Remote Media Playback Control for Wireless Device Testing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current media content development tools for wireless communication devices lack efficient playback control mechanisms, making it tedious for developers to test and modify media content on web browsers, which are limited in functionality and designed for end-users rather than developers.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for remotely controlling media content playback on wireless devices or simulators using a mobile data service (MDS) that transmits service load requests over a wireless network, including instructions to execute playback on the device or simulator, overriding current applications and providing advanced playback controls through a control panel application and playback control application.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If web browser playback controls are used for media content testing, then the content can be played back on the wireless device, but the control functionality is limited and designed for end users rather than developers
Solution Approach 1:
A remote control system acts as an intermediary between the developer's computer and the wireless device's web browser. The system includes a remote control server that receives control signals from the developer, processes them, and transmits appropriate commands to the web browser on the wireless device. This intermediary layer provides comprehensive developer-oriented controls (play, pause, stop, seek, speed control) without requiring modifications to the web browser itself, thereby resolving the contradiction between using standard web browser playback and needing advanced developer controls.
2Reliability
If the developer manually controls playback on the web browser, then the media content can be tested, but the process is tedious and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by automatically launching the web browser, loading the media content URL, and initializing playback controls before the developer needs to test the content. The remote control server pre-configures the playback environment and waits for developer commands, eliminating the manual setup time and allowing the developer to immediately begin testing once the content is loaded.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements real-time feedback mechanisms where the remote control server continuously monitors playback status, current time position, and control responses from the web browser. This feedback is transmitted back to the developer's computer, allowing immediate verification of content behavior and enabling rapid iteration during the edit-and-test cycle without manual intervention delays.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the web browser is used for media playback, then the content can be displayed on the wireless device, but advanced playback controls such as jumping to specific time points are not available
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is segmented into distinct functional modules: a remote control client on the developer's computer for issuing commands, a remote control server for processing and protocol management, and a web browser interface on the wireless device for execution. This segmentation allows advanced controls to be implemented in the remote client and server layers without complicating the web browser or wireless device itself, maintaining simplicity at the execution level while providing complexity where needed for control.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method at a mobile data service 'MDS' for remotely controlling playback of media content on a web browser of a wireless device or a wireless communication device simulator. The method comprises: receiving a service load request for playback of media content on the wireless device or wireless device simulator at the MDS. The method also comprises transmitting the service load request from the MDS over a wireless network to the wireless communication device or the wireless communication device simulator, wherein the service load request contains instructions operable to execute playback of media content on the web browser of the wireless communication device or wireless communication device simulator.