Port-Connected TV Upgrader Offloads Processing to Host
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Solution Overview
Problem
Old media devices, such as televisions, become obsolete as new apps and technologies emerge, requiring new hardware capabilities that older devices cannot support, leading to a need for costly and wasteful upgrades or replacements.
Innovation Solution
A databus-based system that allows media devices to offload processing tasks to a host device with more advanced hardware, enabling the execution of new and upgraded apps without replacing the original device, by using a computer-implemented method where a fetch command is received and metadata is used to determine rendering commands for displaying app interfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If new apps and technologies are continuously developed, then application functionality and performance are improved, but hardware obsolescence accelerates
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides application execution into two segments: a lightweight client instance running on the old media device for UI interaction, and a heavy serverinstance running on the host device for actual processing. This allows the media device to maintain functionality without requiring hardware upgrades.
Solution Approach 2:
A communication interface acts as an intermediary between the media device and host device, enabling the transfer of commands and data. This intermediary layer allows the older media device to access new application capabilities through the host device without direct hardware modification.
2Power
If media devices are replaced with new hardware, then processing capabilities are improved, but cost and environmental waste increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of replacing the entire media device, the system creates a virtual copy of the application on the host device that mirrors the original application's functionality. The media device's display and audio components are reused to present the application interface, eliminating the need for physical replacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The host device serves multiple functions: it executes the application, provides enhanced processing power, and communicates with the media device through a standardized interface. This universal approach allows a single host device to support multiple media devices and applications.
3Power
If a cloud-based system is used for processing, then processing power is improved, but network dependency and latency increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces the traditional network-based cloud computing model with a direct USB-based communication mechanism. This substitution eliminates network protocol overhead and provides a more reliable, lower-latency connection between the media device and host device.
Solution Approach 2:
A USB communication interface serves as an intermediary that provides direct, high-speed data transfer between devices. This intermediary bypasses the need for network routing, significantly reducing latency compared to cloud-based systems.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein are system, method, and computer program product embodiments for a port-connected television upgrader system. An embodiment operates by receiving a fetch command from a first instance of an application executing locally on a host device physically connected to a media device through a port of the media device. The fetch command is provided to the media device executing a second instance of the application to fetch a file associated with displaying an interface of the application on the media device. Metadata corresponding to the file that was retrieved by the media device is received. A rendering command corresponding to the interface is determined and provided to the media device that is configured to display the interface of the application responsive to executing the rendering command.