Multi-Room Content Resumption via Control Signals

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current devices in multi-room environments require cumbersome steps to resume paused audio or video content across different rooms, involving explicit recording and navigation, making the process inconvenient and time-consuming for users.

Innovation Solution

A method where a first video device sends a control signal to interrupt playback, prompting a second video device to display a message asking the user to continue playback within a predetermined time interval, allowing seamless resumption of content reproduction if the user responds affirmatively.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If current devices are used to resume content in another room, then content can be resumed across rooms, but the process requires many steps including explicit recording, navigation, and fast forwarding

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of resuming contentVSAvoidnumber of steps required
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by automatically recording the content on the second device when the first device pauses or stops playback. The content is pre-positioned and ready for immediate resumption without requiring user navigation or fast forwarding, thus simplifying the resumption process while maintaining multi-room functionality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Measurement precision

If explicit recording and navigation steps are required to resume content, then content can be accurately located, but the process becomes time-consuming and inconvenient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccuracy of content locationVSAvoidtime to resume content
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically performs the content location and preparation actions in advance when the first device pauses or stops playback. The second device receives and stores the content data beforehand, eliminating the need for time-consuming navigation and fast forwarding steps while ensuring accurate content location is maintained

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If the system asks user whether to continue playback within predetermined time interval, then user can make informed decision, but the process requires user response within time constraint

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser choice flexibilityVSAvoidtime interval for response
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements a feedback mechanism by displaying a message on the second device that asks the user whether to continue playback within a predetermined time interval. This provides the user with informed choice flexibility while maintaining system responsiveness through the time constraint, allowing users to make deliberate decisions without excessive delay

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP2817972B8Methods for distributing content in multi-room environment
Publication Date: 2019.06.12 INTERDIGITAL CE PATENT HOLDINGS SAS

AI summary

A method (200) enables a user to pause or stop content reproduction in one viewing room, and resume content reproduction in another viewing room according to a timing condition. According to an exemplary embodiment, the method (200) is used in a system including first and second video devices, and includes steps of: receiving by the first video device while playing back a program, a first control signal to interrupt the playback; enabling display of a message by the second video device for a predetermined time interval asking a viewer whether to continue playback of the program by the second video device; receiving by the second video device a second control signal within the predetermined time interval to continue playback of the program; and enabling playback of the program by the second video device in response to the second control signal.