Playback Device Ranking Using Proximity and Orientation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless streaming technologies struggle to accurately determine the most appropriate device for media streaming due to endpoint proliferation, making it difficult for users to select the optimal device for content streaming.

Innovation Solution

Utilizing ultrawide band ranging, received signal strength indication, and device orientation to identify relevant media devices for streaming, along with triangulation techniques to determine the closest and most suitable device for media content transmission.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If wireless streaming protocol is widely adopted to support multiple devices, then device compatibility and streaming capability are improved, but device selection complexity and user difficulty in determining the most appropriate device increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice compatibilityVSAvoiddevice selection complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual device selection with automated spatial awareness technology using sensors (camera, microphone, accelerometers, GPS) to detect and rank nearby streaming devices based on physical proximity and orientation, eliminating the need for users to manually navigate complex device lists

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs self-service by automatically identifying and ranking relevant streaming devices based on the user's physical context, with the mobile device autonomously determining which devices are closest and most appropriate for content streaming without requiring user intervention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of operation

If a flat alphabetical list of devices is provided, then ease of device discovery is improved, but relevance accuracy and user experience are worsened when multiple devices are nearby

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice discovery easeVSAvoiddevice relevance accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms the static alphabetical device list into a dynamic, context-aware ranked list that automatically adjusts based on real-time spatial information from sensors, reordering devices according to their physical proximity and orientation relative to the user

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary spatial analysis and device ranking before the user needs to select a streaming device, pre-processing the device list based on sensor data to present the most relevant options first, saving the user time and effort

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enhances the accuracy of selecting media devices for streaming by prioritizing the closest and most suitable devices based on proximity and orientation, providing a more intuitive user experience.

Implementation Method 1

If ultrawide band (UWB) ranging is available, the mobile device can conduct ranging with the one or more media devices to determine which devices are closest in range to the mobile device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectUltrawide band ranging: Time of Flight

Implementation Method 2

If UWB ranging is not available, the mobile device can use received signal strength indication (RSSI) from either Bluetooth advertising signals or Wi-Fi signals to determine whether or not the mobile device is within certain cluster locations

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectReceived signal strength indication: Electromagnetic Propulsion

Data Source

PatentUS12543144B2Ranking wireless streaming devices based on proximity

Publication Date: 2026.02.03 APPLE INC

AI summary

In some implementations, the device may include conducting ranging with one or more playback devices to determine ranging information between the mobile device and each of the one or more playback devices, where the one or more playback devices are configured to play the streaming data when received from the mobile device, and where the ranging information provides at least one of a distance and an orientation between the mobile device and each of the one or more playback devices. In addition, the device may include detecting a selection of a media item. Also, the device may include identifying a particular playback device from the one or more playback devices for playing the selected media item based on the ranging information of the mobile device relative to each of the one or more playback devices.