Home Flow Automation for Digital Media Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
The distribution and management of digital media within home environments lack efficient automated solutions, limiting the ability to streamline and automate the sharing and storage of digital content.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a system and method for executing 'Home Flows' which identifies, extracts, and sends digital media objects from a source to multiple destinations based on predefined rules and profiles, utilizing a configuration module to define profiles and an execution module to process and deliver the data objects, allowing for automated sharing and storage of digital content.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If digital media distribution in home environments is manual, then users have control over each transfer, but the process is time-consuming and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring distribution rules, source locations, and destination addresses before actual media transfer occurs. The workflow engine is pre-programmed with distribution logic, allowing automatic execution when media objects are detected at source locations, eliminating the need for manual intervention during each transfer operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service automation where the digital media distribution process serves itself through automated detection, classification, and transfer of media files. The workflow engine automatically monitors source locations, identifies media objects matching predefined criteria, and executes transfers to appropriate destinations without requiring user initiation or management of each individual transfer task.
2Productivity
If automated distribution systems are implemented, then productivity increases, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The automated distribution system is segmented into distinct functional modules: a configuration module for setting up distribution rules and parameters, a workflow engine for executing transfer operations, and monitoring components for tracking media objects. This modular segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, making the overall complex system manageable and maintainable while achieving high productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The workflow engine serves multiple functions simultaneously: it monitors source locations for media objects, classifies objects based on predefined criteria, determines appropriate destination addresses, and executes transfer operations. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized components, thereby managing system complexity while maintaining high automated distribution capability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple destination addresses are used for distribution, then sharing capability improves, but managing distribution rules becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses copying by creating template distributions where a single source media object is replicated across multiple destination addresses simultaneously. The workflow engine generates copies of the media file and distributes them to multiple predefined locations based on distribution rules, enabling broad sharing capability while managing complexity through template-based rather than individual-rule-based approaches.
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges multiple distribution destinations into unified distribution rules. Instead of creating separate rules for each destination address, the workflow engine combines multiple destinations within single distribution rules, allowing one rule to manage distribution to multiple locations. This merging approach enhances sharing reach while simplifying rule management by reducing the total number of rules required.
Data Source
AI summary
In general, aspects of the invention relate to the automatic distribution and storage of digital media. Specifically, the invention relates to the automatic distribution and storage of digital media in the home environment. In one embodiment, a system and method are provided for retrieving data objects from sources like digital media input devices and sending those objects to destination digital media input devices.