Companion Screen Device for 360-Degree Video Control

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current technologies face challenges in conveniently and effectively controlling 360-degree video content across devices, particularly in establishing seamless communication and control between client devices and companion screen devices for enhanced user interaction.

Innovation Solution

The solution involves a client device and a companion screen device that discover and connect with each other to enable convenient control of 360-degree video content, using communication channels and user profiles, proximity, and learning algorithms to select the appropriate device for control operations, allowing for smooth orientation-based viewpoint adjustments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a client device and companion screen device establish direct connection for 360-degree video control, then control convenience and effectiveness are improved, but device complexity and communication setup requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol convenienceVSAvoidcommunication setup
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a server as an intermediary that facilitates connection between the client device and companion screen device. The server receives connection requests, manages device pairing, and enables communication without requiring direct peer-to-peer setup between the client and companion devices, thus improving ease of operation while managing complexity centrally

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements automatic device discovery and connection establishment where the client device and companion screen device automatically register with the server and can connect without manual user configuration. The server handles the complex pairing process autonomously, reducing the burden on users while maintaining effective device control

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple companion screen devices are supported for 360-degree video control, then adaptability and user choice are improved, but device selection complexity and control management increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice compatibilityVSAvoiddevice selection
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The server implements a feedback mechanism that provides the client device with information about available companion screen devices, including their capabilities and current status. This allows the client to intelligently select the most appropriate device based on real-time feedback from the server, managing complexity through informed automated decision-making

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system design allows the client device to work with multiple types of companion screen devices through a universal interface managed by the server. The server standardizes communication protocols and device registration, enabling the client to interact with various device types without increasing its own complexity, thus achieving adaptability through centralized standardization

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3661220B1Client device, companion screen device, and operation method therefor
Publication Date: 2023.11.08 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP3661220B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3661220B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3661220B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

According to embodiments, a client device, a companion screen device, and an operation method thereof are disclosed. The disclosed client device includes: a communication interface; a display; a memory configured to store one or more instructions; and a processor configured to execute the one or more instructions stored in the memory to control the display to display at least a part of 360-degree video content, identify a companion screen device having a 360-degree control capability to perform 360-degree control on the 360-degree video content, control the communication interface to connect a communication channel with the identified companion screen device, and control the display to control the displaying of the 360-degree video content according to a control command received from the connected companion screen device.