Shared Media Playlist Synchronization Across Offline Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current streaming protocols and applications do not guarantee synchronized playback of media across different end-user devices due to varying connection speeds, bandwidths, and delays, and require an internet connection for media sharing.
Innovation Solution
A network of computing devices uses an application layer protocol to synchronize media playback by designating one device as a host and others as users, supporting both wired and wireless networks, and implementing a mesh network to ensure synchronized playback without internet access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If streaming protocols are used to transmit media content over a network, then media content can be accessed and played back on multiple devices, but playback synchronization across different devices cannot be guaranteed due to varying connection speeds and bandwidths
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-synchronizes playback timing by having all user devices download the complete media playlist and calculate their individual timing offsets before playback begins. The host device sends a start command that triggers synchronized playback across all devices, ensuring that despite varying connection speeds, all devices play back media at the same chronological time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements timing feedback mechanisms where the host device monitors playback status across all connected devices and adjusts timing information as needed. User devices report their playback state and timing information back to the host, enabling dynamic synchronization adjustments during playback to maintain precise timing coordination.
2Adaptability or versatility
If internet connection is required for media sharing between devices, then media content can be downloaded and streamed, but playback cannot occur in locations without internet access
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts the media sharing functionality from dependency on internet infrastructure by implementing a peer-to-peer network protocol that operates independently over local area networks. The host device acts as a media server that other devices on the same local network can connect to, completely eliminating the need for internet connection while maintaining full media sharing and synchronized playback capabilities.
3Adaptability or versatility
If different devices have different connection speeds and bandwidths, then network flexibility is improved, but playback timing synchronization deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies different quality levels of media delivery to different devices based on their individual network characteristics. The host device identifies each user device's connection capabilities and optimizes media stream quality and buffering strategies accordingly, while all devices synchronize to the same playback timeline, allowing fast devices to stream higher quality media while slow devices use lower quality streams, all playing back in sync.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a system and application for digital media that allows users to share a media playlist and synchronize playing for all connected users. The user browses their device for media files to create a playlist, and then hosts the playlist over an existing local area network or creates a Wi-Fi hotspot. The playlist may be encrypted to provide a form of digital rights management. Other users are then prompted to download the playlist and send the host a calculated playback delay. Once all users have completed downloading the playlist the hosting user is prompted to press play, pushing timing information that takes into account the largest delay to all connected users via the active local area network, resulting in all devices playing the media in synchronicity for the duration of the playlist. Additional users may opt in during playback and use the timing information to synchronize their devices' playback.