Communication Apparatus Playback Synchronization via Preparation Timing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Communication apparatuses experience a time difference in content reproduction positions when one apparatus receives a reproduction instruction for content from another, leading to discrepancies in playback positions during mirroring and content redirection.
Innovation Solution
The communication apparatus includes a reception unit for receiving reproduction instructions and information on the current playback position, a preparation unit for preparing content reproduction, and a control unit that adjusts the start time of content reproduction based on the preparation time, ensuring synchronization with the sending apparatus.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the communication apparatus performs content reproduction preparation after receiving the reproduction instruction, then the content can be reproduced, but a time difference occurs between the sending apparatus and the receiving apparatus causing reproduction position discrepancy
Solution Approach 1:
The receiving apparatus performs reproduction preparation in advance before actually reproducing the content. When a reproduction instruction is received, the apparatus immediately starts preparing (obtaining content from external apparatus, decoding, buffering) rather than waiting until reproduction time, thus reducing the time difference and synchronization issue between sending and receiving apparatuses
2Ease of operation
If the communication apparatus starts reproducing content at the received reproduction start position, then content reproduction is enabled, but the reproduction position lags behind the sending apparatus due to processing time
Solution Approach 1:
The receiving apparatus monitors the reproduction position of the sending apparatus and adjusts its own reproduction timing accordingly. By receiving information about the reproduction start position and timing from the sending apparatus, the receiving apparatus can synchronize its playback to match the sending apparatus's position, eliminating the lag caused by processing time
Data Source
AI summary
In a case where another communication apparatus is reproducing a content stored in an external apparatus, a communication apparatus receives an instruction to obtain the content from the external apparatus and reproduce the content and a reproduction position of the content being reproduced by the another communication apparatus from the another communication apparatus. The communication apparatus controls reproducing of the content to start from a position at a subsequent time from the received reproduction position, based on time taken for a reproduction preparation for the content.