Application Discovery Protocol for Second-Screen Launch
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current technologies face challenges in enabling second-screen devices to discover and coordinate with first-screen applications on primary viewing systems, such as televisions, without user intervention, due to limitations in existing protocols for device discovery and application management.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a DIAL service discovery component and DIAL REST service component allows second-screen devices to discover and launch first-screen applications by using protocols like SSDP and UPnP, enabling seamless communication and interaction between devices through a discovery server and client architecture.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If existing protocols (SSDP, Bonjour/mDNS) are used for device discovery, then devices can be discovered on the local network, but applications cannot identify or coordinate with applications hosted on primary viewing systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an application layer protocol that operates over existing device discovery protocols. This intermediary protocol enables applications to be identified and coordinated between second-screen devices and primary viewing systems without requiring fundamental changes to the underlying device discovery infrastructure. The application layer acts as a mediator that translates between device-level discovery and application-level coordination.
2Ease of operation
If users interact directly with the primary viewing system to launch applications, then applications can be launched and controlled, but user convenience is reduced and coordination with second-screen devices is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-registering application information and capabilities on the primary viewing system before user interaction is needed. When a second-screen device discovers the primary viewing system, the application information is already available for immediate selection and launching, eliminating the need for users to manually navigate through the primary viewing system's interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The primary viewing system automatically responds to discovery requests from second-screen devices by providing application information and enabling remote launching. The system serves itself by maintaining an accessible registry of its hosted applications, allowing second-screen devices to independently identify and launch applications without requiring direct user interaction with the primary viewing system's user interface.
3Productivity
If no application identification protocol is implemented, then device discovery is simple, but second-screen devices cannot identify or launch first-screen applications
Solution Approach 1:
The discovery and coordination process is segmented into distinct layers: device discovery protocols handle network-level device identification, while an additional application layer protocol handles application-level identification and coordination. This segmentation allows each layer to specialize in its function without overwhelming complexity, enabling efficient application launching while maintaining protocol modularity.
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure describes methods or communication protocols that enable second-screen applications, such as smartphones, to discover and launch first-screen applications on first-screen devices, such as Internet enabled high definition televisions. Second-screen devices can search local networks for the presence of discovery servers on first-screen devices. Well-known protocols such as RESTful HTTP services and Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) may be leveraged to implement the discovery servers. Once located, the discovery servers may assist communications and interactions between the first-screen and second-screen devices, allowing a specified application to be launched on the first-screen device and controlled from a local application on the second-screen device. The specified application may be installed if not previously installed, and may also be hosted as a web application on a cloud server accessible outside of the local network, for example on the Internet.