Playing method and playing device

Abstract

The embodiment of the invention provides a playing method and playing equipment, continuous playing can be realized, and the playing method comprises the following steps: when playing video content, first playing equipment receives a shutdown instruction sent by a user, and inquires the user whether to adopt other playing equipment to continue playing or not; receiving an instruction which is sent by the user and adopts other playing equipment to continue playing, capturing and storing the playing key information, and sending an awakening instruction to other playing equipment in the same local area network; and receiving a message for acquiring playing key information sent by other playing devices, and sending the stored playing key information to the other playing devices, so that the other playing devices continuously play the video content, and the playing key information comprises video content address information and timestamp information. Through the method, continuous playing of the playing content can be realized, and the user experience is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This article relates to the field of video playback, and in particular to a playback method and a playback device. Background Art

[0002] Televisions offer a superior viewing experience due to their large screens, but they are less mobile and are typically stationary in a single room. Today, homes often have multiple televisions in multiple rooms, such as a living room and a bedroom. After watching a program in the living room, viewers might want to automatically resume the program they were watching when they turn on the TV in the bedroom. However, current operations are often complex and cumbersome, resulting in a poor user experience. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The embodiments of the present application provide a playback method and a playback device, which can achieve continuous playback of video content.

[0004] In one aspect, the present application provides a playback method for achieving continuous playback, the method comprising: When the first playback device is playing video content, it receives a shutdown instruction sent by the user and asks the user whether to continue playing using another playback device; Receive an instruction from the user to continue playing using other playback devices, capture and save the key playback information, and send a wake-up instruction to other playback devices in the same local area network; receive a message from other playback devices to obtain key playback information, and send the saved key playback information to the other playback devices so that the other playback devices can continue to play the video content, wherein the key playback information includes video content address information and timestamp information.

[0005] In an exemplary embodiment, the method further includes: after receiving a wake-up instruction sent by other playback devices, the first playback device in standby state sends a message to the other playback devices in the background to obtain playback key information, and saves the playback key information sent by the other playback devices after receiving it.

[0006] In an exemplary embodiment, the method further includes: the first playback device in standby state powers on after receiving a power-on instruction sent by the user, and asks the user whether to continue playing; upon receiving a continue playing instruction sent by the user, reading the saved playback key information, and continuing to play the video content according to the playback key information.

[0007] In an exemplary embodiment, the method also includes: after the first playback device in the powered-on state receives a wake-up instruction sent by other playback devices, it sends a message to the other playback devices in the background to obtain playback key information, saves the playback key information sent by the other playback devices after receiving it, and asks the user whether to continue playback; after receiving the instruction to continue playback sent by the user, it reads the saved playback key information, and continues to play the video content according to the playback key information.

[0008] In an exemplary embodiment, the first playback device sends a message to the other playback devices in the background to obtain playback key information. After receiving and saving the playback key information sent by the other playback devices, the method also includes: if no power-on command sent by the user is received within a preset time, the first playback device continues to enter the standby state in the background.

[0009] In an exemplary embodiment, the step of asking the user whether to use other playback devices to continue playback includes: after detecting that there are multiple playback devices that can be awakened in the current local area network, asking the user which playback device to use to continue playback; and the step of sending a wake-up instruction to other playback devices in the same local area network includes: sending a wake-up instruction to the playback device selected by the user.

[0010] In an exemplary embodiment, the key playback information further includes one or more of the following: a playback device identifier and a playback program identifier.

[0011] On the other hand, the present application provides a playback device for implementing continuous playback, the playback device comprising a processing module, a connection module, a storage module, and a display module for displaying playback content, wherein: The processing module is configured to, upon receiving a shutdown instruction from a user during playback of video content on the display module, inquire of the user whether to continue playback using another playback device; upon receiving an instruction from the user to continue playback using another playback device, shut down the display module, capture key playback information and store it in the storage module, and send a wake-up instruction to the other playback device via the connection module; upon receiving a message from the other playback device requesting the acquisition of key playback information, send the key playback information stored in the storage module to the other playback device via the connection module, so that the other playback device can continue playback of the video content, the key playback information including video content address information and timestamp information; The storage module is used to store the captured key playback information; The connection module is used to send a wake-up instruction to other playback devices.

[0012] In an exemplary embodiment, the connection module is also used to wake up the processing module after receiving a wake-up instruction sent by other playback devices; the processing module is also used to send a message to other playback devices to obtain playback key information based on the wake-up of the connection module, and after receiving the playback key information sent by the other playback devices, save it in the storage module.

[0013] In an exemplary embodiment, the processing module is also used to control the operation of the display module after receiving a power-on command sent by the user, and to ask the user whether to continue playing; after receiving the instruction to continue playing sent by the user, the saved playback key information is read from the storage module, and the display module is controlled to continue playing the video content according to the playback key information.

[0014] Through the above-mentioned playback method and playback device, the video content watched by the user on the first playback device can be continued to be watched on other playback devices without the need for manual operation by the user, thereby improving the user experience.

[0015] Other features and advantages of the present application will be described in the following description, and in part will become apparent from the description, or will be understood by practicing the present application. Other advantages of the present application can be realized and obtained by the solutions described in the description and the drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] The accompanying drawings are used to provide an understanding of the technical solution of the present application and constitute a part of the specification. Together with the embodiments of the present application, they are used to explain the technical solution of the present application and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solution of the present application.

[0017] Figure 1 This is a flowchart of the playback method according to an embodiment of the present application; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the playback device according to an embodiment of the present application; Figure 3 This is a playback flow chart in Scenario 1 of the embodiment of the present application; Figure 4 This is a playback flow chart in scenario 2 of the embodiment of this application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] This application describes multiple embodiments, but this description is exemplary rather than restrictive, and it is obvious to those skilled in the art that there may be more embodiments and implementations within the scope of the embodiments described in this application. Although many possible feature combinations are shown in the drawings and discussed in the detailed description, many other combinations of the disclosed features are also possible. Unless specifically limited, any feature or element of any embodiment may be used in combination with any other feature or element in any other embodiment, or may replace any other feature or element in any other embodiment.

[0019] The present application includes and contemplates combinations of features and elements known to those of ordinary skill in the art. The embodiments, features, and elements disclosed in this application may also be combined with any conventional features or elements to form a unique inventive solution. Any features or elements of any embodiment may also be combined with features or elements from other inventive solutions to form another unique inventive solution. Therefore, it should be understood that any feature shown and / or discussed in this application may be implemented individually or in any appropriate combination. Therefore, except for the limitations made according to the appended claims and their equivalents, the embodiments are not subject to other limitations. In addition, various modifications and changes may be made within the scope of protection of the appended claims.

[0020] In addition, when describing representative embodiments, the specification may have presented the method and / or process as a specific sequence of steps. However, to the extent that the method or process does not rely on the specific order of the steps described herein, the method or process should not be limited to the steps in the specific order described. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, other orders of steps are also possible. Therefore, the specific order of the steps set forth in the specification should not be interpreted as a limitation to the claims. In addition, the claims for the method and / or process should not be limited to performing their steps in the order written, and those skilled in the art can readily understand that these orders can be changed and still remain within the spirit and scope of the embodiments of the present application.

[0021] In a home environment, there may be two or more televisions. Although the frequency of television use in home settings is decreasing, as an entertainment terminal with intelligent systems, large screens, good sound effects, and the ability to expand peripherals, televisions are still frequently used to watch online programs or watch online programs through mobile phone screen projection.

[0022] When users move from one room to another (e.g., there is a TV in each of the living room and bedroom), they may need to turn off the TV in the current room and continue watching programs on another TV in another room. This means that there is no need for tedious operations, as the TV in the other room can continue playing content from the TV in the current room after it is turned on. However, currently, the TVs in different rooms are independent systems, and the content and progress played cannot be synchronized. For example, the user needs to perform the following operations: turn off the TV in room 1 - turn on the TV in room 2 - open the app on TV 2 - search for programs - drag the progress bar to find the last viewing position; or turn off the TV in room 1 - turn on the TV in room 2 - re-cast the screen - drag the progress bar to find the last viewing position.

[0023] To this end, the present disclosure provides a television playback method that can achieve continuous playback of content on multiple playback devices. Figure 1 As shown, the playback method of this embodiment is applicable to playback devices in the same local area network, such as Figure 1 As shown, the method includes: Step 1: When a first playback device is playing video content, it receives a shutdown command from a user and asks the user whether to continue playing the video using another playback device. The inquiry method may be, for example, interacting with the user through a dialogue interface or a prompt interface.

[0024] Step 2: Receive an instruction from the user to continue playing using other playback devices, capture and save the playback key information, and send a wake-up instruction to other playback devices in the same local area network; receive a message from other playback devices to obtain the playback key information, and send the saved playback key information to the other playback devices so that the other playback devices can continue to play the video content. The playback key information includes video content address information and timestamp information.

[0025] The first playback device can shut down after receiving an instruction from the user to continue playback using other playback devices, and capture key playback information of the currently playing video content in the background, including video content address information and timestamp information. The timestamp information is the time when the current video content is played when the shutdown instruction sent by the user is received.

[0026] Through the above-mentioned playback method, the video content watched by the user on the first playback device can be continued to be watched on other playback devices without the need for manual operation by the user, thereby improving the user experience.

[0027] The user can continue to play the video content played by the first playback device on another playback device, or can continue to play it on multiple other playback devices.

[0028] In an exemplary embodiment, the method further includes: upon receiving a wake-up command from another playback device, the first playback device in standby mode sends a message to the other playback device in the background requesting key playback information, and upon receiving the key playback information sent by the other playback device, saves the received key playback information. In this way, the first playback device can serve as a subsequent playback device for the user to continue watching the video content. Because the key information is played synchronously in the background, it is not noticeable to the user.

[0029] In an exemplary embodiment, the first playback device, which is in a standby state, powers on upon receiving a power-on command from a user and inquires the user whether to resume playback. Upon receiving the resume playback command from the user, the device reads the stored playback key information and resumes playback of the video content based on the playback key information. Because the playback key information includes the video address and playback timestamp, the first playback device can synchronize the playback progress of the video content with the last playback device that played the video content, thereby enabling continued playback of the video content.

[0030] In an exemplary embodiment, the method further includes: upon receiving a wake-up command from another playback device, the first playback device, which is in a powered-on state, sends a message in the background to the other playback device to obtain key playback information; upon receiving the key playback information sent by the other playback device, saves the key playback information and asks a user whether to continue playback; and upon receiving a resume playback command from the user, reads the saved key playback information and resumes playback of the video content based on the key playback information. Through this step, the powered-on first playback device can still achieve continued playback.

[0031] In an exemplary embodiment, the method further includes: the first playback device sending a message in the background to the other playback devices to obtain key playback information. After receiving and storing the key playback information sent by the other playback devices, the method further includes: if no power-on command from the user is received within a preset time period, the first playback device continues to enter a standby state in the background. After being awakened, the first playback device synchronously plays the key information in the background, but if no power-on command is received within the preset time period, it continues to enter standby mode to conserve resources.

[0032] In an exemplary embodiment, after detecting that there are multiple awakenable playback devices in the current local area network, the user is asked which playback device to use to continue playback; when sending a wake-up instruction, the wake-up instruction is sent to the playback device selected by the user. This allows for continued playback on the designated playback device.

[0033] In an exemplary embodiment, the key playback information may further include one or more of the following: a playback device identifier, a playback program identifier, so that the user can make a selection. Such information may be prompted to the user to facilitate the user's selection.

[0034] The present disclosure also provides a playback device capable of achieving continuous playback, such as Figure 2 As shown, the playback device includes a display module for displaying playback content, a processing module, a connection module and a storage module, wherein: The processing module is configured to, upon receiving a shutdown instruction from a user during playback of video content on the display module, inquire of the user whether to continue playback using another playback device; upon receiving an instruction from the user to continue playback using another playback device, shut down the display module, capture key playback information and store it in the storage module, and send a wake-up instruction to the other playback device via the connection module; upon receiving a message from the other playback device requesting the acquisition of key playback information, send the key playback information stored in the storage module to the other playback device via the connection module, so that the other playback device can continue playback of the video content, the key playback information including video content address information and timestamp information; The storage module is used to store the captured key playback information; The connection module is used to send a wake-up instruction to other playback devices.

[0035] By adopting the above-mentioned playback method, the video content that the user is watching on the first playback device can be continued to be watched on other playback devices without the need for manual operation by the user, thereby improving the user experience.

[0036] The playback device also includes a power supply module for supplying power to all other modules, which is not shown in the figure.

[0037] In an exemplary embodiment, the connection module is further configured to wake up the processing module upon receiving a wake-up instruction from another playback device. The processing module is further configured to, based on the connection module's wake-up, send a message to the other playback device to obtain key playback information, and upon receiving the key playback information sent by the other playback device, store it in the storage module. The above functions can be implemented in both standby and power-on modes, with the difference being that the display module is not activated in standby mode, while the display module is operational in power-on mode. However, the connection module's wake-up operation and the processing module's synchronization of key playback information are both imperceptible to the user.

[0038] In an exemplary embodiment, the processing module is also used to control the operation of the display module after receiving a power-on command sent by the user, and to ask the user whether to continue playing; after receiving the instruction to continue playing sent by the user, the saved playback key information is read from the storage module, and the display module is controlled to continue playing the video content according to the playback key information.

[0039] The processing module may be a processor such as a CPU, and the connection module may be, for example, a Wi-Fi module.

[0040] The method of the embodiment of the present disclosure is illustrated through several application examples. Hereinafter, TV 1 is referred to as the first playback device, and TV 2 is referred to as the second playback device. Each device includes a power module, a storage module, a display module, a processing module, and a connection module. TV 1 includes power module 1, storage module 1, display module 1, processing module 1, and connection module 1; TV 2 includes power module 2, storage module 2, display module 2, processing module 2, and connection module 2; and so on.

[0041] During the playback process of TV 1, the content that the user may watch includes but is not limited to any of the following: 1) Network videos provided by operators, such as video content provided by playback devices that support the IPTV protocol (such as TV boxes or smart TVs themselves); 2) Video resources provided by the application (app) installed on the local computer; 3) Videos played by users through screen casting During playback of these resources, the processing module captures key information and stores it in the storage module. This key information includes, but is not limited to, the URL and timestamp of the currently playing video content. The processing module can obtain the video URL by interacting with relevant modules in the playback device (such as the IPTV module or the playback app).

[0042] The timing for the processing module to capture key information may be, for example, once when the user exits the playback, or at least once before the user selects "TV 2 Watch", without the need for real-time capture to save resources.

[0043] Scenario 1 In this scenario, the user is watching TV 1. To go from the room where TV 1 is located to the room where TV 2 is located, the user needs to turn off TV 1 and turn on TV 2. The operation to be achieved is that TV 2 continues to play the content of TV 1. The operation process is as follows Figure 3 Shown, including: 1.1. When TV 1 is in playback mode, the user presses the standby button (for powering off) on the TV 1 remote control. TV 1 processing module 1 receives the power-off command (or standby command) and displays a prompt interface to the user via display module 1, allowing the user to select the next step. The prompt interface provides options such as "Power off" and "Continue watching on another TV." If the user selects "Power off," step 1.2 is executed. If the user selects "Continue watching on another TV," step 1.3 is executed. "Continue watching on another TV" indicates that the user wants to continue watching the current program on another TV. In an exemplary embodiment, if processing module 1 has previously executed this process on another TV, it can provide the user with more detailed options, such as "Continue watching on TV 2" and / or "Continue watching on TV 3." This can list all other TVs that have previously continued watching the program for the user to select. Alternatively, the user can be prompted after selecting "Continue watching on another TV." The description of the operation options herein is for illustrative purposes only, and the specific prompt content can be adjusted as needed.

[0044] 1.2. The user selects the "Shutdown" operation option. Processing module 1 receives the user's shutdown instruction and instructs power module 1 to cut off the power supply of display module 1. Display module 1 turns off the screen of TV 1 (the backlight of TV 1 is now off, and the user perceives that TV 1 is off). Processing module 1 also captures (or updates) the last played content information before shutdown (e.g., including the URL of the video being watched and any applications opened by the user) and the corresponding timestamp information. After saving this key information to storage module 1, processing module 1 enters a standby state, and connection module (e.g., Wi-Fi module) 1 is in operation, awaiting subsequent network wake-up actions. In other examples, in addition to capturing playback content information upon receiving a "power off" command, processing module 1 may also record user actions during viewing on television 1 and store the playback content information in storage module 1. While timestamp information may be acquired in advance, acquiring it after the user clicks the standby button allows for the most recent timestamp, i.e., the latest playback progress, to be obtained. This timestamp will serve as the starting time for continued playback, thereby providing a better user experience.

[0045] The key to retaining the playback information when the user selects the "Power Off" option is that even if the user does not currently turn on the other TV, the user can still continue watching the program the next time they turn on TV 1 or TV 2. For example, if the user is busy and unable to continue watching TV, or needs to take a break, they can still continue watching the program the next time they want to.

[0046] 1.3, the user selects the "continue watching on another TV" operation option, the processing module 1 receives the instruction that the user chooses to watch on another TV, instructs the power module 1 to cut off the power of the display module 1, and the display module 1 turns off the screen of TV 1, so that the user can feel that TV 1 has entered the standby state, but at this time the processing module 1 is still in the working mode, the processing module 1 captures (or updates) the last played content information and the corresponding timestamp information before shutdown, saves it to the storage module 1, and sends a network wake-up instruction to other TVs (such as TV 2) through the connection module 1, so as to wake up TV 2 in the same local area network. After receiving the wake-up instruction from the connection module 1, the connection module 2 instructs the power module 2 to power TV 2. The awakening of TV 2 is imperceptible to the user, and the user sees that TV 2 is still in standby mode; however, at this time, the main modules of TV 2, including but not limited to: processing module 2, storage module 2 and connection module 2, are all started, and processing module 2 obtains key playback information from storage module 1 of TV 1, and the information is transmitted to connection module 2 through connection module 1 and stored in storage module 2; in this way, when the user uses the remote control to input the power-on command of TV 2, processing unit 2 can obtain key playback information from storage module 2, find the content URL, instruct display module 2 to start, and start playing from the timestamp position saved in storage module 2, thereby achieving the effect of TV 2 continuing the playback content of TV 1; The connection module 1 sends a network wake-up command to other TVs in the local area network. Wake-on-LAN (WOL) technology can be used to wake up the device to run by sending a data packet in a specific format to the connection module of the awakened device that is in a shutdown or sleep state. The data packet can be a broadcast frame containing the address information of the target device (such as a MAC address). The address information allows the data packet to be uniquely identified in the network.

[0047] In an exemplary embodiment, if the user has turned on TV 2 when TV 1 selects "Continue watching on other TVs", but because TV 1 does not know that TV 2 is in the turned-on state, TV 1 still sends a wake-up command to TV 2, and the connection module 2 of TV 2 wakes up the processing module 2, but because the processing module 2 is already in working state at this time, the processing module 2 directly sends a message to the processing module 1 through the connection module 1 to obtain the key information of playback. After obtaining the key information of playback, a prompt interface pops up to the user through the display module 2 for the user to choose the next operation. The operation options given in the prompt interface include, for example: "Continue watching" and "Give up". If the user chooses "Continue watching", follow step 2.3 in the next scene. If the user chooses "Give up", TV 2 continues to play the current program.

[0048] Subsequently, when the user presses the standby button (for powering off) on the remote control for TV 2, TV 2 executes steps 1.1 through 1.3 as TV 1. At this point, TV 2's processing module 2 receives the standby command and displays a prompt interface for the user to select the next step. The interface provides options such as "Power Off" and "Continue Watching on Other TVs." If the user selects "Power Off," TV 2 proceeds as described in step 1.2 above: display module 2 shuts down, processing module 2 captures key playback information (including the last played content and timestamp) and saves it to storage module 2, and Wi-Fi module 2 waits to be awakened. TV 2 enters standby mode. If the user selects "Continue watching on other TVs", TV 2 operates as in step 1.3 above, i.e., processing module 2 captures the key playback information and saves it in storage module 2. Processing module 2 sends a network wake-up command to WiFi module 1 of TV 1 via WiFi module 2, waking up other TVs (such as TV 1) in the same local area network. Processing module 1 of TV 1 obtains the key playback information from storage module 2 and saves it in storage module 1, waiting for the user to input the power-on command using the remote control before starting up.

[0049] In an exemplary embodiment, a waiting time T can be set. For example, in step 1.3, within the time T after the user selects "Watch on TV 2", if the user does not press the remote control to start TV 2 for watching, TV 2 automatically enters the standby state, and the wifi module 2 is still turned on to support the network wake-up function, so that the content watched on other TVs can be synchronized in time.

[0050] The above scenario in this embodiment is only an example, and whether or not to change the room is not a necessary condition.

[0051] According to the description of the above scenario, both TV 1 and TV 2 have the function of continuous playback, and their roles can be interchanged.

[0052] The features or steps in each scenario in this article can be combined with each other if they do not conflict. For example, the waiting time mentioned in this scenario can also be set in other scenarios.

[0053] Scenario 2 The above scenario 1 is described from the perspective of TV 1, and this scenario 2 is described from the perspective of TV 2. The operation process is as follows Figure 4 Shown, including: 2.1. TV 2 is in standby mode. The user presses the standby button (for turning on TV 2) on the TV remote control. TV 2 processing module 2 receives the power-on button command (or power-on command) and displays a prompt interface to the user via display module 2 for the user to select the next step. The prompt interface provides operation options such as "Continue Watching" and "Cancel". If the user selects the "Cancel" operation option, step 2.2 is executed. If the user selects the "Continue Watching" operation option, step 2.3 is executed. "Continue Watching" means that the user wants to continue watching the content played on another TV on the current TV. "Give Up" means not to continue watching and turn on the TV normally.

[0054] Before step 2.1, the operation of TV 2 also includes: connection module 2 receives the wake-up instruction from connection module 1, wakes up processing module 2 and storage module 2 in the device, processing module 2 sends a message to processing module 1 through connection module 2 to obtain key playback information, receives the key playback information in storage module 1 sent by connection module 1, and saves it in storage module 2. Alternatively, if TV 2 is already in the on state, then after connection module 2 receives the wake-up instruction from connection module 1, connection module 2 triggers connection module 2 to wake up processing module 2, but processing module 2 is already in the working state at this time, then processing module 2 directly sends a message to processing module 1 through connection module 1 to obtain key playback information. After obtaining the key playback information, a prompt interface is popped up to the user through display module 2 for the user to select the next operation. If the user selects "Continue Watching", step 203 is executed. If the user selects "Give Up", TV 2 continues to play the current program.

[0055] 2.2, the user selects "Avoid", and the TV 2 starts up according to the normal boot process; 2.3, the user selects "Continue Watching", at which time the processing module 2 reads the playback key information from the local storage module 2. If the playback key information is read, the URL corresponding to the video content is found and playback starts from the saved timestamp position. If the playback key information is not read, the user may be prompted that there is no stored record; 2.4. During playback on TV 2, when the user presses the standby button (for powering off) on the TV 2 remote control, TV 2 processing module 2 receives the power-off command and displays a prompt interface to the user via display module 2, allowing the user to select the next step. The operation options provided on the operation interface include, for example, "Power off" and "Continue watching on another TV." The above step 2.4 can be the same as step 1.1 in scenario 1.

[0056] In an exemplary embodiment, the process in this scenario can be executed after step 1.3 of the above scenario 1, or can be executed before step 1.1 of the above scenario. In this case, TV 2 in scenario 2 is TV 1 in scenario 1, that is, the execution steps of TV 1 in step 1.1 in scenario 1 before turning on can refer to TV 2 in scenario 2.

[0057] Scenario 3 This scenario describes the complete process and provides instructions for the case where there are more than two TVs in the current environment.

[0058] When the user selects "Continue watching", the processing module 1 of the TV 1 pops up a prompt interface 2 for the user to select. The available options include: "Continue watching" and "Give up". If the user selects "Give up", the TV 1 is turned on according to the normal startup process. At this time, the user selects a video to play. After playing for a while, the user wants to continue watching the video on the TV 2. The user clicks the standby button of the remote control (for shutting down). The processing module 1 receives the shutdown instruction. The processing module 1 pops up a prompt interface 2 for the user to select through the display module 1. The available options include: "Shut down" and "Continue watching on other TVs". At this time, the user selects "Continue watching on other TVs". After receiving the instruction selected by the user, the processing module 1 captures the key information of the playback of the current video and instructs the connection module 1 to send a network wake-up instruction to the other TVs. At this time, the connection module 1 detects that there are two TVs in the network and can pop up a prompt interface 3 to the user again to display all devices that can be played continuously, so that the user can choose which device to continue playing.

[0059] Exemplarily, the above-mentioned prompt interface 2 and prompt interface 3 can be merged, that is, a prompt interface is provided for users to choose, and the operation options given by the prompt interface include, for example: "Shut down", "Continue watching on TV 2" and "Continue watching on TV 3", that is, the processing module 1 can pre-detect the playback devices that can be awakened in the network, and display all devices in the prompt interface 2, and the user can directly select which device to continue playing.

[0060] After the user selects TV 2 to continue playing, the processing module 1 controls the display module 1 to turn off the screen of TV 1, and at the same time sends a wake-up instruction to the connection module 2 of TV 2 through the connection module 1. After receiving the wake-up instruction, the connection module 2 wakes up the processing module 2. After being woken up, the processing module 2 sends a message to TV 1 to obtain the key information of playback. After receiving the message, the processing module 1 of TV 1 reads the key information of playback from the storage module 1 and sends it to TV 2 through the connection module 1, or instructs the storage module 1 to send the key information of playback to TV 2 through the connection module 1. After receiving the key information of playback, the connection module 2 saves it to the storage module 2. From the user's perspective, after clicking the standby button of TV 1, TV 1 enters the standby state, but in fact the processing module will enter the standby state only after performing the above operations in the background, but the connection module 1 of TV 1 is in operation to handle network wake-up, such as periodically scanning to determine whether a wake-up instruction has been received.

[0061] When the user turns on TV 2, TV 2 processing module 2 pops up prompt interface 4 through display module 2 for user selection. Interface 4 is the same as interface 1. The available options include: "Continue watching" and "Give up". If the user chooses "Continue watching", the processing module 2 reads the playback key information from the local storage module 2, finds the URL corresponding to the video content, and starts playing from the saved timestamp position.

[0062] Exemplarily, when there are multiple televisions, the storage module may need to store playback key information from different playback devices. In this case, the playback key information may also include a device identifier. An exemplary implementation is that the storage module only stores the playback key information with the latest timestamp, and in this case, only the video corresponding to the playback key information is played. Another exemplary implementation is that the storage module stores multiple playback key information within a preset time period. The methods that can be used during playback include: Method 1, before playback, the prompt interface allows the user to select the content they want to continue watching. The content displayed on the prompt interface includes but is not limited to keywords for the playback key information, such as the video name. In addition, it may also include the source device of the playback key information. Method 2, the latest playback key information is played by default, that is, the video corresponding to the latest timestamp, and at the same time, the prompt interface prompts the user to switch to other content that can be watched continuously. The user can make a selection within the window time of the prompt interface. After the window time is exceeded, the prompt interface is closed.

[0063] The above embodiment is illustrated by taking the example of continuous playback from one playback device to another playback device. In an exemplary embodiment, the above playback method can also be extended to continuous playback from one playback device to multiple playback devices. For example, in the above interface 2, the user selects other playback devices to play, and the connection module can send a wake-up command to other playback devices in the same local area network to synchronize the key playback information to each playback device in the local area network.

[0064] The above description only uses a television as an example, and the playback device may also include other playback devices that can play video content, as long as they can implement the method of this embodiment in real time.

[0065] The disclosed embodiment is based on the continuous playback of content on multiple playback devices within a local area network. The home environment is only a typical application scenario. In addition to the home scenario, the method of this embodiment can also be used for continuous playback in other application scenarios where necessary.

[0066] The television can be a smart TV with a motherboard running an intelligent system (e.g., Android). In addition to using a smart TV to implement the aforementioned method for continuous playback, the method can also be applied to digital TV set-top boxes. For example, when each TV is connected to a set-top box, the set-top box can execute the aforementioned method for continuous playback. In this case, the set-top box has the functions of a processing module, a storage module, and a connection module, and the TV connected to the set-top box serves as a display module.

[0067] Through the method of this embodiment, it is possible to achieve continuous playback of content between multiple playback devices within the local area network. Multiple devices can play content synchronously without server support, which is particularly suitable for home environments and solves the problem that users cannot continue to watch previously played content after changing rooms. The user's operation line is reduced from: "turn off the TV in room 1 - turn on the TV in room 2 - open the APP on TV 2 - find the program - drag the progress bar to find the last watched position" or "turn off the TV in room 1 - turn on the TV in room 2 - re-cast the screen - drag the progress bar to find the last watched position" to: "turn off the TV in room 1 - turn on the TV in room 2 - continue playing the program", thereby improving the user experience.

[0068] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that all or some of the steps, systems, and functional modules / units in the methods, systems, and devices disclosed above may be implemented as software, firmware, hardware, or any combination thereof. In hardware implementations, the division between functional modules / units described above does not necessarily correspond to the division between physical components; for example, a physical component may have multiple functions, or a function or step may be performed collaboratively by several physical components. Some or all components may be implemented as software executed by a processor, such as a digital signal processor or microprocessor, or as hardware, or as an integrated circuit, such as an application-specific integrated circuit. Such software may be distributed on computer-readable media, which may include computer storage media (or non-transitory media) and communication media (or transient media). As is well known to those skilled in the art, the term "computer storage media" encompasses volatile and non-volatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storing information, such as computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data. Computer storage media includes, but is not limited to, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disks (DVD) or other optical disk storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium that can be used to store the desired information and can be accessed by a computer. In addition, as is well known to those skilled in the art, communication media typically embodies computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data in a modulated data signal such as a carrier wave or other transport mechanism, and may include any information delivery media.

[0069] Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," etc., are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be understood to indicate or imply relative importance or to implicitly specify the quantity of the technical features being referred to. Thus, a feature defined as "first," "second," etc. may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of the features.

[0070] In the description of the present application, “a plurality of” means at least two, for example, two, three, etc., unless otherwise clearly and specifically defined.

[0071] In the description of this specification, the description with reference to the terms "one embodiment", "some embodiments", "example", "specific example" or "some examples" means that the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics described in conjunction with the embodiment or example are included in at least one embodiment or example of the present application. In this specification, the schematic expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Moreover, the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics described can be combined in any one or more embodiments or examples in a suitable manner. In addition, those skilled in the art can combine and combine different embodiments or examples described in this specification and features of different embodiments or examples without contradiction.

[0072] Although the embodiments of the present application have been shown and described above, it can be understood that the above embodiments are exemplary and cannot be understood as limitations on the present application. Ordinary technicians in this field can change, modify, replace and modify the above embodiments within the scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A playback method, characterized in that: For achieving continuous playback, the method includes: When the first playback device is playing video content, it receives a shutdown instruction sent by the user and asks the user whether to continue playing using another playback device; Receive an instruction from the user to continue playing using other playback devices, capture and save the key playback information, and send a wake-up instruction to other playback devices in the same local area network; receive a message from other playback devices to obtain key playback information, and send the saved key playback information to the other playback devices so that the other playback devices can continue to play the video content, wherein the key playback information includes video content address information and timestamp information.

2. The playback method according to claim 1, wherein: The method further comprises: After receiving the wake-up instruction sent by other playback devices, the first playback device in the standby state sends a message to the other playback devices in the background to obtain the key playback information, and saves the key playback information sent by the other playback devices after receiving it.

3. The playback method according to claim 2, characterized in that: The method further comprises: The first playback device in a standby state receives a power-on instruction from the user and powers on, and asks the user whether to continue playback; Receive the instruction of continuing to play sent by the user, read the saved key information of play, and continue to play the video content according to the key information of play.

4. The playback method according to claim 1, wherein: The method further comprises: After receiving the wake-up command sent by other playback devices, the first playback device in the turned-on state sends a message to the other playback devices in the background to obtain playback key information. After receiving the playback key information sent by the other playback devices, it saves it and asks the user whether to continue playing; after receiving the continue playback command sent by the user, it reads the saved playback key information and continues to play the video content according to the playback key information.

5. The playback method according to claim 2, characterized in that: The first playback device sends a message to the other playback devices in the background to obtain playback key information. After receiving and saving the playback key information sent by the other playback devices, the method also includes: if no power-on command sent by the user is received within a preset time, the first playback device continues to enter the standby state in the background.

6. The playback method according to claim 1, characterized in that: The step of asking the user whether to use another playback device to continue playing includes: after detecting that there are multiple playback devices that can be awakened in the current local area network, asking the user which playback device to use to continue playing; The sending of the wake-up instruction to other playback devices in the same local area network includes: sending the wake-up instruction to the playback device selected by the user.

7. The playback method according to claim 1 or 6, characterized in that: The key playback information also includes one or more of the following: playback device identification, playback program identification.

8. A playback device, characterized in that: For achieving continuous playback, the playback device includes a processing module, a connection module, a storage module, and a display module for displaying the playback content, wherein: The processing module is configured to, upon receiving a shutdown instruction from a user during playback of video content on the display module, inquire of the user whether to continue playback using another playback device; upon receiving an instruction from the user to continue playback using another playback device, shut down the display module, capture key playback information and store it in the storage module, and send a wake-up instruction to the other playback device via the connection module; upon receiving a message from the other playback device requesting the acquisition of key playback information, send the key playback information stored in the storage module to the other playback device via the connection module, so that the other playback device can continue playback of the video content, the key playback information including video content address information and timestamp information; The storage module is used to store the captured key playback information; The connection module is used to send a wake-up instruction to other playback devices.

9. The playback device according to claim 8, characterized in that The connection module is further configured to wake up the processing module after receiving a wake-up instruction sent by other playback devices; The processing module is further configured to send a message for acquiring key playback information to other playback devices based on the awakening of the connection module, and store the key playback information sent by the other playback devices in the storage module after receiving the key playback information.

10. The playback device according to claim 9, characterized in that The processing module is also used to control the display module to work after receiving the power-on command sent by the user, and to ask the user whether to continue playing; after receiving the continue playing command sent by the user, read the saved playback key information from the storage module, and control the display module to continue playing the video content according to the playback key information.

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