Remote Media Control via Server-Side Player Translation
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a challenge in controlling and accessing media content on display devices, such as television sets, from a distance, especially when trying to watch web media on a primary family television set, as existing methods can be cumbersome and interfere with normal viewing.
Innovation Solution
A system that allows a personal computing device, like a mobile phone, to remotely control and select content for a display device through a network, using a server system that translates commands into recognizable formats for the display device, enabling the loading and playback of media content, even if different media players are required.
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 is difficult to control the system from a distance and may interfere with normal television program viewing
Solution Approach 1:
A remote control device with a web browser acts as an intermediary between the user and the television system. The remote control device retrieves Web media content and transmits control signals to the television set, allowing the user to control Web media playback from a distance without being positioned near the television.
2Ease of operation
If a wireless device is used to control the television from a distance, then control from distance is enabled, but it can be difficult to view a web browser display on the television set and may interfere with normal television program viewing
Solution Approach 1:
The remote control device is designed to perform multiple functions: it can display and control Web media content, control the television set, and manage media playback operations. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise require multiple separate devices into a single unified remote control system.
3Adaptability or versatility
If different media players are required to present different content, then various media types can be played, but the system becomes more complex and requires multiple players to be loaded
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically loads only the specific media player required for the current content type being played. Instead of having all media players loaded simultaneously, the appropriate player is loaded on-demand based on the media format, reducing memory usage and system complexity while maintaining the ability to play various media types.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for presenting and controlling content on a display device includes a network, a server system coupled to the network and comprising one or more servers, a display device coupled to the network and having a display, and a personal computing device operable to transmit a first message according to a specified format over the network to the server system. The server system stores an association between the personal computing device and the display device. The first message identifies user-selected content and a media player to play the content. The server system is operable, in response to receiving the first message from the personal computing device, to provide to the display device a second message identifying the user-selected content and the media player to play the content. In response to receiving the second message, the display device is operable to obtain a first media player needed to play the content, to load the media player and to present the content on the display.