Portable Playback Control for Follow-Me Stream Redirection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing in-home video rendering systems that support a 'follow me' scenario require users to carry a special object between rooms, which can be cumbersome and prone to user forgetfulness or searching difficulties, and alternative interfaces like house maps can be complex for some users.
Innovation Solution
A distributed content rendering system with a portable control device that generates an actuation signal, a detection circuit to detect the signal, and a control structure to gather and activate control information for the most recently started stream, allowing seamless stream redirection between geographically distributed rendering devices without requiring users to manually select channels or navigate through menus.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a token object is used to track user location for follow-me scenario, then the system can automatically redirect program streams, but the user burden increases due to having to carry and locate the token
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically tracks which rendering device the user is currently at and redirects streams without requiring the user to manually carry or locate a token. The control structure monitors user presence and autonomously manages stream redirection, eliminating the need for physical token objects.
Solution Approach 2:
The portable control device acts as an intermediary between the user and the rendering devices. Instead of directly interacting with complex interface screens or physical tokens, the user simply activates the most recent button on the portable device, which then coordinates with the control structure to redirect the stream automatically.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a house map interface is used for stream redirection, then the system provides visual control options, but the interface complexity increases making it difficult for some users
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the essential function of stream redirection from the complex house map interface. Instead of requiring users to navigate floor plans and drag streams across screens, the system provides a single most recent button on the portable control device that directly accomplishes the redirection based on current user location.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of presenting users with multiple interface options and requiring them to select the correct stream, the system inverts the approach by automatically determining the most relevant stream based on user presence and presenting a single default option through the most recent button, which users can activate without complex navigation.
3Measurement precision
If explicit stream identification is required for redirection, then the system ensures accurate stream selection, but the user effort and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The control structure preliminarily identifies and prepares the most recent stream for redirection before the user activates the most recent button. The system has already determined which stream should be redirected based on user presence at a rendering device, so when the user presses the button, the action is executed immediately without requiring the user to manually identify or search for the stream.
Data Source
AI summary
A distributed content rendering system has a distributed communication structure (14, 14b) coupled between a stream source and a rendering device. A remote control device of the system has a "most recent" button. Control information is gathered for one or more streams of which rendering has been most recently started anywhere via the communication structure (14, 14b) before actuation of the "most recent" button (160). When actuation of the "most recent" button (160) is detected in association with the rendering device (10), one of the one or more streams selected and the information is used to direct that stream at the rendering device (10) that is associated with the actuated.