| CPC H04N 21/4302 (2013.01) [H04N 21/234 (2013.01)] | 18 Claims |
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1. A method for synchronizing playback of media content, the method comprising:
receiving, using a server that includes a hardware processor, a first request to present a media item from a first user device and a second request to present the media item from a second user device;
transmitting, from the server to the first user device and the second user device, media data corresponding to the media item for storage on the first user device and the second user device;
receiving, at a first time point, a first communication from the first user device to begin presenting the media item on the first user device as the first user device has buffered a predetermined amount of the media data;
receiving, at a second time point, a second communication from the second user device to begin presenting the media item on the second user device as the second user device has buffered the predetermined amount of the media data;
in response to receiving the first communication and the second communication, initiating a synchronized media playback session by transmitting instructions to the first user device and to the second user device that cause the first user device and the second user device to begin presenting the media item in synchronization;
receiving an indication that a rate change has occurred on at least one of the first user device or the second user device based on buffering rate information; and
upon receiving the indication that the rate change has occurred on at least one of the first user device or the second user device:
transmitting, from the server to the first user device or the second user device associated with the indication, instructions to modify a rate of delivery of the media item for a predetermined duration of time to maintain the synchronized media playback session.
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