Content Streaming Branch Device Capability Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing content streaming systems face malfunctions and bandwidth inefficiencies when streaming content to multiple devices with varying performance capabilities, as they often require content replication and conversion, leading to errors and suboptimal bandwidth usage.

Innovation Solution

The method involves checking each device for a content conversion function before streaming, allowing the source device to transmit content to a branch device, which then converts and relays it to other devices based on their performance capabilities, thereby preventing malfunctions and optimizing bandwidth usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If content is simultaneously streamed to multiple devices with varying capabilities using simple copying, then the system is simple to operate, but malfunctions occur due to capability mismatches

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestreaming system reliabilityVSAvoidstreaming system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary capability detection by sending inquiry messages to branch devices and second devices before content streaming. The source device receives capability information indicating whether conversion functions are installed, and based on this advance knowledge, determines the appropriate streaming method (copying or conversion) to prevent malfunctions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback mechanisms where branch devices and second devices send capability information back to the source device. The source device uses this feedback to dynamically adjust the content transmission strategy, selecting either copying or conversion based on the received capability status, thereby ensuring reliable streaming.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Adaptability or versatility

If content conversion is performed at branch devices, then content compatibility with different devices is improved, but bandwidth usage increases due to additional processing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontent compatibilityVSAvoidbandwidth usage
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies local quality by performing content conversion only at specific locations (branch devices or second devices) that have the necessary conversion capabilities, rather than universally converting content at all points. The source device selectively transmits content based on the specific capability status of each receiving device, converting content only where needed and only to the extent required by that particular device's capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP2564551B1Method and apparatus for transmitting content to plurality of devices
Publication Date: 2020.01.01 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP2564551B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2564551B1 patent drawingFigure 2a
  • EP2564551B1 patent drawingFigure 2b~3

AI summary

A method and apparatus for transmitting content from a source device are provided. The method includes transmitting a message to a branch device and a second device inquiring whether a conversion function for converting content that is streamed to a first device, is installed on the branch device or second device; receiving a response to the transmitted message; transmitting a message requesting conversion of the content to the branch device or the second device, which includes the conversion function; and transmitting the content to the branch device. The content is relayed to the second device by the branch device, and is converted by the branch device or the second device according to performance capabilities of the second device.