Mobile Device Pairing via Server Code for Hotel Entertainment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hotel room entertainment systems do not effectively integrate with mobile devices, limiting the ability to apply user preferences and provide a consistent entertainment experience across devices, and lack the necessary hardware to establish communication links with room entertainment equipment.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for pairing a mobile device with an output device in an interactive system, using a mobile application and a mobile connect server to register and authenticate the mobile device, allowing user preferences to be applied to the output device, enabling access to personalized content and payment for services.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If mobile devices are used to control room entertainment systems, then user interface flexibility and accessibility are improved, but hardware compatibility and system integration complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a mobile application as an intermediary layer between the mobile device and the room entertainment system. This application acts as a mediator that translates user inputs from the mobile device into commands compatible with the entertainment system, eliminating the need for direct hardware integration while maintaining full control functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile application is designed to be universally compatible with multiple entertainment systems and mobile devices. It provides multiple functions including content selection, playback control, and user preference management through a single interface, reducing the need for device-specific control mechanisms.
2Adaptability or versatility
If user preferences are extended across multiple devices, then user experience consistency is improved, but data management and device pairing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates a digital copy of user preferences and profiles that can be accessed across multiple devices. When a user pairs a mobile device with an entertainment system, their preferences are copied to the system, enabling consistent user experience without requiring complex real-time synchronization mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The pairing code mechanism performs preliminary authentication and preference transfer before actual device usage. This preliminary action establishes the user profile and preferences in advance, simplifying subsequent device interactions and avoiding the need for complex real-time data management during content consumption.
3Adaptability or versatility
If mobile devices replace traditional remote controls, then functionality and personalization capabilities are improved, but hardware requirements and system compatibility challenges arise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical remote control system with a software-based mobile application. This substitution eliminates the need for physical remote controls and their associated infrared or radio frequency hardware, leveraging the mobile device's existing communication capabilities instead.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile application consolidates multiple functions previously requiring separate hardware devices into a single software platform. It combines content selection, playback control, user profile management, and payment processing capabilities that would otherwise require multiple specialized devices or hardware components.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for associating or pairing a mobile device with a local output device via a central or mobile connect server system are provided. Pairing is performed by initiating a pairing request from an output device that is passed to the mobile connect server for processing. The mobile connect server responds to the request with a pairing code that is displayed by the output device. A user of the mobile device then enters the displayed pairing code in the mobile device. The mobile device transmits the entered pairing code to the mobile connect server and, in response to a match, the mobile device is paired to the output device. Pairing can enable various functions, including an ability to apply stored user preference data to control programming or other information displayed by the output device in response to commands entered in the mobile device.