Multi-Device Content Authorization and Playback Synchronization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing satellite television systems do not allow multiple user devices associated with an account to access the same content, limiting user flexibility and convenience due to formatting issues.
Innovation Solution
A system and method where a head end associates multiple user devices with a user account, authorizes them to receive content, and synchronizes the content across devices, enabling seamless access and resumption of playback from the last viewed position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If content is provided to a set top box on an individual basis, then the set top box can access the content, but other user devices such as mobile devices do not have access to the same content
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements multi-device access by associating multiple user devices with a single user account at the head end. The head end authorizes each associated device to receive content, enabling a set top box, mobile device, or other user devices to access the same content ordered from any associated device. This universal access approach allows the system to serve multiple device types through a unified authorization framework.
2Ease of operation
If content is made accessible on multiple user devices, then user flexibility and convenience are improved, but synchronization of playback position across devices becomes necessary
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements playback position synchronization by having each user device communicate its current playback position to the head end. When content is played back on any associated device, the playback position information is sent back to the head end as feedback. The head end stores this position information and uses it to synchronize playback across all associated devices, ensuring that if a user switches devices, the content resumes from the correct position.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple devices are authorized to receive content, then simultaneous access is enabled, but formatting issues may prevent proper display on different devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent addresses formatting compatibility by implementing content format conversion at the head end. When content is ordered from a set top box, the head end converts the content into a format suitable for display on other user devices such as mobile devices. This parameter change in content formatting ensures that the same content can be reliably displayed across different device types with varying display capabilities and format requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for using content on multiple devices includes a head end associating a first user device and a second user device with a user account and authorizing the first user device and the second user device to receive content. The first user device forms a selection signal corresponding to a first content. The head end communicates the first content to the first user device corresponding to the selection signal. The first user device displays the first content on a first display associated therewith. The second user device receives the first content and displays the first content on a second display associated with the second user device.