Roku, Inc.

Roku Denmark Aps

Bjørn Reese

Paul Fleischer

Brian Thoft Moth Møller

Brian Thoft Moth MØller

Brian Thoft Moth MØLLER

Disclosed herein are system, method, and computer program product embodiments for synchronizing playback of an audio and/or video content. An embodiment operates by collectively selecting, by a first device in concert with a second device of a plurality of devices in a computer network session, and in accordance with a predetermined synchronization list comprising a first and second synchronization mechanism, the first synchronization mechanism over the second synchronization mechanism such that the first synchronization mechanism is more precise than the second synchronization mechanism. The first and second synchronization mechanisms are configured to provide a synchronized playback of the at least one of the audio content and the video content.

Audio time synchronization using prioritized schedule

The invention provides a method for providing a synchronization in a computer network for synchronized playback of audio an/or video by a plurality of separate devices. Each separate device generates a virtual clock in response to a timing of the audio codec of a received audio stream. Especially, segmented time is used as reference time. Either the virtual clock is generated directly in response to the tick counter of the audio codec, or by a periodic measurement of the timing of the audio codec extrapolated by a monotonic clock. A sample rate converter may be used to slightly adjust the frequency of the virtual clock.

Synchronization with synthesized audio clock

A method is provided for synchronizing playback of audio an/or video by a plurality of separate devices in a computer network. Each separate device generates a virtual clock in response to a timing of the audio codec of a received audio stream. Either the virtual clock is generated directly in response to the tick counter of the audio codec, or by a periodic measurement of the timing of the audio codec interpolated by a monotonic clock. A sample rate converter may be used to slightly adjust the frequency of the virtual clock.

Synchronization in audio playback network independent of system clock

Disclosed herein are device, method, and computer program product embodiments for synchronizing playback of audio and/or video content. An embodiment operates by a first device in concert with a second device to collectively select a preferred synchronization mechanism over a third device's default synchronization mechanism such that the third device serves as a session leader. The preferred synchronization mechanism's selection is in accordance with a predetermined prioritized synchronization list comprising the default and preferred synchronization-mechanisms and a virtual clock generated from a timing of an audio codec used for streaming the audio and/or video content. The session leader's default synchronization mechanism has a lower level of priority than the first and second devices' preferred synchronization mechanism. The preferred synchronization mechanism provides a more precise level of synchronization for playback of the audio and/or video content than the default synchronization mechanism.

The invention provides a protocol and a method for a plurality of separate devices to stream audio and/or video in a synchronized manner in a computer network. One device is session leader and controls synchronization of the streaming of the other devices. If the session leader device is switched off, or becomes otherwise unavailable, local election algorithms on the other devices serve to automatically elect a new session leader to synchronize to in an autonomous manner, e.g. based on a random number election based algorithm. In this manner, a self-organizing synchronization network is provided.

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Aarhus V, Denmark

Bjørn Reese