Ultrasound Code Broadcast for Media Context Sharing

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is no known mechanism for communicating play context from a first media playback device to a second media playback device without the second device requesting it or being connected to the first device, and doing so without degrading the playback of any stream.

Innovation Solution

The method involves transmitting media content and causing a first media playback device to broadcast an ultrasound code corresponding to a play context code, which is then received and used by a second media playback device to retrieve and transmit the play context.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If play context is communicated from a first media playback device to a second media playback device without reciprocal action or connection, then the ability to retrieve play context from unrelated devices is improved, but the device complexity and communication mechanism requirements worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to retrieve play context from unrelated devicesVSAvoidcommunication mechanism requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary communication mechanism that enables the first media playback device to broadcast play context information that can be captured by the second device without direct connection or reciprocal action. This intermediary approach allows unrelated devices to share context information through a mediating transmission channel.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The first media playback device automatically broadcasts its play context information without requiring the second device to initiate any action or establish a connection. The system performs self-service by autonomously making context information available for capture by other devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Adaptability or versatility

If play context is supplied from a media playback device to another client device, then the functionality to share media context is improved, but the playback quality and stream integrity may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemedia context sharing capabilityVSAvoidplayback quality and stream integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the audio output into separate channels: a media content channel for the actual media stream and an auxiliary data channel for play context information. This segmentation allows both functions to operate simultaneously without interfering with each other, preserving playback quality while enabling context sharing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The play context information is extracted from the main media stream and placed into a separate auxiliary data channel. This extraction ensures that the context transmission does not degrade the media stream integrity or playback quality, as the two data types are transmitted independently.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This solution allows for the retrieval of play context from an unrelated media playback device without reciprocal action, ensuring seamless playback and efficient communication of media context.

Implementation Method 1

causing a first media playback device to broadcast an ultrasound code, the ultrasound code corresponding to a play context code

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectUltrasound: Ultrasound

Data Source

PatentUS20250056095A1Systems and Methods for Providing Play Context Recognition Using Ultrasound Codes

Publication Date: 2025.02.13 SPOTIFY

AI summary

Systems, methods and computer products are provided for retrieving play context. Media content associated with the media content is transmitted over a network. A first media playback device broadcasts an ultrasound code to one or more second media playback devices, where the ultrasound code corresponds to a play context code. The play context code is obtained from a second media playback device and in response the second media playback device receives a play context based on the play context code.