Using time-stamped event entries to facilitate synchronizing data streams

A computer program product for use in conjunction with a computer system, the computer program product comprising a computer-readable storage medium and a computer-program mechanism embedded therein for synchronizing data streams, the computer-program mechanism including:

• instructions for receiving a first data stream having a first data type;
• instructions for performing a sequence of decoding operations on at least a portion of the first data stream, the decoding operations performed at variable processing rates determined at least in part by operating state of a device that performs the decoding operations, wherein performing the sequence of decoding operations involves generating metadata entries associated with the portion of the first data stream, wherein each metadata entry is generated in response to an occurrence of a decoding event during the performance of the sequence of decoding operations, each metadata entry including a time stamp indicating a time of the occurrence, a data-stream identifier indicating the portion of the first data stream that was decoded during the occurrence, and event information describing the respective decoding event;
• instructions for storing each metadata entry;
• and
• instructions for providing a notification based on the stored metadata, the notification including information by which the decoded first data stream is synchronized with a second data stream having a second data type.

A computer system to synchronize data streams, comprising:

• a processor;
• memory;
• and
• a program module, wherein the program module is stored in the memory and configurable to be executed by the processor, the program module including:
• instructions for receiving a first data stream having a first data type,
• instructions for performing a sequence of decoding operations on at least a portion of the first data stream, the decoding operations performed at variable processing rates determined at least in part by operating state of the processor as it performs the decoding operations, wherein performing the sequence of decoding operations involves generating metadata entries associated with the portion of the first data stream, wherein each metadata entry is generated in response to an occurrence of a decoding event during the performance of the sequence of decoding operations, each metadata entry including a time stamp indicating a time of the occurrence, a data-stream identifier indicating the portion of the first data stream that was decoded during the occurrence, and event information describing the respective decoding event;
• instructions for storing each metadata entry;
• and
• instructions for providing a notification based on the stored metadata, the notification including information by which the decoded first data stream is synchronized with a second data stream having a second data type.

An integrated circuit, comprising:

• an input interface configured to receive a first data stream having a first data type;
• an operation circuit electrically coupled to the input interface, the operation circuit configured to receive at least a portion of the first data stream and to perform a sequence of decoding operations on at least the portion of the first data stream, the decoding operations performed at variable processing rates determined at least in part by operating state of the operation circuit as it performs the decoding operations, wherein when performing the sequence of decoding operations, the operation circuit is configured to generate metadata entries associated with the portion of the first data stream, wherein each metadata entry is generated in response to an occurrence of a decoding event during the performance of the sequence of decoding operations, each metadata entry including a time stamp indicating a time of the occurrence, a data-stream identifier indicating the portion of the first data stream that was decoded during the occurrence, and event information describing the respective decoding event;
• an event circuit electrically coupled to the operation circuit and a memory buffer, the event circuit configured to store the metadata entries in the memory buffer;
• a notification circuit electrically coupled to the memory buffer, the notification circuit configured to provide a notification based on the stored metadata, the notification including information by which the decoded first data stream is synchronized with a second data stream having a second data type;
• and
• an output interface electrically coupled to the operation circuit and the notification circuit, the output interface configured to provide processed data output by the operation circuit and the notification.

A method for synchronizing data streams, comprising:

• receiving a first data stream and a second data stream;
• performing a sequence of decoding operations on at least a portion of the first data stream, the decoding operations performed at variable processing rates determined at least in part by operating state of a device that performs the decoding operations,
• in response to an occurrence of a decoding event during the performance of the decoding operations, generating at the receiver a metadata entry for the decoding event that includes temporal information indicating a time of the occurrence, a data stream identifier indicating the portion of the first data stream that was decoded during the occurrence, and event information describing the respective decoding event;
• and
• using the metadata entry to synchronize the first data stream with the second data stream after the first and second data streams have been decoded.

A system, comprising:

• a first memory configured to receive a first data stream having a first data type;
• an operation circuit electrically coupled to the first memory, the operation circuit configured to receive at least a portion of the first data stream and to perform a sequence of decoding operations on at least the portion of the first data stream, the decoding operations performed at variable processing rates determined at least in part by operating state of the operation circuit as it performs the decoding operations, wherein when performing the sequence of decoding operations, the operation circuit is configured to generate metadata entries associated with the portion of the first data stream, wherein each metadata entry is generated in response to an occurrence of a decoding event during the performance of the sequence of decoding operations, each metadata entry including a time stamp indicating a time of the occurrence, a data-stream identifier indicating the portion of the first data stream that was decoded during the occurrence, and event information describing the respective decoding event;
• a second memory configured to receive processed data output by the operation circuit;
• an event circuit electrically coupled to the operation circuit and the second memory, the event circuit configured to store the metadata entries in the second memory;
• and
• a notification circuit electrically coupled to the second memory, the notification circuit configured to provide a notification based on the stored metadata, the notification including information by which the decoded first data stream is synchronized with a second data stream having a second data type.