Portal Aggregator for Cross-Device Function Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems do not allow users to access and utilize the functions available on multiple electronic devices simultaneously, limiting the capabilities based on the device in their possession.
Innovation Solution
A portal aggregator system that stores data on user device groups, allowing users to select and command an appropriate device from a network to execute specific actions based on device capabilities, enabling seamless access to functions across multiple devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a user has multiple electronic devices, then the total functionality available increases, but the user can only access functions on the device physically in their possession
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a portal aggregator as an intermediary system between the user and multiple electronic devices. This portal receives user requests, identifies capable devices from a device group, and transmits commands to the selected device. This mediator enables users to access functions across multiple devices without needing to be physically present at each device, resolving the contradiction between versatility and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The portal aggregator creates a universal interface that works across multiple different types of electronic devices (telephones, computers, media players, etc.). By maintaining a device group with diverse capabilities and providing a single access point, the system enables one interface to control multiple functions across different devices, eliminating the need for users to physically possess each device to access its functions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If each device can only perform a subset of functions, then device complexity is reduced, but the user's overall capability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functionality of multiple electronic devices into a unified system through the portal aggregator. Instead of each device operating independently with limited functions, the portal aggregates capabilities from multiple devices and presents them as a combined functionality set. When a user requests a function, the portal identifies which device can perform it and routes the command accordingly, effectively combining device capabilities while keeping individual devices relatively simple.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the system allows access to multiple devices, then functionality availability increases, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the system into distinct functional components: user devices, a portal aggregator, and a device group database. This segmentation organizes the complexity by separating the user interface from the device management logic. The portal aggregator handles user requests independently from the actual device execution, and the device group stores capability information separately. This modular segmentation makes the multi-device access system manageable despite increased versatility.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems and devices for selecting an end-user device from a plurality of end-user devices to satisfy a user request. The method comprises storing at a portal aggregator data identifying a user device group comprising a plurality of end-user devices, wherein the data identifying the device group comprises the capabilities of each end-user device. When the portal aggregator receives a request from the user the portal aggregator generates a list of end-user devices from the device group that are capable of satisfying the user request. The portal aggregator then selects an end-user device from the list of capable end-user devices and then transmits a command to the selected end-user device to satisfy the request. In some cases the list of capable end-user devices may be sorted and/or filtered prior to selecting an end-user device from the list.