TECHNIQUES FOR ANALYZING AND VERIFYING TIME IN MACHINE-BASED NETWORKS

Number: 20190158268
Published: 2019-05-23
Filed: 2017-11-21
Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
Inventors: KURANI; Ketan N. et al.
CPC: H04H20/12; H04N21/242; H04L43/00; H04L69/28; H04L7/04
Verdict: Set aside analyzing/verifying time in machine-based networks, network infra
Source: Google Patents · FreePatentsOnline

Abstract

A technique for synchronizing time in a machine-based system. The technique includes receiving time reference information for a first operational element included in the system; analyzing the time reference information against a known correct timing state for the first operational element; determining that the first operational element is not properly synchronized based on the time reference information and the known correct timing state; and in response to determining that the first operational element is not properly synchronized, causing a fault indicator associated with the first operational element to be displayed on a machine that monitors a plurality of operational elements included in the system.

Background

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONField of the Invention

The present disclosure relates generally to computer networks, and, more specifically, to techniques for analyzing and verifying time in machine-based networks.Description of the Related Art

Computer applications in automation systems, or any other coordinated, computer-based systems, rely on accurate clock signals and timing to ensure proper functionality. For example, the video and audio equipment employed in a broadcast plant are required to operate in “lock step” with each other. That is, the operations of each software application, device, or other operational element involved in switching between various video and audio feeds are synchronized with one another with a timing precision of 33 milliseconds (ms), which is the duration of one video frame when video is operating at 30 frames per second. To realize such precise timing between multiple functioning elements, the operations of each element have to be based on the same time reference or based off different time references that are synchronous with each other. Otherwise, flash frames and other unwanted visual artifacts can occur when cutting between different video streams in a broadcast.

The time references typically used when attempting to synchronize operations across different machines include Internet Protocol (IP) time references, such as NTP (Network Time Protocol) or PTP (Precision Time Protocol), and/or other clock references, such as PCR (P

Claims

1. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium including instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to synchronize time in a machine-based system by performing the steps of: receiving time reference information for a first operational element included in the system; analyzing the time reference information against a known correct timing state for the first operational element; determining that the first operational element is not properly synchronized based on the time reference information and the known correct timing state; and in response, causing a fault indicator associated with the first operational element to be displayed on a machine that monitors a plurality of operational elements included in the system. | 10. A method of synchronizing time in a machine-based system, the method comprising: receiving time reference information for a first operational element included in the system; analyzing the time reference information against a known correct timing state for the first operational element; determining that the first operational element is not properly synchronized based on the time reference information and the known correct timing state; and in response, causing a fault indicator associated with the first operational element to be displayed on a machine that monitors a plurality of operational elements included in the system. | 16. A system, comprising: a local time reference; a memory storing a time maintenance application; and one or more processors that are coupled to the memory and the local time reference, and when executing the time maintenance application, are configured to: receive time reference information for a first operational element included in the system; analyze the time reference information against a known correct timing state for the first operational element; determine that the first operational element is not properly synchronized based on the time reference information and the known correct timing state; and in response, cause a fault indicator associated with the first operational element to be displayed on a machine that monitors a plurality of operational elements included in the system.