Media Content Adaptation via Environmental Sensing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing media content delivery systems fail to adapt media content effectively to the sensory environments of recipient devices, leading to suboptimal viewing experiences due to differences in characteristics between source and recipient devices.

Innovation Solution

A system that collects sensory data from both source and recipient devices, compares these characteristics, and modifies the media content presentation accordingly, using a processor to determine differences in environmental conditions such as lighting, temperature, and audio to ensure a consistent experience across devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If media content is delivered without adaptation to recipient device environment, then device complexity is reduced, but viewing experience quality deteriorates due to environmental mismatches

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem complexityVSAvoidviewing experience quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary sensing of environmental characteristics (lighting, temperature, humidity, noise) at both source and recipient devices before media content delivery. This advance environmental assessment enables proactive adaptation of media content to match the recipient's sensory environment, ensuring optimal viewing experience without requiring complex real-time adjustments during playback

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an environmental characteristics sensing system as an intermediary between media content delivery and recipient device display. This intermediary layer captures environmental data (lighting conditions, temperature, noise levels) and uses it to mediate the adaptation of media content presentation, shielding the core delivery system from complexity while enhancing experience quality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If environmental sensing and adaptation is implemented, then viewing experience quality is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional sensors and processing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveviewing experience qualityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements multi-functional components that serve both traditional media playback functions and environmental sensing/adaptation functions. For example, existing device processors are utilized for both content rendering and environmental data analysis, while display components serve both normal operation and environmental condition indication, reducing overall system complexity despite added functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system adapts media content by changing presentation parameters (brightness, contrast, audio levels, format) based on environmental characteristics rather than modifying the core media content or hardware architecture. This parameter-based adaptation approach achieves experience quality improvement through software-level adjustments rather than complex hardware modifications

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If media content is adapted to match recipient environment, then user satisfaction is improved, but information loss occurs in the transformation process

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenvironmental adaptationVSAvoidmedia content fidelity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies partial adaptation by selectively adjusting only those media content parameters that are significantly affected by environmental conditions (e.g., brightness for lighting conditions, audio levels for noise levels). Not all content aspects are modified, preserving original fidelity where environmental impact is minimal while still achieving satisfactory adaptation where needed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the adapted media content presentation is continuously monitored and adjusted based on ongoing environmental sensing. This closed-loop approach ensures that adaptations remain faithful to the original content intent while responding to environmental changes, preventing information loss through iterative refinement rather than one-way transformation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS9940748B2Method and apparatus for multi-experience adaptation of media content

Publication Date: 2018.04.10 AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I L P

AI summary

A method or apparatus that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a method for adapting media content of a source device for a recipient device. Characteristics of a first environment of a source device and of a second environment of a recipient can be identified. At least one difference between the characteristics of the first environment of the source device and the characteristics of the second environment of the recipient device can be determined. A presentation of media content can be modified according to the at least one difference between the characteristics of the first environment of the source device and the characteristics of the second environment of the recipient device. Other embodiments are disclosed.