Cross Device Display Synchronization via Real-Time Database
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing protocols for cross-device display synchronization require both devices to support a common protocol, restrict content formatting to a single display type, and often necessitate bi-directional network access, limiting compatibility and control between devices.
Innovation Solution
A system using a real-time database to synchronize user interface states across devices with different networks and protocols, allowing for the creation of associations between device identifiers and pushing UI state data to ensure synchronized displays, even with disparate operating systems and network access rights.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If existing protocols (Chromecast, Miracast, AirPlay) are used for display synchronization, then devices can transfer media content between them, but both devices must support a common protocol which limits compatibility between devices with different protocols
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a media server as an intermediary component that receives media content from a media source device and distributes it to multiple display devices. This mediator enables devices with different protocols to synchronize displays by routing content through the server, which handles protocol conversion and distribution, thereby resolving the compatibility issue without requiring direct peer-to-peer protocol support between all device pairs.
2Adaptability or versatility
If existing protocols are used for display synchronization, then media content can be transferred from one device to another, but both devices must have access rights to a common network which restricts flexibility in network configuration
Solution Approach 1:
The media server acts as an intermediary that manages network access independently of device-to-device connections. The server receives content from media sources and distributes it to display devices through its own network connections, eliminating the requirement for mutual network access rights between displaying devices. This allows greater flexibility in network configuration where devices may be on different networks or have restricted access rights.
3Ease of operation
If existing protocols are used for display synchronization, then one device can present media content on another device's display, but bi-directional communication is not supported meaning the passive participant has no control over the media content
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional master-slave architecture by allowing any display device to request and control specific content from the media server independently. Instead of one device passively receiving content from another, each device can actively request content based on user preferences or device capabilities, giving previously passive devices control over what they display while maintaining system coordination through the server.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for cross device display synchronization using state data. A second identifier uniquely identifying a second device that is represented on a second display of a second device is obtained at a first device with a first display and a first identifier uniquely identifying the first device. An association is created between the first identifier and the second identifier at a real-time database. User interface (UI) state data defining a first UI state of a UI presented on the first display is submitted from the first device to the real-time database via a first network thereby creating replica UI state data on the real-time database. The real-time database pushes the UI state data to the second device via a second network based on the association between the first identifier and the second identifier thereby causing the second device to synchronize a corresponding UI presented on the second display.