodiments have been described with respect to various features, aspects, and embodiments, those skilled and unskilled in the art will recognize the exemplary embodiments are not so limited. Other variations, modifications, and alternative embodiments may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the exemplary embodiments.

Technology Category: h