Media Client Control via Messaging Service Intermediary
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing media clients face challenges in efficiently entering text for various functions, such as user authentication and content search, due to limitations in remote control devices, virtual keyboards, and voice-based interfaces.
Innovation Solution
A device that routes messages from a user device to a media client using a messaging service, allowing the media client to perform functions without the need for dedicated hardware or complex application installations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If remote control devices with physical keyboards are used for text input, then text input capability is improved, but device complexity and portability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a server as an intermediary between the media client and the user. The server hosts a web interface that provides full keyboard functionality, allowing users to input text without requiring physical keyboards or complex remote controls at the media client device. This mediator approach resolves the contradiction by offloading the text input functionality to a remote server.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention makes the media client accessible through multiple interfaces: traditional remote control for basic navigation and a web interface for advanced text input functions. This multi-functionality allows the system to serve both simple viewing needs and complex text-based interactions without requiring dedicated hardware for each function.
2Ease of operation
If virtual keyboards are used on media client displays, then text input is enabled, but ease of operation deteriorates due to small display size and multiple keyboard layouts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent moves the text input interface from the two-dimensional constrained media client display to a web-based interface that can utilize the full dimensions of a standard web browser window on a computer or mobile device. This dimensional transition allows for full-sized virtual keyboards and multiple language layouts without the spatial constraints of the media client's small display.
Solution Approach 2:
By introducing a web server as an intermediary, the system provides access to a full-featured virtual keyboard environment through the web interface. This mediator layer eliminates the need for the media client to implement its own complex virtual keyboard system, resolving the interface complexity issue while maintaining text input capability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If dedicated control hardware is provided for media clients, then control functionality is improved, but device complexity and cost deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables standard devices like computers and smartphones to function as control interfaces for media clients through a web browser. This universal approach allows existing multi-functional devices to control media players without requiring dedicated control hardware, thereby maintaining versatility while avoiding additional hardware complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows users to leverage their existing devices (computers, smartphones) that already have keyboards and browsers, eliminating the need for the media client to provide dedicated control hardware. The media client serves itself by being accessible via standard web protocols, reducing hardware requirements while maintaining control functionality.
4Adaptability or versatility
If complex applications are installed on user devices to control media clients, then control capability is improved, but loss of time and storage space deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complex control application functionality from the user device and relocates it to a remote server. Instead of requiring users to download and install substantial applications, the control interface is delivered as a web application that runs in the browser, eliminating installation time and storage requirements while maintaining full control capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides a web-based copy of the control interface that functions equivalently to a dedicated application. Users access this copied interface through their existing web browsers without needing to install separate software, thereby achieving the same control capabilities without the time and storage overhead of application installation.
Data Source
Figure 1A
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Figure 1C
AI summary
A device may generate a registration mapping that associates a client identifier of a media client and a messaging identifier of a user device. The device may store the registration mapping in a registration data structure. The device may receive, via a messaging protocol, a message from the user device. The message may include the message identifier and an input for an application session of the media client. The device may determine, based on the registration data structure including the registration mapping and the message, that the user device is associated with the media client. The device may provide, via the messaging protocol, the message to the media client to permit the application session to operate according to the input.