Seamless Audiovisual Content Transfer Across Networked Devices
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Users face difficulties in seamlessly transferring audiovisual content between devices in a network, especially when changing locations, as existing technologies require users to restart playback or miss content due to device power states and compatibility issues.
Innovation Solution
A method that allows audiovisual content to be transferred across a network to a user-selected location, enabling seamless continuation of playback without the need for re-tuning or re-locating playback positions, even when devices are in low power or turned off, by maintaining network awareness of devices in these states and using 'live pause' functionality for broadcast content.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If existing UPnP and DLNA protocols are used for transferring audiovisual content between devices, then network connectivity and device discovery are enabled, but seamless continuation of playback across different locations cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by storing playback state information (position, timestamp, device identifiers) before the user actually moves to a new location. When playback is interrupted at a first device, the system proactively records the exact playback point and prepares this information for transfer, so that when the user arrives at the second device, the playback position is already predetermined and ready for seamless continuation without requiring the user to manually search or re-tune.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a network controller or central management system as an intermediary that coordinates between multiple playback devices. This intermediary maintains a registry of playback states across the network and facilitates the transfer of playback information between devices. When a user moves from one device to another, the intermediary enables the second device to assume the playback state from the first device, eliminating the need for manual intervention and achieving seamless continuation.
2Use of energy by moving object
If devices are turned off or in low power state to save energy, then power consumption is reduced, but the devices cannot be immediately accessed for content transfer
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary registration and state preservation actions while devices are in low power state. Playback state information is stored on the network controller or in cloud storage before the device is fully powered down. This allows the device to maintain minimal power consumption while still enabling future playback continuation, as the critical playback data is already preserved externally and will be automatically transferred when the device is next activated.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a copying mechanism where playback state information is replicated from the active device to the network controller or secondary storage. Instead of requiring the original device to remain fully powered and accessible, the system creates a copy of the playback state (including position, timestamp, and content identifier) that can be retrieved and transferred to another device. This copying approach maintains device accessibility for content transfer while allowing the original device to enter low power state.
3Ease of operation
If broadcast content is being viewed and user changes location, then the user may wish to continue watching, but the broadcast may have progressed or the device may need to re-connect to the network
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary capture and buffering of broadcast content. When broadcast content is being viewed at a first device, the system proactively buffers the broadcast stream and records the exact playback position and timestamp. This preliminary buffering allows the content to be stored locally or on the network before the user actually moves to a new location. When the user arrives at the second device, the pre-buffered content is already available for immediate playback continuation without requiring re-tuning or network re-connection delays.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic buffering and state updates for broadcast content. Instead of relying on real-time network connection at the moment of device switching, the system periodically captures and stores broadcast segments in advance. This periodic action ensures that content is continuously pre-loaded and ready, so when a user changes devices, the playback can resume from the last buffered position without interruption or delay for network re-connection.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
The invention relates to providing audiovisual content on a network, and methods of transferring the audiovisual content between devices attached to the network. The methods involve accepting user input, at a first output device that is outputting audiovisual content, to select a second output device from the output devices associated with the network and subsequently outputting the audiovisual content on the second output device that is selected.