Wireless Terminal Song Playback Coordination via Master Controller
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mobile electronic devices lack an efficient method to share and play back song files across multiple devices, particularly in a coordinated and synchronized manner, especially in social settings where user participation in song selection and simultaneous playback is desired.
Innovation Solution
A mobile wireless communication terminal equipped with a wireless communication module and a controller that establishes connections with other terminals, allows for the nomination, voting, and playback of song files, and sends light effect signals to control lighting devices in synchronization with audio playback, using direct point-to-point wireless interfaces like Bluetooth.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If song files are shared across multiple devices via cable or wireless link, then song sharing capability is enabled, but coordination and synchronization of playback across devices becomes complex and difficult to manage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the playback coordination function into a centralized playlist management system where one device acts as the master controller. The master device maintains the playlist and coordinates playback timing, while other devices in the group simply follow the master's timing signals. This consolidation of control functions reduces the complexity that would otherwise exist in each individual device's playback coordination logic.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a playlist data structure and timing synchronization protocol as an intermediary mechanism between devices. Instead of devices directly coordinating with each other through complex peer-to-peer communication, they use the centralized playlist information and timing signals as a mediator to synchronize playback. This intermediary layer simplifies the interaction model and reduces coordination complexity.
2Ease of operation
If users manually manage song playlists on each device, then individual device control is maintained, but the process of managing song lists and coordinating audio-visual responses becomes time-consuming and cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-generating and distributing playlist data to all devices in advance of the actual playback event. The master device creates the playlist and sends it to participating devices before the coordinated playback begins. This preliminary distribution of playlist information eliminates the need for manual, real-time management during the playback event, significantly reducing the time required.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables self-service by allowing each device to automatically receive and process playlist information from the master device without requiring manual intervention. Devices automatically synchronize their playback based on timing signals from the master, and the system handles the coordination logistics automatically. This self-service mechanism eliminates the time-consuming manual management while preserving individual device control through automatic synchronization.
3Adaptability or versatility
If light effect signals are sent to control lighting devices in correspondence with audio playback, then engaging light effects are created, but the system requires additional communication protocols and coordination overhead
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the light effect control function with the existing audio playback synchronization mechanism. The same timing signals and coordination protocols used for audio playback are also used to control lighting devices. By combining these functions under a single coordination framework, the patent avoids creating separate communication protocols for light effects, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining versatility.
Data Source
AI summary
A mobile wireless communication terminal includes a wireless communication module that is configured to communicate with other communication terminals over a wireless interface, and a controller. The controller is configured to establish a connection with at least one participant wireless communication terminal via the wireless communication module, to receive from the at least one participant wireless communication terminal an identification of a compliant song file stored on the at least one participant wireless communication terminal and having a metadata tag associated therewith indicating that the compliant song file is classified in a prescribed song file category, and to execute playback of the compliant song file.