Virtual Server Synchronizes Multi-Terminal Media Playback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multimedia systems fail to synchronize the playback of media files across multiple user terminals, leading to asynchronous play and a suboptimal user experience, especially when users attempt to share content like music simultaneously.
Innovation Solution
A virtual server-based method that determines and synchronizes the play time and channels for multiple player terminals by analyzing their features and audio adapter delays, allowing them to play media files in sync through control information sent to each terminal, even if they are outside a traditional sound system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If manual operation is used to play media files on multiple player terminals, then users can share music content, but time deviation occurs resulting in asynchronous playback
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a virtual server as an intermediary between multiple player terminals. The virtual server receives play instructions from users, determines appropriate play times for different terminals based on their features, and sends control information to synchronize playback. This mediator resolves the time deviation issue by centralizing the coordination function, allowing content sharing while maintaining synchronization accuracy.
2Reliability
If a sound system with touchscreen controller is used to synchronize playback, then player terminals within the system can play synchronously, but player terminals outside the system cannot synchronize
Solution Approach 1:
The virtual server is designed with universal functionality to manage player terminals both inside and outside traditional sound systems. It performs multiple functions including receiving play instructions, analyzing terminal features, determining play times, and sending control information. This multi-functional design enables the system to synchronize playback across diverse terminals regardless of their original system affiliation, enhancing both compatibility and synchronization reliability.
3Reliability
If control information is sent to player terminals to synchronize playback, then playback synchronization is achieved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The virtual server implements self-service mechanisms by automatically analyzing terminal features, determining appropriate play times, and generating control information without requiring complex manual configuration. The system autonomously manages the synchronization process, reducing the operational complexity despite the increased functional complexity of the control mechanism. This automation maintains playback synchronization while minimizing the burden on users.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present invention provide a multi-terminal synchronous play control method and apparatus. The method includes: receiving, by a virtual server, a play instruction issued by a user, where the play instruction is an instruction for playing a media file; and sending, by the virtual server, control information respectively to player terminals entering a virtual studio, where the control information is used to control the player terminals to play the media file synchronously on corresponding channels at corresponding play time. With the multi-terminal synchronous play control method and apparatus, multiple player terminals can play the same media file synchronously, and different player terminals can play different channels of the same media file synchronously, which achieves a good play effect and improves the play experience of the user.