Playback Control Connections Without Interrupting Media Streaming
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for managing media playback across networked devices lack efficient configuration, monitoring, and control, particularly in home environments with multiple smart audio/video devices, leading to complexities in pairing devices and routing media data effectively.
Innovation Solution
A system that allows remote control devices to establish quiet control connections with playback devices to obtain status information and send commands without interrupting the master streaming connection, enabling dynamic grouping of devices, automatic pairing of authorized users, and contextual routing of media based on device capabilities and context.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a playback device accepts only a single master streaming connection, then streaming quality and connection stability are improved, but control functionality from remote devices is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the connection functionality into two distinct types: master streaming connections (limited to one) and control connections (allowing multiple). This segmentation allows the playback device to maintain stable audio streaming from a single source while simultaneously accepting control commands from multiple remote devices through separate control connection channels.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces control connections as an intermediary mechanism that enables remote devices to communicate control commands to the playback device without becoming master streaming connections. This intermediary channel allows control functionality while preserving the single-master-streaming-connection architecture for audio quality.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple user devices are paired with a playback device, then each user can control playback independently, but the pairing process becomes time-consuming and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by having a single user device perform the pairing process with the playback device in advance. Once paired, this device can share control capabilities with other user devices through the network, eliminating the need for each user device to individually pair with the playback device.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses copying by allowing control credentials or access tokens to be replicated from one paired user device to multiple other user devices. This enables multiple users to gain control access without each device undergoing the full pairing process, significantly reducing setup time while maintaining secure multi-user access.
3Adaptability or versatility
If playback devices are dynamically grouped based on real-time conditions, then routing flexibility is improved, but device complexity and processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic grouping where playback devices are automatically organized into groups based on real-time network conditions, device availability, and user preferences. These groups can be dynamically created, modified, or dissolved without manual intervention, allowing the system to adapt to changing environments while maintaining manageable complexity through automated logic.
Data Source
AI summary
In some implementations, a system can be configured to allow remote control devices to quietly obtain status information related to various audio/video playback devices. For example, a streaming device (e.g., a user device, phone, etc.) can establish a streaming connection to a playback device. The playback device can be configured to only accept a single streaming connection (i.e., master connection). A remote control device (e.g., a user device, phone, etc.) can quietly connect (i.e., control connection) to the playback device without interrupting the master connection to obtain status information related to the playback device and or the media being streamed to the playback device. The remote control device can provide commands through the control connection to adjust the playback of the streamed media at the playback device.