Dynamic Media Session Audio Sync Across Follower Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Identifying devices capable of synchronously presenting audio content associated with a video content item can be difficult, particularly in identifying follower devices that can synchronize with a leader device.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for identifying candidate follower devices on a local area network, determining their capability to synchronize audio playback, and transmitting control instructions to selected devices for synchronized audio presentation, including audio timestamps and volume control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple devices are connected to the local area network to create a richer media experience, then the audio presentation capability is improved, but the difficulty of identifying suitable follower devices increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-identifying and evaluating candidate follower devices before the user needs to synchronize audio. The leader device proactively discovers available devices on the network, assesses their audio capabilities, and prepares a list of suitable followers in advance, so when synchronization is needed, the selection process is already complete or near-complete.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary evaluation mechanism that assesses device compatibility between the leader device and potential followers. This intermediary process checks audio capabilities, network connectivity, and synchronization readiness, acting as a mediator that filters and ranks candidate devices, thereby reducing the complexity of direct device identification.
2Adaptability or versatility
If follower devices are selected from available network devices, then the flexibility of device selection is improved, but the complexity of determining device capability increases
Solution Approach 1:
The capability determination process is segmented into distinct evaluation criteria: audio output capability, network connectivity status, synchronization readiness, and user availability. Each criterion is assessed separately and scored independently, allowing the system to break down the complex determination into manageable segments that can be evaluated and combined systematically.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes parameters by transforming qualitative device capabilities into quantitative scores. Each device attribute (audio quality, latency, connectivity) is converted into a numerical value, and these parameter changes enable automated comparison and ranking of candidate followers, reducing the complexity of capability determination through mathematical evaluation rather than qualitative assessment.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and media for providing dynamic media sessions with audio stream expansion features are provided. In some embodiments, the methods include: receiving an indication that audio content associated with a video content item is to be presented by a follower device synchronously with the audio content presented by the leader device; identifying candidate follower devices by determining whether devices connected to a local area network are capable of being designated as a follower device; causing a user interface to be presented that indicates each candidate follower device; receiving, via the user interface, a selection of one of the candidate follower devices; and transmitting, from the leader to the selected follower device, control instructions that cause the audio content associated with the video content item to be presented synchronously by the selected follower device with the video content item presented by the leader device.