Senior Fitness - Exercise and Nutrition for Aging Men and Women
FREE Article Feed for your website.
Home Ownership Magazine
Party Planning Information
Article Marketing Resources
Bio-Medical Research Article Database
Informative Articles on Life, Love and Happiness
Tutorials on Business to Writing
Famous Quotes from Famous People
Song Lyric Information
New US Patent Information
Comprehensive List of Content by Category
Online Auctions and Shopping Related Articles
Article Search
Most Recent Articles
Title: Golf club head
Patent Number: 7,435,191 Issued on 10/14/2008 to Tateno,   et al.

Title: Golf club head
Patent Number: 7,435,190 Issued on 10/14/2008 to Sugimoto

Title: Iron-type golf club head
Patent Number: 7,435,189 Issued on 10/14/2008 to Hirano

Title: Golf putter head
Patent Number: 7,435,188 Issued on 10/14/2008 to Tateno,   et al.

Title: Golf club incorporating a damping element
Patent Number: 7,435,187 Issued on 10/14/2008 to Stites,   et al.

Title: Golf club grip
Patent Number: 7,435,186 Issued on 10/14/2008 to Miller

Title: Adjustable length belly putter
Patent Number: 7,435,185 Issued on 10/14/2008 to Butler

Title: Bowling system using network
Patent Number: 7,435,184 Issued on 10/14/2008 to Tsujita

Title: Swing
Patent Number: 7,435,183 Issued on 10/14/2008 to Tseng

Title: Drive shaft
Patent Number: 7,435,182 Issued on 10/14/2008 to Ichikawa,   et al.

Title: Tripot ball with two point contact
Patent Number: 7,435,181 Issued on 10/14/2008 to Cummins,   et al.

Title: Thrust reverser actuator system flex shaft assembly
Patent Number: 7,435,180 Issued on 10/14/2008 to Kruegel,   et al.

Title: Location-based authorization of gaming action in wireless communication gaming devices
Patent Number: 7,435,179 Issued on 10/14/2008 to Ford

Title: Tremolo bar input for a video game controller
Patent Number: 7,435,178 Issued on 10/14/2008 to Tam,   et al.

Title: Method and system for video-based navigation in an application on a handheld game device
Patent Number: 7,435,177 Issued on 10/14/2008 to Ford

Title: Interactive wagering system with totalisator selection
Patent Number: 7,435,176 Issued on 10/14/2008 to McNutt,   et al.

Title: Gaming machine with scrolling indicia feature
Patent Number: 7,435,175 Issued on 10/14/2008 to Fiden

Title: Gaming device having a pick reduction game including a trigger selection indicator
Patent Number: 7,435,174 Issued on 10/14/2008 to Baerlocher,   et al.

Title: Music playing apparatus, storage medium storing a music playing control program and music playing control method
Patent Number: 7,435,169 Issued on 10/14/2008 to Ozaki,   et al.

Title: Compositions and methods for manipulating carbon flux in cells
Patent Number: 7,435,168 Issued on 10/14/2008 to Fatland-Bloom,   et al.

Title: Apparatus and method for transferring leg quarter from shackle
Patent Number: 7,435,167 Issued on 10/14/2008 to Lasse,   et al.

Title: Methods and devices for depopulating avian species
Patent Number: 7,435,166 Issued on 10/14/2008 to Benson,   et al.

Title: Transparent microporous materials for CMP
Patent Number: 7,435,165 Issued on 10/14/2008 to Prasad

Title: Grinding method and grinding device
Patent Number: 7,435,164 Issued on 10/14/2008 to Murai

Title: Grinding sheet and grinding method
Patent Number: 7,435,163 Issued on 10/14/2008 to Natsui,   et al.

Title: Polishing fluids and methods for CMP
Patent Number: 7,435,162 Issued on 10/14/2008 to Kollodge

Title: Multi-layer polishing pad material for CMP
Patent Number: 7,435,161 Issued on 10/14/2008 to Prasad,   et al.

Title: Automated floor sander
Patent Number: 7,435,160 Issued on 10/14/2008 to Marrs, III

Title: Initial position setting method of grinding wheel in vertical double disc surface grinding machine
Patent Number: 7,435,158 Issued on 10/14/2008 to Wakaiki,   et al.

Title: Grinding machine, computer software to operate such a machine, and their uses therefor
Patent Number: 7,435,157 Issued on 10/14/2008 to Smarsh,   et al.

Title: Reversible brassiere
Patent Number: 7,435,156 Issued on 10/14/2008 to Liu

Title: Athletic bra with adjustable support system
Patent Number: 7,435,155 Issued on 10/14/2008 to Reinisch,   et al.

Title: Laminated brassiere wing
Patent Number: 7,435,154 Issued on 10/14/2008 to Fildan,   et al.

Title: Aquatic gear
Patent Number: 7,435,149 Issued on 10/14/2008 to Bastiao

Title: Hydrostatic EPIRB release
Patent Number: 7,435,148 Issued on 10/14/2008 to Clark

Title: Breakaway skeg for a marine propulsion device
Patent Number: 7,435,147 Issued on 10/14/2008 to Eichinger

Title: Forward and reverse drive switching device for outboard motor
Patent Number: 7,435,146 Issued on 10/14/2008 to Oguma

Title: Connection terminal and connection apparatus for electronic components
Patent Number: 7,435,145 Issued on 10/14/2008 to Nishio,   et al.

Title: Electrical splice connector
Patent Number: 7,435,144 Issued on 10/14/2008 to Waltz

Title: Fixture for optoelectronic components such as PLCC2-type and PLCC4-type light emitting diodes
Patent Number: 7,435,143 Issued on 10/14/2008 to Anderlini

Title: Network plug
Patent Number: 7,435,142 Issued on 10/14/2008 to Hsu

Title: Connector apparatus, and associated method, for powering a set of consumer electronic devices
Patent Number: 7,435,141 Issued on 10/14/2008 to Tan,   et al.

Title: Electrical connector
Patent Number: 7,435,140 Issued on 10/14/2008 to Wang

Title: Electrical connector having improved shield
Patent Number: 7,435,139 Issued on 10/14/2008 to Yang

Title: Electrical connector with improved shielding member
Patent Number: 7,435,138 Issued on 10/14/2008 to Liu,   et al.

Title: Lock structure
Patent Number: 7,435,137 Issued on 10/14/2008 to Onoda,   et al.

Title: Annular corrugated coaxial cable connector with polymeric spring finger nut
Patent Number: 7,435,135 Issued on 10/14/2008 to Wlos

Title: Photovoltaic module mounting clip with integral grounding
Patent Number: 7,435,134 Issued on 10/14/2008 to Lenox

Title: Cable connector assembly and method for making the same
Patent Number: 7,435,129 Issued on 10/14/2008 to Su,   et al.

Title: Ultrasonic welded telsplice stick
Patent Number: 7,435,128 Issued on 10/14/2008 to Powell,   et al.

Title: Card-type apparatus
Patent Number: 7,435,127 Issued on 10/14/2008 to Kanagawa,   et al.

Title: Snagless plug and boot connection
Patent Number: 7,435,126 Issued on 10/14/2008 to Larkin

Title: Trailer tow connector assembly including a locking clip
Patent Number: 7,435,125 Issued on 10/14/2008 to Cummings,   et al.

Title: Land grid array socket
Patent Number: 7,435,124 Issued on 10/14/2008 to Ma,   et al.

Title: Electrical connector with an environmental seal
Patent Number: 7,435,123 Issued on 10/14/2008 to Franks, Jr.

Title: Input module and apparatus using the same
Patent Number: 7,435,121 Issued on 10/14/2008 to Huang,   et al.

Title: Electrical insulator, especially for medium and high voltages
Patent Number: 7,435,120 Issued on 10/14/2008 to Janicke,   et al.

Title: Electrical card connector background of the invention
Patent Number: 7,435,119 Issued on 10/14/2008 to Chang,   et al.

Title: Antenna switch
Patent Number: 7,435,118 Issued on 10/14/2008 to Long,   et al.

Title: Card connector
Patent Number: 7,435,117 Issued on 10/14/2008 to Ma

Title: Electrical card connector
Patent Number: 7,435,116 Issued on 10/14/2008 to Wang

Title: Card connector with a slider braking unit
Patent Number: 7,435,115 Issued on 10/14/2008 to Kiryu,   et al.

Title: Method for docking a printed circuit board
Patent Number: 7,435,114 Issued on 10/14/2008 to Desrosiers,   et al.

Title: Electric connector
Patent Number: 7,435,113 Issued on 10/14/2008 to Cheng,   et al.

Title: Electrical connector having a mechanical mating cycle limitation
Patent Number: 7,435,112 Issued on 10/14/2008 to Miller,   et al.

Title: Electrical connector
Patent Number: 7,435,111 Issued on 10/14/2008 to Wu,   et al.

Title: Electrical connector with improved contact arrangement
Patent Number: 7,435,110 Issued on 10/14/2008 to Xiao,   et al.

Title: Spring connector
Patent Number: 7,435,109 Issued on 10/14/2008 to Sugiura

Title: Variable width resilient conductive contact structures
Patent Number: 7,435,108 Issued on 10/14/2008 to Eldridge,   et al.

Title: Electrical connector with signal paired contacts and ground contacts arranged to minimize occurance of crosstalk
Patent Number: 7,435,107 Issued on 10/14/2008 to Masumoto,   et al.

Title: Electrical connector for use in an optical transceiver module
Patent Number: 7,435,105 Issued on 10/14/2008 to Rosenberg

Title: Socket assembly
Patent Number: 7,435,104 Issued on 10/14/2008 to Yu,   et al.

Title: Ball grid array socket having a positioning device
Patent Number: 7,435,103 Issued on 10/14/2008 to Ma

Title: Interconnecting electrical devices
Patent Number: 7,435,102 Issued on 10/14/2008 to Goodman

Title: Electrical connection member for connection between objects to be connected
Patent Number: 7,435,101 Issued on 10/14/2008 to Yoneta,   et al.

Method for synchronizing a multimedia file Number:7,386,782 from the United States Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) owispatent

Home    Author Login    Submit Article    Article Search    Add Your Link    Edit Your Link    Contact Us    Advertising    Disclaimer

   

 
Web LinkGrinder.com

Top Breaking News
     Greek, Cypriot Leaders Resume Unification Talks in Nicosia by Nathan Morley
     Indonesia Tobacco Sales Grow, Raising Health Fears
     South Korea Allows Top Defector to Travel Overseas by VOA News

Title: Method for synchronizing a multimedia file

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for synchronizing data in a multimedia document (50), said document comprising at least two separate computer files (track1, track2) called the first file, the second file, etc., in which method: there is stored in the first file, in the second file, etc., respectively data of a first type, of a second type, etc., said data being grouped in the form of at least one event-related command characterizing an event, said event being either important or unimportant,--at least one synchronization command is inserted in each file, characterized in that said synchronization command is inserted before each event-related command characterizing an important event.

Patent Number: 7,386,782 Issued on 06/10/2008 to Comps,   et al.


Inventors: Comps; Christophe (Cestas, FR), Boudet; Daniel (Paris, FR), Sarremejean; Xavier (Vaureal, FR)
Assignee: Alcatel (Paris, FR)
Appl. No.: 10/380,288
Filed: September 13, 2001
PCT Filed: September 13, 2001
PCT No.: PCT/FR01/02844
371(c)(1),(2),(4) Date: March 12, 2003
PCT Pub. No.: WO02/23912
PCT Pub. Date: March 21, 2002


Current U.S. Class: 715/203 ; 715/201
Field of Search: 715/500.1,203,201


References Cited [Referenced By]

U.S. Patent Documents
5333299 July 1994 Koval et al.
5471576 November 1995 Yee
5487167 January 1996 Dinallo et al.
5602356 February 1997 Mohrbacher
5642171 June 1997 Baumgartner et al.
5675511 October 1997 Prasad et al.
5680639 October 1997 Milne et al.
5701511 December 1997 Smith
5737531 April 1998 Ehley
5751280 May 1998 Abbott et al.
5754783 May 1998 Mendelson et al.
5768607 June 1998 Drews et al.
5794018 August 1998 Vrvilo et al.
5808987 September 1998 Oda et al.
5822537 October 1998 Katseff et al.
5826102 October 1998 Escobar et al.
5861880 January 1999 Shimizu et al.
5902949 May 1999 Mohrbacher
6006241 December 1999 Purnaveja et al.
6016166 January 2000 Huang et al.
6148139 November 2000 Cookson et al.
6173317 January 2001 Chaddha et al.
6177928 January 2001 Basso et al.
6195701 February 2001 Kaiserswerth et al.
6230172 May 2001 Purnaveja et al.
6288990 September 2001 Fujiie et al.
6334026 December 2001 Xue et al.
6349286 February 2002 Shaffer et al.
6415135 July 2002 Salomaki
6449653 September 2002 Klemets et al.
6453355 September 2002 Jones et al.
6480902 November 2002 Yuang et al.
6490553 December 2002 Van Thong et al.
6512778 January 2003 Jones et al.
6564263 May 2003 Bergman et al.
6611537 August 2003 Edens et al.
6631522 October 2003 Erdelyi
6665835 December 2003 Nicol et al.
6744763 June 2004 Jones et al.
6771703 August 2004 Oguz et al.
6792615 September 2004 Rowe et al.
6871006 March 2005 Oguz et al.
2001/0014891 August 2001 Hoffert et al.
2002/0116361 August 2002 Sullivan
2002/0159519 October 2002 Tabatabai et al.
2004/0017389 January 2004 Pan et al.
2004/0103372 May 2004 Graham

Other References

Auffret, Gwendal, et al., "Audiovisual-based Hypermedia Authoring: Using Structured Representations for Efficient Access to AV Documents", Hypertext '99, Darmstadt, Germany, Feb. 1999, pp. 169-178 [ACM 1-58113-064-3/99/2]. cited by examiner .
Bulterman, Dick, "Embedded Video in Hypermedia Documents: Supporting Integraion and Adaptive Control", ACM Transactions on Infromation Systems, vol. 13 No. 4, .COPYRGT. 1995, pp. 440-470 [ACM 1046-8188/95/1000-0440]. cited by examiner .
Agarwal, Nipun, et al., "Synchronization of Distributed Multimedia Data in an Application-Specific Manner", Multimedia '94, San Francisco, CA, Oct. 1994, pp. 141-148. cited by examiner .
Hurst, W., et al., "A Synchronization Model for Recorded Presentations and Its Relevance for Information Retrieval", Multimedia '99, Orlando, FL, Oct. 1999, pp. 333-342. cited by examiner .
Ha , Anna, et al., "Synchronization in Multimedia Data Retrieval", International Journal of Network Management, vol. 7, .COPYRGT. 1997, pp. 33-62. cited by examiner .
Chen, Herng-Yow, et al., "An RTP-based Synchronized Hypermedia Live Lecture System for Distance Education", Multimedia '99, Orlando, FL, Oct. 1999, pp. 91-99. cited by examiner .
Li, Li, et al., "Real-time Synchronization Control in Multimedia Distributed Systems", ACM SIGCOMM Computer Communication Review, vol. 22, issue 3, Jul. 1992, pp. 79-87 (plus citation page). cited by examiner .
Gringeri, Steven, et al., "Robust Compression and Transmission of MPEG-4 Video", Multimedia '99, Orlando, FL, Oct. 1999, pp. 113-120. cited by examiner .
Courtiat, Jean-Pierre, et al., "Towards a New Multimedia Synchronizatin Mechanism and its Formal Specification", Multimedia '94, San Francisco, CA, Oct. 1994, pp. 133-140. cited by examiner .
Li, Lain, et al., "MPEG-2 Coded- and Uncoded- Stream Synchronization Control for Real-Time Multimedia Transmission and Presentation over B-ISDN", Multimedia '94, San Francisco, CA, Oct. 1994, pp. 239-246. cited by examiner .
Mukhopadhyay, Sugata, et al., "Passive Capture and Structuring of Lectures", ACM Multimedia '99, Orlando, FL, Oct. 1999, pp. 477-487. cited by examiner .
Steinmetz, Rafl, "Synchronization Properties in Multimedia Systems", IEEE Journal on Selected Areas in Communications, vol. 8, Issue 3, Apr. 1990, pp. 401-412. cited by examiner .
Herman, Ivan, et al., "A Standard Model For Multimedia Synchronization: PREMO synchronization Objects", Multimedia Systems, vol. 6, No. 2, Mar. 1998, pp. 88-101. cited by examiner .
Yuang, Maria C., et al., "DMTS: A Distributed Multimedia Teleworking System", Multimedia Tools and Applications, vol. 7, No. 3, Nov. 1998, pp. 227-240. cited by examiner .
Ehley, Lynnae, et al., "Evaluation of Multimedia Synchronization Techniques", Proc. of the Intern'l Conf. on Multimedia Computing and Systems, Boston, MA, May 15-19, 1994, pp. 514-519. cited by examiner .
Jacobs, Martin, et al., "Specification of Synchronizaton in Multimedia Conferencing Services Using the TINA Lifecycle Model", Distrib. Syst. Engng., vol. 3, .COPYRGT. 1996, pp. 185-196. cited by examiner .
Chen Herng-Yow et al, "Multisync: A Synchronization Model for Multimedia Systems", IEEE Journal on Selected Areas in Communications, IEEE, Inc. NY, vol. 14, No. 1, 1996, pp. 238-248, XP000548825. cited by other .
F. Kretz et al, "Coded Representation of multimedia and Hypermedia Information Objects: Towards the MHEG Standard", Signal Processing. Image Communication, Elsevier Science Publishers, Amsterdam, NL, vol. 4, Nr. 2, pp. 113-128 XP000273158 (c) 1992. cited by other .
M. D. Eyles, Generic Aspects of Multimedia Presentation BT Technology Journal, GB, BT Laboratories, vol. 13, Nr. 4, pp. 32-43, XP000538878 (c) 1995. cited by other.

Primary Examiner: Fleurantin; Jean B
Assistant Examiner: Stevens; Robert
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Sughrue Mion, PLLC

Claims



The invention claimed is:

1. A method of synchronizing data in a multimedia document which comprises at least first and second data files, the method comprising: storing data of a first type in the first data file and data of a second type in the second data file, wherein the data of the first type and the data of the second type are stored sequentially in a plurality of fields of the first data file and the second data file, respectively, and at least one event-related command, which identifies an event which is executed during reproduction of the multimedia document, is stored in a field of the first data file and the second data file, and inserting at least one synchronization command into the first data file and the second data file, wherein the at least one synchronization command is inserted before the at least one event-related command which is stored in the field of the first data file and the second data file and each synchronization command which is included in the first data file is repeated identically in the second data file of the multimedia document, designating one of the first data file and the second data file as a priority file, reading the first data file, and reading the second data file, wherein if the first data file is designated as the priority file and a synchronization command is encountered in the first data file prior to encountering a corresponding synchronization command in the second data file, reading the plurality of fields of the second data file in sequence without executing event related commands which are stored in the plurality of fields of the second data file, and wherein if the corresponding synchronization command is encountered in the second data file, execution of event related commands in the second data file resumes.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the event, which is identified by the at least one event related command, is one of a command to display a text message, a command to display a picture, and a command to reproduce a sound.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein a synchronization command which is included in the first data file is repeated identically in the second data file of the multimedia document such that execution of a first synchronization command which is included in the first data file at the beginning of the first file is concomitant with execution of the first synchronization command which is included in the second data file at the beginning of the second data file.

4. A method according to claim 3, wherein: the first data file and the second data file are read simultaneously and successive event-related commands in the first data file and the second data file are executed.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein each synchronization command is uniquely identified.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein each synchronization command of each event to be executed simultaneously is numbered identically from one file to another.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first data file is a first track of the multimedia document and the second data file is a second track of the multimedia document.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first data file and the second data file are separate data files.

9. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: if the second data file is designated as the priority file, and a synchronization command is encountered in the second data file prior to encountering a corresponding synchronization command in the first data file, reading the plurality of fields of the first data file in sequence without executing event related commands which are stored in the plurality of fields of the first data file, wherein execution of event related commands in the first data file resumes after the corresponding synchronization command is encountered in the first data file.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein if the first data file is designated as a priority file and a synchronization command is encountered in the second data file prior to encountering a corresponding synchronization command in the first data file, reading of the plurality of fields of the second data file is stopped and reading of the plurality of fields of the first data file in sequence and execution of event-related commands, which are stored in the plurality of fields of the first data file, is continued, wherein reading of the second data file and execution of event related commands in the second data file resumes after the corresponding synchronization command is encountered in the first data file.

11. The method according to claim 1, wherein if the second data file is designated as the priority file and a synchronization command is encountered in the first data file prior to encountering a corresponding synchronization command in the second data file, reading of the plurality of fields of the first data file is stopped and reading of the plurality of fields of the second data file in sequence and execution of event-related commands, which are stored in the plurality of fields of the second data file, is continued, wherein reading of the first data file and execution of event related commands in the first data file resumes after the corresponding synchronization command is encountered in the second data file.

12. The method according to claim 1, wherein the event related commands are read in sequence without skipping fields of the first data file if the synchronization command is encountered in the first data file prior to encountering the corresponding synchronization command in the second data file.

13. A device for implementing a method of synchronizing data in a multimedia document which comprises at first and second data files, the method comprising: storing data of a first type in the first data file and data of a second type in the second data file, wherein the data of the first type and the data of the second type are stored sequentially in a plurality of fields of the first data file and the second data file, respectively, and at least one event-related command, which identifies an event which is executed during reproduction of the multimedia document, is stored in a field of the first data file and the second data file, reading the first data file, and reading the second data file, inserting at least one synchronization command into the first data file and the second data file, wherein the at least one synchronization command is inserted before the at least one event-related command which is stored in the field of the first data file and the second data file and each synchronization command which is included in the first data file is repeated identically in the second data file of the multimedia document, wherein if a synchronization command is encountered in the first data file prior to encountering a corresponding synchronization command in the second data file, the first data file is designated as a priority file and the plurality of fields of the second data file are read in sequence without executing event related commands which are stored in the plurality of fields of the second data file, and wherein if the corresponding synchronization command is encountered in the second data file, execution of event related commands in the second data file resumes, the device including reading means for reading data in said first data file and said second data file and communication means for communicating data with said reading means concerning reading of a synchronization command in a file.

14. The device according to claim 13, wherein the event related commands are read in sequence without skipping fields of the first data file if the synchronization command is encountered in the first data file prior to encountering the corresponding synchronization command in the second data file.
Description



The present invention relates to a method of synchronizing different types of data in a multimedia file. It applies, for example, to portable systems such as mobile radio terminals, pocket computers or any other equipment that can have multimedia capabilities and for which the size of multimedia files and the computation power needed to process them constitute a problem.

There are very many monomedia files, i.e. files relating to only one particular type of data, such as the JPEG (Joint Photographic Expert Group) format for storing pictures or the RTF (Rich Text File) format for storing text.

The expression "multimedia file" generally refers to integrating different types of data (such as pictures, sound and text) in the same file. Each type of data is contained in a given track. Each track is organized in the form of a series of commands. Each track is scanned by a microprocessor. Each microprocessor executes, at the same time as the others, commands from one track or simultaneous commands from more than one track and can present the data, via different interfaces, to a user of an equipment with multimedia capabilities. The interfaces can be a screen for text and picture data and a loudspeaker for audio data. The user therefore sees text and pictures whilst hearing sounds.

The problem is therefore to match the text to the music and the pictures, i.e. to synchronize the different types of data contained in the same multimedia file.

Each microprocessor, associated with each track containing one type of data uses an oscillator. Each oscillator produces a signal with a frequency slightly different from those of the other oscillators. Also, the software executed by each processor can be based on different operating systems, which drift with time in dissimilar ways. Thus two microprocessors that begin to read their respective tracks at the same time are eventually no longer synchronized with each other. For example, if the microprocessor for the sound data track is lagging behind the microprocessor for the text data track, the text of a phrase will be displayed before the sung phrase is heard.

The prior art solution is temporal synchronization.

In the FIG. 1 example, the microprocessor .mu.p.sub.1, which reads the track 1 containing sound, sends synchronization data every 3 .mu.s to the microprocessor .mu.p.sub.2, which reads the track 2 containing text. The synchronization data can optionally be stored in the multimedia file.

Thus the microprocessor .mu.p.sub.2 verifies every 3 .mu.s whether its clock is synchronized to that of the first microprocessor .mu.p.sub.1. If the microprocessor .mu.p.sub.2 finds that it is in advance of the other one, it calculates the time difference and stops reading track 2 for that period of time. It then restarts in synchronism with the microprocessor .mu.p.sub.1. It is apparent that the better the synchronization required, the greater the quantity of synchronization data that has to be sent and the more frequently it has to be sent.

In mobile terminals there are severe file size constraints. The available memory is limited for reasons of overall size and battery life. What is more, multimedia files must be downloadable from a server center in a reasonable time, which is directly dependent on the file size.

Storing recurrent synchronization data is costly in terms of memory: the flow of data exchanged is burdened with many exchanges of synchronization data, which overloads the memory.

The above solution also has a further and major disadvantage: the synchronization data can reach the microprocessor .mu.p.sub.2 while it is in the middle of displaying a phrase. The display of the phrase is then stopped short, and the user does not receive the impression of fluid presentation of data.

The object of the present invention is to reduce the size of multimedia files, to optimize the quantity of data exchanged, and to provide optimum synchronization.

To this end, the invention provides a method of synchronizing data in a multimedia document (50) comprising at least two separate data files (track1, track2) referred to as the first file, the second file, etc., in which method: data of a first type, of a second type, etc. is stored in the first file, in the second file, etc., respectively, and grouped into the form of at least one event-related command characterizing an important event or an unimportant event, and at least one synchronization command is inserted into each file, which method is characterized in that said synchronization command is inserted before each event-related command characterizing an important event.

The method is advantageously characterized in that the important event corresponds to a command to display a text, a command to display a picture, or a command to reproduce a sound.

The invention also provides a device for synchronizing data in a multimedia file containing at least one track in which said data is stored and at least one synchronization command in each track, said device having first means for reading the data of each track and second means enabling the first means to communicate with each other, the data communicated between said first means concerning the occurrence of a synchronization command. The device is characterized in that one of the first data reading means is designated as having the highest priority and forces the other first means to synchronize with it.

The invention and its advantages will become clearer in the course of the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1, already described, represents the synchronization of a multimedia file in the prior art.

FIG. 2 is a diagram of a multimedia file conforming to the invention.

FIG. 3 is a detailed view of tracks in a multimedia file.

The data in a multimedia file according to the invention can comprise either time values or sound, text or picture coding values. The time values can represent a note duration, an image display time, a track start or end time, or a waiting time between two events. According to the invention, the tracks of the multimedia file also include synchronization commands related to the various events included in the track (note, picture, text, etc.).

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the structure of a multimedia file according to the invention.

The multimedia file 50 includes a header 55 and tracks 60, 70 and 80. According to the invention, a multimedia file can include a number of tracks from 1 to n and FIG. 2 merely represents one example of this kind of file.

The header 55 includes data that is common to all of the tracks and is not described in detail here.

Each track of the file 50 can contain a single type of data. For example, track 60 can be a MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) format track for sound, track 70 can contain a sequence of pictures, and track 80 can contain sequences of texts. The different tracks may be intended to be scanned by microprocessors and presented simultaneously to a user. The different microprocessors therefore scan the tracks at the same time.

Each track 60, 70 and 80 has a respective header 65, 75 and 85. Each header contains an indicator of the type of data contained in the track. Thus the microprocessor able to read MIDI data knows from this indicator which track to read.

Each track also contains data organized in the form of commands which are executed sequentially by the microprocessor (for example to display a picture or a text).

FIG. 3 shows one example of a structure of three tracks contained in a multimedia file.

In this example: Track 60 or track 1 contains only MIDI sound data. The sound data could consist of sampled sounds (speech, miscellaneous noises such as applause or microphone noise, etc.). Track 70 or track 2 contains only data corresponding to sequences of JPEG images. This data could equally be video data. Track 80 or track 3 contains only data corresponding to text messages.

Each track has a Start field for starting presentation to the user and an End field for ending presentation to the user.

Track 1 contains data relating to sound. A first field Nf.sub.1 represents the frequency of a first note and a second field Nd.sub.1 represents its duration. Likewise, the fields Nh.sub.2 and Nd.sub.2 define a second note. The field D.sub.1 represents a waiting time before presenting the subsequent notes of the track.

The fields Nh.sub.3 and Nd.sub.3 respectively represent the frequency and the duration of a third note.

Thus fields defining a note or a waiting time can follow on from each other in track 1.

Track 2 contains data corresponding to sequences of JPEG images. In this example, two JPEG images represented by the fields JPEG1 and JPEG2 must be presented to the user for a given time represented by the field JPEGd.sub.1 for the image JPEG1 and the field JPEGd.sub.2 for the image JPEG2. The fields JPEGD.sub.0, JPEGD.sub.1 and JPEGD.sub.2 represent waiting times before or between images.

Track 3 contains data corresponding to text messages. In this example two syllables represented by the fields TEXT1 and TEXT2 must be presented to the user. The fields TEXTD.sub.0 and TEXTD.sub.1 represent waiting times before a text.

The synchronization commands are represented by fields SYNCHi for i from 1 to n.

The synchronization commands are not temporal commands, as in the prior art, but are instead dependent on a specific event. Thus the fields SYNCHi are not present in the tracks at regular time intervals.

In the FIG. 3 example, musical notes included in the track 1 data must not be interrupted. Synchronizing the three tracks must not entail interrupting the music heard by the user. The microprocessor dedicated to reading this track is considered to be the master.

It forces the other microprocessors in charge of the other tracks, referred to as slaves, to synchronize with it.

Some notes must correspond to the display of an image or a syllable.

In this example, the first fields NF.sub.1 and Nd.sub.1 correspond to a first note. The second note, corresponding to the second fields NF.sub.2 and Nd.sub.2, must be heard at the moment the first picture is displayed, corresponding to the field JPEG1 of track 2. Then, after a waiting time corresponding to the field D.sub.1, the third note, corresponding to the third fields Nf.sub.3 and Nd.sub.3, must be heard at the moment that the first syllable is displayed, corresponding to the field TEXT1 of track 1. Finally, the fourth note, corresponding to the fourth fields Nf.sub.4 and Nd.sub.4, must be heard at the moment at which are simultaneously displayed the second picture, corresponding to the field JPEG1 in track 2, and the second syllable, corresponding to the field TEXT2 in track 1.

Thus the first synchronization command, which corresponds to the field SYNCH1, is: between the fields Nd.sub.1 and Nf.sub.2 in track 1, between the fields JPEGD.sub.0 and JPEG1 in track 2, between the fields TEXTD.sub.0 and TEXTD.sub.1 in track 3.

The second synchronization command, which corresponds to the field SYNCH2, is: between the fields D.sub.2 and Nf.sub.3 in track 1, between the fields JPEGD.sub.1 and JPEGD.sub.2 in track 2, between the fields TEXTD.sub.1 and TEXT in track 3.

The third synchronization command, which corresponds to the field SYNCH3, is: between the fields Nd.sub.3 and Nf.sub.4 in track 1, between the fields JPEGD.sub.2 and JPEG2 in track 2, between the fields TEXT1 and TEXT2 in track 3.

When the multimedia document is presented to the user, the microprocessors scan all the tracks at the same time. Two situations arise, according to whether the slave microprocessors are lagging behind or in advance of the master microprocessor. Each slave microprocessor can receive data concerning the synchronization commands from the master microprocessor.

The master microprocessor, which is dedicated to track 1, reaches the first synchronization command, corresponding to the field SYNCH1, and sends first synchronization data to the other microprocessors.

Two situations arise: If, at the moment it receives data, the slave microprocessor dedicated to track i, which is lagging behind, has not yet encountered the field SYNCH1 in track i, it continues to scan its file without executing the commands encountered, in order to reach the field SYNCH1 as quickly as possible. It then resumes execution of commands encountered after the field SYNCH 1. If, before receiving the data, the slave microprocessor dedicated to track i had already reached the field SYNCH1, it stops reading the fields of track i until it receives the first synchronization data sent by the master microprocessor. It then resumes reading the fields of track i and executes the commands described.

Thus each important command, i.e. a command whose execution must not be interrupted, is represented by a given field preceded by a field representing a synchronization command. The synchronization command is at the same place in all the other tracks. Because of this, different tracks are resynchronized before any important command, if necessary.

Thus the invention synchronizes data in a multimedia file without overloading the memory with unnecessary synchronization data, and thereby restricting transfers of synchronization data between the microprocessors, without overloading the tracks with large quantities of unnecessary synchronization data, and most importantly without the execution of an important command stopping in the middle.

*


Free Web Sudoku Puzzles.
Solve with your browser.
5 4       3      
  9     8       3
    2 1   6   4  
  2 9            
3               1
            7 3  
  7   4   5 6    
8       6     2  
      8       5 9
What is it?



Add Your Site · Terms Of Service · Privacy Policy


DISCLAIMER
Linkgrinder is a free service that searches the Internet and indexes all files found so that you may search quickly and easily for shared files. These files are created and made available individually by users whose identity we are not aware of and who we have no control over. In essence we function like a search engine tool; these files ARE NOT STORED OR SERVED BY OUR NETWORK. We are not responsible for any materials obtained by using our service. We do not monitor any of the contents of these files. These files may contain viruses, illegal materials, materials inappropriate for minors, offensive files and the like. BY USING OUR SERVICE, YOU ASSUME FULL RESPONSIBILITY FOR DOWNLOADING THESE MATERIALS AND WILL INDEMNIFY US FOR ANY DAMAGES THAT MAY BE INCURRED.

For More Specific Information VIEW OUR TERMS OF SERVICE.

Thank you and Enjoy!