Wireless Media Routing via Handheld Device Location Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current media distribution systems require users to predefined locations for media consumption, limiting flexibility and efficiency, as users can only receive media at one location at a time and may receive it where it is unwanted.
Innovation Solution
A wireless handheld device-based system that automatically redirects media transmission to the user's new location, allowing seamless media distribution without predefinition, and includes automatic suspension and resumption of media presentation for phone calls.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If users are forced to go to a specified location where media is being presented, then media can be delivered to a specific location, but user flexibility and convenience are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the user's handheld device to automatically determine location and route media without requiring the user to manually specify or navigate to a predefined location. The device serves itself by detecting its position and triggering appropriate media delivery, eliminating the need for user intervention in location management.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of the traditional model where media is delivered to a fixed location and the user must go there, the system inverts the approach by tracking the user's mobile device and dynamically routing media to wherever the user is currently located. This reverses the causality from location-fixed media delivery to user-mobile media delivery.
2Productivity
If users can only be in one location at a time, then media can be delivered to a specific location, but media distribution efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from static location-based media delivery to dynamic location tracking. By continuously monitoring the position of handheld devices and updating media routing in real-time, the system adapts to user movement and can efficiently serve multiple locations simultaneously without requiring users to be physically present at media sources.
3Loss of energy
If media is distributed to a location where it is potentially unneeded or unwanted, then media can be delivered to a predefined location, but resource waste increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously receives feedback about the actual location of user handheld devices and uses this information to dynamically adjust media routing decisions. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures media is only transmitted to locations where users are actually present, eliminating waste from delivering media to empty or unwanted locations.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is an apparatus, method, and program product for performing ad hoc media delivery. Enhanced handheld devices are used in combination with the other components to route media and control its presentation. Enhanced media presentation stations detect the presence of one or more of the handheld devices. Information regarding the presence of a handheld device is then communicated from the media presentation stations to an enhanced server. The server uses this information to maintain a record of the location of each handheld device. The recorded location information is used to route the media to the media presentation station that is closest to the location of the handheld device. Control information, such as media selection and fidelity control (when appropriate), is forwarded from the handheld device to the server, so that the server can take appropriate action relative to transmission of the media to the media presentation station at issue. If a phone call is received, an enhanced phone interacts with the server to suspend presentation of the media until the phone call has ended.