Streaming Content Scheduler for Automatic Source Switching

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Solution Overview

Problem

The fragmentation of content rights and availability across various streaming services and devices necessitates manual switching and monitoring to access desired content, which is burdensome for users and businesses, especially in environments with multiple input sources.

Innovation Solution

A dynamic content scheduler system that determines connected content sources, generates a content schedule based on available content, and automatically controls the streaming device to play the scheduled content without human intervention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If manual switching and monitoring is used to access content across multiple streaming services and devices, then content availability is maintained, but user burden and operational complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontent availabilityVSAvoiduser burden

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-service by implementing an automated content scheduler that independently monitors multiple content source devices, determines available content, generates playback schedules, and controls the streaming device without requiring manual user intervention for switching between sources

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary action by proactively determining all available content from connected content source devices in advance, generating a content schedule before playback is needed, and pre-configuring the streaming device to automatically play scheduled content at appropriate times

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple content source devices are connected to provide diverse content, then content variety increases, but device complexity and control difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontent varietyVSAvoidcontrol complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The content scheduler implements multi-functionality by serving as a universal control system that can manage multiple different types of content source devices (cable boxes, satellite receivers, antenna inputs, streaming boxes) through a single automated interface, performing content discovery, schedule generation, and device control functions across diverse hardware platforms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The content scheduler acts as an intermediary between multiple content source devices and the streaming device, consolidating control functions and simplifying the interface by providing unified content availability determination and automated playback control that mediates between various input sources and the final display output

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If automated content scheduling is implemented, then ease of operation improves, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomation levelVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system merges multiple functions into a single content scheduler component that combines content source detection, content availability determination, schedule generation, and device control capabilities, reducing overall system complexity by consolidating what would otherwise require separate systems for each function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS20260019673A1Dynamic content scheduler

Publication Date: 2026.01.15 ATMOSPHERE TV

AI summary

Systems and methods are disclosed for implementing a dynamic content scheduler to automatically control the output of a streaming device. In certain embodiments, a method may comprise implementing a dynamic content scheduler for a streaming device, including determining a content source device connected to the streaming device, determining all content available to the streaming device based on the content source device, generating a content schedule of video to play at the streaming device based on the all content, and controlling the streaming device to play the video based on the content schedule, including directing the streaming device to send control signals to the content source device.