Live Video Streaming via External Camera Intermediary

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing interactive video broadcasting services face challenges in providing a multi-perspective experience due to limitations in camera control and video/audio source selection, making it difficult to capture and broadcast events from diverse angles effectively.

Innovation Solution

A system that allows a mobile computing device to broadcast a live feed media stream using external devices as video sources, enabling selection between multiple camera angles and audio sources, and automatically switching based on viewer engagement, such as through Bluetooth or Wi-Fi connections, to provide a dynamic and interactive broadcasting experience.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If additional camera devices are incorporated to provide multi-perspective experience, then viewer engagement and interactive experience are improved, but device complexity and difficulty of operation increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemulti-perspective experienceVSAvoidcamera control complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mobile computing device serves as an intermediary between the external camera devices and the broadcasting service. It receives video streams from multiple external cameras via wireless connections (Bluetooth, Wi-Fi), processes them, and transmits to the broadcasting service, thereby simplifying the overall system architecture and reducing direct control complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The mobile computing device performs multiple functions: it acts as a camera controller, video stream processor, wireless communication node, and broadcasting interface. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise require separate dedicated devices, reducing overall system complexity while enabling multi-perspective coverage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple camera devices are added for enhanced video source selection, then adaptability and viewer engagement are improved, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevideo source selectionVSAvoidcamera positioning and control

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables broadcasters to easily switch between multiple video sources without manual camera positioning or complex control. The mobile device automatically manages multiple camera connections and the broadcasting service can switch between sources based on viewer engagement metrics, making the system self-managing and operationally simple.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The broadcasting service monitors viewer engagement with different video perspectives and automatically selects which camera feed to transmit based on real-time engagement data. This feedback loop eliminates the need for manual camera selection and positioning, greatly simplifying operation while maintaining high adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If external devices are used as video sources, then multi-perspective broadcasting capability is improved, but reliability and connection stability may worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveexternal device integrationVSAvoidwireless connection stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The mobile computing device acts as a stable intermediary that manages wireless connections to external cameras. It handles connection establishment, data transmission, and communication with the broadcasting service, thereby isolating connection instability issues to the mobile device level and protecting the overall system reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system establishes wireless connections between external devices and the mobile computing device before broadcasting begins. Connection testing and stability verification are performed in advance, cushioning against potential connection failures during actual broadcasting by ensuring all external devices are properly connected and stable before use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Data Source

PatentUS10187666B2Live video streaming services using one or more external devices

Publication Date: 2019.01.22 X CORP

AI summary

In some implementations, a system may include a video broadcasting service, implemented on a server, configured to enable a mobile computing device to broadcast a live feed media stream of an event, over a network, to a plurality of viewing devices. The video broadcasting service is configured to receive the live feed media stream, over the network, from the mobile computing device, where the live feed media stream originates from an external device having a camera configured as a video source for the live feed media stream. The external device may be communicatively coupled to the mobile computing device. The video broadcasting service is configured to provide the live feed media stream, over the network, to the plurality of viewing devices.