Multi-Source Wi-Fi Display Session Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing Wi-Fi Display specifications limit WFD sessions to a single source and primary sink, failing to handle multiple sources interoperably, which is inadequate for multiuser scenarios like multiplayer gaming that require simultaneous streaming of multimedia content from multiple sources to a single sink.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that enable multiple sources to simultaneously stream multimedia content to a sink by establishing WFD sessions, sharing the display screen, and selecting audio based on source intent values, with modes of operation such as associated, unassociated, pre-grouping, and post-grouping to manage source associations and audio rendering.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the WFD session is limited to a single source and primary sink as per existing specification, then the system complexity is reduced and interoperability is simplified, but the system cannot support multiuser scenarios such as multiplayer gaming that require simultaneous streaming from multiple sources
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the session management by introducing a group manager concept that coordinates multiple sources. Each source establishes an independent WFD session with the sink, but the group manager orchestrates their interactions, screen sharing, and audio selection. This segmentation allows multiple sources to operate independently while maintaining overall system coordination.
Solution Approach 2:
The group manager acts as an intermediary between multiple sources and the sink. It receives capability information from all sources, manages session establishment, handles screen sharing coordination, and determines audio rendering based on source intent values. This intermediary simplifies the complexity by centralizing coordination functions.
2Productivity
If multiple sources simultaneously stream to a single sink, then multiuser applications like multiplayer gaming are enabled, but the screen sharing and audio selection mechanisms become more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary capability exchange between the group manager and all sources before simultaneous streaming begins. Each source's capabilities, including screen sharing support and audio rendering preferences, are discovered in advance. This preliminary action enables the group manager to pre-configure session parameters and establish coordination rules before multi-source streaming commences.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces source intent values as a parameter that sources can set to indicate their audio rendering preferences. The group manager uses these parameter changes to dynamically determine which source's audio to render at any given time. This parameter-based approach simplifies audio selection compared to hard-coded or manual configuration methods.
3Reliability
If capability exchange and negotiation is performed among multiple sources and sink, then interoperability is improved, but the device discovery and session establishment time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the capability exchange process by having the group manager collect capability information from all sources in a coordinated manner. Instead of each source performing separate discovery negotiations with the sink, the group manager consolidates this information gathering, reducing redundant communication overhead and accelerating session establishment while maintaining comprehensive interoperability checking.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method and system for simultaneously streaming multimedia contents from plurality of sources within a group by establishing one or more Wireless Fidelity Display (WFD) sessions with a sink is disclosed. The method enables the sink to share the display screen (screen) of the sink among a first source and one or more second sources in the group to display the video of the multimedia content. The method enables the sink to select audio of the multimedia content from one among the first source and one or more second sources in the group. The method enables the sink, the first source and one or more second sources in the group to select mode of operation for streaming of the multimedia contents to the sink.