Multi-Device Media Streaming via Cloud Intermediary
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mobile devices lack the capability to effectively capture and consume media content from multiple perspectives in real-time, especially in scenarios where direct viewing is obstructed or suboptimal, such as events with assigned seating or sporting events, where users need unobstructed and optimal views of objects or events.
Innovation Solution
A system where a first mobile device can discover, establish persistent communication links with, and control other mobile devices in the vicinity to enable the consumption and capture of media content sensed by those devices, allowing for real-time streaming and recording of media content from different perspectives, and automatically selecting the best view based on user input and algorithms analyzing multiple streams.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a user uses a single mobile device to capture media content, then the device can record from one perspective, but the user cannot obtain unobstructed views when directly viewing is blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines media content from multiple mobile devices into a unified viewing experience. The system merges video streams from different perspectives (e.g., friend's device, security camera, smart display) to provide a comprehensive view that overcomes individual device limitations and viewing obstructions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a cloud-based media service as an intermediary that receives, processes, and redistributes media content from multiple sources. This mediator enables users to access content from any perspective without being physically present at the capturing device, solving the viewing obstruction problem.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple mobile devices capture media content simultaneously, then unobstructed views from different perspectives can be obtained, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cloud-based media service acts as a central coordinator that manages multiple devices without requiring direct peer-to-peer communication between them. This intermediary handles device discovery, connection establishment, and stream synchronization, significantly reducing system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements automatic device discovery and connection establishment without requiring manual configuration. Devices automatically register with the media service, and the service handles authentication, stream routing, and synchronization autonomously, reducing operational complexity.
3Speed
If real-time streaming is implemented across multiple devices, then users can consume media content from remote perspectives instantly, but network bandwidth consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of transmitting original high-resolution streams to all users, the system creates optimized copies tailored to each user's needs. The media service generates simplified video streams with reduced resolution and bitrate for real-time viewing, while preserving original quality for on-demand access.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts streaming parameters (resolution, bitrate, frame rate) based on network conditions and user requirements. Real-time streams use lower parameters to conserve bandwidth, while on-demand content maintains high parameters for quality.
4Manufacturing precision
If high-resolution media content is transmitted in real-time, then capture quality is improved, but transmission speed and network efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates multiple versions of the same content at different quality levels. High-resolution copies are stored for later retrieval, while optimized copies are used for real-time transmission, allowing the system to deliver appropriate quality based on delivery timing requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
For real-time streaming, the system transmits only the essential visual information at reduced quality, accepting some loss in fidelity. Full-quality transmission is reserved for on-demand scenarios where time is not constrained, balancing quality and efficiency based on delivery urgency.
Data Source
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AI summary
Embodiments of apparatus, packages, computer-implemented methods, systems, devices, and computer-readable media (transitory and non-transitory) are described herein for enabling a first mobile device to control a second mobile device, to enable media content sensed from a perspective of the second mobile device to be consumed using the first mobile device or captured by the second mobile device under control of the first mobile device. In various embodiments, control may include provision of one or more commands to the second mobile device using at least a persistent communication link between the first and second mobile devices. In various embodiments, control may further include receipt of at least a view of media content currently sensed by the second mobile device using a stateless communication protocol. In various embodiments, the first mobile device may control more than one remote mobile devices.