Second Screen Communication Channel for Primary Display Interaction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users of supplemental viewing devices, or second screen devices, cannot directly communicate with primary screen devices, limiting their ability to share information beyond physically showing the second screen display, especially in larger or remote viewing settings.

Innovation Solution

Establishing a communication channel between second screen devices and primary screen devices using various means such as wired or wireless connections, allowing the second screen to display information on the primary screen, either manually or automatically, and enabling interactive functions like voting or social networking.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If second screen devices physically display information to share with others, then information sharing is achieved, but interaction capability with primary screen and other users is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation sharing capabilityVSAvoidinteraction capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a communication channel as an intermediary between second screen devices and primary screen devices, enabling indirect communication and interaction. This mediator allows information to be transmitted from second screens to the primary screen without requiring physical display sharing, thus maintaining information sharing capability while enabling broader interaction possibilities through the communication infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If communication channel is established between second screen and primary screen, then interaction capability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinteraction capabilityVSAvoidcommunication infrastructure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The communication channel is designed to serve multiple functions: transmitting information from second screens to primary screen, enabling user interactions, supporting various communication modes, and facilitating group viewing experiences. By making the communication infrastructure multi-functional, the patent reduces the need for separate specialized systems, thereby managing device complexity while maintaining high interaction capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Loss of information

If second screen information is displayed on primary screen, then information sharing is enhanced, but attention required from primary screen user increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation disseminationVSAvoiduser attention requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements selective information transmission where only specific, relevant information from second screens is displayed on the primary screen based on user preferences, context, and importance. This local quality approach ensures that information sharing is enhanced while maintaining ease of operation by filtering and prioritizing content, thereby reducing the attention burden on primary screen users while still achieving effective information dissemination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP2661900B1Multi-screen interactions
Publication Date: 2020.03.18 THOMSON LICENSING SA
  • EP2661900B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2661900B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2661900B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A secondary screen device sends information relating to media content viewed on a primary screen device to the primary screen device. The information sent can be altered and/or unaltered information. The secondary screen device can send the information to the primary screen device automatically and/or manually via a user interface on the secondary screen device. In some instances, an intermediate device can be employed to relay the information from the secondary screen device to the primary screen device. The intermediate device can also process the information received from the secondary screen device before sending it to the primary screen device.