Multimedia Playback Buffer Management for Backward Seek Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless multimedia transmission systems face inefficiencies when a user inputs a control command to change the playback position, as they often require retransmitting already sent multimedia content, leading to unnecessary data transfer and buffer management issues.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that utilize a buffer storage capability communication between source and sink devices to determine and adjust the playback position based on user commands, optimizing data retransmission by notifying the sink device of the appropriate play position within its buffer capacity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the source device retransmits multimedia contents from the checked play position, then the sink device can play contents from the desired position, but redundant data transfer occurs and buffer efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The sink device pre-stores multimedia contents in its buffer before playback. When a backward seek command is received, the sink device can directly retrieve and play the requested portion from its buffer without requiring the source device to retransmit, thus eliminating redundant data transfer while maintaining seamless backward seek functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The sink device buffer acts as an intermediary storage between the source device and playback. Instead of the source device directly retransmitting data, the sink device uses its buffer to store and serve the requested content, reducing the communication burden and redundant transmissions
2Reliability
If the source device stores data in buffer for real-time transmission, then continuous playback is ensured, but buffer management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of the source device managing buffer operations for backward seek, the patent inverts the approach by having the sink device manage its own buffer. The sink device receives initial content transmission, stores it locally, and autonomously handles backward seek operations by retrieving from its buffer, simplifying the source device's buffer management complexity while ensuring continuous playback
3Speed
If multimedia contents are transmitted on real-time basis, then transmission speed is maintained, but backward seek requires retransmission of already sent data
Solution Approach 1:
The sink device pre-receives and stores multimedia contents in its buffer during the initial real-time transmission phase. When backward seek is commanded, the sink device immediately retrieves the requested content from its buffer without waiting for retransmission, eliminating acquisition time loss while maintaining real-time transmission speed for initial content delivery
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a method for playing multimedia contents in a first device of a communication system, the method including receiving a buffer storage capability of a second device from the second device, upon receiving a User Backward Seek (UIBC) command from the second device, determining a play position from which multimedia contents are to be played according to the UIBC command in a buffer of the second device based on the buffer storage capability of the second device, and notifying the second device of information about the determined play position.