Media Playback Queue Appending for Multi-Device Coordination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional media file playback management in multi-device scenarios lacks flexibility, often requiring immediate interruption of the current media file when a new play request is received, which is undesirable and complicates queue management.
Innovation Solution
A method where a user device receiving a play request determines if a media file is currently playing and appends the new media file to the play queue without interrupting the current playback, allowing for flexible management of media playback lists and override capabilities for immediate play if needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a new media file is played immediately upon receiving a play request, then the responsiveness to user requests is improved, but the current media playback is interrupted causing loss of continuous playback
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by checking the current playback state before executing the play request. If media is currently playing, the new media file is appended to the queue rather than played immediately, preserving the current playback while preparing for future playback. This preliminary check and conditional queueing resolves the contradiction between responsiveness and continuous playback.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple media files are managed in a play queue, then the flexibility in controlling media playback lists is improved, but the complexity of queue management increases
Solution Approach 1:
The media playback system is segmented into distinct components: the currently playing media file, the play queue containing pending files, and the control logic. This segmentation allows independent management of each component, simplifying the overall system while providing flexible playback control. The queue operates as a separate entity from active playback, reducing management complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If play requests from multiple devices are accepted, then the coordination capability in multi-device scenarios is improved, but the complexity of managing multiple source devices increases
Solution Approach 1:
The play request handling mechanism is designed with universality to accept and process requests from any number of source devices through a common interface. The destination device maintains a single play queue that can be populated by multiple sources, and the control logic uniformly handles requests regardless of origin. This multi-functional design enables multi-device coordination without proportionally increasing management complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
An aspect provides a method, including: receiving a play request at a first user device, the received play request being transmitted from at least one other user device; determining if a media file is currently being played at the first user device; and responsive to determining that a media file is currently being played at the first user device, appending, at the first user device, a media file associated with the received play request to a media play queue of the first user device. Other aspects are described and claimed.