Remote Display Playback Control Across Multiple Media Players
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems face difficulties in controlling and playing web media on a television display from a distance, especially when multiple media players are involved, and there is a need for seamless integration with personal computing devices for remote operation.
Innovation Solution
A system that uses a personal computing device to transmit messages to a server system, which in turn controls a display device by loading appropriate media players and executing commands, allowing remote control and playback of content across different media players.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a computer is connected to a television set to watch Web media, then Web media can be displayed on the television, but it becomes difficult to control the system from a distance
Solution Approach 1:
A remote control device serves as an intermediary between the user and the television-computer system. The remote control transmits commands wirelessly to the computer, enabling the user to control media playback and system functions from a distance without needing to be physically near the computer or television.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces direct mechanical control (physically operating the computer) with wireless electronic control. The remote control device communicates with the computer through wireless signals, substituting the need for physical presence and mechanical interaction with the computer's control interfaces.
2Ease of operation
If a wireless device is used to control the television from a distance, then remote control is enabled, but it becomes difficult to view a web browser display on the television set and may interfere with normal television program viewing
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the control function from the display function. The remote control device handles all control operations, while the television maintains its primary display functions. This segmentation allows the television to display normal programming or web content without being cluttered by browser interface elements, as control is handled externally by the remote device.
Solution Approach 2:
The control interface is moved to a different dimension - from the television screen to a handheld remote control device. This allows the user to interact with the system through a separate interface that doesn't occupy or interfere with the television's display area, enabling simultaneous viewing of full-screen content and control operations.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple media players are involved in playing content on the display device, then content playback capability is enhanced, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The remote control device is designed with universal functionality to control multiple different media players and playback scenarios. It can identify and communicate with various media player applications on the computer, providing a unified control interface regardless of which specific media player is being used, thereby managing complexity through standardized control mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for controlling playback of various types of content includes a first computing device that provides a unique identifier to a second computing device to establish an association there between. By virtue of the established association, the second computing device can send one or more messages to the first computing device, the one or more messages referencing a piece of content associated with a first media playing element of a plurality of media playing elements, and one or more commands corresponding to the first media playing element. The first computing device can select the first media playing element based on the received one or more messages, and control how the first media playing element plays the referenced piece of content utilizing the one or more commands.