Content Transfer Control Device for Multi-Device Sharing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems lack efficient methods for controlling and sharing multimedia content across multiple devices within a premise, limiting user flexibility in content access and sharing between different screens.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that enables content transfer and sharing between devices using a control device interface, where users can select content sources and target devices through an interface, with options for outputting content, including drag-and-drop techniques, and utilizing a content transfer server to manage device connections and content status.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If users want to view content on multiple devices within a premise, then content accessibility and user flexibility are improved, but device complexity and system coordination requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
A control device acts as an intermediary between the content source and multiple display devices. The control device receives content from a source device and distributes it to multiple target devices within the premise, simplifying the coordination complexity by centralizing control functions in a single intermediary device rather than requiring direct peer-to-peer coordination between all devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The control device is designed with multi-functionality to handle various operations including content reception, content distribution, device management, and user interface presentation. This universal device can perform multiple functions that would otherwise require separate specialized components, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining content accessibility across multiple devices.
2Ease of operation
If content is shared between multiple devices, then user interaction and content management are improved, but network bandwidth and system resources are consumed
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of transmitting the entire content stream to multiple devices simultaneously, the system creates simplified control copies or metadata representations of the content information. The control device manages content distribution by transmitting lightweight control signals and content identification data rather than duplicating full content streams, thereby reducing network bandwidth consumption while maintaining ease of content sharing operations.
3Ease of operation
If a user interface is provided for selecting content sources and target devices, then ease of content control is improved, but interface complexity and development requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The control device automatically discovers available content sources and display devices within the network premise without requiring manual configuration. The interface presents pre-populated lists of detected devices and content, allowing users to simply select from available options rather than manually configuring connections. This self-service approach simplifies the user interface while maintaining ease of content control by automating the complex device discovery and pairing processes.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and computer readable media can be operable to facilitate the transfer and/or sharing of content between multiple devices. An interface may be used by a subscriber to cause content being viewed on a first device to be displayed at one or more other devices. Using an interface at a control device or source device, a user can select a content source, one or more target devices, and various options for outputting content from the content source at the target device(s). Selected content may be shared with or transferred to a target device.