Method system & apparatus for synchronizing an auxiliary sound source

Abstract

Method, system and apparatus correlate an audio message of an auxiliary sound source with an audio message from a sound track of motion picture film, video tape or other picture source with accompanying audio message track. This auxiliary source contains multiple language channels (also called 'translation tracks' or 'translation sound channels') running synchronously with each other. One such channel is a 'prime language channel' including an audio message carrying the same information (possibly higher quality) in the same language as the message in the track accompanying the motion picture. This prime channel is derived from the same 'master recording' (or high quality duplicate thereof) as the track accompanying the motion picture. Consequently the audio message conveyed by the prime channel (at high quality) is the same audio message conveyed by the motion picture track, but signals carrying those two messages may be quite different from each other: digital signal versus analog signal. Inherent characteristics, e.g., 'syllabic structure', 'absolute value envelope', of the two messages (not the signals themselves) are used for correlation to achieve synchronization. Having synchronized the prime channel with motion picture track by message correlation, other language channels automatically become synchronized with the track. Consequently, their articulation as heard corresponds with lip-motions seen in the motion picture. An audience (or its segments) may select any desired available language while viewing the motion picture. The correlation system notes any sound track breaks for providing corresponding fast-forward jumps in all language channels during subsequent picture presentations.