Media synchronisation system
AssigneeIntrasonics S.á r.l.
InventorsPeter Haywood, Michael Raymond Reynolds, Peter John Kelly, Nedeljko Cvejic, David John Barrott, Stephen Starkie
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Abstract
A communications system distributes code word pairs within the audio of a television or radio program or the like. Each pair of code words includes an ID code word that is the same for a given program and a synchronization code word that is unique within the program. A portable user device is able to synchronize itself to the program using the embedded synchronization code words.
Claims20
A method of embedding code words into an audio signal, the method comprising:
- receiving pairs of code words, each pair of code words comprising an ID code word and a synchronisation code word, wherein the ID code words of all of the pairs for a given audio signal are the same and wherein each synchronization code word for the audio signal is unique;
- encoding the code words of each pair of code words separately to form encoded code word signals;
- receiving an audio signal;
- and
- combining the encoded code word signals with different portions of the received audio signal to form a modified audio signal that carries the pairs of code words distributed within the audio signal.
A method of synchronising a device with an audio signal having encoded pairs of code words embedded separately therein, each pair of code words including an ID code word and a synchronisation code word, the method comprising:
- receiving the audio signal with the encoded pairs of code words, wherein the ID code words of all of the pairs for a given audio signal are the same and wherein each synchronization code word for the audio signal is unique;
- and
- synchronising the device with the audio signal by detecting:
- i) an ID code word and a synchronisation code word from one pair of code words;
- or ii) an ID code word from one pair of code words and a synchronisation code word from another pair of code words.
An apparatus for embedding code words within an audio signal, the apparatus comprising:
- an encoder configured to receive pairs of code words, each pair of code words comprising an ID code word and a synchronisation code word, wherein the ID code words of all of the pairs for a given audio signal are the same and wherein each synchronization code word for the audio signal is unique, the encoder being and configured to encode the code words of each pair of code words separately to form encoded code word signals;
- and
- a combiner configured to combine the encoded code word signals with different portions of the received audio signal to form a modified audio signal that carries the pairs of code words distributed within the audio signal.
An apparatus for synchronising a device with an audio signal having encoded pairs of code words embedded separately therein, each pair of code words including an ID code word and a synchronisation code word, the method comprising:
- a receiver configured to receive the audio signal with the encoded pairs of code words wherein the ID code words of all of the pairs for a given audio signal are the same and wherein each synchronization code word for the audio signal is unique;
- and
- a synchronisation controller configured to synchronise the device with the received audio signal by detecting:
- i) an ID code word and a synchronisation code word from one pair of code words;
- or ii) an ID code word from one pair of code words and a synchronisation code word from another pair of code words.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.