Mobile Device Media Client for WPAN Content Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is no existing system for easily ascertaining or controlling content played on multiple media devices, such as computers and MP3 players, using a mobile device.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a mobile device with a wireless communication interface and a media client that communicates with media devices to obtain metadata about available content, allowing users to select or automatically play content based on preferences within a Wireless Personal Area Network (WPAN).
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a mobile device enters a WPAN associated with a media device to obtain content information, then the user can control content played at the media device, but the system complexity increases due to wireless communication protocols and network management
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a media server as an intermediary component that mediates between the mobile device and media devices. The media server manages the WPAN network, handles content information retrieval, and coordinates playback control, thereby simplifying the mobile device's role and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining ease of operation
2Adaptability or versatility
If the media database stores content information from multiple media devices, then the user can select content across different devices, but the data management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal media database that can store and manage content information from multiple different media devices through a standardized interface. This multi-functional database handles diverse content types and device protocols uniformly, enabling cross-device content selection without increasing data management complexity for the user
3Ease of operation
If the system automatically selects content based on play history, then user convenience is improved, but the need for storing and processing historical data increases system complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements automatic content selection by performing preliminary actions - the system proactively analyzes play history data and pre-selects content based on user preferences and usage patterns. This preliminary action eliminates the need for manual selection and reduces the burden of storing and processing extensive historical data, as the system only needs to maintain sufficient play history for pattern recognition
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method are provided for controlling content played by a number of media devices. In general, the system includes a mobile device and the number of media devices. The mobile device includes a wireless communication interface for communicating with the media devices, a media database, and a control system including a media client. When the mobile device enters a Wireless Personal Area Network (WPAN) associated with a media device, the media client obtains information describing the content residing at the media device and stores the information in the media database at the mobile device. Thereafter, when the mobile device is within the WPAN associated with the media device, the media database is used to select content to be played at the media device.