Contactless Media Control via Mobile Intermediary
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Solution Overview
Problem
In retail establishments, tactile inputs on media devices pose a risk of pathogen transmission and are difficult to sanitize, leading to customer hesitation and increased costs for onsite user interfaces, while existing methods for controlling media devices from mobile devices often require direct connection to secure networks, posing security risks.
Innovation Solution
A system and method allowing a user's mobile device to interact with media devices via separate networks, enabling control of media devices without direct contact and maintaining security by establishing continuous and secure connections through a user network and a control server, without the need for user accounts, credentials, or VPNs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If tactile inputs are installed at media devices for user interaction, then user experience is improved, but pathogen transmission risk increases and sanitation difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a wireless communication intermediary (WiFi network, mobile device) between the user and the media device control system. Instead of direct tactile contact with device buttons or touchscreens, users interact through their mobile devices which communicate wirelessly with the media control device, eliminating physical contact and pathogen transmission risk while maintaining full interaction capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical tactile input systems (physical buttons, touchscreens) with wireless electronic communication. The media control device receives control signals wirelessly from mobile devices via WiFi or other wireless protocols, substituting the mechanical contact-based interaction system with a contactless electromagnetic field-based system
2Ease of operation
If onsite user interfaces are installed at media devices, then user interaction is enabled, but installation cost increases and maintenance cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the user's existing mobile device as a copy or substitute for the onsite user interface. Instead of installing dedicated touchscreens or control panels at each media device location, the system leverages the user's smartphone or tablet which already has the necessary processing power, display, and input capabilities, eliminating the need for expensive duplicate hardware installation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the user's mobile device serve multiple functions: it acts as the user interface, remote control, and interaction terminal for media devices across the entire retail establishment. A single mobile device can interact with multiple different media devices (televisions, screens, speakers, lighting) throughout the facility, eliminating the need for dedicated interfaces at each location
3Ease of operation
If mobile devices connect directly to local retail networks to control media devices, then control capability is improved, but network security risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a media control device as an intermediary layer between the mobile device and the local retail network. The mobile device communicates with the media control device over public WiFi or wireless networks, and the media control device then interacts with the media devices on the secure local network. This intermediary architecture allows remote control functionality while preventing direct access to and potential compromise of the secure local retail network
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the control system into separate functional components: the user interface layer (mobile device), the communication layer (media control device), and the media execution layer (media devices). This segmentation isolates the secure local retail network from direct exposure to external mobile devices, allowing control functionality while maintaining network security boundaries
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a method for conducting a transaction while in proximity of a local retail network operated by a retail point of sale comprising: a) receiving an identification signal related to one or more media identifiers associated with a media control device and from a user mobile device, wherein the user mobile device is connected to a first network; b) transmitting data to the user mobile device to render a media control interface on the user mobile device; c) receiving one or more instruction signals from the user mobile device, wherein the one or more instruction signals are related to one or more outputs of one or more media devices in proximity to the user mobile device; d) transmitting the one or more instruction signals to a media control device, such that the media control device instructs the one or more media devices to generate the one or more outputs; e) disabling a connection between the user mobile device and the media control device based upon occurrence of a pre-determined condition.