Multimedia Application Launching via Device Capability Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Legacy set-top boxes struggle to process advanced media formats and applications due to insufficient processing power, leading to lag and an inferior user experience when accessing high-definition video or Internet streaming services.
Innovation Solution
A system where a first stand-alone device, such as a set-top box, identifies its capabilities and those of a connected second device, and directs multimedia signals or applications to the device best suited for processing, ensuring seamless playback and minimal lag by transmitting signals that exceed its capabilities to the second device for processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a legacy set-top box is used to process advanced media formats and applications, then device cost is reduced, but processing capability and user experience deteriorate due to insufficient processing power
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides processing tasks between two devices: the set-top box handles signal reception and basic processing, while a second device with greater capabilities handles advanced media formats and applications. This segmentation allows legacy hardware to be extended without complete replacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The second device is designed to handle multiple functions including processing high-definition video, decoding advanced formats, and running applications that exceed the capabilities of the set-top box, making it a universal processing solution for various media types.
2Speed
If a legacy set-top box processes high-definition video and streaming applications, then hardware cost is reduced, but playback smoothness and application launching speed deteriorate due to lag
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-loads and caches application data and media buffers in advance on the second device, which has greater processing capabilities. This preliminary action reduces the time required to launch applications and ensures smoother playback by having content ready before requested.
Solution Approach 2:
The second device acts as an intermediary between the set-top box and the display device, handling time-consuming processing tasks such as decoding high-definition video and launching applications, thereby reducing lag and improving response time.
3Reliability
If a legacy set-top box processes multimedia signals exceeding its capabilities, then hardware investment is reduced, but processing reliability and output quality deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The second device serves as an intermediary that receives multimedia signals from the set-top box and processes formats that exceed the set-top box's capabilities. This intermediary approach ensures reliable processing of diverse media formats without requiring the legacy device to handle unsupported formats directly.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes processing parameters by routing different types of signals to different devices based on their capabilities. When a signal format exceeds set-top box parameters, the system automatically redirects to the second device with appropriate processing parameters configured.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems are disclosed herein for determining which of two multimedia devices to use when launching an Internet multimedia application. A user may interact directly with a first device and select an application from the first device. The first device will determine whether the selected application is present on a second device and whether the capabilities of the second device make it a better choice for launching the selected application. If the first device is chosen, multimedia data is transmitted from the first device though the second device to a display. If the second device is chosen, the first device sends a command to the second device to launch the selected application and multimedia data is sent from the second device to a display.