Multi-User Screen Sharing Via Time-Division Multiplexing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional screen sharing techniques often divide the display device's screen into smaller zones, distracting multiple viewers when they want to watch their respective content independently.

Innovation Solution

A multi-user screen sharing system that interleaves video frames from different media content items into a time-division multiplexed format, allowing users to select and view their preferred content using their electronic devices, with sync signals coordinating frame display.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the display screen is divided into multiple zones for multi-user viewing, then multiple users can view content simultaneously, but the viewing experience becomes distracting and users cannot independently interact with their own content

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemulti-user content viewing capabilityVSAvoidindependent content interaction

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the video signal transmission path by directing different portions of the multiplexed video signal to different user devices. Each device receives and displays only its designated content, enabling independent interaction while maintaining simultaneous multi-user viewing capability on a single display system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system introduces intermediary devices (user electronic devices such as smartphones or tablets) between the main display and each user. These intermediaries capture images of the display screen and selectively display only the relevant content portion to each user, isolating their viewing experience from other users' content.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Quantity of substance

If conventional screen sharing divides the display into smaller zones, then multiple content items can be displayed, but the individual video feeds become smaller and less visible

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of content items displayedVSAvoiddisplay area per content item

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The system transitions from a two-dimensional spatial division of the display screen to a temporal dimension by multiplexing video frames in time. Different content items are displayed at different time intervals, allowing full-resolution content for each user while maintaining simultaneous multi-content display capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs periodic action by alternatingly displaying different content items on the display screen at regular time intervals. The multiplexing process cycles through different content sources, with each content item receiving dedicated display time periods, ensuring high visibility while maintaining quantity of content.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple video feeds are displayed simultaneously on a single display device, then screen sharing is enabled, but frame rates must be reduced to accommodate multiple feeds

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimultaneous multi-content displayVSAvoidframe rate

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses periodic time-division multiplexing to display different content items at different time intervals. By alternating between content sources at high speed, the system maintains the original frame rate of each individual content item while achieving simultaneous multi-content display capability across the system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The multiplexing process ensures continuous useful action by seamlessly transitioning between different content items without interruption. The rapid switching between content sources creates the perception of simultaneous display while maintaining uninterrupted high frame rates for each individual content feed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentUS20250337976A1Devices, systems, and methods for multi-user screen sharing

Publication Date: 2025.10.30 DISH NETWORK LLC

AI summary

The present technology is generally directed to multi-user screen sharing. In some embodiments, a method for media content screen sharing includes receiving a first media content item selection from a first user and receiving a second media content item selection from a second user. The method can further include generating a multi-content video signal, wherein the multi-content video signal includes the selected first media content item and the selected second media content item. The multi-content video signal can be displayed to both the first user and the second user. The method can include causing a first electronic device of the first user to display a first portion of the multi-content video signal that corresponds to the selected first media content item, and causing a second electronic device of the second user to display a second portion of the multi-content video signal that corresponds to the selected second media content item.