Seamless Media Handover via NFC Intermediary
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional playback devices do not interoperate, requiring users to manually switch and restart playback when moving between devices, disrupting the media experience.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a near-field communication (NFC) interface to transfer playback information, including DRM keys and settings, between source and target playback devices for seamless handover, allowing continuous playback without interruption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual switching between playback devices is used, then device compatibility is maintained, but user convenience and playback continuity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a handover management system that acts as an intermediary between playback devices. When a user approaches a target device, the system automatically manages the transition of playback information, DRM keys, and settings without requiring manual user intervention. This mediator coordinates the data transfer and ensures seamless continuity, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and playback interruption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-establishing communication channels and preparing data transfer protocols before the actual handover occurs. When a source device detects a target device in proximity, it begins preparing the transfer of playback information and DRM credentials in advance, ensuring that the transition happens without interruption or user effort, thus improving ease of operation while eliminating playback interruption time.
2Duration of action of moving object
If playback information is transferred between devices, then playback continuity is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal handover protocol that can transfer multiple types of data (playback information, DRM keys, settings) through a single standardized interface. This multi-functional approach allows the system to handle various handover scenarios (different device types, different content formats) using the same underlying mechanism, thereby improving playback continuity without proportionally increasing system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates and transfers copies of essential playback data (metadata, DRM credentials, playback position) from the source device to the target device. Rather than transferring the actual media content or complex processing logic, the patent copies only the necessary control information, which maintains playback continuity while keeping the data transfer simple and the system complexity manageable.
3Reliability
If DRM information is transferred during handover, then access permission continuity is improved, but security risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential DRM credentials and permission tokens needed for playback continuity, separating them from the full DRM protection system. By transferring only the minimal necessary authentication data rather than complete DRM keys or encryption materials, the system maintains reliable access permission continuity across devices while minimizing the security surface area and reducing potential security risks.
Data Source
AI summary
Playback of a media work is handed over from a source playback device to a target playback device while the source playback device is in a play mode. The target playback device continues playback of the media work at a current location in the media work being played. Handover of audio and video playback allows the user to enjoy continuity in playback of the media work when transitioning between playback devices.