Media Playback Transfer Using Place Markers and Local Networks

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing media playback systems fail to seamlessly transition media content from one device to another without requiring user intervention, leading to inefficiencies and disruptions in media consumption.

Innovation Solution

A system that detects when a user stops using a first device and automatically transfers media content to a second device, using proximity sensors and local networks to continue playback from the same point, reducing the need for user interaction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If media content playback is manually transferred between devices, then playback continuity can be maintained, but user interaction complexity and time consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveplayback continuityVSAvoiduser interaction complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically detects user presence at different devices and initiates playback transfer without user intervention. The server monitors device proximity and usage patterns, automatically redirecting media content to the appropriate device, thereby eliminating manual transfer operations while maintaining playback continuity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors user presence information from multiple devices and provides real-time feedback to determine when playback transfer is needed. By analyzing device proximity and usage status, the system dynamically adjusts playback routing, ensuring continuity while minimizing user interaction requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Duration of action of moving object

If media content is transferred between devices, then playback can continue on different devices, but data transmission time and network resources increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveplayback availabilityVSAvoiddata transmission time
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of moving objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system pre-loads media content data to the user's portable device before actual playback is needed. By anticipating user movement between devices and pre-positioning content locally, the system eliminates real-time transfer delays when the user switches devices, maintaining seamless playback availability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The server acts as an intermediary that manages content delivery between storage sources and user devices. It intelligently routes content transfers, using local network paths when available and caching content strategically, thereby reducing overall transmission time and network resource consumption during device transitions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Extent of automation

If automatic device detection is implemented, then playback transfer becomes seamless, but system complexity and detection requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveplayback transfer automationVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses a universal device identifier and presence detection mechanism that works across multiple device types (smartphones, tablets, computers, smart TVs). By implementing a single multi-functional detection protocol rather than device-specific solutions, the system achieves high automation while controlling complexity through standardization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The server acts as a central intermediary that consolidates presence detection logic, reducing the complexity burden on individual client devices. Each device only needs to report basic presence information to the server, which then handles the complex analysis and coordination of playback transfers, simplifying the overall system architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP4033375B1Continuation of playback of media content by different output devices
Publication Date: 2026.02.18 GOOGLE LLC
  • EP4033375B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4033375B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4033375B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method for transferring content streams between user devices comprises: causing a stream of media content to be presented by a first media playback device, wherein the first media playback device is paired with a user device; receiving a first user input indicating that presentation of the stream of media content by the first media playback device is to be transferred to a second media playback device, wherein the user device is paired with the second media playback device; determining a place marker for the stream of media content indicating a portion of the stream of media content that has been presented by the first media playback device when the user input was received; and causing the stream of media content to continue being presented by the second media playback device by transmitting a first remaining portion of the stream of media content subsequent to the portion of the stream of media content indicated by the place marker from the first media playback device to the second media playback device via a local network.