Multi-Device Content Access via Automatic Complementary Retrieval
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users face inconvenience when accessing related content on multiple devices, as they need to manually switch between devices and be aware of the existence and network locations of both content items, making it time-consuming and inconvenient to view complementary content.
Innovation Solution
A system that allows users to access primary content on one device while automatically accessing related complementary content on another device, which can be identified by user interaction or determined by the system based on content type and device capabilities, without requiring user interaction with the secondary device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If users manually switch between devices to access complementary content, then they can access related content on multiple devices, but the process becomes time-consuming and inconvenient
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by automatically identifying and preparing complementary content on the second device before the user needs it. When content is accessed on the first device, the system proactively retrieves related complementary content and makes it available on the second device, eliminating the need for users to manually search and switch devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service by automatically managing the content synchronization process between devices. The intermediary system autonomously identifies complementary content, retrieves it from content sources, and delivers it to the appropriate second device without requiring user intervention, allowing the system to serve itself in managing multi-device content access.
2Adaptability or versatility
If users manually access complementary content on another device, then they can view related content, but they need to be aware of the existence and network locations of both content items
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary system that acts as a mediator between the first device, second device, and content sources. This intermediary automatically identifies complementary content based on the content being viewed on the first device, retrieves it from appropriate content sources, and delivers it to the second device. Users simply need to view content on their primary device while the intermediary handles all the complexity of finding and transferring complementary content, greatly simplifying the user experience.
3Ease of operation
If the system automatically accesses complementary content on a second device, then user experience is enhanced, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into distinct functional components: the first device for viewing primary content, the second device for displaying complementary content, and an intermediary system for managing content synchronization. This segmentation allows each component to have a specific, simplified function while the overall system provides sophisticated multi-device content management. The intermediary system handles the complexity of content identification and transfer, keeping individual devices relatively simple.
Data Source
AI summary
A system is disclosed that enables a user to access a first piece of content on a first computing device while accessing a related, but different piece of content on a second computing device. In some cases, the different piece of content is a portion of the first piece of content. In some embodiments, the system can automatically identify complementary content and can automatically cause the second computing device to access the complementary content without the user interacting with the second computing device. In some cases, the system may reformat the complementary content for presentation to the user based on characteristics of the second computing device.