Item-Triggered Media Playback for Immersive Multi-Room Synchronization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing media playback systems lack the ability to play specific media content in response to the presence or detection of physical or virtual items within their operational area, limiting immersive playback experiences.
Innovation Solution
A media playback system that determines the presence of physical or virtual items within its operational area and plays corresponding media content, adjusting playback parameters as items move between areas, utilizing networked devices for synchronization and control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a media playback system plays specific media content in response to detecting physical or virtual items, then user interaction and engagement are enhanced, but the device complexity increases due to item detection and content association mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The media playback system is designed to perform multiple functions: it can play media content based on user selection, detect physical items in the environment, identify virtual items from client devices, and automatically play associated media content. By integrating these diverse functions into a single system, the patent reduces the need for separate detection devices and media players, thereby managing complexity while enhancing adaptability and user interaction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism where client devices (smartphones, tablets, computers) serve as mediators between the physical/virtual environment and the media playback system. These client devices transmit item information to the playback system, which then plays associated media content. This intermediary approach allows the system to respond to detected items without requiring complex built-in detection capabilities, thus managing device complexity while maintaining versatility.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the system dynamically adjusts playback parameters as items move between areas, then immersive playback experiences are enabled, but the measurement precision requirements increase for tracking item positions
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts media playback parameters based on the real-time positions of physical or virtual items. As items move between different areas, the playback system automatically modifies which media content is played and how it is played. This dynamic response creates immersive experiences without requiring extremely high measurement precision, as the system adapts continuously to item locations rather than requiring precise static positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where the positions of physical items (detected by sensors) or virtual items (reported by client devices) are continuously monitored, and this information feeds back to control media playback parameters. This closed-loop feedback allows the system to maintain appropriate playback experiences even with moderate measurement precision, as the continuous adjustment compensates for position variations.
3Adaptability or versatility
If networked playback devices are used for synchronous playback across multiple rooms, then the system can provide flexible media content delivery, but the loss of information increases due to network transmission delays
Solution Approach 1:
The patent allows multiple playback devices across different rooms to be grouped and synchronized for playing the same media content simultaneously. By merging the playback function across networked devices, the system provides flexible media content delivery while maintaining synchronization. The grouping mechanism ensures that all devices in a group play the same content at the same time, reducing information loss despite network transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-synchronizing playback devices before media content is played. When devices are grouped for synchronous playback, the system establishes timing relationships and coordination protocols in advance. This preliminary synchronization ensures that when media content is delivered across the network, all devices can play back content with minimal delay and synchronization error, thereby reducing information loss.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments disclosed herein include one or more playback devices, server systems, and/or computing devices, individually or in combination determining that an item is present within an area comprising a playback device, wherein the item has corresponding media content associated therewith, and in response to determining that the item is present within the area comprising the playback device, causing the playback device to play the media content corresponding to the item, wherein the media content comprises one or both of audio content or video content.