Companion Display Content Discovery via Automatic Device Pairing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Users face difficulties in discovering and communicating companion screen devices with primary display devices within the same home ecosystem, requiring manual selection from a long list of devices, both within and outside the home.
Innovation Solution
A system that includes a processor configured to acquire data from a primary display device, determine ancillary content related to the primary content, and present a user interface to issue commands for presenting the ancillary content on either the primary or companion devices, using data from cameras, microphones, and network searches.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If manual device selection from a long list is implemented, then device pairing capability is provided, but user operation complexity increases and ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs automatic device discovery and pairing without requiring manual user intervention. The companion device automatically detects the primary display device, retrieves its identifier, and establishes connection, allowing the system to serve itself rather than requiring user configuration from a long device list.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses an intermediary mechanism (automatic device discovery protocol) that bridges the companion device and primary display device. This intermediary automatically matches devices based on detected identifiers, eliminating the need for users to manually navigate through a long list of discovered devices.
2Ease of operation
If automatic content detection is implemented, then user experience is enhanced, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces manual content selection mechanisms with automatic content detection using sensors (cameras, microphones). Instead of requiring users to manually search and select content, the system uses optical and acoustic detection to automatically identify and retrieve related content, substituting mechanical user actions with automated sensing systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary content detection and retrieval automatically before user interaction is needed. By pre-detecting the content being displayed and pre-fetching related ancillary content, the system prepares everything in advance, enhancing user experience while managing complexity through automated background processes.
3Adaptability or versatility
If device discovery range is expanded to include neighboring homes, then device availability increases, but information security risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies different discovery rules based on location context. Devices in the same home network are discovered with full access permissions, while devices in neighboring homes are discovered but require explicit user authorization for pairing. This local quality differentiation allows broad device availability while maintaining security by applying appropriate access controls to different spatial contexts.
Data Source
AI summary
In one aspect, a first device includes a display, at least one computer readable storage medium bearing instructions executable by a processor, and at least one processor configured for accessing the computer readable storage medium to execute the instructions. The instructions configure the processor to acquire data pertaining to first content presented on a second device, determine information pertaining to the first content based on the data, identify second content related to but different from the first content at least in part based on the information, and present a user interface (UI) on the display manipulable to issue a command to at least one of the first and second devices to present the second content responsive to the identification of the second content.