Media Asset Streaming via Server Intermediary for Portable Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users experience a less exciting media consumption experience on portable computing devices due to smaller displays and inferior speakers compared to traditional TV sets and home audio systems, and existing solutions require local storage of media assets on both devices for streaming.
Innovation Solution
A method for streaming media assets over a network from a server computer to a media-playing device, allowing users to select and play media assets on a larger display with better audio equipment without the need for local storage on the portable device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of moving object
If media assets are stored locally in the portable computing device, then the device can play media assets independently, but the display size and audio quality remain limited by the portable device's hardware
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the media asset storage function from the portable computing device and places it on a remote server. The portable device only retains the capability to send control signals and receive streamed media, while the server handles storage and delivery of media assets to external display and audio devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a server as an intermediary between the portable computing device and the external display/audio devices. The server receives control signals from the portable device, retrieves media assets from its storage, and streams them to the external devices, enabling the portable device to access larger displays and better audio equipment without storing media locally.
2Reliability
If media assets are streamed from a remote server, then larger display and better audio equipment can be utilized, but media assets must be stored on the server
Solution Approach 1:
The server is designed to handle multiple functions: storing media assets, receiving control signals from portable devices, retrieving appropriate media assets, and streaming them to various external display and audio devices. This multi-functional approach allows the server to serve multiple users and devices while efficiently managing storage resources.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the portable device sends control signals to a server, then the device can access external display and audio equipment, but the device loses local media playback capability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the media playback system into distinct functional components: the portable device handles user interaction and control signal generation, the server handles media asset management and retrieval, and external devices handle media output. This segmentation allows each component to specialize in its function while working together to achieve versatile media playback across different device combinations.
Data Source
AI summary
Streaming of a media asset from a cloud server computer to a media playback device is disclosed. In an embodiment, a list of media assets stored in the cloud server computer is sent over network from the cloud server computer to a portable device. In another embodiment, the list is transferred via close-range communication to the portable device from the media playback device which received the list from the cloud server computer over network. In the embodiments, a media asset is started streaming over network from the cloud server computer to the media playback device responsive to selection of one of the listed media assets at the portable device. In some embodiments, streaming is redirected from the portable device to the media playback device responsive to a user's operation or in case of disconnection.