Remote Media Format Transcoder for Seamless Content Sharing

Solution Overview

Problem

There is a challenge in facilitating content sharing between computing devices that utilize different media formats, as existing technologies often require additional format transcoding hardware, which can be inconvenient and costly to implement, especially in remote or customer premises settings.

Innovation Solution

A content sharing system that includes a media format transcoder, which is remotely located and accessible via a network, capable of receiving data in a first media format from a sender device, determining a compatible second media format for a player device, and converting and transmitting the data for presentation, thereby enabling seamless compatibility without the need for additional transcoding hardware at the user's location.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If additional format transcoding hardware is installed at user premises, then device compatibility is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice compatibilityVSAvoidtranscoding hardware complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a remote media format transcoder as an intermediary service between the content source and the player device. This transcoder receives content in various formats, converts it to the appropriate format, and delivers it to the player device. By moving the transcoding function to a remote intermediary service rather than requiring local hardware, the system achieves format compatibility without increasing device complexity at user premises.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical approach of installing physical transcoding hardware at user premises with a software-based remote transcoding service accessible via network. Instead of having each device contain its own transcoding capability, the system substitutes this with a centralized remote service that performs format conversion over the network, thereby eliminating the need for additional local hardware.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If additional format transcoding hardware is installed at user premises, then content sharing between different media formats is improved, but cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontent sharing capabilityVSAvoidimplementation cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a remote media format transcoder as an intermediary service between the content source and the player device. This transcoder receives content in various formats, converts it to the appropriate format, and delivers it to the player device. By moving the transcoding function to a remote intermediary service rather than requiring local hardware, the system achieves format compatibility without increasing device complexity at user premises.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The remote media format transcoder serves as a universal solution that can handle multiple format conversions for different content types and different player devices. Instead of requiring each user to purchase dedicated transcoding hardware for each format combination, a single remote transcoder service provides universal format conversion capability, reducing overall system cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Device complexity

If a remote media format transcoder is used, then device complexity at user premises is reduced, but network dependency increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocal hardware requirementVSAvoidnetwork dependency

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical approach of installing physical transcoding hardware at user premises with a software-based remote transcoding service accessible via network. Instead of having each device contain its own transcoding capability, the system substitutes this with a centralized remote service that performs format conversion over the network, thereby eliminating the need for additional local hardware.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS10063812B2Systems and methods for media format transcoding

Publication Date: 2018.08.28 DISH TECHNOLOGIES LLC

AI summary

Various embodiments facilitate sharing program content between computing devices that utilize different media formats. In one embodiment, a media format transcoder facilitates content sharing between a receiving device, such as a set-top box, and a content player, the receiving device providing a program as data formatted in a first media format. The media format transcoder obtains from the receiving device the data formatted in the first media format, transcodes the received data into data formatted in a second media format that is compatible with the content player, and causes the content player to present the program by transmitting the transcoded data to the content player. This abstract is provided to comply with rules requiring an abstract, and it is submitted with the intention that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.