EPG-Based Media Transfer Between Smart Devices
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for viewing media on Smart Media Devices (SMDs) within a Wireless Local Area (WLAN) require cumbersome manual steps to transfer and resume media playback across different locations, limiting convenience and seamless access to content.
Innovation Solution
The method expands the functionality of Electronic Program Guides (EPGs) to enable automatic transfer of the media viewing experience between SMDs using pre-configured devices, allowing voice control or menu interaction for seamless playback continuation across different SMDs and mobile devices, including turning on connected TVs and setting the playback position via HDMI CEC communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple set-top boxes are used to view media in different locations, then the ability to view media in different locations is improved, but the complexity of the system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by enabling any SMD with EPG capability to function as a media viewing device, regardless of its original purpose. The EPG system provides universal access to media content across different device types (smart TVs, tablets, smartphones, set-top boxes) through a common guide interface, eliminating the need for separate dedicated viewing systems in each location.
Solution Approach 2:
The EPG serves as an intermediary layer between the media content and the various SMDs. Instead of requiring direct peer-to-peer communication between multiple set-top boxes or complex manual coordination, the EPG acts as a mediator that manages media metadata, playback state, and device coordination, simplifying the overall system architecture.
2Ease of operation
If manual steps are required to transfer and resume media playback, then the viewing experience can be controlled, but the ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring SMDs with EPG capabilities and establishing their media viewing state before the user needs to transfer playback. The EPG continuously tracks media metadata and playback position, so when a user selects a different SMD, the system already has the necessary information ready to initiate seamless transfer without requiring manual configuration steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The EPG system provides self-service functionality by automatically managing the media transfer process between SMDs. The system autonomously retrieves media metadata, determines playback state, and coordinates the transfer without requiring user intervention in the technical details. Users simply select their preferred SMD through the EPG interface, and the system handles the complex coordination automatically.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are a network and method for transferring media content experience from a first smart media device to a second smart media device via an electronic program guide. Each of the smart media devices are pre-configured to have a unique name which is viewable from the electronic program guide, and to establish two way communications between the uniquely named first and second smart media devices. The electronic program guide is run on at least one of the smart media devices, and the electronic program guide is viewed on a display associated with at least one of the smart media devices. A user is provided a plurality of options to interact with the electronic program guide, including the option to transfer and view the media content experience selected on the first media device to the second smart media device. Preferably, the user selects options via voice commands or manually inputted commands.