Beacon-Based Device Selection Interface for Playback Systems

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing content reproduction systems lack user convenience in selecting and controlling nearby reproduction apparatuses for content playback, as users must manually navigate and select devices through complex interfaces.

Innovation Solution

A reproduction apparatus equipped with a detection unit for receiving beacon signals from nearby devices, generating an operation image with a first area for the user's device and a second area for detected nearby devices, sorted by signal intensity, allowing for automatic or manual selection and control of content playback.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual navigation and selection interfaces are used for device selection, then device control functionality is achieved, but user convenience deteriorates due to complex operations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser convenienceVSAvoidinterface complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically detects nearby reproduction apparatuses through beacon signal reception and generates the operation image itself, eliminating the need for manual device listing or complex navigation. The detection unit and generation unit work autonomously to present relevant devices, allowing the system to serve itself rather than requiring extensive user input for device discovery.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary detection of nearby reproduction apparatuses by receiving beacon signals before the user needs to select a device. The operation image is pre-generated with nearby devices already identified and positioned, so when the user views the interface, the device selection information is already prepared and presented, eliminating the need for manual searching or navigation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If all reproduction apparatuses are listed regardless of location, then complete device options are provided, but user convenience deteriorates due to difficulty in identifying nearby devices

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice identification easeVSAvoidnumber of displayed devices
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The operation image applies local quality by differentiating the display of nearby reproduction apparatuses from other devices. Nearby devices are highlighted with specific visual characteristics (such as different background colors or icons) to indicate their proximity status, allowing users to quickly identify relevant devices without being overwhelmed by the complete device list. This localized emphasis improves device identification ease while maintaining a manageable display quantity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of operation

If automatic device selection is implemented, then operation simplicity is improved, but device control flexibility deteriorates due to reduced user choice

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperation simplicityVSAvoiduser choice flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements dynamic adaptability by allowing users to switch between automatic and manual selection modes. The reproduction control unit can automatically select a nearby reproduction apparatus based on the generated operation image, but users also have the flexibility to manually adjust the selection by interacting with the displayed device list. This dynamic design enables the system to adapt to different user preferences and situations, maintaining both operation simplicity and user choice flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3582522B1Playback device, information processing method, and program
Publication Date: 2024.10.09 SONY GROUP CORP
  • EP3582522B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3582522B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3582522B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A reproduction apparatus according to an embodiment of the present technology includes a reproduction unit, a detection unit, and a generation unit. The reproduction unit can reproduce a content. The detection unit receives a beacon signal transmitted from a different reproduction apparatus capable of reproducing the content, and detects one or more nearby reproduction apparatuses that are located in a vicinity. The generation unit generates an operation image including a first area in which an own apparatus is displayed and a second area in which the detected one or more nearby reproduction apparatuses are displayed in an order based on the received beacon signal.