Synchronized Media Playback Sharing System

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing media sharing technologies fail to enable seamless sharing of viewing experiences among distributed users, particularly over the internet, leading to unsynchronized viewing and inefficient bandwidth usage.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus for sharing viewing information between users, allowing designated users to receive and synchronize media program playback, utilizing a media program provider that accepts user designations and transmits viewing information, enabling synchronized media playback and chat functionality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If media programs are transmitted to multiple users separately, then each user can access the media independently, but bandwidth consumption increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser access flexibilityVSAvoidbandwidth consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines media transmission for multiple users into a single synchronized stream. The media program is transmitted once to a first user, and simultaneously made available to a second user through the same or different delivery path, eliminating redundant transmissions and reducing overall bandwidth consumption while maintaining user access flexibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system introduces a coordination mechanism (server or peer) that acts as an intermediary to manage synchronized playback across multiple users. This intermediary coordinates the media delivery, ensures synchronization, and manages the sharing process without requiring each user to receive independent copies of the media

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If users watch media programs independently at different times, then viewing flexibility is maintained, but the shared viewing experience and real-time discussion are lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveviewing flexibilityVSAvoidreal-time interaction information

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system incorporates feedback mechanisms that enable real-time communication between users during synchronized media playback. Users can exchange messages, comments, or discussion data while watching the same media simultaneously, preserving the social aspect of viewing and enabling real-time interaction that would be lost in independent viewing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If the entire media file is downloaded before playback, then playback quality is ensured, but the user cannot fast-forward or access specific portions until the entire file is delivered

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveplayback qualityVSAvoidrandom access capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the media file into smaller portions or chunks that can be transmitted and accessed independently. This allows users to request specific segments for fast-forwarding or random access while maintaining the ability to play the complete media program, combining the benefits of progressive access with playback quality assurance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS9826007B2Method and apparatus for sharing viewing information

Publication Date: 2017.11.21 HULU LLC

AI summary

A method and apparatus for sharing viewing information is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method comprises receiving an designation of a second user from the first user; and transmitting the first user viewing information to the designated second user. The shared viewing information may comprise the identity of a currently viewed media program, a list of scheduled media program viewings, or the media program itself.