Service Based Media Player Protocol Translation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current media player devices face challenges in supporting multiple client applications with different application-specific protocols, requiring complex porting and integration efforts due to varying programming languages and APIs, which hinders seamless playback functionality across diverse media applications.
Innovation Solution
A service-based media player module, comprising a media manager and player service, that communicates with client applications through message-based protocols, allowing simultaneous support of multiple applications with different APIs and programming languages, while maintaining an internal state machine to synchronize playback and encapsulating low-level implementation details.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple client applications with different application-specific protocols are supported, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases due to requiring multiple players for each protocol
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal player architecture where a single player component can handle multiple different application-specific protocols. The player service module acts as a universal interface that receives playback requests from various client applications using different protocols and translates them into a common internal protocol that the player can execute, eliminating the need for separate players for each protocol.
Solution Approach 2:
The player service module serves as an intermediary layer between client applications and the player. It receives protocol-specific requests from client applications, translates them into a protocol-agnostic format, and forwards them to the player. This mediator approach allows the system to support multiple protocols without increasing player complexity.
2Reliability
If separate players are created for each protocol, then reliability is improved by dedicating resources to specific applications, but productivity decreases due to increased porting workload
Solution Approach 1:
The player is designed as a universal component that can reliably serve multiple client applications through the player service module's protocol translation capability. This eliminates the need to port the player for each application, significantly reducing development workload while maintaining reliable playback functionality through a single, well-tested player implementation.
3Device complexity
If a single protocol player is used for multiple applications, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability worsens due to protocol compatibility issues
Solution Approach 1:
The player service module acts as a protocol adapter or intermediary that sits between the diverse client applications and the single-protocol player. It translates various application-specific protocols into the player's native protocol format, enabling protocol compatibility without requiring multiple players or complicating the player's internal architecture.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system are provided for simultaneously coupling to a plurality of client applications, receiving a first playback request from a first client application of the plurality of client applications, the first playback request being implemented in a first application specific protocol of the first client application, and a second playback request from a second client application of the plurality of client applications, the second playback request being implemented in a second application specific protocol of the second client application, wherein the first application specific protocol is different from the second application specific protocol and executing the first playback request and the second playback request by one or more players implemented in a single protocol.