Digital Picture Frame Network Topology Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Consumers face challenges in arranging and updating digital picture frames without physically moving or opening them, especially in large wall gallery arrangements, as existing technologies lack efficient methods for managing and updating content across multiple frames.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that utilize wireless-enabled digital picture frames with linking transceivers and a controller with router capabilities to auto-discover and report topology, allowing users to control and update content through a software client without physical frame movement, enabling seamless communication and content routing within a digital frame network.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If digital picture frames are arranged in large wall gallery arrangements, then display coverage and visual impact are improved, but time and effort required to hang and re-hanging pictures increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical system of physically moving and hanging picture frames with a digital system. A software client application allows users to select and arrange digital images on a computer screen, which are then transmitted to the appropriate picture frames over a network. This substitution eliminates the need for physical manipulation of frames and pictures, resolving the contradiction between large display coverage and the time required to arrange them.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a digital copy of the picture arrangement process. Instead of physically arranging actual pictures in frames, users work with digital representations (copies) of pictures in a software environment. The software client generates a visual representation of the frame topology and allows dragging and dropping of picture copies onto frame representations, which are then transmitted to the physical frames. This copying approach eliminates the time-consuming physical arrangement process while maintaining the desired display layout.
2Adaptability or versatility
If standard picture frames are used, then simplicity and low cost are maintained, but flexibility to change contents without physical manipulation is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes standard picture frames multi-functional by equipping them with wireless communication capabilities (WiFi or Bluetooth modules) and image display functionality. The frames can now serve both as traditional physical display objects and as networked digital display devices. This allows them to receive and display digital images transmitted from a software client, providing flexibility to change contents without physical manipulation while maintaining their original simplicity and low cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a software client application as an intermediary between the user and the picture frames. This software acts as a mediator that manages the complexity of content distribution by providing a user-friendly interface for selecting, arranging, and transmitting images to multiple frames. The software handles the complexity of network communication, image formatting, and frame identification, thereby isolating the user from system complexity while enabling high adaptability in content changes.
3Ease of operation
If picture frames are physically moved or opened to change contents, then content updates are achieved, but disruption to the display arrangement and increased time consumption occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical operations of physically moving and opening picture frames with electronic operations. Users interact with a software client that transmits digital images over a network to the appropriate frames wirelessly. This substitution allows content updates without any physical manipulation of the frames, thereby maintaining the stability of the display arrangement while dramatically improving the ease of operation for content changes.
4Extent of automation
If wireless communication and routing capabilities are added to digital picture frames, then remote control and content distribution are enabled, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service functionality in the picture frames through automatic topology discovery. When frames are powered on and connected to the network, they automatically detect and identify their positions within the frame arrangement using wireless communication between neighboring frames. Each frame autonomously determines its location (e.g., top-left, bottom-right) and reports this information to the software client, which then knows where to transmit images. This self-service approach enables automatic topology discovery while minimizing the complexity burden on users, as the frames handle the complex detection and reporting processes autonomously.
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, a method can include: determining a topology of digital picture frames in a frame network; identifying a lead picture frame from among the digital picture frames; sending the digital picture frame topology to a client coupled to the lead picture frame; receiving in the lead picture frame and from the client, media content for display on a destination digital picture frame in the frame network; and routing the received media content to the destination digital picture frame using router functionality in at least one of the plurality of digital picture frames.