Method and device for generating and detecting fingerprints for synchronizing audio and video

Abstract

This invention relates to a device and a method of generating a first and a second fingerprint () usable for synchronization of at least two signals () and corresponding method and device for synchronizing two or more signals. A fingerprint pair is generated on the basis of a segment of a first signal e.g. an audio signal and of a segment of a second signal e.g. a video signal at each synchronization time point. The generated fingerprint pair(s) are stored in a database () and communicated or distributed to a synchronization device (). During synchronization, fingerprint(s) of the audio signal and fingerprint(s) of the video signal to be synchronized are generated and matched against fingerprints in the database. When a match is found, the fingerprints also determine the synchronization time point, which is used to synchronize the two signals. In this way, a simple, reliable and efficient way of synchronizing at least two signals is obtained. Further, this is enabled without modifying either the first and second signal (or subsequent signals). The signals may even be distorted or changed to some extent while still enabling synchronization.