Streaming Media Handover Data Transfer Mechanism
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The efficiency of streaming media file transmission and playback is hindered by the need for a home network device to reacquire data after a handover, leading to low transmission and playback efficiency due to redundant data acquisition.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus where a first apparatus sends a playing command and unplayed data to a second apparatus upon handover, using position information and cache records to facilitate seamless playback, reducing the need for redundant data acquisition by the second apparatus.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a home network device reacquires data after handover, then playback can continue, but transmission and playback efficiency decreases due to redundant data acquisition
Solution Approach 1:
The first apparatus performs preliminary action by acquiring and storing data before handover occurs. The system pre-loads data into the buffer and maintains position information about what has been downloaded, so that when handover is needed, the second apparatus can continue from where the first apparatus left off without needing to reacquire already-downloaded data.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism involving position information and buffer data transfer. Instead of direct reacquisition from the server, the system uses the first apparatus's downloaded data as an intermediary resource that can be transferred to the second apparatus, eliminating redundant acquisition.
2Reliability
If the second apparatus reacquires data from the server after handover, then playback can resume, but time is lost due to redundant data acquisition
Solution Approach 1:
The first apparatus performs preliminary data acquisition and storage before handover. By maintaining position information about the last downloaded data segment, the system ensures that when the second apparatus needs to resume playback, it can continue from the exact position where the first apparatus stopped, without time loss for reacquiring already-downloaded data.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a copy of the downloaded data buffer from the first apparatus and transfers it to the second apparatus. This copying mechanism allows the second apparatus to resume playback immediately with the copied data buffer, eliminating the time that would otherwise be spent reacquiring data from the server.
3Reliability
If all downloaded data is sent during handover, then playback continuity is ensured, but data transmission volume increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts only the necessary portion of data for handover by using position information to identify where playback should resume. Instead of transferring the entire downloaded buffer, the system extracts only the data from the current playback position forward, significantly reducing the data transmission volume while ensuring playback continuity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by transferring only the necessary portion of data required for continuous playback after handover. The system calculates the exact data range needed based on position information and transfers only that partial amount, rather than unnecessarily transferring the complete downloaded buffer.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for playing a streaming media file, which can improve transmission and playing efficiency of a streaming media file. The method includes: playing, by a first apparatus, a streaming media file from a streaming media server; and when the first apparatus receives a handover instruction, sending, by the first apparatus, a playing command to a second apparatus, and sending at least a part of data of the downloaded streaming media file to the second apparatus, where the at least part of the data includes data not played by the first apparatus, where the playing command is used to instruct the second apparatus to play a part of or all of the at least part of the data sent by the first apparatus. The present invention further provides a corresponding apparatus.